Why Jimny 5D?

Good old Dodge.

The first-gen Durango, caressing the senses with a Dynomax exhaust, a big and all-terrain beast, with a classic edgy look. Unfortunately, it had the flaw that faults were often difficult to diagnose, parts for this model were quite available, but across the ocean. That's pretty far. And our local "homologation." Nothing was homologated. Lights, windows, seat belts, mats - f**k NOTHING. Every inspection was an adventure draining my wallet. After 9 years, I decided enough was enough. I decided and, by the way, to go deaf, because earlier I had such thoughts, but it was enough to fire up that rumble for the idiotic thoughts of selling the Dodge to evaporate in the blink of an eye.

I could have gone for a Dacia Duster.

I could have also participated in the Extreme Ironing Olympics - but why? I wanted something that was classic + reliable (read: new with a warranty) + characterful + relatively economical, and it had to appeal to me. I knew that acoustic exaltation with such a setup was rather unlikely. The choice fell on the Jimny. The search was unsuccessful until I found an importer who understood what I was looking for, in the form of sale I wanted. Phone call, boom, done.

Me and my twisted luck.

I had to wait a bit for the specimen in my color (Jungle Green) to roll into the country, but when it finally arrived... fortunately, it broke down right away. Even before I picked it up. Thanks to that, I gained a lot of time to practice patience. That little multimedia screen refused to cooperate - no way - had to wait again.

Was it worth it?

Oh yes. It's a miniature version of my Dodge, just with the "sound turned off." Miniature is a good word; for a solo three-week trip, you have to stuff your gear in with your knee.

Math

Mathematically, some things add up. I will cover roughly the same distance on one tank.

Acoustically, nothing adds up. The Jimny with the engine running sounds like I’ve gone deaf. It only balances out at 100 km/h - just as effectively, you CANNOT have a casual conversation. In the case of the Jimny, this results from the fact that the designers probably drew inspiration from manufacturers of shipping containers, or our somewhat forgotten "kiosk RUCHu". The kiosks were even in a similar color for a while. Aerodynamics in avant-garde style.

Conclusions

I wouldn't trade it for anything else right now.

• You sit like on a stool in a basement with a low ceiling. On long trips, this is a very effective method for dozing off while driving.
• It goes where a driver of a BMW wouldn't even dare to go with a beer.
• From 90 km/h, you can hear more than just "white noise." An additional safeguard against sleeping; hearing aid manufacturers and laryngologists have unofficially approved these cars.
• It has a range like an American V8. Provided you DON'T GO off-road. Then the range can only be calculated with tarot cards - in both cases.
• It carries the whole family, as long as the family consists of a maximum of 4 people of non-overwhelming size - in both directions.
• It can have a tow hitch, which dramatically reduces ground clearance and departure angle, but it can tow a trailer up to 350 kg DMC (without brakes). * - a hitch with homologation... meaning a bike rack.
• The trunk fits 3 well-packed bags of groceries from the discount store, and you don't have to take out the fire extinguisher, triangle, and first aid kit!
• There are plenty of spare parts. Probably due to lack of demand. It doesn't like to break down on average (well, unless the "little TV" breaks down before picking it up from the showroom).
• Due to its positive performance - splattered flies can appear on both the front and rear windshields - depending on the speed at which the flies are flying.
• For bread at the store - wonderful, for a month-long trip with a rooftop tent - even more wonderful.

I don't know what else to add. It evokes sympathy, the little bugger.