Suzuki Jimny for Sale

Suzuki Jimny buyer's guide

Suzuki has built the Jimny since 1970, and every generation uses the same recipe: a separate ladder frame, solid axles front and rear, and part-time four-wheel drive with a two-speed (high/low) transfer case. That makes it a real off-roader in a very small package. The 2nd generation (1981–1998) and early 3rd generation (from 1998) are the ones old enough to import today.

Jimny or Jimny Sierra?

The Jimny is a kei car: a 660cc turbo engine and a body narrow enough for Japan's kei rules. The Jimny Sierra (sold as the "Jimny Wide" from 1998 to 2000) is its bigger brother, with a 1.3-liter four-cylinder and wider track and fenders, so it isn't a kei vehicle. A Sierra has more power: up to 84 hp, versus 63 hp for a kei Jimny. A kei Jimny is narrower and lighter. We list both here.

Which Jimnys can be imported

U.S. rules let a vehicle that was never sold here be imported once it's at least 25 years old, counted from its month and year of manufacture. In 2026 that means Jimnys built in 2001 or earlier:

Transmissions: the JA11 has a 5-speed manual, with a 3-speed automatic added in 1992. The JA12, JA22 and JB32 offer a 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic, and the JB23 and JB33 a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic.

How the 4x4 works

In normal driving a Jimny drives the rear wheels. Shift the transfer case into 4WD high for loose surfaces, or 4WD low for steep, rocky or muddy ground. There's no center differential, so use 4WD on slippery surfaces, not dry pavement. Hubs differ by generation:

• JA11 and early JA12 / JA22: manual free-wheeling hubs (where fitted), which you lock by hand at each front wheel before using 4WD.
• From 1997 (JA12 / JA22) and the JB23: "Drive Action 4x4" air-locking hubs, which let you shift between 2WD and 4WD while moving. On 1998–2004 JB23s the transfer case uses a floor lever.

What to check before you buy

• Frame and body rust. Check the frame rails, rear crossmember and body mounts, then the sills, floor pans, behind the headlights and the suspension brackets. Surface rust is normal at this age. Holes in the frame are not.
• Engine. The F6A (JA11, JA12) and the 1.3-liter Sierra engines use timing belts, so ask for records. The K6A (JA22, JB23) uses a chain: listen for rattle at startup. Check for turbo smoke and any sign of past overheating, which can lead to head gasket failure.
• Steering. Solid-axle Jimnys can develop a violent front-end shake ("death wobble") from worn kingpin bearings, tie rods or the wrong caster. Look for grease or oil leaking from the front knuckle seals.
• 4x4 system. Engage 4WD high and low on a test drive. On air-locking hubs, check that both front hubs lock; vacuum leaks are a common fault. Listen for transfer case whine.
• Gearbox. Worn 2nd- and 3rd-gear synchros show up as grinding on quick shifts.

Any Jimny that's in Houston can be inspected and test driven at our lot.

Questions buyers ask

Is a Jimny the same as a Suzuki Samurai?
They're close relatives. The Samurai sold in the U.S. from 1986 to 1995 was a 1.3-liter export model from the 2nd-generation Jimny family, so it's closer to a Jimny Sierra than to the 660cc kei Jimny.

Can I title and register a Jimny in Texas?
Imported vehicles 25 years or older are titled with their import paperwork, a law enforcement VIN inspection and Form 130-U at your county tax office. Our Texas title and registration guide walks through the steps, and your county office can confirm what it needs for your vehicle. Other states have their own rules.

Is the odometer in miles?
No. Japanese vehicles read in kilometers, and our listings show the odometer in km. 1 km is about 0.62 miles.

Can I buy one that's still on its way from Japan?
Yes. Reserve an In Transit Jimny with a $1,000 deposit. See how buying works.

More from Japan: all kei SUVs · JDM SUVs & 4x4s · Suzuki Carry kei trucks · Daihatsu Hijet