Looking to buy a used Jimny, looking for some tips

Hey All,

The corsa finally died from the rust that was eating it away. Sad times

This does leave a space on the driveway that I can now fill with a Jimny! Good times!

Im looking for some tips on what to look for when shopping for a used Jimny. Budget is about 1000 to 1500. For that kind of age I'm hoping to get somewhere around a 2000 to 2002 with about 60k to 80k on it. Is that realistic?

I know the usual stuff when it comes to buying a used car, test drive it, turn it lock to lock, check for body rust, check documents, check MOT, dont buy anything with a tow bar from people that look like they like horses or caravans...

What I dont know is what to check for on a 4 by 4 or a Jimny... Where are the bad rust areas? What breaks? Whats reasonable for wear and tear?

I had a quick look around the forum but couldnt find much to help - sorry if I have missed a guide already in place...

Cheers,

David.

rust under rear seats rust in the jack comparment make shore the 4x4 light works and dont flash listen for the front hubs locking in (clicking noise) listen for noise that sound lick a chain slipping under load make shore its not done much of any offroading wheel wobble(death wobble) could be kingpins at the front look for oil around the front hubs and oil from the ends of the rear axel im shore some will add more

Hi,

Bought a 1999 V reg Jimny in March 2011 with 94k on the clock for £1000, gives you an idea of pricing, this was a cheap but good one I found, totally standard.

If you are looking at modifying it, it can be cheaper to buy one modded rather than buy standard and do it all yourself, but make sure you are happy with the alterations and that they have been done to a good standard.

Mine is a Single Over Heard Cam (SOHC) version, think you would be getting a Dual Over Head Cam (DOHC) version, a few BHP and maybe MPG difference and some say a bit quieter and smoother but little in it. My SOHC's valve stem seals have gone, don't know if this is an issue with DOHC's but it is with the SOHC's. Therefore make sure you see the car start from cold. Not really a problem, just a nice puff of blue smoke on start up, but a big (cylinder head off) job to do.

Look for rust in the jack storage well in the boot under the carpet, mine has a hole not an issue really but a good bargaining point.

Check for service history, remember the gearbox, transfer box and axle oils require changing, normally every 9k miles I think, and they often get forgotten. Not difficult to do, but again a good bargaining point.

Other than that, just the normal stuff, sure others will be along to mention other potential problems.

HTH

Also check for rust behind and below the head lights.