[gav240z]

Hi guys,
Just registered and wanted to get some advice from those who probably know far more than I about the small 4x4s Jimny, Sierra, Samurai etc.. I've had my sisters Jimny which is a 2002 model with the hard top and M13A for about 6 months now. She has been travelling through South America and I said I'd look after it whilst she's away.

She lives in Melbourne (with the parents) and I live in Sydney for work. I've driven it Sydney => Melbourne and back twice now and the only real problem I've had with it is that the crank angle sensor would shit itself on a long drive when sitting around 4000 rpm. I have since replaced with (15 mins job!) and it's been a great little run about in the city.

My girlfriend and I got a dog (big Labrador) and I have a couple of other project cars - so the Jimny has been fantastic to move stuff about in, engine cranes, car panels, and all sorts of parts etc.. It's also great on fuel - which I can't say for my other car.

So both my girlfriend and I have decided to get 1 when I finally have to give Jim Jam (my sister calls it that) back to her in July.

I've been looking at prices on Gumtree and Carsales etc.. and it seems prices are all over the place and of course there is different years of Jimny with what seems like minor differences and this is where I could use some advice.

Our current budget is around $5k (this may be adjusted depending on what we go for, but it's a joint purchase between myself and my g/f), and I've found some earlier Suzuki's like the Samurai and Sierra but from my limited knowledge they might be a little more *rough* around the edges and lack fuel injection and be single cam engines etc..?

We don't do off roading in it, but I do like the idea of going camping with it at some stage and exploring some of the Australian outback in it. I know they are not flash on the freeway and quite slow if I'm honest - would be ideal to have something a little more comfortable at speed but I guess it's like a little brick on the freeway so maybe they all behave that way?

Anyway what is the pick of the litter in terms of these cars? What years were good and what models are the most revered or appreciated and reliable? What kind of budget is realistic and any other advice when looking for 1?

Oh and thought I should mention that my sisters Jimny is a little stubborn going into first gear, not sure if this is a common affliction or not? There is also a bit of a squeal when the car is cold and taking off, I think it might be power steering belt but it's hard to replicate when the car is warm etc.. Again not sure if this is a common thing?

Cheers and thanks for any advice you can offer,
Gavin

PS: Here's a photo of the little tacker and I in the Jimny - although he's not so little anymore.

[greenzook89]

Welcome to AZ mate. With your budget id be looking for the latest model/best condition Jimny you can afford. They have a lot more mod cons than a Sierra and are a nicer beast to live with on a daily basis. I dont know what the 2nd hand market is around your neck of the woods but I think an early 2000s Jimny in decent condition would be achievable for 5-6k.

[bumstein]

Welcome to AZ!!

My ethos on the "which car" question is, but which ever one blows your hair back. Not in the literal sense, but which car makes you smile the most.

I like my Sierra and do plenty of K's. I've done very long trips in it and love it!! But let's be honest it's not the comfiest of cars and it's a bit underpowered. Do you like to tinker with cars? I like that I can do almost any of the work on the Sierra and if you want power there's plenty of things you can do to help out. There's extractors, through to engine conversions. Plenty of info around here to help out!! You want efi motor with good cruising speed on the fwy? Perhaps a Baleno 1.6 conversion might suit you IF you want to take on a project like that or pay someone to do it.. Your call


Sierra works for me and I'm a leafy fan (as opposed to later cool spring models) but each to their own..

Can you find a Sierra to drive? You know what the Jimny's are like, see if you can compare them.. You'll know which one you have more fun in, then it's just a matter of which one is more practical for your purpose and intentions.

Good luck with the search!! Hope you find a great car

[gav240z]

Thanks guys for the advice, I think my current problem is I already have 3 project cars (in various states of repair) so would prefer to go with someone as low maintenance as possible. The Jimny seems easy to work on, and I although I wouldn't mind the earlier versions, my g/f wants to drive it also and I don't think she would do as well without some of the creature comforts.

I tried to convince her a Toyota FJ40 would be a great car, but I think they are a bit 'agricultural' for her. So I think we'll go for a 2002+ Jimny, might up the budget a little to get what we want, since it seems they hold value quite well.

Is it a common issue to have stubborn first gear in these cars? I think the synchro might be a bit funny. Although I haven't even attempted to bleed the clutch.

Is there a list or FAQ on common problems these cars exhibit or perhaps a buyers guide that I can use to check for common faults etc..?

[droverdave]

Jimny is just a much newer car than a sierra. Much nicer in general, and if your girlfriend wants to drive it, then yep definitely go a jimny. my wife is not a fan of my drover thats for sure.

Definitely get one with power steering, i drove one without powersteering and it was a bit ordinary.

Alot of cars don't go into first gear all that nicely. Even my drover/sierra doesn't like going into first gear unless its stopped or unless i blip the throttle (with clutch engaged) to help it out (at crawling speed).

[gav240z]

Thanks, I had a look at this car tonight.
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/mooreban ... 1042820117

There were quite a few issues with it, at least a couple.

1. The shifter felt like a spoon in a soup bowl. At first I couldn't find neutral or thought I was in neutral only to discover I was in gear and stalled it. Seems a shifter bushing or something might be shot because it just felt very vague.

2. At 3000-4000 rpm there was a noticeable shake in the steering wheel, it felt engine related (not wheel balance). Could be out of balance drive shaft, flywheel or something else?

3. Owner has no service history - says bought it for his daughter but she wanted an auto etc..

4. Overall seller seems a bit dodgy, hard to say though. A few little things like he said it doesn't get driven - yet is stunk of cigarette smoke and the engine was warm when I got there (despite the fact they had 4 other cars) so it seems like it was driven recently.

I think I'll walk away from that 1, something doesn't add up. Going to look at a few more to compare. It was nice that it was a 2009 model but not all that different to my sisters 2002. Apart from VVT it seems anyway. So a little more poke.

[gav240z]

Hi Guys,
Is anyone able to confirm the first year of the M13A engine in the Jimny's it seems to be 2001/2002 - I'm guessing all the previous 1999 / 2000 models had the G13bb SOHC 16v engine only?

[greenzook89]

^ Correct. The early m13 were not vvt either. I think that started with the mk3 in 2005

[gav240z]

Well I found a 2008 Jimny with about 100,000 km's on it. Good car, I like the VVT motor - more punch down low and doesn't get asthmatic up top. Gearbox is much smoother than my sisters 02 model also.