"sn4cktimes" (snacktimes)
02/21/2018 at 23:44 • Filed to: None
2
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"sn4cktimes" (snacktimes)
02/21/2018 at 23:44 • Filed to: None | 2
| 28 |
So made multiple posts today that involved the Suzuki Jimny my wife and I rented while in Iceland. It’s got me thinking. Anybody here know where a guy would import a Jimny into Canada? Just asking. The little guy was awesome and would be great to scoot around the city.
CompactLuxuryFan
> sn4cktimes
02/22/2018 at 00:17 |
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They’re awesome and were sold in plenty of left hand drive markets and under Chevrolet as well. Loads of them should be more than 15 years old by now. Sounds like a great idea!
winterlegacy, here 'till the end
> sn4cktimes
02/22/2018 at 01:45 |
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meanwhile in America, the closest thing you can get name-wise is this gigantic heap of scrap
none of the fun, none of the compactness.
Dsscats
> sn4cktimes
02/22/2018 at 03:52 |
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I could refer you to someone if you’re serious
duurtlang
> sn4cktimes
02/22/2018 at 04:27 |
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What kind of budget do you have? I could ship you one. Like this convertible https://link.marktplaats.nl/m1257428602 or this solid roof one https://link.marktplaats.nl/m1253653256 . Or this one for slightly less. All at least 15 years old and relatively close to an international car shipping port and all obviously left hand drive and in decent condition. I can bring it to a port, but you’d have to handle shipping and everything beyond yourself.
RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
> duurtlang
02/22/2018 at 05:29 |
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I’ve always loved the Jimny...a Euro market LHD one would be even better as RHD is hard to find insurance for here in Canada, and RHD insurance is not cheap!
I’d consider one as a DD down the road...they are pretty reliable and the small size would be great around town. Plus, 4WD for winter! The downside being to buy one they tend to hold their value in Europe....how are they for rusting? A lot of salt is used on the roads here...
pip bip - choose Corrour
> RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
02/22/2018 at 05:59 |
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RHD is cheap for me, but then i’m in Australia
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duurtlang
> RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
02/22/2018 at 06:13 |
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I’ve seen a very rusty one up on the Pyrenees, near a ski resort. As in; a very salted area. Other than that, no idea.
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duurtlang
> RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
02/22/2018 at 06:37 |
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I’ve found the picture I’ve shot in the Pyrenees ( Vielha, Spain ). I’ve never seen one as bad as this before or after, not even close. I don’t even recall seeing visible rust on these, excluding this one. This one is missing a side skirt and wearing some kind of ski mount on the back.
edit: I’m lookin on street view and can’t find the car there. If you look at the 2013 streetview there are a lot of interesting cars for you though. In just a very short stretch. Lada Niva, Samurai pickup, Seat Marbella, ...
https://goo.gl/maps/H3iJr55n9tG2
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RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
> pip bip - choose Corrour
02/22/2018 at 07:36 |
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I wonder why! :P
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RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
> duurtlang
02/22/2018 at 07:46 |
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Ouch! If they held up OK to salt (I undercoat my cars every year), I would definitely consider one. I’m not an off-roader / truck / SUV guy at all, but these are small enough that they are almost car-like. :)
Then again, I could always import a AWD/4WD Kei car...but those would be RHD. I’ve also considered a 2nd-gen FIAT Panda 4x4 or Panda Cross as I am, of course, a big FIAT fan and they are surprisingly capable in poor weather and terrain...more than enough for what I would need in Canada.
Any idea how rustproofing is on those? I wouldn’t be able to import one yet (I think 4x4s started in 2004 and the Cross in 2006 - 15 year rule and all that), but I’ve always liked their basic-ness and utility. :)
A base-trim Panda 4x4 would be perfect for me! Good winter utility with the AWD system, and I don’t care for a lot of gadgets! I’ve also heard the 1.2L Pandas (although slow, which I don’t care about) are pretty reliable?
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duurtlang
> RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
02/22/2018 at 08:26 |
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I think if you’re really interested in specific cars you should do some research, as all I can comment on is if I see visible rust on parked/driving cars. From that perspective the mk2 and mk3 Panda are properly rust resiliant. Reliability is fine too as far as I know, except the rare diesel maybe. But if subframes and other invisible-on-the-outside parts are rust prone or not is something I cannot comment on.
Note that the Jimny above is an exception in my experience. It’s the only rusty Jimny I’ve ever seen. I didn’t photograph it for nothing.
bob and john
> sn4cktimes
02/22/2018 at 08:35 |
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To canada? I know a guy
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RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
> duurtlang
02/22/2018 at 08:43 |
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I’ll have to look into the FIAT Forums or some such to see what I can learn. :)
bingham123
> sn4cktimes
02/22/2018 at 08:52 |
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rough quote of 2.5k gbp to ship a jimny from near me to Vancouver. (dont know where you are in canada) thats a 4-5 week shipping time in a “exclusive” container all on its own
vicali
> sn4cktimes
02/22/2018 at 09:46 |
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There are a few around in BC, see them come up fs on kJ once in awhile.. On my list with the Pajero Jr and Toyota Blizzard for great ideas that aren’t...
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sn4cktimes
> duurtlang
02/22/2018 at 10:38 |
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Wow, they seem to hold a lot more value than I would have guessed for their age. I was hoping to get closer to the 15 year old mark for more like $2-3,000. So I guess I’m just going to have to get on my electrician to finish the splice connection for my garage so I can run a proper heater and get back to work on the AMC wagon. Still a bit cold up here to be wrench bashing.
If I get more serious about it at some point I’ll definitely throw a post back up here. I’d rather put money into a persons pocket than a corporation.
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sn4cktimes
> bob and john
02/22/2018 at 10:40 |
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Thanks, I didn’t realize they are still valued so high. I’m going to have to wait it out a bit longer, back to work on the wagon for me for now. If the situation changes I’ll get another post up.
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sn4cktimes
> bingham123
02/22/2018 at 10:41 |
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Going to have to wait on it. I didn’t realize they still held their value so much. If/when I’m ready I’ll put another post up.
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sn4cktimes
> vicali
02/22/2018 at 10:42 |
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It does seem very much like a good idea... that isn’t... but is...
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sn4cktimes
> RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
02/22/2018 at 10:43 |
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The RHD thing has always been one of the major detractors for me owning a JDM mini-truck.
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sn4cktimes
> Dsscats
02/22/2018 at 10:45 |
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I was half-serious until I saw the value they’re maintaining. Now I’m more motivated to get the AMC back on the road. Don’t think the wife will be impressed with me rocking a sweet Jimny while the Eagle’s on stands in the garage just waiting on it’s electrical and exhaust to be completed.
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bingham123
> sn4cktimes
02/22/2018 at 10:51 |
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you can get a rhd one in the uk for £1000 ish (i saw you would prefer a lhd because you drive on the wrong side of the road) there are a few lhd ones near me that start at £1500.
basic things to check for are rust (boot floor), kingpin bearings and the vac operated front hubs can be crap best to swap to manual.
they get used for alot of offroading in the uk (greenlanes) and i have even witnessed one pull a discovery out of a mud pit
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sn4cktimes
> bingham123
02/22/2018 at 11:04 |
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I did notice the vac hubs were a bit twitchy to engage in the mornings after sitting for a while. I figured it was probably due to either a slight vac leak OR some moisture got in them much like ARB air differential lockers.
When I used to wheel some guys’ lines would freeze up, the one guy who had an in-line air drier never had any problems. So I’d probably try that route and keep them auto. It’d only be for street / highway driving anyway. Maybe a gravel road here or there.
I think the price point of one that I’d like to have would still be too high given what others have posted here.
Just means I’ll have to get the 4WD AMC wagon rolling again.
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RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
> sn4cktimes
02/22/2018 at 11:21 |
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The actual RHD thing isn’t the issue for me, it’s the insurance costs and FINDING an insurance agency to cover me. Most won’t here in Nova Scotia for RHD vehicles, and if so, they charge a premium. Actually driving RHD wouldn’t be a problem! :)
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duurtlang
> sn4cktimes
02/22/2018 at 11:24 |
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They’re in a niche of their own. They’re reliable tall little SUVs that are cheap to run from a SUV perspective. Especially given European gas prices. That they haven’t been updated in ages helps, as your 20 year old Jimny will look like a recent one.
I see lots of older people (mostly women) driving these as well. Probably due to a combination of the low running costs, the easy in/egress and the ‘tough’ look.
These Jimnies start at €2k or so, but then you’d be at the bottom of the market for Jimnies that do pass German or Dutch inspection. That’s $3k CAD. €3k is a more realistic minimum though.
It seems like there are 2WD version as well, and they’re clearly cheaper (starting sub €2k) than the 4WD versions.
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vicali
> sn4cktimes
02/22/2018 at 12:44 |
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The problem with this theory is the sea of Sidekick/Tracker/Sunrunners kicking around for $2000 or so.. 4x4, two seats, short wheelbase, and the even the kid at Canadian Tire can find you any part you would like in the catalog..
There was a Pajero Jr in Kelowna for $1000 - the reason was that both rear quarter windows had been smashed and could only be ordered from a Mitsu dealer in Japan.. Local glass shops couldn’t (wouldn’t) touch it. Watched it sit for six months fs with the price dropping until the owner either scrapped it or found someone who wasn’t planning to drive it.
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sn4cktimes
> RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
02/22/2018 at 13:41 |
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I could also drive a RHD, would always be my preference just due to driving habits to have a LHD. I live in Alberta, we aren’t punished that bad for a RHD, yet.
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sn4cktimes
> duurtlang
02/22/2018 at 13:43 |
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Good to know. If / when I would want a 4WD hardtop version. Road conditions here make having a 4WD a lot more comfortable all winter.