Should i get a jimny?

wrote:

It is not difficult to engage 4WD but you need to be stationary to do it and straight wheels are not mandatory.

 

The opposite is in fact true. You can be moving at up to 60mph but you must have the wheels straight.

wrote:

Hi guys, 

so for months I’ve been thinking of getting a jimny. Dreaming would be better. Now I’m not an expert driver, but now live in a very rural setting, lots of narrow lanes, muddy passing spots, tracks, hills, muddy gravel roads, farmland everywhere.etc etc. 

I didn’t realise you have to slip it in and out of 4WD, I have also read that you should never drive in 4WD in the above conditions I mentioned. Is this correct?

I also read that they have a tendency to roll??

on this forum someone talked about what tyres to put on. Would the correct tires make it easier in driving RWD with above conditions? 

I also read - I’ve read a lot- that it can be tricky to slip it into 4wd unless you are stationary with wheels straight!

im looking at older models 2005 for example.

sorry, quite a few questions. Feedback would be greatly appreciated 
Thank you. 
 


 

You shouldn't need to use 4wd unless it is snowy out when road driving in the UK. RWD is fine and should be no problem to drive on the road, even if you haven't driven rwd before.

The Jimny is a "proper" off roader. So while it handles perfectly fine, it will drive significantly differently to a fwd hatchback. Best bet is go and have a test drive in one and see if you like it.

Now don't get me wrong, 4wd can be a benefit in some conditions, but the Jimny just isn't designed to use 4wd unless on slippery or loose surfaces. If you want 4wd all the time you'll need to look at something like a Rav4, Freelander or swb Shogun.

Thank you for your responses. Much appreciated. I’ll consider all and if get one- report back!!

Get a 2004 model 
Stronger gearbox and stick transfer box 
2005 vvt saw introduction of the chocolate R72 gearbox and electronic push button transfer box 
Jack

You asked on a Jimny forum if you should get one, that's like asking at an AA meeting if anyone's up for the pub 

I am going to say maybe, but a lot will depend on what you follow, your heart or practical.

The Jimny is great on narrow roads etc and you only need 4WD for the seriousness slippery stuff. Great visibility and actually fun to drive. A roads and motorways for distance not so good. They don't roll over and are no more prone to sliding than anything else driven within it's  limits.
The down side is fuel economy (32 ish average) and rust, rust, rust, rust. Check this carefully if your heart wants a Jimny.

If this is your first car and want to go practical would suggest a C1/Aygo / 107. Cheap to insure, cheap to purchase, cheap to tax, reliable and  50 plus mpg. They are also fun to drive and great on narrow roads. They are also good in snow and the slippy stuff, not Jimny good, but you won't get stuck unless you go axle deep in mush. I know, I've owned a C1 for many years. They are also better on A roads and motorways than the Jimny.

Not going to be a popular suggestion on a Jimny forum, but I've just taken my rose tinted glasses off to suggest an alternative thats more road biased and a better first car. If you really want 4x4 another alternative is pre 2006 Rav4. After 2006 they messed the engine up and they became large vehicles / diesel lumps. 

Glasses back on, get a Jimny, they are great fun

it is totally impractical, about as much storage as an MX5, uncomfortable, leans in sharp corners, slow, garbage fuel economy, high road tax, etc etc etc. It will be the most fun, enjoyable, quirky vehicle you have ever had.... You live in the areas it was built for...dont think. just do it. (... read up here and google as to where to look for the dreaded rust issues!)