1999 GMC Jimmy 4.3L V6 from North America

Summary:

This is a pretty decent vehicle, as long as you do regular maintenance on it

Faults:

I changed everything listed at 212000 kms, and I am no real mechanic, but I know pretty well how to fix everything on a vehicle, so it was a lot cheaper to get my hands a little dirty and do it myself, rather than take it to a shop.

- Intake manifold gaskets went - $200 for parts, and installed them myself, or else they wanted $1000 for labour.

- Tie rods, inner and outer were both shot.

- 4wd wasn't working, the vacuum pump was stuck, GM said I needed a new one for $200, but I greased the old one up, and it has worked great ever since.

- Fuel lines started to crack, so I replaced them for cheap

- Throttle position sensor went - $300 fix at GM.

- Door hinge pins were also shot - $50, but that's regular maintenance on every vehicle.

- New brakes all around and brake lines.

- ABS doesn't work the way it's supposed to, locks the pedal every time you're braking under 10 kms, whether you're going fast or slow, so you have to pump the brakes.

- Driver's side window motor went, another $100 fix.

- Both levers on the seats broke off.

- Thermostat was stuck, so another $25 fix.

- When the heat's on or the AC, it stinks like anti-freeze inside the vehicle.

- Power mirrors don't turn, just make a grinding noise.

General Comments:

There isn't a lot of leg room inside the vehicle, but there's lots of cargo space, especially if you fold down the back seats, the seats are pretty comfy.

The vehicle also doesn't handle sharp turns very well unless you're going slow. I've had her up on 2 wheels at times.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th January, 2011

8th May 2014, 10:14

Everything listed here is what has happened to my 99 Jimmy. Even the seat handles. Except upper and lower ball joints on both sides and idle arm. Those cost me $87 and I had a friend do 'em.

1999 GMC Jimmy SLE 4.3 from North America

Summary:

It's been a great truck for me

Faults:

Seat tilt lever broke off.

Hood release is tricky; had it repaired and it's still hard to manage.

General Comments:

This car has been very good to me, and I get good fuel mileage with it... 18-21 hwy, and not bad in the city.

I just took it cross country, pulling a heavy trailer, and it performed great with 120,000 on it... it would just overheat on long hills, but that is to be expected.

I feel it's a good truck; I'm sorry to see so many others talk trash about it. I take CARE of my vehicles.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd June, 2010

1999 GMC Jimmy SLE 4.3 Vortec from North America

Summary:

Awesome truck

Faults:

Just bought this truck, but good luck so far.

Had to put a wheel bearing in the front. Found it for $108.00 AutoZone, dealer $230.00.

Had to put in an air pump and fuse. Don't try an after market pump, won't take it. Had to buy from a dealer, $230.00.

Need to put in fill up hose for gas tank, $140.00, dealer only.

Not the best on gas, but it's an SUV, 17mpg in town, 22mpg highway.

Parts are hard to find and very costly, but I love this truck, and would buy it again.

General Comments:

This truck has a lot of horsepower; goes through anything.

However, it's costly to fix.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th March, 2010

1999 GMC Jimmy SLE from North America

Summary:

The GMC Jimmy is a great vehicle, it has taken me through thick and thin so far

Faults:

The week I bought my car (Summer 2008), the water pump went out, but the dealer replaced it.

Then after getting my new water pump, the alternator went out when I was driving my car to a backpacking trip. The dealer also paid for that, then my problems were really quiet for awhile.

Then my vacuum switch on my 4WD went out, and I had to get that replaced, because I live in a snowy area and it's necessary to have 4WD. The shop which replaced that did not fill my transmission fluid all the way, and after a couple of months my transmission went out, and I needed to buy a new one, not even knowing my tranny fluid was down, which was more or less my mistake.

Then after getting a new transmission, my 4WD went out again; this time it was the motor which engages it. I blame that on the dealer that fixed my transmission.

So by Summer 2009, I'd paid the Jimmy and spent over half what I paid for it in repairs to it.

Since the last 4WD problem, I have had no major problems with my Jimmy until this weekend when I was using my rear windshield wiper and I broke the switch inside the car; now I cannot use it.

General Comments:

GMC is a reliable company and they produce reliable cars, therefore I announce the Jimmy as a reliable car, on the condition that it is treated nicely. I have many friends that have owned the Jimmy that treat it poorly, and as a result they receive poor performance from the vehicle. I have also read many reviews on the car seeking online assistance, and the reviews back me up on the point. There are always 80% complaining about the car and its flaws, and 20% who stress that they treat it right and it does the same in return.

The things that go wrong are often small scale things that are more annoying than damaging.

I would recommend the GMC Jimmy to anybody who is starting their driving life (i.e. 16 year olds) as it is safe and rather inexpensive, but if you are looking for a long term vehicle (10+ years) I would get something else newer, because Jimmy's haven't been manufactured since something like 2004, so they are getting old.

The Envoy or Trailblazer would be a good choice for a middle sized SUV.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd January, 2010