RE: Suzuki Jimny | PH Used Buying Guide
Discussion
Walter Sobchak said:
300bhp/ton said:
Curious, but what other 4x4's would you consider as alternatives? Lets say under £33k.
Probably a lightly used commercial SWB version of a certain Japanese 4x4 that you often like to pretend doesn’t exist when talking about how great Land Rovers are 
.For the record I like the Jimny, old and new, I just wouldn’t pay £30k for one.
The Land Cruiser Commercial is vastly more money and is a lot bigger vehicle, with probably less off road ability. They also look minging.
Did you actually check the prices? Not remotely apples to apples.
C70R said:
Walter Sobchak said:
300bhp/ton said:
Curious, but what other 4x4's would you consider as alternatives? Lets say under £33k.
Probably a lightly used commercial SWB version of a certain Japanese 4x4 that you often like to pretend doesn’t exist when talking about how great Land Rovers are .For the record I like the Jimny, old and new, I just wouldn’t pay £30k for one.
The Shogun Sport is not really a proper off road vehicle and I'd not want to use one or take one places I take the Jimny off road. Ultimately opting for a Shogun sport would be a bit like looking at an MX-5 RF, but then opting a Hyundai i30 Fastback instead, because it has 4 doors...
300bhp/ton said:
Walter Sobchak said:
300bhp/ton said:
Curious, but what other 4x4's would you consider as alternatives? Lets say under £33k.
Probably a lightly used commercial SWB version of a certain Japanese 4x4 that you often like to pretend doesn’t exist when talking about how great Land Rovers are .For the record I like the Jimny, old and new, I just wouldn’t pay £30k for one.
The Land Cruiser Commercial is vastly more money and is a lot bigger vehicle, with probably less off road ability. They also look minging.
Did you actually check the prices? Not remotely apples to apples.
Downward said:
Car based soft roader cross over which is NOT an off roader....
Silvanus said:
300bhp/ton said:
bennno said:
You have to be mechanically intolerant to drive it at or above 70 mph.
I'm sorry, but WTF?Why on Earth do you think this??
The Jimny runs very similar mph per 1000rpm in top as many small hatchbacks.
Perhaps one of the reasons I really rate my other car, a lowly Skoda Scala, is that it feels like a Maybach compared to the Jimny.
I still love the Jimny though.
300bhp/ton said:
C70R said:
Walter Sobchak said:
300bhp/ton said:
Curious, but what other 4x4's would you consider as alternatives? Lets say under £33k.
Probably a lightly used commercial SWB version of a certain Japanese 4x4 that you often like to pretend doesn’t exist when talking about how great Land Rovers are .For the record I like the Jimny, old and new, I just wouldn’t pay £30k for one.
The Shogun Sport is not really a proper off road vehicle and I'd not want to use one or take one places I take the Jimny off road. Ultimately opting for a Shogun sport would be a bit like looking at an MX-5 RF, but then opting a Hyundai i30 Fastback instead, because it has 4 doors...
Looks perfectly capable to me, but obviously you'll dismiss it as not being comparable because you like going down narrow lanes.
mhr1294 said:
Standard for standard, streaks ahead of any defender 90.
As a Jimny owner, I'd have to say no.Even on a base level, the 90 can tow 3500kg vs 1300kg and has a much higher hauling/loading capability too. So on just these basic fronts they have the Jimny/SJ beat.
mhr1294 said:
Nice. I like these, you can really see where the Gen 4 styling harks from. Not that PH or most posters realise this.
That said, you have omitted the fact that it is leaf suspension and doesn't ride anywhere near as well as a coil sprung 90. In fact my 4th Gen Jimny still doesn't ride as well as the 1989 90 parked on the drive.
mhr1294 said:
I've driven plenty of defenders, so here's my opinion on why even the SJ is better:
No bulkhead to restrict seat movement for tall drivers (seats actually have decent foam in them too so they're comfy)
I like Defender seats, they are very comfy. Even having a dodgy back I can drive a Defender all day long no probs.No bulkhead to restrict seat movement for tall drivers (seats actually have decent foam in them too so they're comfy)
As for the bulkhead. That allows easy modular change from pickup to hard top to full canvas tilt. Something you can't do with an SJ. It also allows chassis cab variants for more specialist use. So there are some Major plus points to the bulk head.
I also know a number of tall people who have owned Land Rovers long term. So tall people can and do drive them without issue.
Lastly, as introduced on the NAS and optional on Puma models. You could have a bulkhead deletion on certain body configurations.
mhr1294 said:
Tall drivers still comfortable to steer with the window up
A heater which clears the windscreen in a reasonable time
Electrics are far better quality
Dashboard plastics are better quality
Can't say these are really issues tbh.A heater which clears the windscreen in a reasonable time
Electrics are far better quality
Dashboard plastics are better quality
mhr1294 said:
Swivels don't piss grease when they see the slightest hint of moisture or dust
Again, not really an issue. The 33 year old 90 oin the drive is on its originals.mhr1294 said:
More reliable clutch design (cable with arm all accessable from the top)
Never know it to be unreliable.mhr1294 said:
Better steering box
Better in what way? The Defender one works fine. And has to cope with a heavier vehicle and bigger heavier tyres.mhr1294 said:
Less panel gaps (bonnet popped in this photo)
No rivets
Rivets are because it uses Birmabright (an aluminium alloy). And again the body is modular and can be unbolted. So there will have different tolerances.No rivets
mhr1294 said:
Only need metric spanners (fun fact Defenders still have some whitworth fasteners FFS this isn't the 1950s!)
Don't really see this as a plus point. Nothing wrong with Imperial sizes, esp if you work on other British (or American) cars.mhr1294 said:
No bolts or screws in dumb places you can't reach.
Bet they do. Or put it this way, never seen or heard of a car that doesn't.mhr1294 said:
Chassis is 4mm thick, so they pretty much never rot through.
Maybe not, but they are prone to rotting in other places....
mhr1294 said:
And the biggest advantage of all, no Land Rover badge tax.
This isn't a thing really. Most Defender parts are still cheap and plentiful. The vehicle has got 'trendy' in the past few years and some companies selling Urban trim for them are cashing in on this. But regular service & maintenance bits are cheap as chips.mhr1294 said:
The only good defender is a TD5, it keeps moisture out of your ECU by adding engine oil to it, unique feature.
They can and are all good.mhr1294 said:
If you're going off road, buy a unimog or that thing with the massive tyres I can't remember the name of.
Not really sound advice is it? A new Unimog is about £180,000 !!!! They are MASSIVE and basically a tractor. Completely awesome vehicles, but not even worth mentioning in this conversation.Off road, an SJ can be very capable. Small and nimble. But the narrow track and wheelbase can also make them more prone to falling over. In standard guise the leaf suspension also lacks articulation. A Defender will do better in many situations where larger wheels and ground clearance make a difference. But it would depend really.
mhr1294 said:
Anyway, keeping on topic, if you look hard enough you can probably import a really low mileage Jimny for less than what the dealers are asking for. Both 1.5 or the 660 turbo. If you're not bothered about driving flat out, I'd recommend the 660cc for off roading, it's got better gearing and makes maximum boost at 2000rpm. The spec of the 660 is the same as, if not better, than the 1.5 available here. The Japanese options list is massive.
Fight me.
No idea on import costs. I'd have thought you'd struggle to save anything currently, but I don't know how much shipping would be. You'd have to pay VAT, Duty and an IVA/registration costs. I also suspect the 64hp 660cc engine would feel hugely underwhelming on UK roads.Fight me.
tim0409 said:
Silvanus said:
300bhp/ton said:
bennno said:
You have to be mechanically intolerant to drive it at or above 70 mph.
I'm sorry, but WTF?Why on Earth do you think this??
The Jimny runs very similar mph per 1000rpm in top as many small hatchbacks.
Perhaps one of the reasons I really rate my other car, a lowly Skoda Scala, is that it feels like a Maybach compared to the Jimny.
I still love the Jimny though.
tim0409 said:
I’m loathed to disagree with a fellow Jimny owner, but 70mph is really quite tiring and I tend to stick to 60-65mph with cruise control on and let the world go by, which is in its self quite pleasurable.
Perhaps one of the reasons I really rate my other car, a lowly Skoda Scala, is that it feels like a Maybach compared to the Jimny.
I still love the Jimny though.
TBH - I too would stick to 60-65mph, it is more economical at those speeds. It's more of a comparison. For example I don't believe a new Suzuki Ignis would be any less tiring at 70mph. But there will be plenty of cars that are more comfy and relaxing long distance than the Jimny. But I'm not saying it is the last word in comfort. Only that it is perfectly acceptable and capable at all normal and legal road speeds in the UK.Perhaps one of the reasons I really rate my other car, a lowly Skoda Scala, is that it feels like a Maybach compared to the Jimny.
I still love the Jimny though.
300bhp/ton said:
Silvanus said:
and here come the insults because someone doesn't agree, you really do ruin an interesting thread
I assume by your tone, that you have more than on PH account? Seeing as this one says you've only been here 3 months?300bhp/ton said:
Silvanus said:
and here come the insults because someone doesn't agree, you really do ruin an interesting thread
I assume by your tone, that you have more than on PH account? Seeing as this one says you've only been here 3 months?Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff