buying a jimny

Hi there, Sorry, only just seen this post!

The engines in Jimny's are all quite reliable but I have heard of older high mileage examples suffering head gasket failure. that maybe dependant on use as they are not that powerful so using one on the motorway everyday will not do them that much good for example. The usual chaecks for that apply then - mayonaisse like gunge on the oil filler, in the rad cap and on the dipstick and or bubbles going through into the expansion tank or the expansion tank being empty.

You should look to see that the gearbox, diff and transfer box seals are not letting their oils out.

Jimny's are not particularly rust prone but mine has been off road and is therefore showing signs of it. I'm remedying that now.

Check for off road damage underneath from being hit by obstacles.

Transfer box mounts can give up as can engine and gearbox mounts. All but a gearbox mount are easy to rectify.

The vacuum operated front automatic hubs don't always work, so you'd still only have 2 wheel drive when put in 4 wheel drive. These can be replaced with SJ manual or fixed hubs when the front wheel bearing nut has been machined down.

ABS can be a pain when using off road as it clogs up and I understand that the rings for the sensors are a pain to get off so getting one without ABS was my choice. It's useless off road too.

The twin cam engines have a chain, not a belt, so that's one less service part to worry about.

Changing a clutch is a pain in the backside if you do them yourself, so check this is ok.

Some sensors can fail but they are not that expensive, if you can get someone to stick it on a diagnostic machine, you can change the sensor and you can put the engine management light out by leaving the battery disconnected for 30+ seconds. Or guess which sensor based in symtoms and take a chance on buying the right one.

They are generally very reliable. I'm on my second, my partners Mum has had 2 and all with no real issues.

As for fuel consumption, I don't know what I'm getting but it's terrible if I'm honest. So when just knocking about town I try to use my partners Escort rather than my Jimny, especially with big wheels and tyres!!!

Hope this helps

Kirkynut