Maruti Suzuki Jimny Alpha AT: Why we picked it over the Thar

Finally, Jimny Alpha AT (Kinetic Yellow) came home yesterday

BHPian ashishpotdar recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Not taken any pictures yet.

Quick observations:

1. Very little discounts now available. Managed to get 1.5L discount over 18L on-road price. Frankly don't mind as this car is worth. I think the 13-14L on-road prices were crazy and knee jerk reaction from Maruti.

2. Test drove the Thar and Thar ROXX, but found them too huge for us (We are tiny !!!). We would have looked ridiculous driving the Thar (forget Scorpio)

3. Jimny is May manufactured. Jimny now only against orders. No dealers keeping stocks, as I checked with 4 Nexa dealers in Mumbai. If any ready stocks available, might be a order cancellation or a test drive vehicle. Be wary and insist on the VIN for date verification

4. Spoke to the RM of the dealership (Kiran Motors, Mira Road). They are fairly new and hungry for business. Hence they followed up and took the order. Nexa Shivam Kandivali, Mycar Vile Parle did not even followup. Jimny is no longer a priority, atleast for the sales team. Also, export orders are full, so Jimny can only be scheduled in current manufacturing cycles.

5. Finally, one day driving experience in Mumbai. How can you not love this cute, nimble mountain goat (Have named him IBEX)
- Sorted ride after getting air pressure to 26 (out of showroom was 43)
- Eats potholes and rough roads. With monsoons, all of Mumbai is currently a perfect off-road track !
- Turning radius is a bit higher (My Honda BRV is 5.3m, so just a few more 3 pointers needed), but not a deal breaker. Need to recalibrate yourself on the turns that you easily take in other cars
- Brakes are spongy and scary. Don't know if they settle down. My 9 year old BRV brakes faster, better (?) than the Jimny
- Steering is light but a bit lazy to come back. Again more effort on turns and 3-pointers
- High seating position, good visibility across
- Nimble, can get into any gaps, can park anywhere. Perfect city car for running errands. Not the right reason to buy a 4x4, but why not ? Much more fun than any other Hatch-SUVs. Wide smile while driving. Funnnn !!!
- Android auto works like a charm, don't care for the other fancy features (Sun, Moon, Mars roofs etc)

Thanks to this forum that made me realize potential of Jimny and helping me convince the better half that this is practically a hatch back and a perfect second car.

Please give reference and recommendations of any good dealers/workshops for
1. Dashcam fitting
2. Tyre Upgrade
3. Side step/Roof Carrier
4. Other accessories to make the interiors a bit more practical

Will post more along with photos once first long drive is done. Cheers.

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