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Hilarious take on my Jimny ownership: Getting an audio system upgrade

Buckle up, because the upgraded Jimny is about to take you on a musical journey like no other.

BHPian ShivC recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Yellow Jimny: Sound Audio Upgrade - "Living Life on the Sunny Side: A Yellow Jimny 5-Door Ownership Adventure - Part 2" (Read Part 1 here).

You're cruising down the open road in your trusty little Jimny, and suddenly you realize that the universe is conspiring to make your driving experience epic. You decide it's time for an audio upgrade because, let's be honest, the stock speakers in the Jimny are about as exciting as watching paint dry.

Enter the Polk speakers. These bad boys are like the musicians of the car audio world. They know how to hit the right notes, create symphonies out of your favourite tunes, and turn your drive into a private concert. You'll be so immersed in the sound that you might just start thinking you're starring in your very own action movie!

But wait, there's more! You can't have a true audio upgrade without a subwoofer to add that bass-pumping thump to your beats. Here comes the Sony subwoofer to save the day! It's like having your own personal earthquake generator under your seat. When you hit that bass drop, you'll feel it in your bones, and the rear-view mirror might just vibrate off!

Picture this: you're stuck in traffic, but with your new stereo system, you're not even mad. You turn up the volume, and the car next to you starts to shake with jealousy. Pedestrians around you start dancing like it's the biggest street party ever, and other drivers start honking their horns to the rhythm of your tunes.

Your friends won't want to go to concerts anymore because they know the ultimate show is inside your Jimny. People will be begging for a ride, not just because your car is awesome, but also because your sound system is the stuff of legends. It's like your Jimny got bitten by a radioactive DJ and gained superpowers!

But be warned, with great sound comes great responsibility. You'll have to resist the urge to become the neighbourhood DJ and keep the volume in check when you're rolling past your favourite aunt's house. After all, you don't want her thinking there's an earthquake every time you visit.

So, buckle up, because the upgraded Jimny is about to take you on a musical journey like no other. Get ready to sing along, dance in your seat, and turn heads wherever you go. With your Polk speakers and Sony subwoofer, the road will never be the same again – it's a party on wheels!

NOTE: My Yellow Jimny has been upgraded with Polk DB5252 Component Speakers – Front, and Polk Coaxial MM522 - Rear, both 5 1/4’ speakers along with a compact Sony XS-AW8 Active Sub-woofer (under the passenger seat).

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Owning a Maruti Jimny: Here's what I think of it after 1 month & 2000km

Enjoying the SUV more than I thought I would, but it does fall short on a few aspects.

BHPian androdev recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

A quick update after a month of use.

My expectations before the purchase of Jimny were very low but I started enjoying the car more than I thought I would. I was worried I might like it so much that I won't feel like shipping it off for rural duty. Fortunately (or unfortunately depending on how you look at it), it has fallen short on a few important aspects, so I can stick to the original plan of sending this car to its natural habitat where I have no doubt, it will serve really well.

Here is what I think of the car after using it for a month and covering close to 2000 km.

Within the city: It's nimble and as easy to drive as a hatchback but, boy, taking U-turns, tight parking or similar steering manoeuvres are a pain, something you don't want in a car of this compact size you hope to take to supermarkets or narrow streets, etc. It's not that bad but if you already have access to a small car that rules the narrow lanes of Bangalore, you will not like the fuss this car creates during tight manoeuvres.

For the highways: Small fuel tank and mediocre fuel efficiency (shouldn't have both together!). My road trips are mostly in south India and I'm a bit OCD about where I stop for food or fuel - doing door-to-door non-stop is my plan-A. With this car, I experience a lot of range anxiety as one needs to start looking for a petrol bunk just after 300 km or so. It may not bother others but fantastic tank range is a very key criterion for all the highway cars I've used.

I have zero problems with the much complained about engine+gearbox - it's fine and one can maintain 90-100 speed comfortably. Picking up speed (acceleration) is poor but it doesn't bother me as the overall travel time remains comparable to other cars.

In-cabin experience: Far from delightful. Left foot ergonomics is bad. I've owned so many cars and never had this issue. I don't think there is a solution because the seat is wider than the footwell. It's not that bad but it does bother you every now and then while on a long drive. This car is a chatterbox. Starts with a rude sounding loud "good morning" type of greeting - kind of spoils your mood for the day. Then beeps for every little thing - a second too late to put the seat belt - beep, put the car in reverse - beep beep, lock the car - beep. And the legendary braindead rear seat belt alerts. Car play hangs too often (navigation freezes and music stutters). Auto start/stop is very lousy - it shuts down the engine during a U-turn manoeuvre! It's like death by thousand cuts.

I don't regret the purchase because I searched far and wide for a small 4x4 AT that's easy to live with and I am glad I have this option in the market. Nobody is going to beat Maruti when it comes to a car that's easy to live in a small town, so I don't think I will find a better car anytime in the near future. My wish list for future updates of Jimny: 1. Better footwell ergonomics 2. Better steering mechanism 3. Larger fuel tank

I do enjoy the freedom this car gives and I hope to try and fit the car into my travel needs.

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1 month with a Maruti Jimny: Some observations to help future owners

The steering defies all logic and turns out to be fabulous. I don’t know how they did it.

BHPian shourya_lahiri recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Got my car delivered on the 14th of last month and yes I have taken a bit of time before penning this down. The reason was that I wanted to get over the initial "halo phase" and get to know the car a bit practically before putting any conclusions. My intention here will not be to justify my purchase, but rather to point out matters and observations from a first-hand experience, and be of help to others who can gain any kind of help regarding their queries and decisions.

Senior BHPian 1100D’s throughout involvement require a special mention. Not only his insights and experience were the basis and foundation of our decision to firstly consider waiting for and going for the Jimny (something that was decided years back), but he had also dwelled in various mathematical and mechanical analyses, which resulted, in times, in hours of conversations (involving gear ratios, final drive ratio etc…) All this while in the other part of the universe random reviews and speculations about the car were sprouting like weeds. So basically we already had a very clear picture of what to expect and what not to. 1100D had also listed the accessories I should go for, sadly NEXA hasn’t been able to provide most of them.

My journey with Hachiko began on 16th Jan, when my vessel was anchored in Argentina. There was just news that the car was launched and bookings are open. Have been waiting and following the car for years now and from what I knew, all I had to ensure was that the Jimny truly had 5 doors and a 2nd row of seats. Nothing else was there to check or verify from my POV since the car was already an established one worldwide and its credentials were nothing new. So booking is done online, ships sail out the next day and my wait begins.

On 7th May the display vehicle arrived at my dealership.

1100D & I paid a visit and gave the car a thorough checkout. All we could take away from our first introduction with the car were smiles. One really could not help but notice how well the vehicle has been put together. There is purposeful engineering written all over it!

14th of July we took Hachiko home and on the 15th Saturday, we were doing this

The next week, After making it very clear that Hachiko loves to get dirty, we (me, 1100D and Sandip da) headed to put the car in its natural habitat. And boy what fun we had! But what surprised us was that Hachiko was having even more fun! Please note I am still running on stock tires at the stock recommended pressure.

Now wrapping it up here are a few key points I would like to mention:

The car doesn’t have seat height adjust, and I am a very short guy. Seemingly no Jimny on earth has it. This, as I said was also taken into account and I had acquired a lumber support/ cushion for this purpose, way before the car was delivered. Things are under control now.

Lack of storage spaces – This thing is a bummer. There is practically zero place to keep anything at all. This needs to be addressed before I head out for any kind of a long journey. Thankfully there are accessories available for this purpose, something I will install as the time comes.

The steering defies all logic and turns out to be fabulous. I don’t know how they did it.

The rest of the pros and cons are a part and parcel of every car there is and I don’t think any one of them requires a special mention other than these. I am intentionally refraining from giving any kind of opinions and review from my side since there are plenty of it already everywhere. And since I am owning the car, there remains, if not a slight possibility of confirmation bias playing on my side.

Having said that the only word that can define the car is ADEQUATE.

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Why I chose to buy the Jimny automatic over manual: 9 deciding factors

Took an extensive 60 km test drive covering hills, flat roads and straight highways

BHPian dileep recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

As we wanted to check the MT and our dealer Nexa GMS Road did not have one, we called DD Motors on Haridwar Bypass. The RM Ms P.K was very efficient and responsive and we had an extended drive (see attached map) covering almost 60 km consisting of hilly terrain, some flat roads and a straight stretch where we could do about 80 km/h.

Here are some observations:

  1. As mentioned by a lot of people here – the MT is notchy. The 1st gear is tough to engage but after that, it’s just about passable.
  2. The gear lever vibrates as mentioned but it didn’t bother me since it did not hit my knee at any point and I’m not looking at the lever in any case while driving or otherwise.
  3. The clutch is alright – the travel is longer and harder than my Etios but similar to the Alto K10 that we have (BTW shifting gears in the Alto is worse than the Jimny)
  4. The footwell is cramped as compared to the AT. With average size Indian feet I was able to stick my left foot just to the left of the clutch, and my knee was leaning towards the gear lever and resting on the gear console, but it wasn’t very comfortable.
  5. The car behaves well even at lower speeds (30-40 km/h) with the gear slotted in 3rd or 4th and climbs gentle slopes easily without a shift.
  6. I was cruising in 5th at 40-45 km/h and there was no lugging and the engine did not feel strained.
  7. Overtaking vehicles doing 50-55 km/h was easy in the 5th gear with throttle input without changing to a lower gear. This might not be possible with the AT.
  8. Definitely more eager to run than the AT. But since I am new to AT it might be my driving style.
  9. For my wife it was tougher to drive the MT than the AT simply because of the ease of driving an automatic car.

After long deliberations, re-reading fellow BHPian's reviews of the MT vs AT and a lengthy phone call with BHPian HighwayCruizer (who recently bought a Jimny AT and lives in Dehradun with a similar driving geography) we have chosen to go ahead with the AT.

A major part of this decision is to do with the ease of driving especially for my wife since we will have only one car between us. We will lose some of the spiritedness of the MT and some fuel efficiency but I think for the sedate kind of driving we do the AT would suit us better. Also since we are already in our late 50’s, I think 10 years down the line (when knees, etc start to trouble) an AT might work out better.

Our White Zeta AT is arriving very soon at NEXA GMS Road.

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Enjoying my brand-new Maruti Jimny: Can't get enough of the SUV

The fuel efficiency seems to be improving. The MID is now showing 12 km/l.

BHPian jkrishnakj recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Can’t get enough of my little one. Did some mild off-roading over the last weekend. My wife is now picking up the Jimny keys for her errands. I also did a drive on the Bangalore-Mysore eWay last Saturday. It was happily cruising at 90. I have started enjoying the mild whining sound of the engine. I haven’t had a chance to engage the 4/4 yet.

The only thing I miss is the armrest. I’m sure there will be something that’ll be available soon here.

I found the stock tyres adequate. I am now convinced there isn’t a need to change them.

The mileage seems to be improving. The MID displays 12 now. Perhaps due to the driving from the missus who’s always light on the accelerator.

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A proud Jimny owner shares a hilarious take on its ownership

In terms of fuel efficiency, the 4x4 SUV surprisingly performs admirably. I suspect it draws energy from the sheer joy it exudes

BHPian ecosport rules recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Sharing a friend's hilarious take on his Jimny.

"I recently embarked on an epic journey of automotive absurdity when I became the proud owner of a yellow Jimny 5-door. If you’re wondering why I chose a colour that screams “Hello, world!” in the loudest possible way, well, my friends, I believe life is too short to drive around in dull shades. So here I am, basking in the glory of a car that can light up a dimly lit room just by parking outside.

Now, let me share the ups and downs of my vibrant ownership journey with you.

Colour: Let’s start with the obvious: the colour. Yes, my friends, I own a sunshine-yellow Jimny that is impossible to miss. It’s like driving around in a big, friendly banana on wheels. People’s reactions range from confused stares to instant grins… It’s a guaranteed mood booster! It’s impossible to go unnoticed in this sunny beast. Pedestrians stop and stare, cars slow down just to get a better look, and let’s not even get started on the number of banana-related jokes I’ve endured. But hey, it’s all worth it for the attention, right? The Jimny has the power to illuminate an entire neighbourhood during a power outage. Picture a sunny day, and suddenly this yellow titan comes into view, turning heads and causing sunglasses to fog up from the sheer brilliance.

Design: Jimny’s shape is nothing short of adorable. It’s like a pocket-sized SUV on steroids, making all other cars on the road feel like they’re compensating for something. It’s like owning a four-wheeled ray of sunshine that brings a smile to my face every time I step into it. The moment I laid eyes on this cute little box on wheels, I knew I had to own it. One thing I must highlight is the attention to detail in Jimny’s design. The round headlights make it look like a determined little creature, squinting at the world with determination. And the boxy shape? It’s like driving around in a Lego car! I half expect to see little plastic bricks falling out every time I turn a sharp corner. It’s a nostalgic reminder of my childhood days, and the kid in me just can’t stop grinning.

Driving Experience: Driving this thing is an absolute blast. It may not be the fastest car on the road, but it compensates with its charm and nimbleness. Whenever I zoom around town, it feels like I’m riding a roller coaster designed by LEGO. The Jimny’s compact size and responsive handling make it perfect for navigating narrow city streets, and parking in cramped spaces is a piece of cake. Plus, the elevated driving position allows me to see over other cars, giving me a sense of superiority (or so I like to think). The engine under the hood is like a caffeine-addicted squirrel on steroids. It might not break any speed records, but it’s zippy and agile, making it perfect for city driving. Plus, Jimny’s handling is so responsive that it feels like you’re driving a remote-controlled car. Driving this yellow beast feels like being the star of a high-speed chase scene in a classic comedy movie.

Off-Roading: This pint-sized warrior surprises everyone with its capabilities. With Jimny’s 4WD system and excellent ground clearance, it tackles trails that would make mountain goats tremble.

Interiors: The interior design is simple and utilitarian. Don’t expect fancy gadgets or cutting-edge technology. Don’t expect to fit a circus troupe in here, but it’s cosy and functional. The yellow theme continues inside, with bits of sunshine sprinkled all over the cabin. It’s like driving in a never-ending summer. And while the legroom isn’t exactly ample, who needs legroom when you can have a panoramic view of the world from the elevated driving position? You’ll feel like a king surveying their yellow domain. And let’s not forget the rear seats — more like a space reserved for your friends who are on a quest to find their long-lost flexibility.

Engine Power: Now, let’s address the elephant in the room—engine power. The yellow Jimny won’t win any drag races, that’s for sure. It’s not built for speed demons but rather for those who enjoy the journey itself. Embrace the slow pace, and you’ll find yourself appreciating the scenery and the puzzled faces of drivers stuck behind you. The Jimny may not be the fastest car on the planet, but it makes up for it with its undeniable charm. It handles corners like a playful puppy chasing its tail, and the ride is so bumpy it could rival a roller coaster. Whenever I hit a pothole, I can’t help but let out a gleeful “Whee!” as if I’m on a theme park ride. It’s therapeutic, trust me.

Fuel Efficiency: In terms of fuel efficiency, the Jimny surprisingly performs admirably. I suspect it draws energy from the sheer joy it exudes, as I’ve yet to see the fuel gauge move significantly. It’s like a perpetual motion machine, except instead of defying physics, it defies the need for frequent gas station visits Let’s just say that a thirsty camel in the Sahara has nothing on this bad boy. But if you are planning a long road trip, be prepared to stop at every gas station known to mankind. But hey, at least it gives you a chance to stretch your legs, grab a cup of coffee, and show off your charismatic ride to fellow fuel station patrons.

Space: One of the first things you’ll notice is the interior space—or lack thereof. Unless you’re a contortionist, fitting five full-sized adults into this little box is a challenge. Legroom becomes a luxury, and elbows will inevitably collide. But hey, it’s a small price to pay for the joys of owning such a funky vehicle.

Boot Space: Let’s not forget the practicality of this mighty vehicle. The boot space may not be enormous, but it’s big enough for a suitcase or two, which means spontaneous road trips are always on the cards. I call it my “instant vacation mobile.”

In conclusion: If you’re in the market for a car that radiates sunshine, conquers off-road trails like a champ, and squeezes every ounce of joy out of life, the yellow Jimny 5-door is the one for you. Just remember, you’ll be driving a car that attracts attention like a celebrity in a sequin suit, so be ready for the occasional thumbs-up, waves, and even requests for selfies. Embrace yellow fever, my friends, and let the world bask in your automotive radiance! Owning a yellow Jimny 5-door is like having a never-ending source of smiles, laughter, and good vibes. It turns heads, brings joy to strangers, and injects every journey with a healthy dose of quirkiness. It may not be the flashiest car out there, but it has a personality that’s larger than life"

Note: Shiv, a friend from Bangalore is the Proud Owner of the Yellow Jimny 5 door.

Note: Link to the original article

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Jimny test drive impressions from the perspective of a Polo GT owner

Power felt adequate, in fact much better than most NA petrol engines south of or up to 1.5l.

BHPian prashant316 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I have been late to the party but I join it now. I test-drove the Jimny finally.

Everything that has been said already is how I felt about the car, for the most part. Covering how I felt about it from the perspective of my last 5 years in a Polo GT.

First Feel - It definitely feels bigger inside than it looks outside. And the doors opened and closed, unlike anything I have felt in a Maruti. They felt well built with a decent subdued thud. A very pleasing sound and feel if you ask me. Definitely thumbs up.

Drive - Power seemed sluggish when compared to the Polo. I missed having a turbo. But after the drive, I felt the power delivery was not going to be a deal breaker. It felt adequate and in fact much better than most NA petrol engines south of or up to 1.5l.

The recognizable whine of the drivetrain was the most audible element of the engine sound. Reminds me of being in a Gypsy. Again not a deal breaker.

I really missed knowing what gear I am on. It was an AT. But I could feel the car seemed eager to downshift but also eager to get to at least 3rd in city traffic in gentle driving. There were noticeable Jerks on gear changes. I could almost hear myself missing the 7DSG. I am guessing this is a sore point for me. Because I am still thinking about it. I will have to adjust myself to be comfortable with a 4AT, not because I like it so much.

Comfort - Much more comfortable overall than my Polo. The seats and the suspension. Rear lumbar has been talked about a lot and for good reason. Half my thigh flab was hanging in the air in the rear. But the front seats enveloped me quite well. Overall I am happy here.

Ergonomics - I don't think there are too many cars that beat a Polo on the ergonomics from a driver's perspective. The jimny doesn't either. The window switches don't come to hand, you have to lean forward to get to them.

The screen is hanging on top like most new cars and is an ergonomically uncomfortable experience to navigate through it. Thank god for steering controls. The Polo's screen integrated below the AC vents is so so much easier to use.

Also, I too wish there was a height adjustment for at least the driver seat. Though I thought I had pretty much found my preferred driving position, a slightly higher one would have felt perfect.

Although getting in and out of the car felt easier than other hard-core SUVs.

Overall the ergonomics are a thumbs down.

Music System - Meh. Just about ok in the sound quality department. The clarity and deepness are nice, though the speakers feel out of breath for the quality we now come to expect in this price range. I can only imagine how much worse the non-Arkamys system must be.

The Smart Pro itself was easy to use, just I was constantly leaning forward or had my head completely away from the road. I miss having certain physical buttons for quick navigation.

Overall, it's livable. Maybe down the road, I will get slightly bigger speakers or maybe I will get used to this.

Sitting in the rear - Now this reminded me of sitting in the back of a Bolero. You sit higher up for a good view, which is good. But the boxy shape of the windows and the recline angle of the seat does make you feel that you are in an old school 'Jeep'. Space for your legs is good. The height over your head is great too.

The recline angle on the first level felt like I am sitting on a school bench. 2nd level was the only acceptable option for me, even though the difference is not much. We are used to more reclining or the illusion of reclining in most cars sold today. I think this is a rear to get used to rather than feel at home straight away.

Showroom experience - Underwhelming at best. The sales guy with me in the TD was unenthusiastic. No, he was not interested. I had to scrape information out of him, which too was barely anything. I do wonder if there actually has been any decent training for the Jimny for these guys. Or has the self-selling nature of the car brought about lethargy? I had far more knowledge of the cars' features than him. And they still had no clue about the list of accessories. I had to make them aware that it can now be ordered from the website and it seemed to come as a surprise to them.

The attitude was more like "Here is the car, you check it out". In fact, my own enthusiasm to experience the car was dulled. I couldn't fall in love with the car as I had expected. If I had not already made up my mind to buy it, I might have actually been in two minds after the overall experience with the Sales guy. The showroom was Nexa Greater Noida.

I have had far better reception at the VW sales showroom and the service facility each time. The people there seemed more explanatory and willing to clear your doubts.

Now the question is, when do I get the car? Or is it do I want this car?

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How a Nexa dealer makes a royal mess of my Jimny purchase experience

A dealer driver had rammed the door of the Toyota Innova into the rear wheel arch cladding of my Maruti Jimny while trying to reverse the car.

BHPian DKG recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I wanted to get a small hatchback as my V-Cross is a bit of an elephant in some parts of the city where I live. My wife seems to have this aversion to hatchbacks so to my dismay she ruled out getting one. I was toying with the idea of a Grand Vitara and we test drove one. She liked it. I did too, but just as luck would have it, Maruti announced the launch of the Jimny in India. After having let my beloved CJ-3B go the idea of a small off-roader tugged at my heart.

I called a Nexa dealership in Banjara Hills Hyderabad to enquire when the bookings would open. They said the bookings were open and that I could book with just Rs 11000/-. They had no clue when the car would be available for delivery. I was okay with it. At the showroom, as I was about to pay the executive said, "Sir the booking amount is Rs 25000/- now". Irritated I said between a phone call in the morning and a few hours later, how come the booking rate changed? Anyways I guess sometimes a little aggression gets you results. They accepted my booking for an automatic Alpha variant in Arctic White.

Months passed and I called the executive a couple of times to see if there was any news of the impending launch. No news.

So here's a list of things Nexa gets horribly wrong and the dealer seems to specialise in adding to the list.

Just as some background to my credentials, I am an industry veteran with 20 years of hardcore retail experience and a greater part of it in managing an entire dealership at all levels.

I sincerely hope Maruti and their dealer wake up to realise the nitty gritty of creating customer delight.

Here's my feedback

  • The only thing I received from Maruti was a sms confirming my booking. Nothing else. Even when the pdf brochure was produced Maruti didn't bother to send me one. When a customer books a vehicle unseen, as a manufacturer, you build on the excitement by feeding the customer tidbits to whet his appetite and boost his anticipation of the purchase.

Maruti gets tongue-tied when it comes to welcoming customers and engaging them. In a world of digital media, from exciting videos to customer testimonies around the world so much can be done. Just in Hyderabad alone, 200 individuals had booked the Jimny. Around the country, the figure was in excess of 20000.

Maruti and the dealer went completely silent. It was left to me to keep following up for brochures and when the car was to arrive in Hyderabad for display.

  • News and media reports started to arrive that a Jimny was on display at a Delhi showroom. I guess for reasons best known Maruti decided to do a reveal in piece meal. The internet was flooded with vlogs on the Jimny. I obviously lapped it all up.

Once again I had to call the showroom in Hyderabad where I had booked my Jimny to ask when it would arrive in Hyderabad. They had no clue.

So Maruti didn't bother to even set a timetable for a round-the-country display schedule.

One fine day I open the local paper to see a picture of a Jimny at a different showroom in Hyderabad. I called them and get told they have no idea when it will reach the dealership where I had made the booking for their turn to display. As the showroom was on the other side of town I figured I'd wait a little longer.

One day as I was driving past my dealership in Banjara I notice a Jimny parked in their delivery bay. Obviously, the dealer didn't think it was necessary to inform me to come see the car.

I stopped by the showroom to discover the car was just about to be delivered to a customer.

The customer noticed I was keen on seeing the car and as I happen to know him, he kindly offered for me to see his car. Hesitant to even sit in a car just about to be delivered I spent some time admiring the beauty from outside and took a peak inside. I was pleased with what I saw. The finish of the car is impressive.

  • Rule number one in retail trade is to get customers to test drive cars you want to sell.

With the Jimny, Maruti missed a major opportunity to create a buzz. I would have hired a venue in each city, sent a dozen Jimnys, invited all the booking customers to a special preview and work at building a sense of community.

Instead, Maruti and their dealer behave like being clueless about how to treat customers who have booked a car.

My next logical question to the dealer was 'When can I test drive it? And when do the deliveries start" I get the usual answer, "We don't know sir".

So I see a Jimny delivered from the dealer but the dealer doesn't know when a display car reaches them or when a demo would be available.

Once again it took a call after some days to find out that a demo was ready. I asked why they didn't inform me. Again they sidetrack the issue. Anyways I asked them to send a demo to my house which they did and finally, I got to drive a Jimny. I liked it. I wanted it.

When I ask the dealer when I can expect my car the dealer asks me for the reference of my booking. I said "Don't you have a full list of bookings with names and references to booking receipts", the answer was "No sir". So I had to pull out the receipt to then be told I was 9th on the list. I asked given the schedule of arrivals when could I expect my car. No clue!

So here we have a dealer who orders cars but tells customers they have no clue when they can expect their car. It didn't take much to realise the dealer was trying to favour people out of line. Which is okay, this is India.

Finally, I call again in a few days to be told my white Jimny had arrived. Being particular I wanted to see the car before I paid for it. "We bring the car to the showroom just a day before delivery sir" was the answer. Which meant I was to complete all the formalities and balance payments before the car gets requisitioned from the dealer's yard.

The dealer tried to sell me other colours, I wonder why? I insisted I wanted a white alpha auto.

I complete all the formalities and get to see the car. I cleared them to do the TR and was told I could come the next day to take delivery.

  • When I arrived at the showroom I find my Jimny parked in the parking lot, open and semi-clean. The delivery bay was empty and I couldn't understand why they hadn't parked my car in.

Random customers were walking up to my car wanting to sit in. I had to tell them the car was to be delivered. Surely the dealer could respect a customer's car by keeping it locked.

I had ordered floor mats, front bumper cladding and a rear spare cover, that had been installed.

As I was talking to staff about accessories a customer drives up and parks his Innova a foot and a half away from the car. He gets out and tries to get into my car. I had to stop him again. The dealer staff and security are clueless about what's happening. Interestingly the customer was fascinated by my choice and had a barrage of questions for me which I patiently answered. He thanked me and moved into the showroom.

I was standing beside the car trying to figure out whether the door cladding would look good when to my horror my car shifted a few inches toward me at the rear.

A dealer driver had rammed the door of the Innova into the rear wheel arch cladding while trying to reverse the customer's car while the driver's door was open.

Horrified we walk over to the side where the Innova door is jammed into the Jimny's wheel arch cladding. Luckily the damage was limited to the wheel cladding and as I was in no mood to wait any longer I asked them to just cannibalise parts from another new Jimny at the back and let me leave with the car. The showroom staff after some hesitation did go ahead and change the cladding. As it was almost dark I was quite fed up with the whole episode and just wanted to get out asap.

The car was brought back to the delivery room and after a rushed show of cleaning it up, they delivered the car to me.

The next day to my horror I realise the Innova door had scraped the wheel rim as well taking some paint off. Again I had to rush back to the showroom and made a hue and cry about the showroom being careless in not spotting the damage to the wheel. Again after some hesitation, they changed the wheel.

On the third day while washing the car I notice a tiny scratch and dent on the chrome wheel cover which is an accessory. Back to the dealer again to show the problem, which is still unresolved. By now, I was completely fed up with the Nexa dealership and their pathetic standards of service.

Far from creating delight, Maruti and the Nexa dealership excelled at making a royal mess of my Jimny purchase.

A week passes and I am yet to receive the invoice and other registration documents.

The only redeeming factor in all this is that as I drive the car every day, it manages to put a smile on my face. I just love it, and so does my family.

Maruti Suzuki has a long way to go before understanding the abc of creating customer delight.

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Brand new Jimny gets all-terrain R15 tyres immediately after delivery

The tyre swap didn't change the way the SUV drives, but does make it look much better though.

BHPian acquillew recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

So, a very close friend picked up the Jimny Alpha AT today. I went with him for the delivery and wanted to share a few pictures and observations from a short drive in the car.

Booking: We opted for the blue colour as it was readily available. We got the car in 2 days flat from the date of booking. The car was booked with Rs 11,000/- and the rest was paid on the day of the delivery. The booking experience was great, with no-nonsense behaviour from the sales executive. The salespeople did not know their car well though, and had very primitive knowledge of how the 4X4 in the car works.

Delivery: The car was delivered today. We had asked the sales team to complete all formalities and keep the car ready by the afternoon. They complied and we took delivery around 2 PM. Overall experience was good, though there were swirl marks on the bonnet.

Initial Impressions: The car is super smooth to drive. I currently drive a Scorpio N and hence felt the Jimny steering to be a little heavy, but it is more to do with the Scorpio's super light steering than the Jimny's. The car is not super quick and not super slow. I feel that the cruising speeds for the car would/should be around 85 km/h on highways for smooth and peaceful drives - not that it would not cross 100 km/h and stay stable at those speeds. The car has typical body-on-frame characteristics and coming from the Scorpio - I did not mind them. The cabin is silent and my initial impressions are that the insulation works well.

Tyre Swap: Went straight to a tyre dealer and got the tyres changed to Wrangler ATs - 215/75/15. I did not notice a lot of difference in the way the car drives after the tyre swap. The car looked better with the new tyres though. More muscle than the stock tyres. Testing for off-road behaviour will follow soon hopefully.

Adding a few pictures from the day:

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Imported 3 Maruti Jimny accessories from Japan including an armrest

I paid around Rs 13,000 & my order was delivered to me in less than four days. I am sharing the links to all items for those who are interested.

BHPian Biraj recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

The most important accessory (for me) is here.

I saw this design armrest in one of the international (Japanese) reviews and then frantically searched on the internet. I found it on Amazon Japan and ordered it, along with a centre console organiser and a cup/phone holder. I ordered these three items on Thursday evening and received them earlier today. It took less than four days (two working days). The total cost was around Rs 13k, including premium shipping and customs duty. The entire process, handled by Amazon/DHL, was quite smooth. I paid the total fee, including the customs duty, at the time of checkout and had to upload documents for KYC on DHL’s KYC portal.

The armrest feels sturdy and well-built. It’s significantly better than the universal ones I saw at local accessories shops. Even the option I saw online (with multiple USB ports) didn’t seem to be put together very well. This one slotted in flush with the rear cup/bottle holders. It also has double-sided tape attached to ensure a stable fit.

The centre console organiser is made of soft, rubbery material (Urethane, as per the Amazon listing). This should help avoid the clatter that plastic ones may cause.

I will install the cup holder later as I want to try it on the passenger side first. If it doesn’t obstruct the ORVM, I will keep it there; otherwise, I’ll move it to the driver’s side.

Links if anyone is interested

In other updates, I got the first service/inspection done over the weekend. It was a pleasant experience at Nexa (Motorcraft) Sector 57, Noida. I booked the appointment on the Maruti Rewards App well past midnight on Friday. I reached the service station at noon, was promptly attended to, and the work was completed by 3pm, despite it being a particularly busy day there. They were kind enough to remove the plates from the rear roof bar (I mentioned it as a source of noise in one of the earlier posts) and conceal the wire for the dashcam.

 PS: Beegu loves the rides in this too but remains curious about the destination, always hopeful it’s not the vet.

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