Looking at a 1999 suzuki jimny

madpaddy88

Currently looking at this jimny on dd https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/suzuki-jimny/31972222

Just wondering is it worth the money just like the look of it anyone any experience with jimnys good points bad points etc

Only really going to be used for work about a 15minute drive 5 days a week

Ryano87

Rust rust rust..... Look under the boot floor they usually rot through there... Also around the chassis. .

Mechanical bullet proof. Cheap to fix when something goes wrong.

I did need to replace a gearbox in a 2005 one which set me back 900.

madpaddy88

Is rust a major issue with them thats seems to be what ive been told anyway id say the chances are most of the older ones are rotten.

Ryano87

Yeah it's the only thing I'd be wary of when buying one. How much are they going for these days?

I sold a spotless 99 one for 900 about 2 years ago.

Sold my 01 with bad rust (fully disclosed) for 1200 last year but it had brand new off road tyres and tow bar just fitted.

Sold my 2005 one to a friend last year for a grand... He's had trouble free motoring for almost 30kms in it (had to replace rear silencer for NCT I think).

Great jeeps tho

madpaddy88

That one he has up for 5k whick i think is very pricey now it has had alot of work done going by the pictures hes had it off the chassis sprayed underside with anti rust coating like plastic? And resprayed the exterior hes also put a lift kit and after market wheels and at tyres but there are others there for half the price.

Also heard there very heavy on petrol what have you experienced with the ones you owned

Ryano87

I would have said grand on petrol to be honest....

5k is absolutely insane though. It's a different market now I get that but that's crazy money. Lift kits etc are simple and inexpensive (pre-brexit) for jimnys.

I'd ask has he before pictures of the chassis.... Could be putting lipstick on a pig.

My advice would be to keep an eye out for one for about 2k and you'll easily do those bits yourself.

madpaddy88

I was thinking its crazy money for a jimny wasnt sure what way it would stand say with all that he had done to it. I was just thinking with the underbody done might save alot of hassle down the line of like that it was hiding something bad but would you go to all that trouble? I take it the chassis can go as bad as the body 😂😂

wotzgoingon

As was said if it was stripped and treated correctly it's a good one but if done half assed and the black sprayed on over rust it will eat the chassis even quicker as it's sealed inside and you will not see the rust.

walterking

It does seem to be an enthusiast's car judging by the description.

My wife had one. Excellent for one person and maybe one passenger.

Poor acceleration but a great fun car especially if you have an opportunity to be off road.

Ryano87

Just had a quick look at it there. Looks spotless.

That one has the older single cam engine in it which I don't think was rated as highly at the time I was into them (do some research on this yourself). I think the sweet spot for jimnys is about 2001 from memory.

Good few on done deal about the 2k mark and these always suffered from winter tax.... As soon as bad weather looms they get a premium.

Happy shopping!