Considering a Jimny, but have a few questions !

HI all,

I am considering getting a Jimny, due to the fact that we have recently taken on a foster (now permanant!) dog, that was due to be PTS. I work full time, so he is sadly left for 8/9 hours a day at home, which got me to thinking about a car that I would be able to keep him in for 4 hrs in the morning (with an hours walk at lunchtime), then 3 in the afternoon - whilst inside work - as figured this would be better than 9 hours alone at home everyday.

The idea would be to crate him, and park the car just outside of my office window, so that he is in view. The reason I am looking at the Jimny is for the softop version, as I figured this would get around the leaving a dog in a hot car issue, as in the Summer I could have the top of the car down (parked in shade) - and then in the winter, when the weather closes in, I can have the roof up, and fill his crate with blankets etc...

So my main questions are:

1. Do the rear seats fold down on the Jimny ?
2. How does the softop work (is it in 1 or 2 sections ?)
3. What is the reliability of the Jimny like (it wouldnt be used for off road I dont think)
4. What is the real average MPG ?
5. Road tax wise am I correct in thinking pre 2001 (£210) posr £245 !

Thanks

Ian

Dont leave a dog in a car for that long, its cruel... much kinder to leave him/her at home.

1. Older models yes, the seat flips up and sits aginst the front seats, and the back of the seat folds flat onto the floor. There is a 3" step where the seat folds down but its rarely an issue. 2005 onwards... or the jimny's with the facelift, have a strange set up, where the bottom of the seat has to be removed. Alot of people on here rip the seats out, its litterally 10mins with a socket/spanner and they are out.
2. Wait for a soft top owner
3. Good, the odd issue, i.e. kingpin wear which isn't too bad to fix, but hurts your wallet. £200 a side fitted by the dealer
4. I regularly get 36mpg even with chunky AT tyres, on basic fuel. I'm currently thinking about trying the premium fuels, as i have heard there is a noticable difference. They are slow... people get 70mph out of them, but they aren't happy at that speed. Mid 50's to 60 is about right.
5. Pretty sure my 2004 is £210 for 12months

I tend to agree with doncarlyon... maybe having a dog isn't the best idea?

thanks for the info / replies - maybe it is best to leave him at home, but I think he would be happier having the extra couple of hours with me everyday

we only really took him on , as if we didnt he would have been put down - so we figured better he is a live and alone for 8/9 hours a day - but still getting 2x walks and a lot of affection, than being put down

from what i can see off images it looks like the roof is in 2 sections - good to know the older models also have folding seats!

roof is indeed in 2 sections. Front section is just on 2 clips and hinges in the middle to fold up on the roof.
The back section is a bit of a pain is I'm honest, particularly on the older cars.
Unzip back window, unzip side windows, unclip and fold down. But the tricky bit is zipping everything back up again!
Newer cars have a better system where you don't need to unzip the side windows I think and can be retrofitted...

How big is the dog? The jimny is not a big vehicle and even with the seats out is marginal if its as big as a medium sized estate with seats up (although there is more head room)