In early 2021, I found myself unexpectedly behind the wheel of a Suzuki Jimny JB74—a car I never planned to buy but one that ended up being a memorable part of my automotive journey. At the time, the Jimny craze was in full swing. These compact off-roaders were in high demand, and the new car market was wild, with waitlists stretching to six months.
It all happened while I was still working full-time in sales. A client of mine, who was also a car salesman, mentioned that someone had pulled out of their Jimny order and that he could offer it to me at MSRP with no markups—something unheard of during the peak of COVID’s impact on the car market. The Jimny was exactly the spec I’d have chosen, and it would arrive in just a week. As a daily driver and a "dog dad" vehicle, the Jimny fit the bill perfectly, and so the journey began.
The Build: A Practical Daily Driver with Personality
I knew from the start that I wanted to keep the Jimny functional yet add my own style to it, starting with some essentials for off-road capability and daily convenience. First up were the BF Goodrich All-Terrain tires mounted on a set of steelies. The tires gave the Jimny a sturdy look and transformed it into an even more capable adventure vehicle, ready for any trail or errand run.
To make it even more functional, I added a Rhino Rack roof rack complete with custom Front Runner LED lights mounted on the front. These lights were a game-changer, illuminating everything ahead and adding to the Jimny’s rugged appearance. I also installed sequential LED tail lights—one of my favorite upgrades. They have this cool “dance” sequence whenever you lock or unlock the car, adding a bit of flair every time I got in and out.
A Touch of International Flair: The Suzuki Rear Tray
One of my proudest additions was the genuine Suzuki rear tray. This tray is an OEM accessory offered in many countries, but it’s almost impossible to find in Australia. I tracked one down on eBay from Germany, and it cost me more in shipping than the tray itself, but it was worth every cent. The fit was perfect, and it added a level of functionality to the interior that transformed the Jimny.
With the rear seats folded down, the tray created a flat load area where I could throw in a large dog bed for my two dogs. Their leads were secured to the roof handles above the back seats, making it a safe and comfortable setup for dog transport. This simple addition made the Jimny an ideal dog-hauler, and it’s hard to imagine the setup without it.
Daily Comforts: Tinting and Custom Touches
To keep things comfortable for both the dogs and myself, I added 35% ceramic tints all around. The tint not only kept the interior cool on hot days but also gave the Jimny a sleek, cohesive look. Despite its boxy design, the Jimny felt surprisingly refined with the dark tints and personalized touches.
The Jimny served as an exceptional daily driver, handling everything from city commutes to weekend dog runs and even a few light trails. Its compact size made it perfect for maneuvering through traffic, yet its off-road capabilities meant it could tackle much more when needed.
As 2022 rolled around, I was fully enjoying the Jimny as my perfect, practical daily driver. I hadn’t planned on selling it at all—until the used car market began skyrocketing. The demand for Jimnys was at an all-time high, and buyers were willing to pay a premium to get one right away.
After putting 18,000 km on it, I received an offer that was impossible to ignore: $15,000 more than what I originally paid. The market was so competitive that selling it meant recouping every dollar I’d spent on upgrades, and then some. I made the tough choice to let it go, realizing that this unexpected financial boost could fund future projects.
Reflecting on my time with the Jimny, it’s clear that it was more than just a vehicle. It was a unique chapter in my car journey, filled with adventure, unexpected memories, and a bit of luck in the end.