Shogun Pinin and Suzuki Jimny - Things to know?

[paddyhasneeds]

Considering the cars in the subject, most likely the Pinin. I'm not that mechanically minded so my knowledge runs to "common sense" things like checking for rust/panel damage, oil and fluide, that the tyres match, service history looks right etc.

Is there any "must know" info when looking at this kind of car?

[Rum Runner]

Go for the Jim, easier to repair service cost etc. Jim Good offroad- Pinn better ride on the road.
Better still go for a last of the old shape 98-05 Grand Vitara, you will find 3 doors much cheaper and there are quite a lot of very low mileage late 05 cars knocking around.

On the Jim they changed the engine in about 05. I think also when they changed the engine they changed from Stick floor mounted tranfer box lever to electronic push button on dash . I think Toyota supplied the new engine. The soft top one has a even more basic engine.
My Sis had a nice Mode model about 05 (Last of the old engine) with half leather etc .Good car from new and did 45k in it only thing went wrong was a speaker wire connection.

Edited by Rum Runner on Sunday 17th January 18:15

[300bhp/ton]

Go here for Jimny stuff: http://www.bigjimny.com/

There's a forum, you just need to sign up (which is free).

[paddyhasneeds]

Thanks, just doing a spot of reading. This would be for mainly road use as a second car and work is 20 miles away so something that can do normal speeds would be good.

Seems £2.5k should get a minter, though right now there seems to be one hell of a "snow tax" and then it's just a case of actually finding one local.

[Rum Runner]

Jims do represent very good value, and when or old W reg Vitara starts to get past its best, I dare say I will get one for my wife as they ideal for buzzing around our narrow welsh country lanes. Good vision given the height, yet narrow and easy to park. Good on juice also.

[JVaughan]

We run a Jimny 2001 Model.. its our second. Were on BigJimny.com (userID Ooky_123).
if your looking to go offroad, there are many things worse than a Jimny ... if you want any info, happy to oblige

[minghis]

A thing to remember with the Jimny is that they're very low geared so be prepared for lots of revs if you need to go fast. Other than that, great little cars.

[durbster]

paddy, seems you and I are on a very similar path here. If you're anywhere near Nottingham then back off, they're all mine

(if you are near Nottingham there's a 3dr Pinin going for a reasonable price, went to see it on Sunday but think we need the 5dr)

[Rum Runner]

Go for Grand Vitara, more about and cheaper costs all round. Than 5 door Pinn.
You will get last of the old shape up 05 quite reasonable, low mileage etc.
The 2.0 petrol has timing chain, plugs in for 60k, so really engine wise its oil / filter/ air filter. Simple cars, handle ok, tough and the last ones are good spec as standard.

Edited by Rum Runner on Monday 18th January 20:59

[paddyhasneeds]

durbster said:

paddy, seems you and I are on a very similar path here. If you're anywhere near Nottingham then back off, they're all mine

(if you are near Nottingham there's a 3dr Pinin going for a reasonable price, went to see it on Sunday but think we need the 5dr)

Ridiculous how few there are out there isn't it (3 door that is). Be interested in any link/info on the one you saw though if it's on Autotrader/eBay I'll probably have seen the ad but thought it a bit to far for a tentative look.

[durbster]

You have email.