Suzuki Club UK

Well my old faithful SJ413 has finally gone due to tin work so looking at going up-market and looking at a Suzuki Jimny.

The age would only be say 2-3 years old at most so could be classed as newish,have to admit when i aquired the SJ and it only having the small engine i was not looking forward to it especially after having a 2.8Diesel to use for 18 years,but the off road ability and ruggedness of this little work horse astounded me.

So this is why i am looking at getting a similar vehicle but with a few creature comforts that the rather agricutural SJ offered.I do alot of metal detecting so i am looking at a vehicle that i can load all my gear into the back of and also be able to either get onto or off the felds that i go on especially in winter.I dont require real off road ability just occasionally.

So what is the reliabilty of the mechanical side of a Jimny are they still ultra reliable like the SJ and also are they similar in off road ability,the SJ when i 1st used it blew me away with it ruggedness.

Any bad points to look out for either engine/gearbox wise,i am not interested in adding after market high lift kits,just a basic road vehicle so that i can arrive in comfort and have peace of mind that i can get home again from the muddy field.

Sorry if this seems long winded but if i explain what i am looking at using it for and what age etc it could help in my quest to buy the right model.I guess my budget would be upto £10k and also flexible on that as well.

Thanks again

Rick

Tbh i think jimnys handel like boats on the road and are a bit shit lol have you considerd the new gv will do everything u want and they will be more space for your gear and to anser on reliablity yes suzukis are now more reliable than everr

I would go GV too bud. If all you want is a bit of a load lugger and get in and out of fields a decent spec GV with suitable tyres.

They are A LOT more comfortable than the Jimny with extra space for carrying your gear.

My sister had a 54' Jimny from new, only issues were a leaky heater matrix, then another one, then another, then another one.

I had a 58' 1.6 GV from new a lot nicer inside, comfortable, small boot though, still twice as room as the Jimny though.

I had an SJ413 for eleven years and loved it. I now have a Jimny and feel the same. It is an honest motor like the SJ, but with the added benefits of electric windows and air-con (SZ4). I also opted for the automatic as I am fed up with gear changing. The only thing it has not got is the side opening rear windows which is a shame, but I can live with that.

Or u could buy a very rare sj like mine that left the factory with efi fuel injection power stearing and air con no electric windows tho

I reccon a jimny could suit to your needs

If its mainly a road machine i can't stress enough how much better spec'd and comfier the GVs are over Jimnys.

You'll find out when you start looling and test driving.

Sorry about not replying sooner but wife has had health issues so just not had time.

Well after giving it great thought about the Jimny,i am finally going for a GV,one thing that i have still not made my mind up on is which engine option is the most reliable,the diesel option is out and its has nothing too do with cost as in purchsing one but in recent years it is vastly more expensive yo buy and petrol works out cheaper in my mind.

So as i understand it they do a 1.6 very sluggish i would think,2000 i would think is the most popular option,2.5 V6 this option sound appealing,although it may use more petrol than the others the amount of milage that i would do is ultra low,so would i be getting a silky smooth reliable engine or does it have major problems ???

I fancy 5 door option with the 2.5 V6 so would this be a good option and does anyone use one of these.

Many thanks

Would still like some feedback on which is the most reliable engine option in the Grand Vitara,hope to be looking at a few this weekend but dont want to buy one that has a possible common reliabity issue with the engine.The diesel option in theory should be the strongest but with the price of diesel these days its become expensive to run,the 2000cc version is the most common which tells me its reliable but i still fancy the V6 option.

Any input would be most welcome as i dont want to make a very expensive mistake.

Scottie had a V6 GV for a while.

I'm not aware of any common faults with any of these engines. I guess if there were issues then forums would be full of people asking for advice.