[ecosport rules]

Our 'IBEX" is on a mission.
Highway or no way ,ruts,stones,pebbles,slush,boulders,mountain twistys and now finally the sand and beach.
We have done it all.

3000 kms of blissful companionship through Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala

[Neil Roy]

Finally plunged in and took delivery of the Jimny AT Zeta variant in sizzling red on 4th of August. And seeing that the sizzling red wasn't sizzling enough, decided to add some "subtle" modifications on the paint department to make it sizzle more. And now, the absurdity of the results in pics.
These pictures were taken inside the detailing centre.




And this was taken in St.Thomas Mount in Chennai.


Jimny really brings out the child in anyone who owns it, I guess.

Headlights were upgraded to LED H4 with LED projector Fog lamps which really brightens up the roads. Tyres upgraded to 215/75 R15 AT and the comfort of OE tyres was immediately and sorely missed. Since my need of AT was very specific, I wasn't too worried as it was a purpose driven upgrade. Going for a long drive soon and will revert with more details. Drive safe.

[Shreyans_Jain]

Originally Posted by Neil Roy

Tyres upgraded to 215/75 R15 AT and the comfort of OE tyres was immediately and sorely missed.

What’s the tire pressure?

1. Jimny has a rather low specified pressure, 26psi IIRC. It is likely that the tire person casually pumped it up to 33psi.

2. As you have upsized, you should keep it 2psi less than what is recommended (which is pretty low to begin with).

Your car looks sweet.

[Turbanator]

Does anyone else feel footwell space very limited, especially left leg. I have tried different positions, stretching seat pretty far back but it doesn’t help. Lack of seat height adjustment doesn’t help either. Any way out?

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

Does anyone else feel footwell space very limited, especially left leg. I have tried different positions, stretching seat pretty far back but it doesn’t help. Lack of seat height adjustment doesn’t help either. Any way out?

Its about as limited or cramped as the Gypsy and the Thar. I am 6ft 2 in height. Long legs. Size UK11 feet. I manage quite well in my Gypsy and in my Thar, driving to Madras or Ooty or Coorg and back from Bangalore. I guess Im used to Jeeps and Jeepy things.
If I compare these two with my tiny little 11 year old Cooper S, then most definitely the Cooper S has great footwell space and a very comfortable driving position as well.
But then, I rarely drive for more than 2 or 2 and a half hours at a time without stopping. I do feel the need to stop, get out of my vehicle, stretch and do a few limbering up exercises etc. I guess that helps.

[Turbanator]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

It's about as limited or cramped as the Gypsy and the Thar. I am 6ft 2 in height. Long legs. Size UK11 feet.

Not as tall as you, but the shoe size is similar. The problem is not just cramped footwell but also the angle at which the leg rests. I had similar issues with my son's Wrangler. This has to do with the transmission tunnel, but at least in the case of Wrangler, only space was restricted. Don't recollect Gypsy, as I no longer have it. I remember the sitting posture was a bit upright, and since that was manual, the leg was at work most of the time .

With the excellent suspension and better engine and Auto, one is more relaxed. In any case, I don't think this can be changed. A slight chance of improvement is when we find a fix for height adjustment on the seat.

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

my son's Wrangler. This has to do with the transmission tunnel, but at least in the case of Wrangler, only space was restricted. Don't recollect Gypsy, as I no longer have it. I remember the sitting posture was a bit upright, and since that was manual, the leg was at work most of the time .
.

Thar is very similar in terms of the AT transmission tunnel bulging into the footwell and cramping the left foot. Gypsy tranny tunnel is straight. But it is a 40+ year old design and people have grown taller and larger and all. The stock seats on the gypsy are actually giving a really nice driving position. And as I keep saying, when one uses the stock tyres and inflates them correctly and then drives it in the right way, the vehicle doesnt bounce about and all. It is surprisingly comfortable.

[Turbanator]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

Gypsy tranny tunnel is straight. But it is a 40+ year old design and people have grown taller and larger and all. The stock seats on the gypsy are actually giving a really nice driving position.

Makes sense then. I haven't driven Thar except for a very short drive and frankly, it has a very vague steering feel and bounciness. I will pick Jimny 10 of 10 times if I had to choose between Thar and Jimny. But, I don't think I can make peace with the driving posture. If I put my car on the classified am going to be crucified but by nature, I try to get rid of something I don't fully like.

But, what next? This is such a nice car, especially due to its footprint and excellent suspension. This thing glides over large craters that we have too many here in urban Gurgaon as if these are pebbles.

[SUVolens]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

Does anyone else feel footwell space very limited, especially left leg. I have tried different positions, stretching seat pretty far back but it doesn’t help. Lack of seat height adjustment doesn’t help either. Any way out?

Have always maintained that one of the Jimny’s Achilles Heels (pun intended ) is the small footwell, esp for large feet. It’s not unbearably so, but it’s noticeable, esp in the AT version where the lack of a dead pedal highlights the loss of space. In my MT, I still notice it, but am getting used to finding a parking space for the left foot, below the clutch pedal when on open stretches and in cruise. In a couple of weeks, we will be on a long drive to Ladakh and most touring compromises will rise to the top I guess. But it’s ok. The payoff in other areas are enough to compensate.

Interestingly, I only recently managed to drive a friend’s 2020 Thar (also going on the same trip) and couldn’t help observing a few standout things:

1. The footwell in this too is similarly challenged. Both have a flaring out transmission tunnel rather than the straight cut ones seen in sedans and such.
2. The Thar felt distinctly different in its ride quality - almost jittery in comparison to the Jimny over low-speed city roads. Not altogether uncomfortable, but I’d go out on a limb and say the Suzuki would be preferable to the Mahindra for extended rides and all that extra power in the latter wouldn’t really matter if the ride can’t harness the push.
3. View out of the windscreen - the Thar had an almost IMAX grade view out compared to the multiplex grade Jimny. And the latter isn’t bad at all btw. It’s just that the seating geometry, wide view screen and the multilayered bonnet of the Thar made things look more interesting.
4. Now I’m not sure if it’s a case for this particular Thar, but the 6-speed auto didn’t feel nearly as slick as the one in a XUV700 I drove just a couple of days earlier. Felt downright lazy in fact and the Suzuki 4-speeder felt almost sophisticated from my test drive memories.
5. Steering - not much to choose between the two. Both vague and require constant inputs. Just that the Thar’s felt ‘heavier’.
6. Finally, I think the choice of the Jimny over a Thar, self-validated in two specifically bad traffic patches. It just feels easier to thread between two cars without worrying about taking the poor guys’ wing mirrors out

[nsbhagwat]

Originally Posted by th2

Even when we test drove the Jimny, the sales guy had no clue how to engage 4L. He is supposed to have been trained in all aspects of the vehicle

I will say it also depends on the eagerness of the individual to learn. If the individual has a 'I care less' attitude, no amount of training will make the individual a learned person.

[asingh1977]

Originally Posted by nsbhagwat

I will say it also depends on the eagerness of the individual to learn. If the individual has a 'I care less' attitude, no amount of training will make the individual a learned person.

True. When I took the Jimny test drive the salesman insisted that we drive into a "field"; and he would show how to drive 4x4. He for sure would have known how to use the low range transfer case!

Never tested the 4x4, cause I drove past the field in my excitement. And reached back to the show room.

[GP19]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

A slight chance of improvement is when we find a fix for height adjustment on the seat.

I agree on adding a bit more thigh support.

I took the delivery yesterday and 30 kms into my drive I could feel the uneasiness. Right now I just keep left foot facing down for sometime.

[IB290]

Originally Posted by Neil Roy

Headlights were upgraded to LED H4 with LED projector Fog lamps which really brightens up the roads.

Thanks, I have been looking for upgrading the Zeta headlight. I was asking the Nexa people if they can put the Alpha headlights and they said that the wiring is of lower wattage in Zeta compared to Alpha and it would void warranty. Is your LED headlight of same wattage as MT halogen ones? Please can you share the details and where you bought it from.

[Vid6639]

Originally Posted by gsferrari

Went off-roading over the weekend. A lot of sand dune climbs, descents and some cross-country sandy riverbed driving. The Jimny performs admirably within the limitations of its GC and engine output. I believe it could use a throttle tuner chip to "crispen" up the throttle response and an air filter, exhaust to help it spool up faster and develop a bit more power perhaps.

Saw your car pics on social media. Looks fab. Can you please help with where you got the front grill from? its perfect.

[2000rpm]

I saw the Jimny on road in the dark blue color. Also saw the 2023 Gurkha in red color.

If there is anyone who doesn't care about practicality, and is looking at a second car, my ranking will be:

1. Force Gurkha - Man, the road presence of this was just amazing. Even better than a Fortuner in my view
2. Maruti Jimny - Really capable and cute looks
3. Thar - Too common, not practical, not the most capable, average road presence now

I was floored by the Gurkha honestly. I was following this car in my Polo, and my eye line was barely at the bumper level of this car!!