5 Reasons To Considering Buying a Suzuki Jimny JB74

Buying a new car can be an exciting but conflicting experience.

When I was looking at buying a new car, I wasn't really sure of what I was looking for. I was simply so sick of my old car and the feeling of constantly being slapped with a big bill at the mechanic every time I went for a 6-month check-up. It was at this point that I decided it was time for a new car. However, finding out what type of car I wanted was a different story.

I somehow felt the need to get a car quickly, and for that reason, I started looking at cars like MGs (don't even get me started) and other general hatchback-type vehicles. It wasn't before my partner said "Well, if you're going to buy a new car, at least buy a 4x4 since we enjoy going camping so much!".

At that point, a seed was planted. I did some research and decided to put a deposit down 2 days later. I was told there would be a 7-month wait, but I had already made up my mind - I wanted a Suzuki Jimny! The time flew by incredibly quickly and I had heaps of time to save up money, look at accessories, and watch educational videos on how others were using their Jimny.

And here we are. 2+ years later, I am not only owning a Suzuki Jimny JB74, but I've adopted a completely different lifestyle. Don't get me wrong, I grew up riding motorbikes and go-karts, so I wasn't unfamiliar with cars or going off-road, but I simply didn't know much about the Suzuki Jimny or the lifestyle it would offer.

Having been through the experience of wanting a new car so badly and quickly, it almost led me to impulse buy a vehicle with no consideration for what I truly needed and wanted it for. I know there are so many people in a similar situation when buying a new car, especially if you have limited knowledge about cars or your need in general. Dealerships, friends or people in general may say a lot of different things that can impact your decision, and it can often block you from what you really need to ask yourself: "What do I need? What will I use it for? How can it fit in with my lifestyle?".

I am well aware that the Jimny isn't for everyone, but I wanted to make this post to make you think about a couple of things that might not be so obvious when considering what car to purchase.

1. It's a great introduction to 4x4

Owning a Suzuki Jimny is in my opinion one of the best ways to be introduced to off-road driving and 4x4 in general. The car is compact and light, making it easier to navigate and drive on the sand for those with no experience. Why you might ask? Because seeing that the Jimny weighs so much less than the bigger off-road vehicles, you'll have a harder time getting stuck in the sand. You might want to argue this if you own another vehicle, but that's the experience I have from driving my Jimny vs other cars such as Hilux, Navara etc.

2. It's cheaper to buy and cheaper to run

The Jimny (depending on whether you buy a manual or an auto) goes from anywhere between $35k - $38k directly from the dealership. Any other car such as i.e. a new Ford Ranger, would easily go for around $75k if not more. It's definitely a cheaper alternative to buying a Jimny if you're looking for a weekend warrior or is simply new to off-road driving. But don't get me wrong, a lot of experienced off-road drivers also buy the Jimny due to its fantastic off-road capabilities, but seeing that it is so much cheaper than other cars, it's often the main incentive to why people would choose to buy the Jimny. It's also generally cheaper to run being that it's a 4-cylinder engine on a 1.5-litre engine with a 40L fuel tank.

3. It's extremely off-road capable

You might have watched a range of YouTube videos showcasing the off-road capabilities and let me tell you this, you will be surprised the first time you take it off-road. I still remember the first time I drove it on the beach thinking "Oh my, I'm gonna get so stuck!". But I was so wrong. I still remember floating past these two heavy patrols being stuck in the sand and just waving my way past. My point is that although the Jimny might not look like a big, fully-kitted, 6-inch lift off-road machine, it will outrun a range of cars both in soft sand and challenging 4x4 tracks. Don't believe me? Just check out @the_little_rig taking on the Big Red track at GlassHouse Mountains (QLD).

4. It is great for singles and couples

I see the Jimny as the perfect little weekend warrior for singles and couples who want to spend an occasional weekend here and there going camping or off-road. Yes, it is small and you have to be smart when it comes to packing, but having a car that doesn't cost you an arm and a leg driving as a daily, but can still take you everywhere, that's what I call a good investment! It's also a nice feeling to know that if you plan on going camping for a weekend, the Jimny is so compact and small that you don't have to worry about packing an enormous amount of gear with you or clean the car for 3 hours after. Just chuck an esky, swag on the roof and some camp chairs and you're off! Camping doesn't have to be complicated. And believe me, having the biggest and most expensive set-up when you go camping is not always the way to go, and most likely end of being a lot of wasted money.

5. It opens up a whole new lifestyle

This is not something you can even buy for money - unless you buy a Jimny! The Jimny is not just a car but something you'll take a lot of pride in and just make you smile. Not to mention the people in general who buy a Jimny, I often see that we're all chasing the same thing, either being experiences, off-road opportunities, or of course, being part of an awesome community of like-minded people. Since I bought my Jimny in April 2021 I've met so many amazing people and learned so much about not only 4x4, but myself as well. There are so many things I didn't know that I enjoyed doing and I am so grateful I've met so many people that have introduced me to these experiences.

So if you are thinking about buying a new car, try to not only think about your daily and driving from A to B, but what can this investment actually contribute to? If it's buying a Van and travelling around on the weekends, go for it! Or if it's getting out and about more, and going off-road, why not a 4x4?

I'd love to hear from you in the comment section below why you chose to buy the car that you did (Jimny or not) and whether you are happy/or regret what you ended up buying?

- Malin | @explorejimny