For those of you who didn’t see on social media already, I bought a car. Her name is Greylene and she is a 2022 Suzuki Jimny.
I have never been a “car person”. I have never thought much about cars and never understood why people spend such insanely large amounts of money, time, and brain space on cars. My previous car, Henrike — named for the very dear, now-departed friend who sold her to me — was a tiny, no-frills, 2007 Hyundai Atos, and she suited my needs perfectly for a decade.
But I’ve known for a while that the time was coming for me to buy a new car. I wanted to explore South Africa more by road, and Henrike, with her doughnut-sized wheels, could no longer take me to all the places I wanted to go. I also wanted a car that felt a little safer and stronger — a car that could hold its own on Joburg’s pothole-riddled streets and stand up to the city’s aggressive taxi drivers.
I kept putting it off though. I was so attached to Henrike, still an incredibly trusty little car, and finding a new car seemed like such an unpleasant chore…until the Suzuki Jimny wormed its way into my subconscious.
I started seeing Jimnys all over the place. They are everywhere and they are cute. I hate using the word cute to describe a car — I know it makes me sound like such a stereotypical girl — but I defy you to come up with a better descriptor. This car seems to have been designed specifically for Instagram.
Jimnys are small but sturdy, utilitarian and elegant at the same time. They’re great for driving on dirt roads but also great for navigating busy city streets. I started talking to people I know who own Jimnys, many of whom are women (although lots of men drive them too), and everyone who has one loves it. Many of them have bought multiple, consecutive Jimnys.
Jimny people are cultish — the kind of people who wave to other Jimny people on the road. They love their cars, and their cars are part of their identity. Jimny people are car people.
Suddenly, to my own great shock, I wanted to become a Jimny car person. Very soon afterward, in a matter of weeks, I did.
Last weekend Thorsten and I took Greylene on her first road trip (with us at least) to a holiday home on the Vaal River, about an hour outside of Joburg near the weird town of Deneysville. I need to write a longer post about why I decided to buy a Jimny and my future plans for this cultish car. (I have big plans!) But in the meantime, here are a few pictures of Greylene on the trip.
What Happened to Henrike?
Even before I decided to buy a Jimny, I’d been thinking about what I would do with Henrike if I got a new car. I couldn’t just trade her in at a dealership. So I decided to give Henrike to Lucky.
Lucky is one of my oldest friends in South Africa and he lives at my old house in Melville, so Henrike is just a short drive away whenever I want to visit. Lucky loves cars — a true car person, in the best sense of the word — but he’d never owned one. Now he does, and that makes both Lucky and me very happy. I know Henrike (the person) would be happy too.
There will be much more of Greylene to come in future posts.
You look great in pics with both cars, although my fave is with Greylene and you in your headband! 🙂 You look like you’re ready to go on many new adventures!
That headband was a great purchase — thanks for encouraging it 🙂
Love the new car. Jimnys look like baby Merc G-wagons.
Haha, you’re right.
How exciting! We always contemplated a Jimny also for the reasons you mentioned. But, our oversized family couldn’t fit in one! The world of pot hole ridden dirt roads is now open to you, which is amazing. Happy exploring.
Yeah, the Jimny is definitely not a car for families. (Although now there is a 2024 five-door option!) But perfect for a childless person like me! I will write more about the pros and cons in a future post.
How I the Jimny (comfort-wise) on a road trip?
Hi Sibusiso, we have only done one short (300km round trip) road trip so far. But we really liked it. Some reviews say the Jimny isn’t as comfortable as the larger 4x4s, but I personally find it very comfortable and easy to drive! Also apparently it’s not the best ride at speeds above 120k/hr but again, we didn’t struggle at all. We’re not fast drivers anyway, and it’s actually quite zippy when passing slower cars on the road.
I have been planning to buy the new 5 door Suzuki Jimny and have been reading reviews about them every now and then. Came across your blog a few minutes ago and I love it. I laughed quite a bit while reading this post. Thank You 2Summers.
Hi Leo, you are very welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed it and I’m especially glad you laughed (mission accomplished).
It really suits you and wishing you many safe and happy km adventures.
Thanks Gail!
Wonderful that you gifted your beloved car to a deserving soul, bless you:)
Thanks, it was such a pleasure to do!
Welcome to the cult! For a number of years I drove a 1984 Jimny named Suzy which was the best car I ever drove, for my purposes. I live a little remotely (and alone) and also love fishing. Recently a friend offered not only to buy her but also paid for a full restoration job which took me a year to accomplish. Now Suzy is a promotional vehicle for a brand of coffee with a coffee machine installed in the back and is used only for events. I miss her but I’m happy for her new lease of life.
Wow, that is such a cool story! I’d love to see what Suzy (great name) looks like now.
I kept thinking it’s very unlike Heather to have a spelling mistake cause it’s a JimMy. The joke is on me clearly. Hahaha.
Greylene looks good on you.
It was good to see Lucky again and I’m so happy for him.
Autocorrect also really does not like the word Jimny. I must admit it made me uncomfortable at first too, like I was constantly making a typo, but I’m finally used to it! Hahaha.
I love that you found a good home for Henrike. Greylene looks nice, especially in front of the modern, boxy house. I haven’t seen a new Suzuki around here that wasn’t a sports motorcycle in years. The Samurai used to be super popular for surfers, but apparently the issue with them flipping ended their popularity/ got them recalled. With new safety regulation here in the US (because of all the giant SUVs and trucks), I guess Suzuki opted for different markets.
Yeah, I read that the Jimny is sold in 140-something different countries worldwide but not in the US. Apparently they aren’t big enough for that market (sigh) — although they just came out with a larger 2024 model so maybe things will change. Suzuki in general is a hugely popular car brand here. I weirdly kind of like that I bought a car that Americans in America can’t buy 🙂
We will all have Jimny envy.
“Jaffels are kind of like Afrikaans paninis, for lack of a better description,”
That’s a perfect description!
Ah, I’m so glad you think so!
I loved to read that you gave Henrike to Lucky. That is the mostly overlooked generosity that experience in South Africa. School fees being paid, pensions being paid, the list is long. I think that with that gesture you are now a South African.
Well, thank you. That is high praise.
If not cute, then mini-badass is what comes to mind! I love it!
Wow, mini-badass is a term I’m definitely going to use. Thank you!
come visit! joburg to cape town is an epic road trip
Yes! We will definitely get to that soon.
It IS cute. Id never heard of it and Googled it and it says they are “not street legal” in the USA, whatever that means. So that’s why I never heard of them And so lovely of you to give Henrike a good new, “lucky” home.
Yeah, apparently they aren’t a good fit for the U.S. automotive market — too small!
Congratulations! She’s a beauty <3
Thanks!
I have driven a Suzuki Jeep since they first came on the market 40 yrs ago and, wow, what a a little trojan. It is light and the torque is absolutely spot on. I drove home in a blizzard one night after work, snow was bonnet height, my only problem was keeping the windscreen clear as snow was pushing up over the bonnet. I was single at the time and felt 100% safe driving her. I think, because the jeep is lightweight, nearly square and has a good off road tyres at each corner, traction is excellent. My present Suzuki ‘the black panther’ pulls an Ifor Williams trailer with a big round bale in it for my goats, she never complains at anything. We live in Ireland so had to buy the commercial model which is perfect for us as I can get two adult goats in the back if I need to go to the Vet or a show.
I am now in my 70’s and believe me when opening the door to get in, I simply slide onto the comfy seat, something not possible to do in an ordinary car (fall in and climb out).
Coming up to junctions you can see much more over hedges and walls etc.
I will never drive anything else, I think the Suzuki Jimny is the most versatile, safe and economical vehicle for rural and urban use.
They keep their value, are not expensive to run
and so many people ask “where can I get one of these”. I tell them, “go to your Suzuki dealership and ask to stay on the top of the list for when the next Jimmy’s come in”.
Coming from an agricultural background I know this little trojan of a jeep will go anywhere in any weather, she will never let you down. I love my Black Panther.
Lorna from Tipperary
Hi Lorna, I love everything about this comment and you’ve also made me want to buy a goat farm. Thank you. I hope you and Black Panther (and your goats!) continue on together for many more decades.