[freakmuzik]

So, today, post noon, did yet another series of Test drives - Jimny Manual and Kylaq Automatic (for me) and Maruti Baleno Manual & Kia Sonet iMT (for my sister).

The Jimny Manual was so much fun to drive with its tall seating, truck like gear shifts and a hard clutch, though the clutch was fun only for the first 25 minutes. I'd anyday prefer the automatic is what I realised then. Rear seat is definitely pathetic with absolutely no under-thigh support and unless some jugaad is done, it's just going to be a fun four seater and not a comfortable four seater. I was in love with the old-school steering and the predictable and tractable NA engine. There is zero lag and it just lugs around everywhere so well. Suspension is brilliant as the roads get worse. I drove it till 80 and though the dynamics are well controlled, it is no match to any other cars in the same price range. Boot is small but practically shaped. NVH is decent. AC was great. Storage space is a word that can not be mentioned along with the name Jimny :P But, there's nothing else like the Jimny. I was still smiling as I drove it around. Point to note is that the demo car was 17k kilometers old and there was not a single squeak or rattle.

Kylaq on the other hand felt way more sophisticated with very comfortable seats in the front. The driving experience was so good - the car felt super compact, chuck-able and refined around regular driving RPMs. But this time around, I realised the rear legroom was at a premium and I couldn't comfortably sit behind someone who is 5'10 or more. If I slide the front seats a little more behind, say for someone who is above 6', my knees would be easily brushing the seats. I am looking at a two car garage (for myself and my sister) and hence, I'd have gone for the Kylaq if it met all needs and is a very comfortable 4 seater which I did not feel it was at this point of time. Plus, the AC, though they say is improved over the Kushaq, did not feel great even when set at 21 degrees for the evening 4 pm Chennai sun. Otherwise, the Kylaq is an incredibly good package.

So our garage is going to be two Maruti Suzuki Nexa vehicles - one fun to drive and out of the box Jimny Alpha AT and a practical Baleno (variant and colours of the latter to be fixed). Looking forward to the next steps right now with a lot of thanks to all you members for all the valuable inputs. Also, our esteemed member @vigsom is the first person who put the word Jimny into my head when I asked for a 'solid no-nonsense high GC vehicle' around 15L and I was smitten by the Jimny since that day.

[ashkamath]

Originally Posted by freakmuzik

So our garage is going to be two Maruti Suzuki Nexa vehicles - one fun to drive and out of the box Jimny Alpha AT and a practical Baleno (variant and colours of the latter to be fixed).

I somehow knew deep down that I would read this post someday, you finalizing the Jimny.

I started off my new car quest with a Baleno, then Glanza, then Mahindra XUV 3XO ( test drove a manual), then Kushaq (test drove an automatic), then Jimny (test drove an automatic), then veered to Kylaq and back to Jimny.

My Pearl White Alpha Automatic Jimny came home about a month ago. My Jimny will be my primary car and only car in my garage and that's how I want it to be.

I have noticed that people who test drive a Jimny, in most instances, end up buying it preferring it over other more comfy & powerful cars.

They know pretty much all the short comings of the Jimny, and inspite of it, take a test drive and finally opt for it. Jimny has something that's not there in other cars and if you like Jimny, you can't bring yourself to buy other so called better cars.

I believe, Jimny owners are special and different. They see something in this amazing car that others fail to see. Someone who wants more from life and not content with being an "also ran".

As they say, you can tell a lot about a man by looking at the car he drives. It's very true in case of Jimny owners. Welcome to the tribe

[sat]

Originally Posted by revmaxx

We upsized the tyres to Yoko Geolanders 215/75/15. The car bounces like a ping ball while going over road bumps especially the rear. The tyre dealer insisted on 33 psi tyre pressure. Is it normal with other Jimmy's with the same size tyres? Will reducing the tyre pressure to the recommended factory setting with the original tyres help. Need your inputs regarding this. Thanks.

Most dealers know nothing of correct tyre pressure, neither do they know that new tyres have to be run-in.

To calculate correct tyre pressure, divide car weight per tyre and max load capacity of the tire (found on the sidewall) to get a ratio, and finally multiply that ratio by the recommended tire pressure for the maximum load on your tyre sidewall.
(car weight / number of tires) / max load per tire) * recommended max load pressure = calculated tire pressure.

Jimny weight = 1200 kg + 300 kg (occupants)
1500 kg / 4 tyres = 375 kg.

On the Yoko geolander 215 sidewall.
“Max load 800kg at 51 psi Max pressure”

So 375 kg/800 kg = 0.468 (ratio)

0.468 X 51psi = 23.9 psi for Jimny yoko 215 with occupants (300 kg).

With two occupants (200 kg) the calculated psi is 22.3 psi

Do remember that nitrogen (N2) filled cold tyre psi increases by 3-4 psi once tyres warm up.

[Maverick5490]

Originally Posted by freakmuzik

So our garage is going to be two Maruti Suzuki Nexa vehicles - one fun to drive and out of the box Jimny Alpha AT and a practical Baleno (variant and colours of the latter to be fixed). Looking forward to the next steps right now with a lot of thanks to all you members for all the valuable inputs. Also, our esteemed member @vigsom is the first person who put the word Jimny into my head when I asked for a 'solid no-nonsense high GC vehicle' around 15L and I was smitten by the Jimny since that day.

Congratulations! That is what the heart wanted always!

Originally Posted by ashkamath

I have noticed that people who test drive a Jimny, in most instances, end up buying it preferring it over other more comfy & powerful cars.

They know pretty much all the short comings of the Jimny, and inspite of it, take a test drive and finally opt for it. Jimny has something that's not there in other cars and if you like Jimny, you can't bring yourself to buy other so called better cars.

Absolutely agree with you!! I for instance booked the Jimny before I even test drove it. Also I did not test drive any other car from any segment! Just went with it!

[Maverick5490]

Originally Posted by sat

With two occupants (200 kg) the calculated psi is 22.3 psi

Do remember that nitrogen (N2) filled cold tyre psi increases by 3-4 psi once tyres warm up.

When I took the delivery of my Jimny, the tyre pressures were at 50!!

Currently have kept them at 30, have never driven any car at pressures as low as 24/25, will try it and see the ride.

[ashkamath]

Originally Posted by Maverick5490

When I took the delivery of my Jimny, the tyre pressures were at 50!!

Currently have kept them at 30, have never driven any car at pressures as low as 24/25, will try it and see the ride.

The recommended tire pressure for Jimny is 26 PSI. That's for the stock tire size 195/80 R15.

Wider tires have a larger area of contact with the road, which means they can distribute pressure more evenly, allowing for lower inflation pressure while still maintaining good grip.

So essentially, a wider tire profile generally requires a lower air pressure compared to a narrower tire

When you increase the tire profile from 195 to 215 /225 / 235, the pressure has to be reduced/ less than 26 PSI. So as explained by @Sat, 23 or 24 PSI seems to be the right pressure for the 215 profile tires.

[fine69]

Which are good quality recovery points on offer for Jimny? I want ones which work with D shackles and not just soft shackles.

[freakmuzik]

Originally Posted by ashkamath

I somehow knew deep down that I would read this post someday, you finalizing the Jimny.

I started off my new car quest with a Baleno, then Glanza, then Mahindra XUV 3XO ( test drove a manual), then Kushaq (test drove an automatic), then Jimny (test drove an automatic), then veered to Kylaq and back to Jimny. My Jimny will be my primary car and only car in my garage and that's how I want it to be.

I have noticed that people who test drive a Jimny, in most instances, end up buying it preferring it over other more comfy & powerful cars. They know pretty much all the short comings of the Jimny, and inspite of it, take a test drive and finally opt for it. Jimny has something that's not there in other cars and if you like Jimny, you can't bring yourself to buy other so called better cars.

As they say, you can tell a lot about a man by looking at the car he drives. It's very true in case of Jimny owners. Welcome to the tribe

Wow, that's even more reassuring! Thank you so much and heartiest congratulations to you on the White Alpha! It's really interesting to read your test drive and purchase journey. Can't wait to officially be in the Jimny club and explore the car and the world to my hearts will

Originally Posted by Maverick5490

Congratulations! That is what the heart wanted always!

Thank you!! Yes, the heart definitely wanted the Jimny and I really enjoyed how it convinced my mind as well.

[Encyclopedic]

I have bought Jimny Alpha AT in bluish black color this past month.The car will be primarily driven by my Dad .I have to say that people's opinion about this car improve a lot when they sit inside or drive the car.I also took it for a mild offroading session and needless to say ,it performed flawlessly.One of my close friends bought the same spec this week. It seems the car was built by engineers and not accountants,which is a rarity these days.The car is totally rattle free,even the test drive cars clocking some 20k odd kms are devoid of any rattles. I feel like this car is going to age like wine.Another point worth mentioning is the ride quality,this car just shines on bad roads, i have sat in my Invicto and Jimny back to back and Jimny's ride quality is better,which tells you a lot in itself.

[HTC]

Fixed the gear shift illuminator panel using velcro. Looks and feels good.

[hemanth.anand]

Originally Posted by fine69

Which are good quality recovery points on offer for Jimny? I want ones which work with D shackles and not just soft shackles.

Swastikfabs.in in Bengaluru or 4xforza.com in Delhi have good recovery points. Both ship across the country. I have the ones from Swastikfabs.in and I have done multiple recoveries.

[fine69]

Originally Posted by hemanth.anand

Swastikfabs.in in Bengaluru or 4xforza.com in Delhi have good recovery points. Both ship across the country. I have the ones from Swastikfabs.in and I have done multiple recoveries.

4xforza doesn't make recovery points for Jimny. The ones available from swastikfabs say its meant for soft shackles.

Could you share pics or model no. if you've been able to use D-shackles with them?

[Sheel]

Originally Posted by HTC

Fixed the gear shift illuminator panel using velcro. Looks and feels good.

Hi!
Where did you source this? Please share a link if it is available on-line.

Thanks .

[HTC]

Originally Posted by Sheel

Hi!
Where did you source this? Please share a link if it is available on-line.

Thanks .

Sure. I got it from Amazon Japan. Here is the link

This does not require removing the panel around the gear knob. just place it on top of existing P-R-N-D panel. You can choose to stick this using the 3M glue strip beneath it. Since it was getting pasted on top of OEM wording of P-R-N-D, I chose to use velcor strips so that the glue is on the edges.

Cheers,
HTC

[abist]

I took the delivery of my Jimny (ZETA) MT in the beginning of February. I've already driven approximately 1000 kilometers and yesterday was my first scheduled service. Though 1000 kilometers is too less of a mileage to get a real feel but during this I drove Jimny on plains as well as in the Himalayas. So, how do I feel about it? I am absolutely loving it! Driving the car has been a seamless experience.

I bought Jimny only to replace my aging Hyundai i10, which had already completed the 15 years and had got an extension for 5 more years only last year. I had various options in mind like Hilux, ISUZU, Gurkha but not Thar. I lived in US for more than a decade and had driven the Jeep Wrangler JK (2011) for six years. Having driven the Jeep Wrangler, the 'Baap' of all Thars, I had absolutely no wish nor any inclination to buy a Thar. Toyota Hilux and ISUZU were cost prohibitive in the sense that buying them, I could have never convinced myself nor pardoned myself for spending that kind of money, so I had to chuck them out from the list.

Next came in the Force 10 Gurkha. I saw numerous videos and reviews both of which were positive as well as negative and also the on road price going beyond 20L was a in the red for me. Gurkha no doubt is a tough, battle hardened machine with a powerful engine sourced from Mercedes, but again other things considered with respect to ride quality, space, seating, onboard features etc., the prices did not justify what was being offered. Also, given the lack of Force 10 service network, Gurkha became a no-go for me.

I saw Jimny for the first time in 2023, when I accompanied my father to Maruti showroom, when he was looking to replace his 2011 Alto. Jimny did grab my attention and I was curious but then got busy with other work and stuff. Finally, in 2024 I decided that it was time to buy a new car. I came Team-BHP forum and looked at several videos on YouTube of Jimny users from India and abroad and was surprised that this car had such a huge impact on vehicle owners and automobile enthusiasts in both India and abroad. I saw videos comparing Jimny with other off-roaders such as Thar and Gurkha. Though I had read people complaining about its underpowered engine, but to my surprise Jimny was performing in situations where both Thar and Gurkha were struggling. Jimny proved why it is considered one of the best off-roaders in the world. Given the light frame, narrower dimensions, Jimny performs well with stock tyres and suspensions.

Once, I had made up my mind, I approached various dealers in my city and got quotes and after some negotiations (Yes, I think I am not a very clever negotiator but I think I got my Jimny for a good price post discounts and old car exchange).

As soon as I got it, I drove Jimny to the mountains with just me and my father to our village. The route has uphill and downhill parts and Jimny did it very well, giving us about 12.5 kmpl. In plains, we got an average of 13 kmpl. I am sure as the engine gets more used to driving, the average would improve. Comfort-wise, Jimny is a like flying blanket, with right amount of pressure in the stock tyres (29 PSI) , it just glides over the potholes and speed bumps.

The reason I chose ZETA over Alpha was that the features like auto climate control, cruise control, adjustable OVRMs, LED headlights with washers again not exactly important for my driving experience and it did not seem worth to shell out extra dough for these features.

Below are the photographs taken just a couple of days back, when I drove my Jimny through a dried seasonal riverbed.

The only customizations I got done was to replace the stock front grille with Land Rover Defender grille, rear ladder and full roof top carrier.