[fuzzybabybunny]

I'm an American and I'd like to drive a big loop around Aus. Unfortunately we don't have the Jimny in America so I'm not familiar with it.

I went to go see the car today. It has 130,000 km on it and it's a 2006 selling for $5,000. It doesn't look like it has been taken care of that well. Seller said it used to be a fleet vehicle that was used around the mines. It has a broken fan belt that is being repaired today so I wasn't able to test drive it.

I'm coming from a 2006 Yaris with 180k and I have a Subaru Crosstrek that I've offroaded with with 200k. Both are brand new compared to this Jimny that has less miles.

- loads of rust spots everywhere, especially when you open the hood and you see it in the front engine bay
- underside seems fair
- the part that covers the handbrake is gone - you can see the mechanism
- little dings here and there that are rusted
- big rip on interior fabric seat
- seller says it idles inconsistently at the start but is fine afterwards
- fabrics feel like there is grime and needs a deep clean - I've done plenty of crazy stuff in my Subaru but the fabric is still fine.

So I'm a bit concerned about buying this. I don't know the mechanical condition yet, but it looks way more worn than my similarly-aged and used cars.

- Is rust a known issue with the Jimny? The only other car I've had with rust issues was one driven where they salt the roads in winter...
- Is the rough idle in the beginning which disappears later a big problem?
- I'm more concerned by the fact that it was a fleet vehicle in mining - sounds like it could have had a pretty rough previous life with miners using a company vehicle on unsealed roads day in and day out.

[shep]

Yeah I wouldn't touch it. You would be better of with a commodore or falcon with all terrain tyres.

Unless you want to do proper hardcore trips a $3000 falcon will go everywhere and there are parts available everywhere as well.

Most Australian dirt roads are good for 100+kph

[fuzzybabybunny]

Thanks. I'm leaning towards not getting it, although I talked to a mechanic who said that fleet vehicles generally look like crap on the inside and out, but they've still had all their servicing done so mechanically it should still be sound. The rust worries me though.

I'm also thinking about a Suzuki SX4. I'll create another thread about it.

[Gwagensteve]

Stay away.

Take Shep's advice. There are few places in Australia you'd want to travel to alone that require a 4WD, and that Jimny couldn't be trusted to take you to them.

[Eddy]

x2 on Shep's advice.

If there's only one or two doing the trip, a Falcon ute might be the go. There's a lifted suspension model, (outback? or longreach?) that'll take you damn near anywhere except for the real tough tracks.

[alien]

Weigh up the price of hiring a wagon. Then you'll get all your insurance, roadside assist etc covered and not have to pay for breakdowns =) Also, you don't have to sell it after. It might cost more than buying something old, but I'd say the advantages would outweigh the cost.

[pete_79]

Just don’t hire it from these guys....

https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-19/gold-coast-businessman-ripping-off-tourists-in-4wd-scam/9878452?pfmredir=sm

I would rather take my chances with a flogged out ex-mining Jimny then risk my cash with these guys going by the reviews I’ve read.

Exhibit A;

Quote:

In reply to Australian 4WD this article nicely sums up the problems with your reply:
http://stocksnews.com.au/2018/07/08/aus ... vestigate/
I have pulled out key terms from their T&Cs and summarized the problems with this company, below.
You are correct that I am being vague about my hire. This is because in your terms and conditions you write: The Hirer "will at all times act in the best interests of the Company's business and interests and will not defame or denigrate the Company or its employees, agents or servants". i.e., a gag clause. Following similar complaints to the ones I have lodged, you have threatened to sue numerous people for writing bad reviews or complaining, including German backpackers you left stranded (http://bit.ly/2yAxXjr,) In another case, Mr. Bell stated “I posted a review online [of Australian 4WD] very clearly explaining the ins and outs of what happened [why Australian 4WD did not return their bond] and then within a couple of days I get a letter from a lawyer saying cease and desist, demanding I remove all of my online reviews and apologise otherwise they will sue me for defamation and $10,000 per post,” Product Review has confidentially verified that I was a customer. No, I will not elaborate publicly on the details of my hire so that you can sue me. This is why there are so few bad reviews about Australian 4WD online.
You mention: Our insurance does not cover gross negligence, just like any other insurer, the customers who have been taken to court are those who have caused severe damage through negligent misuse." Good grief! You have claimed negligent misuse in excess of $33,000 to Mr. Bullas for an engine failure. He is a race car driver and this engine failure was clearly not "negligent misuse". Similarly, Stuart Edwards was sued $54,000 by Australian 4WD because his car was bogged and the tides came in causing water damage...an accident. That is what comprehensive insurance is for.. accidents.
Their T&Cs state: "In the event of a Single Vehicle Incident, the Company may at its sole discretion, depending on the extent of the damage to the Vehicle, elect not to submit a claim to its insurer for damage, loss or replacement of the Vehicle. Should the Company elect not to lodge a claim with in its insurer in a Single Vehicle Incident, the Company may instead hold the Hirer of the Vehicle liable for: i., the total amount necessary to rectify all Vehicle damage in order to repair the Vehicle to a standard to be determined by the Company; or ii., the Vehicle's replacement value as assessed by the Company's insurer; or iii., the sum required to fully satisfy any vehicle pay-out figure under a contract of finance between the Company and a financier." In a series of emails we asked Australian 4WD what we could be liable for. We were rudely dismissed and referred to the above clause… not helpful and did not inspire confidence in our hire.
Their T&Cs imply they are self-insured: "the Vehicle is insured by The Company" (yikes!). Do not take the risk that Australian 4WD might consider your engine failure or accident "gross negligence" and decide to make YOU fully responsible.
If you made it this far thank you!!! To summarize: Read their T&Cs, it’s not worth it, hire elsewhere, have fun on your 4WD trip without Australian 4WD. -SD

[fuzzybabybunny]

I took pictures of the Jimny. What do you guys think?

https://fuzzybabybunny.smugmug.com/Misc ... Jimny-Rust

[bumstein]

Hi Fuzz!!

I’m going to throw you a different opinion, I’m the little red guy on your shoulder when the white fella on the other side is telling you to do sensible stuff.

I like it. It looks rough from the pics but that’s largely bodywork and that wont stop you from transversing the island.

fuzzybabybunny wrote:

fleet vehicles generally look like crap on the inside and out, but they've still had all their servicing done so mechanically it should still be sound.

^ This is the thing.

Hard to say from looking at pics but the bushes look ok and even the swivel hubs look reasonable.

I’d go for it myself, but have the mechanic check it over pre-sale and make sure it’s mechanically sound. Travel the great land and drop it off at my house after [emoji3]

Basic tools and spares are always a virtue!! Some sound planning is essential.

[ZUZUKI]

Hi Fuzzy,
In reference to Eddy's post, the Ford Falcon ute he is trying to think of is called "RTV" - for Rough Terrain Vehicle - stupid marketing people, but it does have a rear diff lock, H/D wheels & raised ride height.

Re the Jimny: We don't have much mining in Victoria, where that car is registered, and why would a mine have a Jimny in the 1st place? - maybe it started life somewhere else, near a beach?.
Initial purchase price seems low enough, but you might have to factor in getting 4/5ths of 5/8ths of f@#k all when you come to see it when your lap is done & that's a cost on top of whatever grief it might give you along the way.

No, they are not known for idle issues cold that clear up when warmer. This could be loads of things - old spark plugs, leads, dodgy fuel injector - could be a cheap fix, or the sign of something serious (like a leaking head gasket, letting coolant into the affected cyl, not firing until it has cleared the coolant out).

Another point, a Jimny is not the most practicable sized car to do a lap in - that is usually in the region of 18,000km, I don't know how long you have to do it in (ideally 6+ months), but that is a lot of km buzzing along with sleeping/cooking gear & clothing stuffed in.
If you can stump up the money, buy a similar aged Toyota troop carrier - bigger, (probably going to be) more reliable, not much more cost to run, sleep in it, look after it & you'll probably sell it for very close to what you paid for it.

Good luck & have fun.
Rgs, Michael

[shep]

The problem with jimnys is fuel range. Even on the Stuart hwy they don't have the range to make it between towns

[vet 180]

I personally think the jimmy is a great vehicle and I own one, but to do a lap of Aus....nah. It’s not the best vehicle on the highway, has no room, you can’t sleep in it, has a small fuel tank and is generally too bouncy/uncomfortable for long trips. Don’t get me wrong I have done a lot of big trips and touring in mine and loved it, but they are better suited as city cars that like to venture out on the weekend than tourers.

For a lap of Aus on a budget I would try and find an 2000-2006 diesel pajero. It will be more comfortable on the highway, use similar fuel, can be set up to sleep in, and will handle dirt roads much better than the jimny.

The irony here is I have owned a pajero and hated it and own a jimny and love it, but it’s about picking the right tool for the job.


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