New member

Hi everyone,

I couldn't find a new member section, so I thought I'd introduce myself here with a question...

I currently have a Suzuki SJ413 and am in the process of selling this and buying a Jimny, which I intend to use regularly as a work runner because my current car is too thirsty. I also want to use it off road for playdays etc. My budget is between £2000 and £3000. With the lower end of my budget I can get a 2000 model with about 80,000 miles on the clock and with the higher end I can get a 2003 model with as little as 40,000 miles on the clock.

Instinct tells me to spend a bit more money and get one with lower mileage, but I just wanted opinions to see if there is a major difference? I believe the beauty of both SJs and Jimnys is that they are quite simple to fix when they go wrong, so should I save my money and buy a slightly older one?

Your range of budget puts you across a major model change.

In 2001 the Japanese Hard Top models switched to the M13A DOHC engine and sometime around this period additional rust protection (galvanised) was added.

Spanish softtops stuck with the G13B SOHC engine until as late as 2004.

There actually isn't a lot of difference between the engines although the older G13B engine requires cam belt changes whilst the chain driven M13A series doesn't.

However I would try and go for the later engine and possible better rust protection on the later models if you can afford it.

Martin

Thanks for that. I'm after a black or (perhaps) forest green hardtop, but these seem to be quite hard to find within my price range so I will keep my eye out. In your experience does the actual mileage matter much provided it's been looked after?

Hello and welcome

Unfortunately its the wrong time of year for buying a 4x4 as the prices are going up
Have a look on the usual places like Autotrader and ebay as theres usually a fair selection on both
ours has done 128,000 and still chugs on - it a weekend toy now but always starts first time after standing for a couple of weeks (probably jinxed it now! :dry: )

Welcome Caveman !! Martin ticks all the info boxes there, i would just say to keep an eye out and dont sling your hook right away, as i looked at a good few Jimnys until i found the right one for me year 2000 with only 63,000 on the clock !!

Actually Martin i must ask you, my Jimny is a 2000 model, but has the DOHC engine, is this strange , or normal ?? Thanks again Martin, great info as always !!

Good luck Caveman !!

Thanks for the welcomes and all of the advice. I plan to use the Jimny as a second car as well as a toy so I think I'm going to go for one with less mileage. I have my eye on a 51 plate with 66,000 miles, which is at the top end of my budget really. I was hoping to have enough money to get a Jimny and some mud tyres, but with Christmas round the corner I might get the credit card out!