2019 Suzuki Jimny
Discussion
Hi,
I previously posted in the GG Jimny thread but a week after collection I thought I would post up some pictures and first impressions.
We had been looking for a car for a while, which would be used to commute to the train station each day and then for both of us to use over the weekend; it would replace a low mileage 2007 Citroen Pluriel which I bought locally for a £1000 14 months ago, and whilst it has been fun I have spent an inordinate amount of time and energy maintaining the roof mechanism until it failed again a few months ago. I currently have a Doblo van which I no longer need, so the plan was to replace the Pluriel first, then look at something like a used Fiat 124/Z4 to replace the Doblo.
We had initially looked at used Polos or a new Dacia Duster and the budget then crept up to a pre-reg/new model Polo. We were close to make a decision on the Polo when I saw the Jimny thread in GG and we both thought it would a great choice. I visited the local dealer, fully aware of the supply constraints; the salesman put our name down (fourth on the list), and said he would take a deposit in December/January when he had better idea of what they were getting. I received a call mid-December to say that we could have a base model Jimny in silver for March delivery; silver was my second choice so we agreed although black was very much the preferred option. We received a call ten days ago to say that a buyer for the dealer's first Jimny had not completed, and could we take immediate delivery of black SX4 Jimny.
We picked it up last Saturday, and it really is a fantastic car. Having only had a relatively short test drive I was concerned that it would be too "agricultural" especially on longer journeys but that really hasn't been a problem. Suzuki have obviously spent quite a bit of effort on refining the ride, and what's left adds to the charm. The high driving position is excellent, and the gear change, whilst "notchy" is positive and feels decent enough. In terms of motorway driving, it really doesn't feel comfortable going above 65-70mph, not least because it only has 5 gears and the engine noise becomes intrusive. I absolutely hate tail gating, which seems to be endemic nowadays, so I am happy to set the cruise control at 67mph and take my time! The steering takes a bit of getting used to. Overall, we are happy with the performance; it will always be compromised on the road but that’s entirely understandable.
In an ideal world we would have ordered the higher spec SX5, mainly for the infotainment screen and heated seats but we had already stretched our budget. I had the rear windows tinted last week, and I think it really enhances the car. The accessory list available in Japan is comically long and as soon as the stereo surround trim is available in the UK I will replace the double din unit with a flat screen with car play and a rear reversing camera. The SX5 comes with alloys but I think I prefer the standard steel wheels.
One of the concerns about buying new was depreciation but I am hoping that the limited supply will keep prices firm; we don’t intend to sell for a few years and historically Jimny residuals have been pretty decent.
I previously posted in the GG Jimny thread but a week after collection I thought I would post up some pictures and first impressions.
We had been looking for a car for a while, which would be used to commute to the train station each day and then for both of us to use over the weekend; it would replace a low mileage 2007 Citroen Pluriel which I bought locally for a £1000 14 months ago, and whilst it has been fun I have spent an inordinate amount of time and energy maintaining the roof mechanism until it failed again a few months ago. I currently have a Doblo van which I no longer need, so the plan was to replace the Pluriel first, then look at something like a used Fiat 124/Z4 to replace the Doblo.
We had initially looked at used Polos or a new Dacia Duster and the budget then crept up to a pre-reg/new model Polo. We were close to make a decision on the Polo when I saw the Jimny thread in GG and we both thought it would a great choice. I visited the local dealer, fully aware of the supply constraints; the salesman put our name down (fourth on the list), and said he would take a deposit in December/January when he had better idea of what they were getting. I received a call mid-December to say that we could have a base model Jimny in silver for March delivery; silver was my second choice so we agreed although black was very much the preferred option. We received a call ten days ago to say that a buyer for the dealer's first Jimny had not completed, and could we take immediate delivery of black SX4 Jimny.
We picked it up last Saturday, and it really is a fantastic car. Having only had a relatively short test drive I was concerned that it would be too "agricultural" especially on longer journeys but that really hasn't been a problem. Suzuki have obviously spent quite a bit of effort on refining the ride, and what's left adds to the charm. The high driving position is excellent, and the gear change, whilst "notchy" is positive and feels decent enough. In terms of motorway driving, it really doesn't feel comfortable going above 65-70mph, not least because it only has 5 gears and the engine noise becomes intrusive. I absolutely hate tail gating, which seems to be endemic nowadays, so I am happy to set the cruise control at 67mph and take my time! The steering takes a bit of getting used to. Overall, we are happy with the performance; it will always be compromised on the road but that’s entirely understandable.
In an ideal world we would have ordered the higher spec SX5, mainly for the infotainment screen and heated seats but we had already stretched our budget. I had the rear windows tinted last week, and I think it really enhances the car. The accessory list available in Japan is comically long and as soon as the stereo surround trim is available in the UK I will replace the double din unit with a flat screen with car play and a rear reversing camera. The SX5 comes with alloys but I think I prefer the standard steel wheels.
One of the concerns about buying new was depreciation but I am hoping that the limited supply will keep prices firm; we don’t intend to sell for a few years and historically Jimny residuals have been pretty decent.
after following the news feed from when it was first displayed to us, i just fell in love with these.. its perfect.. non of the garbage complication of new cars.. back to basics engineering, and fantastic looks..
watched them released in japan, then Australia , specced my colour, all ready to buy..
then local dealer got them in.. pounded on the door 2nd day they had it, a vibrant loud green colour, took it for a test drive............................................................ it didnt dissapoint, it was brilliant, old skool, went back in shop toplace my order.. way overpriced but who cares its bloody brilliant bit of kit.. but......
"sorry sir the jungle/army green colour you love is not a uk spec colour.. " thats ok i said, i will take a grey one.. "sorry sir that colour you have seen is not uk colour either"
absolutely gutted, what a complete bummer.. walked away. emailed suzuki uk who did say that eventually they will be available in the uk in those colours but it wont be for a year or so..
what a shame
watched them released in japan, then Australia , specced my colour, all ready to buy..
then local dealer got them in.. pounded on the door 2nd day they had it, a vibrant loud green colour, took it for a test drive............................................................ it didnt dissapoint, it was brilliant, old skool, went back in shop toplace my order.. way overpriced but who cares its bloody brilliant bit of kit.. but......
"sorry sir the jungle/army green colour you love is not a uk spec colour.. " thats ok i said, i will take a grey one.. "sorry sir that colour you have seen is not uk colour either"
absolutely gutted, what a complete bummer.. walked away. emailed suzuki uk who did say that eventually they will be available in the uk in those colours but it wont be for a year or so..
what a shame
andyj007 said:
after following the news feed from when it was first displayed to us, i just fell in love with these.. its perfect.. non of the garbage complication of new cars.. back to basics engineering, and fantastic looks..
watched them released in japan, then Australia , specced my colour, all ready to buy..
then local dealer got them in.. pounded on the door 2nd day they had it, a vibrant loud green colour, took it for a test drive............................................................ it didnt dissapoint, it was brilliant, old skool, went back in shop toplace my order.. way overpriced but who cares its bloody brilliant bit of kit.. but......
"sorry sir the jungle/army green colour you love is not a uk spec colour.. " thats ok i said, i will take a grey one.. "sorry sir that colour you have seen is not uk colour either"
absolutely gutted, what a complete bummer.. walked away. emailed suzuki uk who did say that eventually they will be available in the uk in those colours but it wont be for a year or so..
what a shame
And yet in Australia we can apparently get Jungle Green and Grey but not Black.watched them released in japan, then Australia , specced my colour, all ready to buy..
then local dealer got them in.. pounded on the door 2nd day they had it, a vibrant loud green colour, took it for a test drive............................................................ it didnt dissapoint, it was brilliant, old skool, went back in shop toplace my order.. way overpriced but who cares its bloody brilliant bit of kit.. but......
"sorry sir the jungle/army green colour you love is not a uk spec colour.. " thats ok i said, i will take a grey one.. "sorry sir that colour you have seen is not uk colour either"
absolutely gutted, what a complete bummer.. walked away. emailed suzuki uk who did say that eventually they will be available in the uk in those colours but it wont be for a year or so..
what a shame
I’m going to wait 12 months to see what ex-demo / end of year deals are available.
Thanks for all the comments.
In terms of the colour options, when I first saw the brochure I really wanted the mid grey which from the literature I thought would be a metallic/gunmetal grey and was disappointed when it wasn't available in the UK. It's actually more like a flat grey (more like VW Urano gray) which I wouldn't have went for in any case. The base model comes in white, black or silver; and I was really happy when the black became available.
ChocolateFrog said:
Very nice, I reckon they'll sell bucket loads of these.
What's it like on fuel?
We seem to be getting an indicated 40mpg, which will probably be around 38mpg if other owners experiences are accurate. The engine isn't very efficient, combined with the design means it will never be great, but we don't plan on doing big miles so it's not a major concern.What's it like on fuel?
In terms of the colour options, when I first saw the brochure I really wanted the mid grey which from the literature I thought would be a metallic/gunmetal grey and was disappointed when it wasn't available in the UK. It's actually more like a flat grey (more like VW Urano gray) which I wouldn't have went for in any case. The base model comes in white, black or silver; and I was really happy when the black became available.
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