[Chumby]

Hi all - absolute noob question here!

My partner has enjoyed a Swift for 3/4 years but it might be time to move on. She likes the idea of being able to zip around the city... but also to be able to head off on beach tracks for some fishing/canoeing etc. Swift is struggling with the last bit.

Thoughts on the best Suzuki for her? Mods not needed now but down the track I can imagine in 3/4 years she would like to change over again... and I wouldn't mind having her small car which I could mod up (I am currently driving a lifted Jeep GC with lockers etc).

Is the Jimny the way to go? Best year/model would you recommend if so?

Cheers,
Chumby

[murcod]

I'd imagine it would be a huge shock going from a suburban friendly Swift to a Jimny. Has she driven one yet?

[alien]

Comfort in a swift is pretty limited... jimny would likely be just fine. If you wanted more room check out a SWB Vitara?

[Chumby]

Hasn't driven a Jimny yet.... will try in the next couple of weeks. The 2015 looks nearly like a street machine... but I take it can handle well offroad - easily modded down the track?

SWB Vitara... I take it ok for light 4wd but able to be modded after? Best year to look at for them?

Appreciate your help,

Cheers
Chumby

[ZUZUKI]

I suppose you are talking about new car options here?
You might just be able to find a superseded SWB Grand Vitara new, would do all you seem to be asking for, although only 2 doors, as opposed to the swifts 4. Would accept mild modding & a reasonable thing to drive in the city / daily.
The current Vitara (only as a 4 door wagon) looks ok for city work, bit bigger than a swift, might be a little underpowered for soft beach stuff - but there is a turbo version comming. unlikely to be able to modify it to do anything more than it currently does.
Which leaves the Jimny, great base for a bit of off road fun in the future, but as others have said, might be a bit more pitchy, bouncy & not as zippy as your partner would like for the next 3-4 years.
Take one for as long a test drive as you can (over a weekend if the dealer will let you) to see if you like it.

I'm only saying this because you already own / drive a Jeep, but what about a new Renegade Trailhawk? (wash keyboard out with soap) - a bit expensive & fuel use with the 2.4litre is about twice what the swift uses, but looks like a bit of fun.

Good luck, Michael

[Chumby]

Thanks for that Micheal - yes sounds like trying to take a Jimny for a test drive should be the way to go... Has the 2015 model any distinct advantages over previous models?

Haven't really looked at the Renegade.... may investigate also. Thanks for the heads up.

Cheers
Chumby.

[Chumby]

Interesting clip comparing the 2015 Jimny to the Jeep Renegade...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJMgie87afQ

Cheers,
Chumby

[TEKNO]

What a great comparison video.....go the jimny.

[henno]

Wow, those are two of the most awkward humans I have ever seen present a TV show.

[TEKNO]

^^^bahahaha

[murcod]

They should have compared the new Vitara RT-X to the Renegade (which is based on a Fiat 500 platform). That's a more direct competitor.

The Jimny doesn't really have any direct competitor that I can think of- design wise it's caught in a time warp.... Like a couple of other Suzuki models that have lagged behind compared to other manufacturers. It's a good thing if you want a tough small vehicle with real off road ability.

[ozzycouch]

Might be a bit left field, but I'm enjoying driving around in an 03 Subaru Forester we brought to replace a Mazda 323.
Very suitable for the forestry tracks around here, no problem 3 wheeling out of a creek bed either, centre and rear LSD.
Haven't had it on the beach yet, but from what I've seen, shouldn't be a problem.
Around town and down the Highways it's like a car to drive.