Buying a Second Hand Jimny

Hi everyone, I am looking to buy a second hand Jimny and would be very grateful for any advice. Especially interested in any common faults to look out for or years to avoid. Thanks alot

www.bigjimny.com/index.php?option=com_ku...6&id=33733&Itemid=75

If that link worked it was my first thread when looking myself there's lots I found useful on the first page.

I did a LOT of driving about looking at jimnys mechanically most of them where sound but the main issue was rust on the body and under the chassis.

I was worried about buying one that had been used off road already but I got lucky and mine was well looked after and maintained so in better condition than some of the ones that had never left tarmac....

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Guessing you are from the UK

Almost all UK Jimnys will have areas of surface rust, especially the older ones. This is generally found around welds on the chassis

General Drive
On the test drive get it up to between 40 and 50 and feel for any wheel vibration (feels a little like the wheels are out of balance) this is generally a sign of kingpin bearing wear
Get down on you hands and knees and have a look at the state of the swivels on each end of the front axel. These should not be ploished like on a LR, but they should also not be pitted.
If the kingpins have gone/going expect to see an oily greasy mess.

4x4 and Transmission
By all means test 4x4, but only in a straight line! The Jimny has no central diff, so all 4 wheels are driven at the same speed... you will blow half shafts if you attempt to use 4x4 on a grippy surface.
When you engage 4x4 listen for a click-click. This is the front hubs engaging
Anything transmission wise that appears to make strange noises is generally bad. Expect a whine, which may become more noticabble in 4x4 Low Ratio

If you want to mod it, it might be worth buying a modded car... as it saves the £££'s and your time.
Jimny's aren't great on the road, let alone the modded ones

Thanks alot for the replies. I am looking to spend about 5,000 to 6,000 on a low milage 2006/2007 vehicle. I am surprised how high the prices are compared to other cars of comparable age and milage with similar price new. I will definitely buy private since I will get a better deal and like to be able to see who drove it before me. One of the advantages is it will be easy to look underneath the car with a torch given their height off the ground . Was surprised about the rust issue, would have thought being a 4x4 they would rust proof them more than other cars.

Hi Elemental

don't rule out non Suzuki dealers - got my 2007 last year for a good price from a Toyota dealer, they'd taken it as a part-ex and were going to pass it on to a Suzuki dealer, so I offered below book but it was more than what Suzi was offering. Not only did they give it 12 months MOT, 6 months tax and a service, they also threw in 12 months warranty - can't fault Toyota (shame about Suzuki - apart from colin appleyard who have reasonable prices www.colinappleyard.com/cars-and-4x4s/used-suzuki/jimny

rust issue = Suzuki use the cheapest lowest grade steel that it's possible to buy, unlike Toyota

have you driven one yet ? whilst we love them, the Fifth Gear UK Suzuki Jimny review sums them up pretty good ....

HANDLING - Short of trying to direct a flock of sheep down a road you couldn't endure a more woolly driving experience. The Jimny suffers from vague steering, poor stability at speed and a woeful lack of grip.

COMFORT - Imagine trying to ride a pnuematic drill pogo-style and you've got a fairly good idea of how well the Jimny deals with bumps and undulations. The cabin feels very low rent too - and the seating position is terrible.

QUALITY & RELIABILITY - Built to last - not that you'll want it to. materials are cheap and shiny.

PERFORMANCE - The Jimny's 1.3 litre petrol engine needs to be given a pasting to deliver anything approaching respectable acceleration. It's loud when used hard, too.

buying a used Suzuki Jimny 6 page mini-pdf guide, as featured in the UK Sept issue of 4X4 Magazine. available here

Love the write up! It's exactly like that but there the reasons I love it!