Auto news on Youtube Jul 5 2018

A new Jimny has just been announced.

This version is 20 years old now.

This car was introduced to the masses in 1998.

The Jimny itself dates back to the '70s.

We didn't know it as Jimny in Europe, but as the SJ10, SJ20, et cetera.

It was called Jimny in some countries.

The Jimny name came to the Netherlands in 1998.

It's a small car, a car that finds its origins in the Kei car principle.

Cars smaller than 3 meters have tax benefits in Japan.

That's an interesting construction over there.

It's less interesting for Europe, but it does give us small outer dimensions.

This Jimny is a bit bigger. It no longer complies with the Kei car rules.

It's still a small car; a car that looks cute, but it holds its own off-road.

All-wheel drive can be switched on.

It has a low gearing should you want that.

There have been two-wheel drive versions in Europe for a short while, but these are rare.

When shopping, check if it has all-wheel drive.

You'll be able to drive in the snow or mud.

You can do some serious off-roading.

It's a small, maneuverable, and capable machine.

There are gasoline and diesel engines with power ranging from 64 to 84 hp.

That's not a whole lot.

A VGT engine with variable valve timing was introduced in the mid-00's.

It's a more intelligent and nicer engine to have, but the older engines are fine too.

ENGINES gasoline, diesel

When looking for a Suzuki Jimny on AutoTrack, you'll find over 40 of them.

The prices range from less than 2,000 euros to 25,000 euros for relatively new cars.

Again, new cars of this generation have been sold this year.

New cars are no longer available now, but the successor will be here soon.

Finally, a successor for the Jimny.

That doesn't mean this car feels dated. It's really not that bad.

PRICES minimum, maximum

Reasons to buy a Jimny. Like I said, it's a capable off-roader.

If you live in the country and need to drive on a dirt road in bad weather conditions,

buying a Jimny is not a bad idea.

It's small and maneuverable, making it a fine city car as well.

It's also reliable. Not many things can break.

That's a good thing.

Do keep in mind that the Jimny wasn't designed for driving on the highway.

If you're driving 250 km (155 miles) on the A1 in a day, don't do this in a Jimny.

It turns into a loud, small, wobbly car at higher speeds. You don't want that.

This takes us to the things to watch out for with a Jimny.

Apart from it not being built for the highway and the abuse it needs to keep moving,

there are a few more things to keep in mind when buying a Jimny.

First, it's a car with all-wheel drive that can be switched on and off.

Check if all the different gearings work.

There's usually no problem, but you want to make sure everything works as it should.

If it needs repairs or a differential overhaul, it can get expensive.

If you want an automatic transmission, check if it doesn't leak fluids.

This mainly happens at the front of the manual transmission.

Be prepared.

The really early model years, '98 and '99, had problems with dying engines,

but everything after that didn't have that problem.

The Jimny is a bit stiff and bouncy because it's an off-roader. It needs this from its suspension.

There are a few things to keep in mind.

First, the steering wheel can vibrate at 80 kph (50 mph).

It's really noticeable. It has a logical cause.

It's caused by worn kingpin bearings, allowing the wheel to vibrate.

The wheels are big compared to the car. They're narrow and tall, so you feel everything.

There are a number of ways to fix this. First, an overhaul of the kingpin bearings.

Much can be done, or they can be replaced.

These aren't expensive parts, but the labor is.

You can also install a steering damper.

Suzuki told us they always do this with Jimnys.

It's impossible to completely eliminate the vibrations because of the wheel to car width ratio.

A steering damper absorbs most vibrations and it will no longer be a problem.

If this doesn't solve the vibrations, there's probably a problem with the layshaft.

That's a more serious problem because the shaft needs to be replaced.

It's not cheap. It's not very expensive either, but it's a thing.

The last thing with the Jimny's suspension are the brakes.

There are stories on the Internet about warped discs.

This causes the brakes to vibrate. You feel this as soon as you brake.

If the brake pedal or steering wheel vibrate, a brake disc is probably warped.

There aren't many strange things going on with the exterior.

It's an off-roader, so check for damage.

The rest isn't that bad, but beware of rust; especially with the older cars.

Rust mainly happens behind and below the headlights.

Water can collect there, causing rust.

The trunk floor is double-layered. Water can collect there when the drains are clogged.

It can rust heavily there.

Rust may be found underneath the fenders' plastic parts.

It can also rust where the axle is attached to the chassis.

Pay attention to this as well.

There are convertibles and hardtop versions with a metal roof.

The convertibles have a fabric roof that attaches with plastic clips.

Those clips can break. There won't be enough tension on the top, causing leaks.

Hardtops are available for the convertible.

This is no superfluous luxury in our country.

It offers more comfort in the cabin because there'll be less wind noise.

Lastly, the interior.

There's only one thing to watch out for: it's a small car.

Don't expect a huge trunk and roomy back seats.

I think it's okay. The back seats aren't cramped.

It's more comfortable there than in a MINI.

It was designed to be a Kei car, of which you can see the consequences.

Keep this in mind.

The Jimny we're driving today is a rather new one; only a few years old.

It's black with leather upholstery and A/C.

It's a well-optioned car.

It has 33,000 km (20,500 miles) on the clock.

It's for sale at the Dutch Jimny and Suzuki 4x4 specialist.

That's what the importer says, so I assume they're right.

That'd be Pijnappel Suzuki in Apeldoorn.

THIS CAR

If you're looking for a second-hand car and want our help, or if your company has a nice car for sale

of which we may shoot a video, please send an e-mail to tips@autoblog.nl

Subtitles - Maru's Text Support