Stock #6498
Exterior Overview
Small in stature, the Suzuki Jimny is a determined and tough little sports utility. This 1999 one-owner vehicle is a body-on-frame beast, and is fresh off a recent service, offered with a mere 77k verified and documented miles on the ticker. Finished in a fresh coat of Lunar Rock (6X3) the styling is set off by bulging fenders, a rear-mounted spare, and some jazzy refinished black OEM three-spoke alloys. Aside from a few minor dings, chips, and scuffs the body is in good condition and this tiny terror would surely steal the show at your local Cars & Coffee. Perfect as a fun city runabout, campsite crawler, or low-speed daily driver, this Japanese Classic is a true overachiever.
Interior Overview
Revised for the third generation of the Jimny, this cabin feels more ergonomic and includes a few safety features and electric niceties. The tall ride height allows the driver to see past traffic and if you didn’t look behind you, it would be tough to tell you are driving a small vehicle. Dual SRS airbags are standard, as are ABS brakes, and the little Suzuki even has a few convenience items you might not expect. A lot of smaller vehicles lack air conditioning yet it’s equipped on our little SUV and works as it should. For the winter ahead the heat works like a charm, too, and if you prefer natural ventilation the power windows can be unfurled. The mirrors are powered as well, and adjust quickly to eliminate any blind spots. Even the locks are electric and work in typical Suzuki fashion. Audio is handled by an AddZest radio that pumps in the times to supplement your drive. The seats are upholstered in a textured tan cloth. They lack any major rips, stains, or tears and match the armrests which are in equally good nick. The rear seats can fold up against the d-pillar to accommodate additional cargo and can be removed altogether. The designers even thought to add cup holders to the rear. The headliner and carpets are in good shape and aside from some light pilling on the driver’s seat bottom, its hard to complain about the cabin.
Mechanical Overview
The stubby bonnet houses a longitudinally mounted four-cylinder. Unlike the 660cc variant, parts are easier to source as this engine was offered in the good old USA. Fresh off an oil and filter service, the G13B springs to life with the twist of the key care of a new 12v battery. One of our trained techs has rehabbed the four-banger with a new oil pan gasket and a new cam cap seal. The engine is linked to a five-speed manual gearbox that is easy to shift. The pilot can select between 2WD and 4WD thanks to a selectable transfercase. Even low-range gearing is on hand. While it won’t win you any pink slips, it is peppy about town and can reach much higher speeds than 660cc examples. The suspension is much better than the generation that preceded it and feels way more stable. It gobbles up bumps well and feels connected and safe. The steering is on point and easy to articulate and this bantamweight stops abruptly thanks to new front brake pads. Grip comes from four new 26″ Falken tires mounted and balanced at each corner. They quiet down the road noise that filters through the cabin and should deliver all the year-round grip required for tens of thousands of miles to come.
*California Residents: In order to register a Grey Market vehicle in the state of California then it will have to be made CARB compliant first. CARB certifications will have to be performed within the state. Depending on the vehicle and any existing modifications will affect the pricing. Typically CARB compliance will range between 5-10K. Additional information can be found on the California Air Resources Board website.
