After many weeks of trying to buy a used vehicle in a third world country. I have given up and am buying a new car. I wanted a used Toyota Hilux. Not happening. I'll go into it if you want to be bored and frustrated. New or used they are way cheaper than a Toyota Tacoma (and better) but still out of my price league.
Figured out a new car with warranty. And without a very questionable maintenance and mileage history. Was the only way to go. So that meant small economy car. Which kind of brought me to the best of both worlds. A small, very economical, very capable 4x4 - in the Suzuki Jimny.
It's the modern day Suzuki Samurai. That we had in the US back in the 80s and 90s. I had one in the 90s. Got it for $1500. And drive it from Seattle to LA, all over Baja Mexico. Until the lack of a temp gauge and my stupidity killed it.
I also drove it off road all over the PNW. It routinely did better than my grandfather's Toyota pickup up in very deep snow and mud. It could not have been more rudimentary. But that was it's beauty. Simple, capable and cheap. Now they go used for $20k plus! No shit. As capable as they are off-road. They are a great alternive to a much more expensive side by side.
Not much has changed. Except they got an automatic transmission, a couple airbags, some nicer seats, and a half assed 7 inch entertainment system. That is so bad a new stereo and more than two paper speakers will be one of my first upgrades. They've continued to be one of the most sought after cars in the middle east, Australia, and all over Asia. Not to mention their country of origin Japan.
New they are $23,684 out the door. Everything included. Plus free registration and insurance for 3 years. And a 3 year 100,000 kilometer warranty. A used Hilux was going to cost me close to $30,000. With a very questionable maintenance (no screw that - it for sure would not have had the oil changed. No one maintains anything here!) and unknowable mileage.
So I'm relaxed knowing I have a new car and a warranty. Auto repairs here can be a nightmare too. And it's really good off-road. Best if all it gets 47mpg!
I'm getting the Medium Grey color. Not the greatest. But any other color comes with a 3 month wait. As the Grey was the only model I could find on mine or any other island. They are always sold out. And everyone is on a waiting list.
Pics to follow. Mine will be the grey not the hideous noen green they call yellow. But those were the only interior pics I could find.
Now I'm mobile. And can easily travel to anywhere I want, whenever I want. Happy to say the least. Shopping for a car has been a nightmare here.
Specs:
The 2025 Suzuki Jimny 3-Door in the Philippines is a compact 4x4 SUV powered by a 1.5L K15B gasoline engine producing 101 hp and 130 Nm of torque. It features a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission, comes in different variants like GL and GLX, and offers features such as a 9-inch infotainment system, LED headlights, and cruise control in higher trims. Key dimensions include a length of 3,650 mm and a 210 mm ground clearance, with a durable, retro-inspired exterior and 4x4 capabilities.
Engine & Transmission
Engine: 1.5L K15B Gasoline Engine
Horsepower: 101 hp
Torque: 130 Nm
Transmission Options: 5-Speed Manual (GL variant) or 4-Speed Automatic (GLX variants)
Drivetrain: Suzuki 4x4 All Grip Pro
Dimensions & Capacity
Length: 3,650 mm
Width: 1,645 mm
Height: 1,725 mm
Wheelbase: 2,250 mm
Ground Clearance: 210 mm
Seating Capacity: 4 seats
Fuel Tank Capacity: 40 L
Exterior & Interior
Design: Rugged, retro-inspired, boxy silhouette with a vertical-slat grille
Lighting: Round LED projector headlights
Wheels: Steel wheels on base models, 15-inch alloy wheels on higher trims
Tailgate: Side-hinged tailgate with a full-sized spare wheel
Interior: Durable fabric seats with classic yet refined feel
Technology & Convenience (GLX trims)
Infotainment: 9-inch multimedia system with USB and Bluetooth
Convenience: Cruise control and rear parking sensors
Lighting: Automatic LED headlights
Performance
Angles: 37° Approach, 49° Departure angles for off-road capability
Stability: Stability control for improved maneuverability
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Quote from: Moab on September 10, 2025, 01:19:27 PMIt's the modern day Suzuki Samurai. That we had in the US back in the 80s and 90s. I had one in the 90s. Got it for $1500. And drive it from Seattle to LA, all over Baja Mexico. Until the lack of a temp gauge and my stupidity killed it.
I also drove it off road all over the PNW.
Samuri, that brings back memories. Of pain.
My good friend had one, he loved it. But me at 6'4" riding shotgun and feeling every little bump in the road and jamming my knees into the dashboard didn't love it so much. :awesome:
I can't imagine off roading a samuri with that wheelbase and suspension.
Do you have a local bank and financing? or how does that work?
I've heard that repairs aren't that expensive over there as far as labor and fabrication. Parts I don't know. To bad you couldn't get that grey man used one. Shiny and new, how about some dish soap cammo rattle can?
When I was a kid, my brothers had a Suzuki Samurai and a Suzuki Brat with the rear facing seats in the back.
I thought the Brat was the coolest vehicle ever back then, but now that I'm older I realize it may have been a total crap heap since it spent more time being repaired than it did on the road.
Change of plans. I'm getting the Jungle Green one. Much better color! Not this exact one. Mine is new and won't have dark window tinting like that.
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Quote from: MacWa77ace on September 10, 2025, 01:41:56 PMQuote from: Moab on September 10, 2025, 01:19:27 PMIt's the modern day Suzuki Samurai. That we had in the US back in the 80s and 90s. I had one in the 90s. Got it for $1500. And drive it from Seattle to LA, all over Baja Mexico. Until the lack of a temp gauge and my stupidity killed it.
I also drove it off road all over the PNW.
Samuri, that brings back memories. Of pain.
My good friend had one, he loved it. But me at 6'4" riding shotgun and feeling every little bump in the road and jamming my knees into the dashboard didn't love it so much. :awesome:
I can't imagine off roading a samuri with that wheelbase and suspension.
Do you have a local bank and financing? or how does that work?
I've heard that repairs aren't that expensive over there as far as labor and fabrication. Parts I don't know. To bad you couldn't get that grey man used one. Shiny and new, how about some dish soap cammo rattle can?
The new Samurai (Jimny) is much more accommodating. I'm 6'4" on a good day too. I didn't have any problems with my Samurai. But the new Jimny is a very different car on the interior. Pretty much the same mechanically with a few computerized touches and mechanical refinements. But the interior is much larger and much more comfortable. The Samurai had cheap thin plastic seats like in an old Toyota pickup. These are thick fabric seats. With plenty of leg and headroom. More than the Hilux actually.
Off-road it's actually superior. Believe it or not. Great approach angles. And it's lightweight works in its favor. As does the short wheelbase. Lots of videos on YT putting it against other full size 4x4s. And it holds its own if not outpacing other world class competition. It's why guys are paying 20k-30k for the old used Samurais. It's crazy what they go for now. I originally bought the Samurai because I was young and poor. But didn't realize how good it was in 4x4 until driving it up into the mountains around my grandparents place. Dead of winter, steep mountain logging roads, for or more of snow - no problem. I would go places my grandfather wouldn't with his 4x4 Toyota pickup. They work very very well as off-road vehicles. They have an entire cult following in the off-road world.
Buying the Jimny new here has actually been a pleasure. It's a simple car with few options. 3 door or new 5 door (same engine just weighs more and has more cargo space. But...same engine.), AT or MT. And beyond that it's just choosing your color. From like 5 choices.
Dealers here. Unlike in the US. Will compete fully against each other. Each dealership is a franchise. And share nothing with each other. Especially inventory. There is a national auto website where you can send one request for a new car purchase estimate to as many dealers as you like. I sent one to the five nearest dealerships.
Pitting them against each other I got the price down. And got:
Final price 1,350,000 (about $23680 USD) including VAT, LTO registration, and dealer charges.
Including these extras:
3 Years LTO Registration
3 Years CTPL Insurance
3 Years Warranty or 100,000km whichever comes first
1 Year Comprehensive Insurance
US Grade Platinum Tint
Suzuki Floor Matting
Safety Kit
Tire Removal Kit
Autocentrale Carbon Fiber Umbrella
1 Year Caltex Discount Card
Leather Booklet
VIP Discount on Labor for 1st 3 PMS
They are also shipping it to my island free of charge.
3 years of registration. Which saves about $79 a year. But more important it's a nightmarish multi day process. 3 years of liability insurance. And 1 year of probably limited comprehensive insurance.
And an umbrella! Lmao!
I sent the reservation deposit tonight. And will travel to Cebu City by ferry next week. Once my transfer and cashier's check is ready. It takes 1-2 days for the cashier's check to clear. Then they will ship it in a 2 hour ferry ride to me.
So this time next week I should be driving. Whew! What a process. I thought looking for a car was difficult in the US. But looking for used was both frustrating, exhausting and in the end impossible. I'm glad buying new went so smooth. And I got the color I actually wanted in the first place without any wait.
I've got some upgrades in mind. But for starters just a roof rack and new speakers. And two additional speakers in the back. A two speaker stereo system. Some things about the Samurai have not changed. Lol.
The thing I like about this vehicle is it meets the initial goals I set out looking for. A simple car that is great off-road and has 4x4. Originally I wanted something from the 80s to the 90s. With low miles. Well maintained. Before they started making more money off parts and repairs than the actual new car price. When everything got engineered to go bad after a certain interval. So you would be forced to fix it. And something without 10000 extra parts that did the same.
The Jimny has been largely unchanged since the 80s. And that's a good thing here. Simple, easy to fix, cheap parts and upgrades. And good 4x4. Great gas mileage. Rugged. And a warranty. No worries about undocumented miles or lack of maintenance.
It's not a Land Cruiser. But like everything else here - it's good enough. I can buy an old shitty truck when I have a place in the mountains to haul dirt, or lumber or whatever. Trying to find a dependable driver and a farm truck was just asking to much. I saved a good 7 or 8k. And had no way of ensuring the much more expensive vehicles maintenance or mileage.
Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on September 10, 2025, 05:47:22 PMWhen I was a kid, my brothers had a Suzuki Samurai and a Suzuki Brat with the rear facing seats in the back.
I thought the Brat was the coolest vehicle ever back then, but now that I'm older I realize it may have been a total crap heap since it spent more time being repaired than it did on the road.
The main problem with the Samurai is lack of guages. There is no temp gauge for anything. Not oil, radiator or transmission. I hope to add at least oil and radiator temp guages. Still researching upgrades. But that's on the too of my list.
Funny story. Mine blew a freeze plug, iirc, and the engine blew. I took it to the dealership to confirm. And at the time you get a 30k mile used Japanese engine installed for about $600. Which I had done. Suzuki didn't like that. So they offered to replace my engine with a brand new one, if I signed over legal rights to sue the importer that sold me the engine. I felt shitty. But I was young and very poor. And got a brand new Suzuki engine installed at the dealership. For free.
Which later blew in Los Angeles because of overheating. Because my dumbass (nor Suzuki) never put a heat gauge in!
But I drove all over WA mountains, to CA and all over LA, down to Mexico and back. It had a hard top. But it had t tops. So it was sort of a convertible most of the time. I honestly loved that car. It was like my VWs. Little, great gas mileage, tin cans. But man good on dirt roads and snow and mud. And they just keep going. I drive the shit out of those cars.
I guess in that sense I am somehow reliving part of my youth here. But this Jimny is much nicer than either of them. I hope it lasts as long. If I don't get a temp guage installed you can call me young and stupid. Lmao!
I once put a deposit down on one, but pulled out because not quite big enough for 4 people camping, even with a roof box (which previous owners of the old version will already know). Good for 1 to 2 people but even then might still need a roof box. Test drive was fun though, just on normal roads. It was a really fun car to drive.
The Japanese also make a home (kei) version with a different engine (smaller, less power, but turbo) that is cheaper, but has more trim spec options. The local dealerships over here make at least 10K extra profit than they should on each unit, compared to Japan.
There is a 5 door option now. But same motor as the 3 door. More room for rear passengers. And more cargo space in back.
But same motor. ;)
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I was amazed at how much more room there was inside. Even in the traditional 3 door version. Compared to my 90s Suzuki Samurai. And the overall build quality is just on another level compared to the Samurai. Mechanically it's very similar tho. Simple 4 cyl. Real 4x4. Nice interior actually. The Samurai had what I would graciously call a spartan interior. Lol. Did you know they've been making this vehicle since 1968? I think it's the oldest car still in production.
The thing is it's the only 4x4 with an automatic transmission, in the Philippines, except luxury trucks and SUVs that start at 35k USD. This is 23k USD. Less if you want manual. So it hits a sweet spot here.
Very capable off road vehicle. World renowned for it's 4x4 abilities. Like a cult following in four wheel drive communities in the US and AU. But it gets 47 mpg. And is about 5000 times simpler than anything in that $35k+ category. Way less parts to break or that are hard to replace. A dead simple, very reliable economy car. But with some cargo space. And very good four wheel drive.
With the roads here, and the flooding, and unexpected nature of an undeveloped country. Or at least a country with very subpar infrastructure. It's a no brainer.
Especially since you can't buy a used car here either. Because there is no way to verify mileage or maintenance. Long story. But no one maintains their vehicles here, everyone gets their odometer rolled back, and no one saves or is even willing to share any receipts.
Really different culture in that way. The poor in the US have a history of maintaining quality things so they last a long time. But in the PH they seem to drive until it can't anymore. And then fix as cheaply as possible. Until it doesn't drive.
Quote from: Moab on September 19, 2025, 07:53:55 AMBut in the PH they seem to drive until it can't anymore. And then fix as cheaply as possible. Until it doesn't drive.
Depends on the person too. My aunt used to do this, and she was a college professor with a PhD! She just didn't pay any attention to any kind of maintenance. I remember her having several cars with locks on the trunk punched out because it was cheaper to have a mechanic do that (and open them with a screwdriver) than it was to have them properly fixed. And there were always a few dents and scrapes, because why-bother-to-fix-it-it'll-just-happen-again!
Yeah the 5 door version has more space. I don't think it looks as good as the 3 door, unless you get a few specific paint colours.
The 5 door is still not big enough for a camping car for four people- as tents and bedding, and other stuff take up a lot of space. Unless you want to sleep on a yoga mat. Bedding just takes up a lot of room. (Unless you do those backpack trekking small inflatable mattresses with no foam). But then there's still coolers full of food/drink to pack. And Cold Steel special forces shovels- to dig toilet holes, and throw like tomahawks into trees (better than tomahawks as have more edges to stick). Camping with people you need games to play- sometimes board games, sometimes campfire throwing games.
But like I said, it's a fun car to drive. If you like it you end up with a smile on your face after driving it.
Quote from: Red Tamarillo on September 19, 2025, 09:44:32 AMYeah the 5 door version has more space. I don't think it looks as good as the 3 door, unless you get a few specific paint colours.
The 5 door is still not big enough for a camping car for four people- as tents and bedding, and other stuff take up a lot of space. Unless you want to sleep on a yoga mat. Bedding just takes up a lot of room. (Unless you do those backpack trekking small inflatable mattresses with no foam). But then there's still coolers full of food/drink to pack. And Cold Steel special forces shovels- to dig toilet holes, and throw like tomahawks into trees (better than tomahawks as have more edges to stick). Camping with people you need games to play- sometimes board games, sometimes campfire throwing games.
But like I said, it's a fun car to drive. If you like it you end up with a smile on your face after driving it.
I don't think I would camp with four people short of a Suburban. That is a lot of gear. Agreed.
The 5 door would be cool if they put any one of the bigger motors Suzuki has from it's line up in it. But the 3 door is already pretty underpowered. There a few turbo kits made for it. That depending on who you talk to either makes it great or sucks. So I don't really know. But putting the same engine in it as the 3 door was a fail. And why I didn't pay the extra three grand so for it. I would have appreciated the extra cargo room. And the seats are easily removable. Not so with the 3 door. I think you have to literally unbolt them.
Quote from: EBuff75 on September 19, 2025, 08:29:53 AMQuote from: Moab on September 19, 2025, 07:53:55 AMBut in the PH they seem to drive until it can't anymore. And then fix as cheaply as possible. Until it doesn't drive.
Depends on the person too. My aunt used to do this, and she was a college professor with a PhD! She just didn't pay any attention to any kind of maintenance. I remember her having several cars with locks on the trunk punched out because it was cheaper to have a mechanic do that (and open them with a screwdriver) than it was to have them properly fixed. And there were always a few dents and scrapes, because why-bother-to-fix-it-it'll-just-happen-again!
My ex-wife had a Toyota MR2 when we met. A Toyota sports car basically. Little 2 seat, rear engine. But with a surprisingly deep large trunk. It had 200k on it. And I don't think she ever changed the oil. Just gas and go.
It was on its last leg. Shortly after we got together I donated it. A friend wanted it. It was so bad I wouldn't even give it to him. Lol.
But the trunk was locked and no key. Before donating it I forced it open with a screwdriver. And found a two foot think pile of old mail. She had literally packed the trunk full to the very top with old envelops of mail. Before losing room and losing the key. Lol. Kind of said something about her I ignored for decades. Lmao!
@NT2C This is another example of getting a notification email for my own post to a thread I started. If this isn't valuable to you. My apologies. Just ignore it.
Rewriting this as it was confusing:
I got this email notification that Red Tamarillo had replied to this thread I created:
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Then I got another email notification that Red Tamarillo had replied - again. But they hadn't. And it takes me to my reply to my own thread above. Where I am replying to Red Tamarillo's post.
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Not a problem or issue for me. Just thought you'd want to know.
Quote from: Moab on September 20, 2025, 03:57:48 AMQuote from: Red Tamarillo on September 19, 2025, 09:44:32 AMYeah the 5 door version has more space. I don't think it looks as good as the 3 door, unless you get a few specific paint colours.
The 5 door is still not big enough for a camping car for four people- as tents and bedding, and other stuff take up a lot of space. Unless you want to sleep on a yoga mat. Bedding just takes up a lot of room. (Unless you do those backpack trekking small inflatable mattresses with no foam). But then there's still coolers full of food/drink to pack. And Cold Steel special forces shovels- to dig toilet holes, and throw like tomahawks into trees (better than tomahawks as have more edges to stick). Camping with people you need games to play- sometimes board games, sometimes campfire throwing games.
But like I said, it's a fun car to drive. If you like it you end up with a smile on your face after driving it.
I don't think I would camp with four people short of a Suburban. That is a lot of gear. Agreed.
The 5 door would be cool if they put any one of the bigger motors Suzuki has from it's line up in it. But the 3 door is already pretty underpowered. There a few turbo kits made for it. That depending on who you talk to either makes it great or sucks. So I don't really know. But putting the same engine in it as the 3 door was a fail. And why I didn't pay the extra three grand so for it. I would have appreciated the extra cargo room. And the seats are easily removable. Not so with the 3 door. I think you have to literally unbolt them.
Yeah it's weird they didn't put a more powerful engine in, as most people are using it as an around town runabout, only a few as a serious off road.
Re car camping- meant more for a weekend. 3 to 4 people. I can get 3 people and all the stuff needed in a Forester with a large roof box. Other trips have been in a bigger SUV with a 2 wheel trailer (people brought along a couple of dirtbikes). Haven't needed a serious 4WD to get to the spots we've been going- dirt roads, with ruts occasionally (from people with big tyres), next to rivers (dirty brown with steep banks).
But can gather wood and sit around open fires on camp chairs under stars, and cook food on those metal plates with little legs that you put coals under with a long handled shovel.
Special forces shovel, silky saw, forest axe, Fiskars hatchet, home made slingshots for miles. Bow one time but easy to loose arrows in long grass.
Electric chainsaw as well, same batteries power some of the lanterns. (The chainsaw cuts most of the wood).
Talking about it, I need to plan another trip.
You'd be surprised how many off-road with these in AU. Most of the members on the Facebook groups. Are pretty serious outback dudes. I got it delivered tonight. Pretty cool. Got to take a longer look at it. I love how simple and very utilitarian it is. Like this is what an off-road 4x4 should be. Not a luxury vehicle. Most of the modern 4x4s have become so luxury I couldn't imagine getting them dirty. Lush cream leather, wood dash parts. And a price target to match. This is the only 4x4 in the PH with an automatic transmission that doesn't start at twice the cost. Like $20,000 vs $40,000. I wanted a Hilux. But they are so full of luxury and bs parts and systems you really need to use. They are like a luxury car.Only weird thing tonight when I took delivery was the front left tire was a different brand than the rest. Bridgestone instead of Dunlop. So they swap it for the full spare. Taking it back to the neighboring island. Putting the correct tire on. And sending it back on the ferry tomorrow.
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Nice.
Should you think about putting a hidden kill switch or airtag in it?
Yes. Kill switch, air tag, get home bag, emergency kit, dash cam, I brought most of that with me. I did just find a simple kill switch too.
Here's some better pics I took this morning:
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It's a very cool vehicle. Especially as a bug out vehicle. If you think about it. Affordable. Half the price of any other 4x4 with an automatic transmission. At least for here. Since used vehicles aren't an option. Probably better options in the US. If you find an older, simpler 4x4 with an automatic transmission. Go check out Bring A Trailer. That site is amazing. So many better well cared for, low mileage, older, better cars for way cheaper than new.
It's also very utilitarian. What a "sport utility vehicle" was supposed to be. I think the Jeep TJ or XJ were the last vehicles that actually were that. Something simple enough and repairable enough to be used in the middle of nowhere. And still be able to be repaired and maintained. And to keep going.
The Jimny doesn't waste space or expense on anything unnecessary. Simple 4 cylinder fuel injected engine. Solid axles and decent 4x4. An interior that's maximized with simple material and tough plastics. That neither take up to much room. Or to fancy to not be hosed off. The bare essentials in tech. Cruise control is about the only luxury.
The sound system is usable. Although reports are the Bluetooth and speakers suck. I haven't gotten to fully test the Bluetooth. I did connect to it. Played Spotify. But it did not automatically connect next I started the car up. Could be just a setting. But many complaints about it cutting out frequently during playback.
The speakers are loud enough you can hear. But I have detailed plans for changing the two 4 inch paper speakers to 5.25s. And adding two 6.5 inch in the rear. Which it's oddly enough already wired for. The head unit is very rudimentary. Like the cheapest first smart phone you ever bought. Maybe even simpler. It does have a cool inclinometer. But the real test will be seeing if I can get android auto work and keep the Bluetooth connected. Automatically.
If not, I'll put an android head unit in.
The back cargo area and the front seats have an amazing amount of space. One of few Asian cars that fits my big ass. And the back, with the seats down, is huge. The plastic trim and speaker covers are at a minimum. Most of the interior space is taken right out to the body panels. No space is wasted. Which also means it could probably benefit from a healthy dose of sound deadening. Which many have done. And I did to my Jeep TJ.
I will for sure add some polyfil in speaker areas. And will seriously consider removing the interior and applying sound deadening to much of the body.
But I want to drive it awhile before doing any of this. Figure out what really needs improving. Prioritize it. And decide how much time and money I want to spend on each.
Probably the first thing will be new all terrain tires and a lift. A lift is less for ground clearance and more for body roll and handling. Old Man Emu makes a 1.5 inch lift kit for the Jimny. New springs and shocks. That dramatically improves handling. And the cheap street tires. Are well... Cheap. I found the same Falken Wildpeak AW3 all terrain tires here that I have on my last two Jeeps. They are a $100 less expensive that BF Goodrich or Wrangler. And close or just as good as either of those two top options. They look way better. Handle way better. Wear way better. And are not $250 per tire. Actually $150.
But all in with the lift and tires I'm looking at about $2500-$3000. Speakers and head unit less than $500.
The Jimny has been being manufactured since 1968. And the current version since 2019. So there are a plethora of aftermarket parts and accessories. I ordered a ton of stuff off Lazada and AliExpress. Alot of storage trays and other items that take advantage of the limited storage that is stock. And the large amount of open spaces. They also make a really nice plastic center console armrest. Inexpensive good quality deep dish rubber mats throughout. A phone holder that bolts into the grab bar in the dash. Same with multiple cupholders. This car screams accessories. And many aftermarket companies produce dirt cheap accessories that are good quality in Asia. AU, Africa, India and Asia are the main market for this car.
I will also probably put a roof rack on. But simple, lightweight and cheap. There are many on the market.
But again, I want to drive it for awhile.
The buying process was absolutely brutal. I will never buy from the dealership I got it from ever again. If anyone asks me where I bought it. I will refer them to another dealer in the same city. I agreed to price and all inclusions. Did not negotiate anything. And went thru the most brutal process trying it just get proper paperwork. In the end I got all 4 of the ridiculously simple one page documents that are legally required here. And I still don't know what the advantage of this was. Or why they made the buying process so brutally lengthy and ridiculously difficult. Without a shred of any friendliness or anything even bordering customer service. But I spent days negotiating tiny, incremental, but legally necessary, improvements in documents. It was just unbelievable. I'm still honestly traumatized from it. Things like removing dates or titles. Or not including the vin. Like super simple obvious things that needed to be there. And they would f with you for days trying to get them.
I'm hoping that experience will lift from my consciousness over the next few days. And I will be able to actually start enjoying this car. But I never want to go thru that again.
Quote from: Moab on September 25, 2025, 01:30:06 AMAnd will seriously consider removing the interior and applying sound deadening to much of the body.
I saw some videos about this as I was considering it for my car, but the labor/cost to dbl reduction ratio didn't seem worth it. See if you can youtube it. It's was something like 8hrs labor, 400 dollars materials, to get 5 dbl reduction.
Quote from: Moab on September 25, 2025, 01:30:06 AMOr why they made the buying process so brutally lengthy and ridiculously difficult.
Didn't you say something about the dealers having sort of a monopoly?
Quote from: MacWa77ace on September 25, 2025, 08:33:16 AMQuote from: Moab on September 25, 2025, 01:30:06 AMAnd will seriously consider removing the interior and applying sound deadening to much of the body.
I saw some videos about this as I was considering it for my car, but the labor/cost to dbl reduction ratio didn't seem worth it. See if you can youtube it. It's was something like 8hrs labor, 400 dollars materials, to get 5 dbl reduction.
Quote from: Moab on September 25, 2025, 01:30:06 AMOr why they made the buying process so brutally lengthy and ridiculously difficult.
Didn't you say something about the dealers having sort of a monopoly?
Sound deadener works. For sure. But I never considered paying to have it down. I posted a thread in here about sound deadening my Jeep. It was long with pics and tons of info.
It was worth it for my Jeep. Or any car without good sound deadening from the factory. But especially my Jeep because it has a soft top. And no sound deadening at all. Just thin carpet in a bare tub. This car is similar. Alot of bare metal on the sides around the windows. And in the back.
I didn't do any db tests. (Although 5db sounds like a lot.) I went from not being to here or understand lyrics on the freeway. To being able to hear a lyrics and a speakerphone call just fine. It made a big difference.
There are cheaper products available now too. Noico in Amazon was quite good shortly after I need mine maybe 6 or 7 years ago. But alot if overseas products I would look into today.
It does add weight. And I used an additional heat shield. Which you might consider in FL. www.carinsulation.com it's very lightweight and blocks 97% of radient heat. It's popular in hot rod circles for firewalls.
What kind of car do you have?
Actually dealerships here will compete with other dealers. They are franchises. But some auto groups own more than one dealership. But that wasn't the issue. I wasn't negotiating for anything. I got the same offer from 5 different dealerships. And took the price, discount, and inclusions everyone else was offering. Well aware of the cultural differences I went way out of my way to be nice, respectful and chose my language carefully. It was also almost intirely by email.
This dealership made getting the very simple one page dealership sales documents incredibly difficult. At no seemingly advantage to thém. Only two or three documents matter by Phillipine law. A sales order and a sales invoice. And both are one page. Include hardly any legal notices. And mostly just show vin, price, discount, inclusions and delivery date.
But this dealer spent 7 days giving the same sales order as I had gotten in 45 minutes from another dealer. It started out as an estimate. Sent from a sales consultants Gmail account. And was missing half if the key info. Like delivery date. Or vin. Every couple days it would improve in tiny increments. But the title would change. Or the date would be removed. Or language would be added like "price subject to change". That completely negated the document.
It was a f ing nightmare. Thank God for AI. It understand Filapino, Phillipines consumer law, and can read and analyze any document you screenshot and upload.
But it was brutal. It went on everyday for two weeks. I still don't understand why. They ended up giving me the clear documents I had been asking for. But I never do business with that dealer again. They were the only one with the color I wanted. And other dealers had waiting lists from 2 weeks to 5 months.
I like it but there are no micro SUVs in the US. The Amigo, Tracker, etc are all gone. You can get a baby Bronco or a Jeep, neither are that small. The Jeep rollbar is set right behind my head so that is a no go. I looked at the baby Broncos and they aren't bad.
This is why the ATV market is so huge in the US. It is your only option for a good off road vehicle.
Quote from: Uomo Senza Nome on September 29, 2025, 11:50:58 PMI like it but there are no micro SUVs in the US. The Amigo, Tracker, etc are all gone. You can get a baby Bronco or a Jeep, neither are that small. The Jeep rollbar is set right behind my head so that is a no go. I looked at the baby Broncos and they aren't bad.
This is why the ATV market is so huge in the US. It is your only option for a good off road vehicle.
Ya. There's no reason you shouldn't be able to have an economy car with 4x4. Especially when a lighter weight vehicle does so much better off-road than anything heavier. It's a scam. And I'm sure a well calculated move by the US auto industry to force you into more and more expensive vehicles if you want 4x4.
They do a similar thing here in the Phillipines. There are a ton of small vehicles and trucks sold but few with 4x4 and only this one with an AT. I think I've mentioned in this thread that the only other 4x4 AT vehicles here start at twice the price. Not to mention the sheer number of parts and complicated systems is staggering on themlarger 4 wheel drives. And further contributes to the high cost of ownership.
I've had it for about a week now. And I honestly love it. Aired down the tires yesterday. They were all between 35 and 40psi. I kept my Jeep TJ at 28psi. And it drastically improved the ride. As it did with the Jimny. I'm definitely going to invest in the Old Man Emu 40mm (1.5") lift kit. Not for clearance but for handling. You can feel that it will be improved with better springs and shocks. It's a bit bouncy. And body roll will be improved. It will just drive way better. Which is widely reported by anyone who's had it done.
I thought I'd found my favorite Falken Wildpeak AT tires. But could only find them in light truck. Which made them almost twice as heavy as P metric all terrain tires. And would have caused a host of issues with the lightweight Jimmy. Same $150 sale price as in the US too. But then I found an equally or maybe even better set of Toyo's for $150. And ordered those.
Rather than wait I chose to upgrade the tires now. So that I can sell the Dunlop take offs as new. As I can offset the price of the new ones by the price of two of the new tires. So it was worth doing now.
It has plenty of acceleration at island speeds. 35 to 45 mph. But I honestly don't have an freeways to drive it on. I would imagine as most have reported. Its fine in the freeway. But your not passing anybody at 65. Lol. My Samurai was the same way. But honestly it made me a better driver. And taught me to be more patient. And nit be in such a hurry all the time. Which is a major benefit of living here. Traffic may be chaotic and without rules. But nobody is going over 45 on 95% of the roads. But because of the lack of rules. I find everyone paying way more attention than US drivers. And whenever I was in a wreck it was due to lack of attention. More than anyone violating a rule.
It's super comfortable and I'm 6'4". Way better seats. And it zips around like a go cart. The stereo isn't nearly as bad as some complaints. Bluetooth a working fine. Sound is good enough for me. But I will most likely at least upgrade and add two additional speakers. It's already wired for two extra speakers in the back.
I may add an android head unit. Simply for the fact I can monitor coolant and trans fluid temp live. The only temp guage is coolant. And it's an idiot light that either comes on or it doesn't. So if it stops working you really won't know. Maybe it will throw a code and engine light? Who knows.
There are a ton of extremely useful accessories made in China. And sold the world over. This car has been being manufactured since 1968. I ordered a plethora of shit. From the best existing bolt mount ball aluminum phone holder. To cupholders, storage containers for various open spaces throughout the car, to deep mats, all for dirt cheap. All the same stuff as on Amazon or elsewhere for about a tenth of the price. I can order from AliExpress, Alibaba or two different Amazon like stores here in the PH. Shit is so cheap here.
Anyway. Great car thus far. Made an expat friend on a neighboring island who just bought a Jimny this week too. The 5 door version. We're going to try to meet up and do some offroading and camping.
Nice. I've wanted a Samurai forever. Things never have lined up. Now most (in the mid west) are either a pile of rust or something grandpa towed behind the RV and is worth its weight in gold.
I wish Suzuki would partner with another brand so they would be available in the US. A few years back I think they teamed up with Nissan for a Frontier with Zuk badging.
My dream is to buy/build one and take it on Black Bear pass near Telluride. First I need to get my Tacoma drivable again.
Quote from: The Lowly Engineer on October 08, 2025, 02:47:57 PMNice. I've wanted a Samurai forever. Things never have lined up. Now most (in the mid west) are either a pile of rust or something grandpa towed behind the RV and is worth its weight in gold.
I wish Suzuki would partner with another brand so they would be available in the US. A few years back I think they teamed up with Nissan for a Frontier with Zuk badging.
My dream is to buy/build one and take it on Black Bear pass near Telluride. First I need to get my Tacoma drivable again.
I appreciated it as much as a 25 yr old could back then. But I appreciate the Jimny even more. It's about the same with just a little more comfort. That really adds to the platform. While still leaving out a ton of shit I don't want at all.
That's what sets the Samurai and the Jimny apart - what it's not.
It's more worthy for what it is not - than what it is. I love the electric windows ( although I would prefer good old fashioned wind ups) only have control in the center of the dash (like Jeeps). Because routing wiring and switches to the doors is just another wiring run. And more shit to go wrong. The dash barely lights up. Lol. The gauges handle all of that. But the gear shift and the HVAC have no lights at night. Which cracks me up. But I bought a $5 led strip made to rest under the existing shifter letters and numbers. That lights it up. I'm going to put glow in the dark stickers in the HVAC controls. There is a lot dial for most of the settings.
The entire vehicle is made to run for as long as possible, in the most remote locations, with nothing unnecessary to break or make anything else more complicated to fix. What a fucking concept?! Huh?! A vehicle that is meant to not break and easy to fix if it does. It's so sad that that's an old time, long forgotten concept in our disposable world.
All these complaints about pollution. And what pollutes our world as much as anything if not more? All the shit we make to be disposable. Which ends up in landfills or worse. Because corporations want us buying more as often as possible. While at the same time talking out their ass about the anti pollution initiatives they are pushing.
Anyway. Back to practicality. Can the Samurai/Jimny be improved? Yes. But the cool thing is it comes basic and stock. In a format that works just fine. For a long time. And honestly better than most offroad 4x4s. Because it is lightweight and has a narrow track. Ever wonder why we have side by sides or quads or other super capable off-road vehicles? But it's also easily upgraded in any area you wish. Want a better suspension? A ton of aftermarket choices. Want better interior or storage improvements? Tons and tons available aftermarket.
You can choose exactly how you'd like to improve it in any meaningful way you choose.
I got new Toyo AT tires put on yesterday. Selling the stock Dunlops as new take offs. For the price of two of the Toyos. Upgraded the entire interior with really well thought out, high quality, plastic storage accessories for all the open gaps, and nooks and crannys. Supurb phone mount and cupholders that bolt directly into the dash grab handles with existing common size bolt holes. That are covered with easily removable rubber bolts. Deep dish mats throughout for less than 50 bucks.
It drives really well. But I will eventually put an OMU 40mm lift kit on in it. For ride not lift. 1.5" doesn't do much. But the sturdier springs and better shocks improve things even more from stock.
AU has always had the Samurai and Jimny. And their community is akin to the US Jeep community. Except it's also been available in India, Asia and Africa. So the build community and aftermarket parts are astounding. And affordable.