Nearly got one about 12 months ago from a friend but he sold it off cheap before I knew he was selling it. Been keeping my eye out for a cheap one. Been looking them up a bit on the internet. Most reviews seem to say they are very reliable, very capable off-road, good off road suspension frame design with coil springs front and rear (some 1999 models or previous have leaf springs on the rear apparently) and returning between 36 and 39 mpg. On the negative side they are supposed to be very basic, a bit plasticy inside, rough enough ride on the road, small inside with tight rear space for two passangers and little or no luggage space with rear seats up (rear seats can be folded flat apparently though). They are somewhere under 90 bhp and have a top speed of less than 90mph and run at fairly high revs (around 6000 rpm in full flight in top gear). Not supposed to be a good car for regular long distances but superb run about. The only mechanical problem my friend told me to watch out for was kingpin wear. Apparently the suzuki / jimny wobble is not unknown--a steering wobble at around 45mph--due to worn kingpins. Cost my friend over E 600 to get two new kingpins in. However, the wobble may be due more to kingpin bearings according to some sources and these are a much cheaper fix. Other usual warning is have a good check of the suspensions and make sure the 4 wheel drive system is working ok as both the suspensions and 4wd transmission set-ups do tend to wear under punishment if not looked after.
Don't know what timing belt set-up is. Have seem some advertised for sale saying head gasket done so don't know if this is a common problem with Jimny's or just common lack of care among drivers.
