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December 13, 2024 • 12 mins

Ready to embrace the rugged charm of the Suzuki Jimny and explore whether it's the right vehicle for you? Discover the secrets behind why this compact 4x4 is often likened to a mini Mercedes G-Class and why its devoted fan base swears by its off-road capabilities. We promise you'll gain insights into the Jimny's practicality and unique specifications, such as its ladder frame chassis and low range transfer case, which make it one of the most budget-friendly adventurers on the market. Whether you're considering it for daily commutes or thrilling weekend escapades, we've got you covered with all the essentials.

Let's navigate the terrain of buying a Jimny, especially if a used model has piqued your interest. Uncover the critical issues to watch out for, like rust and interior wear in older models, and how a thorough pre-purchase inspection can save you from costly surprises. We'll weigh the Jimny against its competitors, from the Land Rover Defender 90 to the Jeep Renegade, highlighting where it shines and where it may fall short. Plus, get the lowdown on insurance factors, maintenance costs, and why taking the Jimny for a test drive could be the decision maker. Tune in to arm yourself with the knowledge needed to make an informed purchase and ensure you choose a Jimny that's perfect for your lifestyle.

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Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Welcome to the Mega Car Review Podcast from
Confounderit, your go-to showfor everything cars, whether
you're a gearhead or justshopping for your next set of
wheels.
Every week, your hosts, marvand Claudia, dive into the
latest automotive trends, givehands-on reviews and share the
insights you need to make thesmart decisions in the world of
cars From the hottest models tomarket secrets.

(00:30):
Marv and Claudia have youcovered.
Get ready for expert opinions,lively debates and all the
details you won't hear anywhereelse.
Now let's join Marv and Claudiafor another episode of the Mega
Car Review Podcast, for anotherepisode of the Mega Car Review.

Speaker 2 (00:44):
Podcast.
So you're thinking about aSuzuki Jimny?
Huh, Interesting choice.

Speaker 3 (00:50):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (00:50):
This little 4x4 has a pretty dedicated fan base and I
know you've been doing someresearch.

Speaker 3 (00:56):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (00:56):
I am In fact.
I think you sent me an articlefrom Top Gear that called it
instantly desirable.

Speaker 3 (01:02):
Yeah, they did.

Speaker 2 (01:02):
They even compared it to like a Fiat 500 that can
climb a mountain.
So we're going to take a deepdive today and figure out if
this little off-road icon is theright choice for you.

Speaker 3 (01:14):
You know it's interesting.
You mentioned the whole cultfollowing thing.

Speaker 2 (01:17):
Yeah.

Speaker 3 (01:17):
Because Jimneys have been around for over 20 years.

Speaker 2 (01:19):
Yeah.

Speaker 3 (01:20):
The people who love them really love them.
Some people even sell theirsports cars to buy a Jimny.
So what is it about this carthat inspires that kind of
devotion?

Speaker 2 (01:32):
Well, it's got that boxy kind of retro look right
Like a mini Mercedes G-Class,but the Top Gear article that
you sent me also highlighted itsoff-road capabilities, and they
talked about the ladder framechassis, which I know is strong.
What does that actually meanfor someone off-roading?

Speaker 3 (01:47):
so that ladder frame chassis means that the chimney
can handle really rough terrainokay it can twist and flex
without breaking.
And then on top of that you'vegot rigid axles and four-wheel
drive with the low rangetransfer case okay, hold on low
range transfer case.

Speaker 2 (02:02):
what is that?
Hold on Low range transfer case.
What is that?

Speaker 3 (02:04):
So imagine you're crawling over rocks.
Right, we're trying to go up areally steep hill.

Speaker 2 (02:07):
Yeah.

Speaker 3 (02:08):
You need a lot of torque at low speed.

Speaker 2 (02:09):
Okay.

Speaker 3 (02:10):
The low range transfer case basically gives
you a super low gear.

Speaker 2 (02:14):
Yeah.

Speaker 3 (02:14):
Which gives you incredible control in those
situations.

Speaker 2 (02:18):
So it's designed for some pretty serious off-roading.
But what off-roading?
But what about just likeeveryday driving?
I know the Top Gear articlealso mentioned the engine 1.5
liter petrol, no turbo, nohybrid.
Is that enough to get around?

Speaker 3 (02:30):
It's not going to win any drag races, but it's
perfectly adequate for what it'sdesigned for, which is
efficiency and reliability.
You know it's a tool for aspecific job.
It comes standard with a manualgearbox, which gives you more
of a connected drivingexperience, but you can get a
four-speed automatic if you want.

Speaker 2 (02:46):
Okay.
So speaking of practicality,let's talk about the interior
Wipe down surfaces, steel wheels.
It doesn't exactly screamluxury, does it?

Speaker 3 (02:55):
No, not at all.
It's Spartan, but that's partof its charm.
It's designed for people whoneed function over frills.
So imagine you're a rockclimber and you need to haul
your gear up a muddy mountain.
You don't want some plushinterior that's going to get all
ripped up and stained.
You want something durable andeasy to clean.

Speaker 2 (03:14):
So who is this car for?
You know, top Gear called it amountain goat in a tuxedo.
But is it just for hardcoreoff-roaders, or can it be
someone's daily driver?

Speaker 3 (03:24):
I think that is the key question.
The Jimny can definitely be adaily driver, but it depends on
your priorities and yourlifestyle.

Speaker 2 (03:31):
Okay.

Speaker 3 (03:32):
Practicality, fuel efficiency and the ability to
handle any terrain are importantto you.
The Jimny could be perfect, butif you want a smooth, luxurious
ride and you're mostly drivingaround the city, there are
probably better options.

Speaker 2 (03:44):
Okay, let's get into the cost of getting into one of
these.
You found that the average useprice is around 26,700 pounds up
.

Speaker 3 (03:50):
Yeah, that's from Market Check UK.
But there are some pretty bigswings in price depending on the
year.

Speaker 2 (03:56):
Really.

Speaker 3 (03:57):
Yeah, older models can go for as low as 18,999
pounds, but I found a 2024 modellisted at 43,990 pounds, but I
found a 2024 model listed at43,990 pounds.

Speaker 2 (04:07):
So even if you're buying used, you've got to be
prepared to spend a bit.

Speaker 3 (04:11):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (04:11):
What about insurance costs?

Speaker 3 (04:13):
So every Jimny falls into an insurance group based on
its value and performance andthings like safety features.
Higher group means higherpremiums, and newer models are
usually in higher groups becausethey're more expensive to
replace.

Speaker 2 (04:27):
So it's not just the sticker price you have to worry
about.
Then there's the day-to-daycost of running it too right,
Absolutely Like fuel.

Speaker 3 (04:33):
Fuel efficiency is always important.
Officially, the Jimny claims36.7 miles per gallon, but real
world results will vary.

Speaker 2 (04:40):
I bet driving up those mountains is not very fuel
efficient.
What about servicing costs?
Are there any years or modelsthat have particularly expensive
repairs?

Speaker 3 (04:49):
That's a great question, and it's one we will
definitely dive deeper into.

Speaker 2 (04:52):
Okay, so before we do that, let's talk about how the
Jimny stacks up against some ofits competitors.
Okay, I know, we talked aboutthe Land Rover Defender 90.
Those are both pretty iconicoff-road vehicles.

Speaker 3 (05:02):
The Defender definitely is more luxurious.
It's got a larger interior, soit's a good choice if you need
more space or if you want a morepremium feel.
But that comes at a priceLiterally, literally and
figuratively.
The Defender is much moreexpensive to buy and to maintain
.

Speaker 2 (05:19):
So if you're looking for a pure and affordable
off-roader, the Jimny might bethe better bet, but is it as
capable as the Defender off-road?

Speaker 3 (05:30):
That's where things get interesting.

Speaker 2 (05:31):
Okay.

Speaker 3 (05:32):
The Jimny's small size and lightweight can
actually be an advantageoff-road.

Speaker 2 (05:38):
Oh really.

Speaker 3 (05:38):
Yeah, it can squeeze through tight spots and get over
obstacles.
That might be reallychallenging for the bigger
defender.

Speaker 2 (05:45):
So it's like David and Goliath.
Exactly the smaller, nimblerJimny, might hold its own
against the bigger, morepowerful defender.

Speaker 3 (05:51):
Yeah, and it's also more fuel efficient.

Speaker 2 (05:52):
Right.

Speaker 3 (05:53):
Arguably anyway.

Speaker 2 (05:54):
Okay, so let's dig deeper into those potential
issues and running costs afterthe break.
That's good.
Welcome back Now.
Before the break, we weretalking about some potential
issues with the Jimny.
What are some things thatpeople should be watching out
for, especially when buying used?

Speaker 3 (06:10):
Well, one common issue on older Jimnys is rust.

Speaker 2 (06:13):
Oh really.

Speaker 3 (06:13):
Yeah, specifically on the chassis, the wheel arches
and the underbody.
You know these cars were builtfor off-roading Right, so they
often encounter some pretty,some pretty harsh conditions
yeah it's really important tocheck those areas for any signs
of corrosion okay.

Speaker 2 (06:28):
So even though it's tough, it's not invincible yeah,
exactly what about specificmodel years?
Are there any that are knownfor having more problems than
others?

Speaker 3 (06:37):
for models made before the 2018 redesign, the
interior can really start toshow its age.

Speaker 2 (06:43):
Yeah.

Speaker 3 (06:44):
You know those older Jimneys were really known for
their utilitarian design, so youwant to make sure everything is
still functioning properly.

Speaker 2 (06:50):
Like what.

Speaker 3 (06:51):
Like the seats, the switches, yeah, the air
conditioning.

Speaker 2 (06:53):
So it's not just about how it looks on the
outside.
It's about making sureeverything on the inside still
works Exactly.
What about the models madeafter 2018?
Any red flags there?

Speaker 3 (07:02):
Well, with the newer models it's less about age and
more about usage.
So you know, a thoroughinspection is always a good idea
, especially for a Gemini.
Has it been heavily off-roaded?
You'll want to look for anydents or scratches on the
underbody, check the suspensionfor wear and tear and make sure
the engine is running smoothly.

Speaker 2 (07:19):
So, no matter what year you're looking at, getting
a pre-purchase inspection from amechanic who knows Suzuki's or
4x4s is probably a good idea.

Speaker 3 (07:29):
I would definitely recommend that it's better to be
safe than sorry, especiallywith a vehicle like this.

Speaker 2 (07:34):
Okay, let's get back to those running costs.
You mentioned fuel efficiency,but what about servicing?
Are Jimneys generally expensiveto maintain?

Speaker 3 (07:41):
You know, servicing costs can really vary depending
on the model year and thecondition of the vehicle.

Speaker 2 (07:47):
Yeah.

Speaker 3 (07:47):
But overall Jimneys are known for being pretty
reliable and having relativelylow maintenance costs.

Speaker 2 (07:54):
That's good to hear, but are there any specific
repairs or parts that?
Are known to be reallyexpensive.

Speaker 3 (07:59):
Well, that's where that pre-purchase inspection
comes in handy.
A good mechanic will be able tospot any potential issues that
could lead to costly repairsdown the road.
Like what Things like worn outsuspension components, leaks or
signs of engine trouble?

Speaker 2 (08:12):
So it's about being proactive and catching those
problems early.

Speaker 3 (08:16):
Exactly.

Speaker 2 (08:17):
Now, before we talked about the Defender, what other
vehicles are in the same classas the Jimny?

Speaker 3 (08:22):
Well, the Jeep Renegade is another popular
choice.
It's got a more modern designthan the Jimny and it offers
more features and technology,but when it comes to off-road
capability, the Jimny is stillthe king.

Speaker 2 (08:35):
So it sounds like it's all about choosing your
priorities.
If you want more comfort andgadgets, the Renegade might be
appealing, but if it's all abouttackling tough terrain, the
Jimny seems to have the edge.
How does the pricing compare?

Speaker 3 (08:48):
So the Renegade can actually be more expensive?
Yeah, both to buy and tomaintain.
It's a more complex vehicle,you know, with more electronics
and features that couldpotentially go wrong.
The Jimny, with its focus onsimplicity and durability, tends
to be more budget friendly inthe long run.

Speaker 2 (09:03):
OK, so you get more bells and whistles with the
Renegade, but you might pay apremium for them.
Now we can't talk about theJimny without mentioning the
Mercedes G-Class.

Speaker 3 (09:13):
I know they're in totally different price brackets
Right, but you can't deny theresemblance.

Speaker 2 (09:17):
Yeah.

Speaker 3 (09:17):
In terms of styling, it's like the Jimny is the
G-Class's fun loving littlecousin.
You know, the G-Class is theultimate luxury off-roader and
the Jimny is.
It's more affordable.

Speaker 2 (09:29):
Yeah.

Speaker 3 (09:29):
An approachable sibling.

Speaker 2 (09:31):
Yeah, the G-Class is aspirational, the Jimny is
attainable, but you said they'reboth capable off-road.
Yeah, how does the Jimnyactually compare to the G-Class
in terms of performance?

Speaker 3 (09:40):
You know it's funny the Jimny's smaller size can
actually give it an advantage incertain off-road situations.

Speaker 2 (09:47):
Really yeah, because it's more nimble and
maneuverable.

Speaker 3 (09:49):
It can handle tight trails and obstacles that might
really challenge that biggerG-class.

Speaker 2 (09:54):
So it's not just about brute force, it's about
agility and finesse as well.
Right, and the Jimny has thatin spades.
Okay, before we wrap up thisdeep dive, I want to go back to
insurance for a minute.
You mentioned that insurancegroups play a big role in
determining costs.
Can you break that down for usa bit more?
How can someone figure outwhich insurance group a specific

(10:16):
Jimny model falls into?

Speaker 3 (10:18):
Well, there are a bunch of websites and resources
out there that give youinsurance group ratings for
different car models.
You can also check with yourinsurance provider directly.
But you know it's important toremember that these are just
guidelines.
Your actual premium is going todepend on a bunch of different
factors like your drivinghistory, your age, your location
, the level of coverage youchoose.

Speaker 2 (10:40):
So it's always worth shopping around and getting
quotes from different insurers.

Speaker 3 (10:43):
Definitely.

Speaker 2 (10:44):
Okay, so I think we've covered just about
everything when it comes to theSuzuki Jimny.

Speaker 3 (10:48):
Yeah, thanks sir.

Speaker 2 (10:49):
From its history and features to its running costs
and potential issues.
We even compared it to some ofits competitors, like the
Defender, the Renegade and eventhe G-Class.
What are your final thoughts?
Is this a car you wouldrecommend?

Speaker 3 (11:01):
You know, the Jimny is a very unique vehicle.
It definitely won't appeal toeveryone, but for the right
person it can be an incrediblyrewarding and fun car to own.
It's rugged, it's capable andit's got a personality that's
hard to resist.

Speaker 2 (11:18):
It's definitely a car that makes a statement.
Yeah, but before someone runsout and buys a Jimny, what are
some key takeaways they shouldkeep in mind?

Speaker 3 (11:25):
Well, I think the biggest thing is to think about
how you would actually use theJimny.

Speaker 2 (11:30):
Okay.

Speaker 3 (11:31):
Will it be your daily driver, your weekend adventurer
or a dedicated off-road machine?
And you also need to consideryour budget, not just for the
purchase price, but forinsurance, fuel and maintenance.

Speaker 2 (11:42):
And, of course, do your research.

Speaker 3 (11:43):
Absolutely.

Speaker 2 (11:43):
We've given you a lot of information, but it's
important to go deeper andexplore those areas that really
interest you.
Read owner reviews, watch somevideos, maybe even test drive a
journey to see if it's the rightfit for you.

Speaker 3 (11:56):
Ultimately, the decision is yours, but hopefully
this deep dive has given youthe knowledge you need to make
an informed choice.

Speaker 2 (12:03):
Well, on that note, I think we're going to wrap up
this episode of the Deep Dive.
We hope you found itinformative and engaging.
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