[GR33N]

g'day !
obviously new to the forum,
I am looking at buying at jimny!

and I ve got two choices I am currently looking

$6500
2004 Suzuki Jimny JLX Automatic
-220kms
-all extras apart from alloys and power steering
or
$10000 ono
2006 Suzuki Jimny JX Manual
-65kms
-no power steering
-no power windows
-pretty much stock as a rock (but does have arb bar non winch compatible)

gonna be using for daily driving and weekend wheeling.
mods will be lift and tyres within 6 months

what year is a better year? which engine is better? if in the future I want to do an engine swap to a bigger engine which one will be easier/better? what is it like finding parts for both models if I need to fix or replace things?
there just a few questions off the top of my head!


any and all info greatly appreciated

Cheers,
Green
Cheers

[jimny_timmy]

mods wise, the 2004 model is infinitely better imo due to more gearing options etc.

Motor wise the vvt 06 model will be a slight improvement.

But really if I was to be honest... Both those cars are over priced for what they are. If I was to put my 2010 model on the market (twin locked, hd cvs and axles etc) I'd take $10k for it and it's only done 57000kms

[GR33N]

that's the problem most jimny that are for sale are overpriced! but they are both ono so could drop it down a bit I guess

is it hard to upgrade the 04 engine in that case? I know you can put a 1.5 swift engine in 05 - 14, is there a non vvt swift engine? or would you have to find something else?

Cheers,
Green

[jimny_timmy]

Yeah I'm pretty sure the earlier swifts and even the Holden cruzes have the non vvt motor option, and I'm pretty sure there's a non vvt m16 also.

If I was to pick out of those two it would be the 04. Especially if you're capable of a motor swap. I'd be trying to get that $6.5 close to or below $5k though. That car has done some kms and is 10 years old

[jimny_timmy]

Also I noticed it is auto. I'm not up on the gearing calcs for the autos, but I'm sure zukenutter will come along soon enough lol

[GR33N]

yeah both current owners seem pretty flexible so I think it might be do able,

is there any advantage or disadvantage offroad with auto compared with manual, and vice versa?

zukenutter??

Cheers,
Green

[GR33N]

Quote:

$6500
2004 Suzuki Jimny JLX Automatic
-220kms
-all extras apart from alloys and power steering

that's meant to say cruise control, it has power steering **

[droverdave]

Have you driven them? I test drove a non power steering jimny once, I'd never buy one without PS...

[sideways]

This. ^

VVT does drive nicer, non VVT doesn't make power until about 4500rpm. Both are gutless compared to anything modern though. I wouldn't let it effect your decision though, just buy the better car.

The problem with the autos is they're weak (or so Steve keeps telling us, more people seem to be breaking manuals), the get hot very quickly and are bullshit expensive to replace with a new one, though second hand ones come up for relatively reasonable prices. Autos are easy to gear because of the 0.738 top gear. They spin about 3600rpm at 110 stock, lower than the manuals. They really could do with some lower gearing though.

FWIW if I was going to put up $10k for a Jimny, it'd be a 2009 (?) onwards with ABS so you can tow 1300kg braked (450 braked on earlier ones). I don't know about where you are, but the ABS ones come up under $10k fairly often in W.A.

VVT

Pros
More flexible engine
Easy 1.8 engine conversion (though engines are getting hard to find)
Modern interior
Later ones have ABS, even ESC
Epic tow rating on ABS models
Lower low range as standard

Cons
Manuals are hard to gear (no overdrive gear and 4.3 diffs)

Non-vvt

Pros
Manuals are easier to gear than VVT
Stronger manual gearbox
Bullshit cheap M15as for conversions

Cons.

1.6 is the largest easy swap and the engines are rare

[GR33N]

Awesome information sideways

So if I could get either one for a reasonable price, which one is a better car?

[GR33N]

And I have driven my mates without power steering and it didn't seem too bad (225/70r15), not sure how it would go with 235's tho

[zukenutter]

Lol at all the call outs. Sorry but I don't spend near as much time on here as I used to.

I've had a 2000 M13a and now a 2006 VVT. I've had both from new. I think that the 2000 was a better car, Suzuki seemed to go on a bit of a cost saving exercise between models, the seats were sturdier and more practical, the parts were more readily interchangeable, etc.

As mentioned already the gearing options are greater for pre vvt, not that it can't be done but it's a more costly exercise.

When it comes to the engine the vvt is much better and the engine upgrades go up to 1.8L, which I can tell you is a hoot. Pre vvt models have 1.5 and 1.6 options as far as I'm aware.

Auto or manual?? Me and a bunch of others swear by manuals the other half (all girls I think ) swear by auto.
Really just whatever you prefer. Autos do get hot.

Did I miss anything?

[jimny_timmy]

sounds about right

[GR33N]

Haha you're the guru apparently!

That's actually some good info Zuke!
Cheers,
Green!