Wish I'd Never Seen One (Suzuki Jimny in general)

Member Name: Random Jointer

Product:	Suzuki Jimny in general
Date:	10/04/03 (3003 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cars always in Dealer so reduces your petrol expense

Disadvantages: No good if you want a car that is reliable, Woefull Customer Service

Hi All

I bought a Jimny Soft Top in April 2002. I can safely say that it is the biggest mistake of my life.

Upon delivery the indicators wouldn't work. The interior trim falls apart very quickly, especially the door kick plates and glove box

The car has leaked oil since I got it. The dealer has had 12 goes at this at the last count. The cam belt screeches like a scolded cat above 2k revs. 8 goes at that. The windscreen leaks water into the footwell. I've had a new windscreen and that ones fixed. I noticed another one being done as well when I was on one of my many visits to the dealer.

The Soft top is held on with clips made out of cream cheese. Every 5th time you lower the hood they need replacing. Every Soft Top I've seen on the road has the rear of the Soft Top unattached which gives the interior a smell of exhaust

Suzuki Customer service is woeful. They don't like dealing with you at all and they never return your calls.

In all, the car has spent 6 weeks of the last year at the dealer. Do not buy one of these cars.

July 2003 Update.

Well 3 months later. The oil leak is holding out after the 13th go. The screeching from the cam belt is quieter in the warmer months. I suspect that the cheapo rubber they use is more suited to the summer. Good job really as I've been waiting for the dealer to return my call about this since March. Apparantly they need to consult Suzuki
. It would seem that Suzuki don't return the dealers calls as well as the customers, lets hope they can find an expert for next Winter.

The car is currently in the dealer again for a failed speedo. The speedo and the odo have failed three times now. Twice before the dealer has assured me they have sorted it by removing faulty connections and replacing with crimps, however, today they tell me that they only wiggled the connections behind the dash to get it working ( for a week) and now , God forbid, they need to consult Suzuki for a lasting solution. I won't hold my breath.

The biggest shame to me about this car is the residual value is so poor. A 40% depreciation in 1 year and 63% depreciation after 3 years. In fact the Jimny shows the biggest depreciation of all 4x4's as opposed to the best, the Honda CRV. I couldn't afford to eat into that loss and have sold my beloved Honda Motorcycle, 4 years old, bought new £4000, sold £2500. (Now that's what I call residual value)

Have I learnt a lesson? Yep. Suzuki sucks. Honda rocks! The Honda Jazz 1.4 DSI S 5 door has just been delivered, but thats another review!

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