Greylene the Suzuki Jimny Hits the Road

by | Nov 14, 2023 | Joburg Weekend Getaways, Roadtripping | 35 comments

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.

Greylene and me in front of a weird boat in Deneysville (more on Deneysville in a minute). Thorsten threw out the name as a joke but I immediately decided it’s perfect — a grey version of Jolene. (Photo: Thorsten Deckler)

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.

Henrike in Golden Gate National Park, soon after I bought her in 2013. The “Change lane Egoli” stickers were part of a 2013 art exhibition called Taxi Poetry.

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.

Greylene the Blogmobile driving to the Vaal
First picture of Greylene in action (pulled over on the side of the road because we were lost). I mean it’s cute, right? There’s no denying it.

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.

Heather and Jimny
Greylene and me on the day I bought her, outside Bev’s Burgers. (Photo: Thorsten Deckler)

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.

Sketch of driving the Suzuki
Thorsten’s sketch of me driving Greylene. She’s a manual (still much cheaper than an automatic in South Africa, and more fun to drive), in case you’re wondering.
Greylene at the house on the Vaal River
Greylene parked at the holiday house on the Vaal River. Incidentally, Thorsten is an architect and his practice, 26’10 south, designed this house several years ago. We’re lucky to have the opportunity to stay there every now and then.
House at the Vaal
Another shot of the Vaal house with Greylene tucked underneath.
Jimny at the fishing tackle shop
Greylene in front of Deneysville’s quirky fishing tackle shop.
Not directly car-related but here is Thorsten buying us jaffels for breakfast in Deneysville. Jaffels are kind of like Afrikaans paninis, for lack of a better description, and this stand sells the best I’ve ever tasted.
Heather and jaffel
Enjoying my jaffel, which was filled with curry mince (ground beef cooked in a spicy-sweet curry sauce), with Greylene. (Photo: Thorsten Deckler)

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.

Lucky and me with Henrike
Lucky and me with Henrike on the day I handed her over. (Photo: Horst Meyer)

There will be much more of Greylene to come in future posts.

35 Comments

  1. Julie

    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!

    Reply
    • 2summers

      That headband was a great purchase — thanks for encouraging it 🙂

      Reply
      • Albert

        Love the new car. Jimnys look like baby Merc G-wagons.

        Reply
        • 2summers

          Haha, you’re right.

          Reply
  2. Stephanie Bolstad

    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.

    Reply
    • 2summers

      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.

      Reply
      • SIBUSISO

        How I the Jimny (comfort-wise) on a road trip?

        Reply
        • 2summers

          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.

          Reply
          • Leo de Sousa

            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.

          • 2summers

            Hi Leo, you are very welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed it and I’m especially glad you laughed (mission accomplished).

  3. dizzylexa

    It really suits you and wishing you many safe and happy km adventures.

    Reply
  4. Marco Brown

    Wonderful that you gifted your beloved car to a deserving soul, bless you:)

    Reply
    • 2summers

      Thanks, it was such a pleasure to do!

      Reply
  5. Dieter Aab

    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.

    Reply
    • 2summers

      Wow, that is such a cool story! I’d love to see what Suzy (great name) looks like now.

      Reply
  6. Tumtum

    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.

    Reply
    • 2summers

      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.

      Reply
  7. AutumnAshbough

    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.

    Reply
    • 2summers

      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 🙂

      Reply
  8. frankieford

    “Jaffels are kind of like Afrikaans paninis, for lack of a better description,”

    That’s a perfect description!

    Reply
    • 2summers

      Ah, I’m so glad you think so!

      Reply
  9. frankieford

    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.

    Reply
    • 2summers

      Well, thank you. That is high praise.

      Reply
  10. Diane Hughes

    If not cute, then mini-badass is what comes to mind! I love it!

    Reply
    • 2summers

      Wow, mini-badass is a term I’m definitely going to use. Thank you!

      Reply
  11. timmee

    come visit! joburg to cape town is an epic road trip

    Reply
    • 2summers

      Yes! We will definitely get to that soon.

      Reply
  12. Ms. Nancy Anne McDaniel

    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.

    Reply
    • 2summers

      Yeah, apparently they aren’t a good fit for the U.S. automotive market — too small!

      Reply
  13. Lani

    Congratulations! She’s a beauty <3

    Reply
  14. Lorna

    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

    Reply
    • 2summers

      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.

      Reply

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