Suzuki Jimny 1.3 JLX Soft Top | Sold through a car dealer friend in July 2005 after a change of work circumstances. I then went and fuelled my unabated Ford Capri obsession by buying a C reg 2.0 Laser for my daily commute. | My wife and I lived in London for 5 years before returning to our birthplace of Cornwall. While we were in London, we had a Vauxhall Corsa T227LRL. When the Jimny launched we had both agreed we liked them, not too big and with a soft top option too. We couldnt afford one until we moved back to Cornwall.
We came across W94PCV at the Vauxhall main dealer Maynes, at Barncoose near Redruth. We had originally gone there to jet wash the Corsa, but saw this Jimny parked for sale at 4,995, which was the cheapest one wed seen up till then. We spoke to the salesman, who told us that he had just taken it in on part exchange that morning and that he didnt really want it on his forecourt as it was not a Vauxhall thats why it was 500 lower than book price. So we took it for a spin, realised that it needed a bit of work shuddering brakes, new MOT required needed valeting to high heaven and we agreed to pay 2500 plus the Corsa, which was just as I expected.
Now we had thought this car would be ideal in Cornwall, as we had a soft top for the long hot Summers and 4 wheel drive for the long cold Winters. In February 2004, we had the worst snow in Cornwall for years but we collected the Jimny on March 1st the day after the snow had all melted. Timing isnt our forte I guess.
Since then it was brilliant a little bit slow, thaks to it only being a 1.3, but Ive since had a drive in a Vitara and that was appalling. You can feel the chassis twist and flex over every road imperfection something the Jimny doesnt do. Yes its a bit bouncy at times and you dont approach blind bends at 50 in it, but once you get used to the driving style, its great fun.
The only gripes weve had with it are the towbar that was fitted the thing couldnt pull skin off a custard why anyone would fit a tow bar is beyond me... was knocking against the exhaust we had the towbar removed, which was about half the weight of the car... and the plastic trims on the side of both seats have fallen off, requiring modification before refitting great big bolts into the seat frame. I also had to replace the speakers before I sold it.
I would also draw attention to the roof clips that would break with alarming regularity mainly those holding the side rear roof panels on. You get them slightly misaligned when refitting and the plastic clips snapped with no warning. From memory, they were about 7 each, so not a cheap thing to happen each time...
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