660cc or 1300?

I'm quite new to Jimneys although we did briefly own a SJ413 in the eighties.

I have about £10-12K to spend. I'm looking for a small light off roader to use mostly on beaches and dunes, looking at advertised Jimneys MOT histories is showing up a lot of fails due to excessive corrosion. But there are a few Jap imports around that should suffer less because the Japs don't use road salt.  Some of these are 660cc, I drove one yesterday and really liked it but wondering how they compare with the 1.3s and if anyone on here has any experience with them.

tia, Jon   

Hi, only 660 I have experience with was the Suzuki Cappuccino. Not bad for what it was. I would however consider parts, the 1.3 was the only one sold here so parts are more readily available.

Are you in the UK? Where are you driving on dunes?

Can't really comment on the engines, as I've not driven the 660cc. I thought the 1.3 was more powerful. Neither will be very quick though.

The 660cc engine produces 64 bhp, whereas the 1300 produces about 84 bhp, depending which engine you have.

The 1.5L in the Gen 4 produces 105 bhp. I had a 2011 1.3L until 18 months ago, I thought it was a touch under powered, especially on the open road. It was fine off road in 1st & 2nd, especially if in low range.

I am sure the 660cc will be a little lighter, but it won’t be a quick car and unless you get one for a very good price the hassle of parts and servicing might not be worth it.

The 660cc Turbo is fine in Japan where the speed limit is 80kph and they all drive Miss Daisy. I don't see it working well elsewhere. If you are driving dunes, even the 1300 is a bit lacking. For beach driving, the 660 should be OK.
 

We live in the uK but we go to Morocco every other winter in our truck based Motorhome, previously we taken a scooter but this year took a road legal buggy on a trailer which was great fun and meant we could explore different places, but the insurance situation for buggies was difficult and the buggy was screaming its head off at 30mph on road, so thinking of taking something easier to insure next time. The interest in the 660 is that it is its from Japan so rot free and a bit lighter, but yes wondering about parts and how they compare with grunt off road.