Buying my first Jimny

I hope it goes your way and is a sound (rot free) Jimny. If it is then it must be worth meeting them in the middle.

Jimny's are great fun, yes they aren't all that quick, but hey I have had years of fast, powerfull cars and all that happens in the Jimny is you just need to set off a few minutes earlier and rev it a lot more.

Let us know if you get it.

Robin

@facade - Yes it is a late 2000er example, December 2000 to be precise. I agree with you that I am not in the best bargaining position, they have said on the phone they would at least come down to €5500, I said i was hoping for €5250 but the bloke said I would have to discuss that with his boss, so lets see. If the car is right, relatively rust free and the engine all seems fine then I won't walk away for the sake of a few hundred euros. As you say finding such a low mileage and hopefully rust free MK3 of that age seems to be quite difficult.

Will keep you posted how it all goes tomorrow and try and get a few pics of the condition while I am taking a closer look.

Cheers

My old one was a late 2000, first of the M13 engines. It had done about 140,000 miles when I sold it in 2019, and it is still running round now.

(It was like Trigger's broom mind- 4 engines, 3 gearboxes, 2 chassis, new bodyshell........ )

Seriously, the fuel pipes rotted, the kingpins went, one front wheel bearing a seized alternator and a new crank pulley, not bad for any car.

In terms of operating the 4WD system and in particular changing between the various ranges I was wondering if someone could provide some clarity.

From the information I've found online it seems that best practice involves changing between the various drives when stationary, ideally reversing a little to reduce wind up, then engage the relevant drive range.

What I am a bit unsure of is whether the clutch should be pressed in during the procedure &/or the car should be in neutral?

Any pointers would be great.

Jimny prices in Germany, wow, 5.5k for 23 year old 4x4 - it's just crazy how inflated they have become, I used to see them all over for 2-3k, especially with the older G13BB engines. If it's G13BB then I would probably look for different car for that price- although that's my personal feeling against G13BB not so much a proven fact.

Rust spots to check and really poke hard - trunk floor below the jack, areas in the front wheel arch, especially those behind headlamps.

4WD operates: 2WD to 4WD-High and back with either clutch depressed or in neutral up to 80kmph. 4WD-H to 4WD-Low Vehicle stopped, transmission in neutral (but probably you can get away with clutch as well).

I agree it is a lot of money for a car of that age. But saying that over the past 2-3 years used car prices have seemingly shot up in general and on top of that the Jimny has a certain appeal that is really in demand right now. Lots of people wanting one to just zip around town with too. Not sure where you are based but certainly in Europe prices are pretty steep. For newer examples say 2005 and onwards that are within my price range you are looking at 120,000km on the clocks and often shabby condition, occasionally there are exceptions but they go like hot cakes.

Well the verdict seems to be split on the older G13BB engines. @Dured for what reasons would you avoid the car if it has the G13BB engine?

Thanks for clarifying regarding 4WD operation.