EoTR: Jimmy jaunt in Jobbo's jewel of a Jimny

[Jimmy Choo]

A very generous offer of the use of the Jimny while the 535d's autobox was in bits has come to an end. I'm actually quite gutted to give it back.

The Jimny reminds me of the Mk1 MX5. They're similarly mechanical, analogue and engaging. It's charming and fun at a licence friendly speed. I've previously driven it through fields and down green lanes and was also surprised at how capable it was there.

Fuel economy was a bit rubbish. Partly it's because it's an old engine and partly because with only 12 bhp, it needed to be caned a bit. It's also tiny! I found myself having to drive with the drivers window down to fit my shoulders in. Fortunately, the heater is bloody marvellous! Filling the car with my kids (a 6 foot 15 year old, an 18 year old built like the nightmare fuelled offspring of a racing snake and daddy longlegs and an average sized 11 year old) was like the old "How many people can you fit in a Mini" challenge. Fitting a few rucksacks in the boot was... well, it's not really a boot. More a place to put a couple of pairs of wellies.

NVH? YES! PLENTY, THANKS!

The biggest challenge was the fact that the indicators were on the wrong side. There was a touch of accidental wiper usage. Surprisingly going back to a manuel after a couple of years of auto boxes was quite easy. I imagine switching regularly between similar cars with different gearboxes would be much harder to adapt to but Luxobarge to tiny 4x4 wasn't too bad.

Conclusion? It's great and everyone should have one, perhaps with the engine from a Swift sport shoehorned in.

[mik]

Very generous Simon

I always thought these had more than 12bhp Jimmy? More like 18-20?

[Jimmy Choo]

Very generous Simon

I always thought these had more than 12bhp Jimmy? More like 18-20?

Officially, it's probably 80bhp or so.

[Jobbo]

Filling the car with my kids (a 6 foot 15 year old, an 18 year old built like the nightmare fuelled offspring of a racing snake and daddy longlegs and an average sized 11 year old) was like the old "How many people can you fit in a Mini" challenge.

I wish you'd managed to get a photo of that

I believe it has 84bhp - it's the later VVT engine. And it's not particularly heavy. While I doubt the aerodynamics are much good, I think the number of rotating bits underneath may cause some friction which restricts performance and economy.

[Mito Man]

I read this as "Jimmy jaunts in Jobbo's jewels"

[Jimmy Choo]

I read this as "Jimmy jaunts in Jobbo's jewels"

You need to quit the daydrinking.

[scotta]

Twisted do an upgrade to the new Jimny. Johnny Smith reviewed it on his channel and spoke highly about it.

Auto to manual - Never have an issue. One auto and two manuals here. Can drive them back to back without a thought. Mrs A is the same.

[Mito Man]

The Twisted Jimmy should also come with a mechanism to fondle one’s jewels with its £60k price tag.

[JonMad]

I'd love to experience the mighty Jimny.

[mik]

I'd love to experience the mighty Jimmy.

We all would John, we all would.

[Jobbo]

Twisted do an upgrade to the new Jimny. Johnny Smith reviewed it on his channel and spoke highly about it.

There is now a Twisted showroom in Salcombe (on Island Street) and I spent quite a while looking at the Jimny there in September. Much more than I spent looking at Defenders. Their mods to a Jimny seem relatively good value in comparison to the LR.

[Jobbo]

I'd love to experience the mighty Jimny.

We should probably sort that out. Can we get SundayJumper and Speedingfine along too, and try to get you all in at once?

[Jimmy Choo]

I'd love to experience the mighty Jimmy.

We all would John, we all would.

I'm hoping to find some cash down the back of the sofa to fund a jaunt to Scotchland at some point this year....

[mik]

I'm hoping to find some cash down the back of the sofa to fund a jaunt to Scotchland at some point this year....

Dates when you sort it!

<rubs thighs>

[JonMad]

I'd love to experience the mighty Jimny.

We should probably sort that out. Can we get SundayJumper and Speedingfine along too, and try to get you all in at once?

sounds good to me.

[JonMad]

I'd love to experience the mighty Jimmy.

We all would John, we all would.

It did autocorrect it to that