2006 Suzuki Jimny JLX+ from UK and Ireland - Comments

Thanks for that. Once again, if you read the report, this happened at *****25MPH****** in traffic, exiting a damp island - the Jimny simply let go and the rear wheels oversteered into the kerb and it rolled.

As explained, I have many years of experience with lorries, coaches, fast motorcycles, cars and 4x4s and this was a sudden shocking occurrence at a low speed - just like many other incidents documented with the Jimny.

I entered the comments after being concerned that others may think that swapping their hatchback for a 4x4 would make them safer. The Jimny is not for everyday road use due to its diff only allowing 2 wheel drive (to the rear wheels) while on the road.

Ask yourself - would you buy a tall, short, narrow, rear wheel drive car with off road tyres for everyday road use?

I've been driving an '85 SJ410 for the last 6-7 years, and it's almost perfect for me. I never drive it on the highway due to its gearing ratio. Too high RPM. Where I live it's a lot of snow a big part of the year, and lots of hills. Often when I'm getting home the driveway is completely blocked by snow and ice due to the just-passing snow plough. And at work there could easily be 20-30 cm snow. For this the SJ 410 is just perfect.

It's showing its age though (rust), and I'm looking at a Jimny, because where I park I don't have room for a wider car (or it will get crushed the first time all the snow come crashing down from the roof of my home).

I've never had any kind of handling problem with the SJ410. The biggest problem is some particular speed bumps, they will jar my teeth even at 10km/h. That's only a problem in the summer though.

Then these reports of handling problems with the Jimny are popping up, and it gets me a bit worried.

I'm looking at the pictures in http://www.germancarzone.com/japanese-cars/7038-suzuki-jimny-flips-swedish-moose-test.html

and from what I can tell my SJ410 is simply incapable of kneeling the way the Jimny does in the first picture, where it enters the curve - my SJ410 is incredibly stiff.

Are there any dual SJ410/Jimny owners out there who would like to comment?

The Jimny was supposed to be more refined than the SJs, which may explain the softer ride and suspension. Suzuki went for the SUV type, not hard 4x4 - but ended up making a fine off-roader that was more comfortable than the SJs, but much faster, higher geared and quieter and appealed to the wrong people, hence the accidents.

Built like a watch and superb in the rough!

I really appreciate reading your comments as I was about to purchase a new Jimny JLX. The newer models come with ABS and automatic transmission (and airbags) ; do these make the Jimny any safer to drive on road?

Mine was the newer 2006 model with ABS-this only avoids wheels locking up under harsh braking and is not what the Jimny requires, which is an Electronic Stability Program (ESP) -this would control the sudden oversteer electronically.

As I said, most of the time it will be a great car, but if the driven rear wheels slip causing oversteer, and then suddenly grip (or clip a kerb) it will roll easily, even at very low speeds.

Why not look at a new Fiat Panda 4x4 (see Fiat Supersaver), or a used Suzuki SX4/Fiat Sedici? The new Fiat Panda Cross is as ugly as hell but has a great diesel engine and is more stable than the Jimny.

In many areas, I do rate the Jimny, just not as an everyday road car. Please be careful- I had a close shave...

Meant to say in above post, mine was current model with ABS and the dual front airbags.

Neither would prevent a roll or protect you if it happens:- the ABS only helps under braking, not oversteer, and the front airbags would not deploy in a rollover.

Hope this helps.

If you want to use the Jimny as an offroader, you can hardly compare it to an SX4 / Panda! Maybe go for a Vitara 2.4.

You can't really compare a 1.3 Jimny to a 2.4 Vitara!!

The SX4 is a soft roader town hatch with limited 4wd ability, but the Panda is very capable in the rough - the current 1.2 is too weedy for demanding off-road use, but the newly released but ugly as a pig Panda Cross has the excellent diesel unit, and should be great off road.

Depends what you want it for I suppose - the Jimny is very capable in the rough, but not good on tarmac, the SX4 is great on tarmac, but can only deal with simple tracks.

The Pandas are slow, but drive well both on and off road, so are maybe the better compromise.

If it doesn't have low range, won't be very much use offroad, unless you mean flat grass. Even hill descent control is a have.. you want the low for going up as much as down! A Panda would never compare with a Jimny.

Depends on what you want it for as to what you choose - the Panda is much better on road and admirable off it even without the low range box. The Jimnny is fantastic off road even with its small petrol engine, due to its low range box, light weight and angles/clearance. I have seen Jimnys get places a Discovery won't due to size and weight.

But where you could drive the Panda from Lands End to John O'Groats enjoyable, safely and comfortably, the Jimny falls down.

If you are a hardcore off-roader, that will not be a consideration, but in truth, how many Jimny owners are? How many bought the wrong (but well built and reliable) car?

I wonder if Suzuki will make a cracking replacement for it - with the Jimny off-road ability and low range box, but with good safety, ESP and a good on-road drive. It is well overdue and I wait with interest!

They already have in the 2.4 Vitara. It has low range and more than enough power, plus all the safety equipment you would want.

Yes but a 2.4 litre petrol engined car costing well over £10,000 is not a competing model for a 1.3 litre £7000 Jimny.

I wonder if Suzuki will launch a new Jimny some time?

But if you add ESP and all the redesigns you seem to want, it will cost the same as a base Vitara!!

For anyone thinking of getting a Jimny... GET ONE!!!

I've had mine now for just over 4 months and love it. I live in Greece where the roads are... lets say not the same as back home in England. I have to go into 4x4 a lot, especially down the long tracks to the beaches. Off road, it's fantastic! I live in the mountains and it loves the roads here. You do have to drive it with respect though or it will let you know!

In the summer months here, when we haven't had any rain for weeks and weeks, when it does come the roads are very slippy. I have had the back end go light on me a few times, but its' just the Jimny's way of telling you to slow down! I've driven on the beach, in deep sand with no problems.

Comfort wise, I've just recently come back from a 4,700 km trip to Germany and back in the Jimny and it was brilliant. OK, not super fast, but we found it very comfortable and really easy to drive all the way there and back! I'm now looking forward to my first winter with my Jimny driving it through the snow we get up here, yes... snow in Greece, usually up to a meter here in the mountains of Halkidiki!

If anyone wants to know anymore... let me know and I'll be happy to go on and on... just like the Jimny!