GMC Jimmy SUV | Crossover

GMC Jimmy SUV | Crossover 

DESCRIPTION

The Jimmy comes in a 3 or a 5 door model with a 4.3-liter pushrod 12-valve V-6 pushing 190 hp with a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 211-220 of 245  
[Jul 06, 2000]
James Gray
Model Reviewed: GMC Jimmy

Strength:

Styling, price, quality(I thought!) Vortec V-6 engine has great pickup and is very torquey at low end.

Weakness:

BRAKES were horrible. Worst ABS I have ever driven. Wemt yhrough 3 sets of brakes in 34,000 miles. Water pump went out at 25K. Freeze plugs went out at 28K. Heater core went out at 16K.

Bought it new(special ordered) in Dec. 95'. Use to be a GM fan but after this experience, I would not buy or recommend any GM products ever again. I always felt that GM did their product testing on the consumer(especially the first new model year)-now, I am convinced of that! Traded the 95' Jimmy in for a 96' Explorer with 18K on it. Much better SUV-quality, seating, paint, and especially mechanical reliability.

Similar Products Used:

96' Ford Explorer-No contest! Ford wins -Hands down, no problems in 2 1/2 years.

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[May 07, 2000]
Phuong Huynh
Model Reviewed: /Jimmy SLT

Strength:

powerful 4.3L engine, soft leather seat, push button 4WD and nice privacy glass.

Weakness:

brake, it is the worst brake I ever seen. I have to apply real hard to get it stop. The back seats with the center belt higher than the seat, if the passengers not careful, they will sit on it(it hurt!). too loud on first gear, small gas tank, leather seat tear out due to the metal under the seat ( design problem).

I don't think I will buy the Jimmy again. I would not reccommend it to friends.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
1
[Apr 29, 2000]
Michael Walter
Model Reviewed: Jimmy SLT

Strength:

Looks, 4 wheel drive was great in the snow.

Weakness:

Brakes, brakes, brakes

I had a major problem with the front brakes. The pads and rotors were replaced at 20,000 miles. I went to court over who was to pay for this and I won!! The dealership knows there is a problem with the brakes on these vehicles, but they were towing the company line. GM will never admit to a problem. Transfer case had had to be replaced. Leather tore on the driver seat due to metal from the inside of the seat! A leak was fixed in the first year.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
3
[Mar 31, 2000]
Michael

Strength:

Excellent and powerful drivetrain, nice ride over the rough stuff, push button 4wd system is nice, looks were good at the time (they have seemed to age quickly) and get to know the GMC service staff on a first name basis.

Weakness:

Never a problem with drivetrain reliability, however everything else was falling off of it. Vehicle was always in for service. This was especially complicated by the fact that at least one part always needed to be ordered (I usually took the vehicle to the shop only when there was more than one thing wrong with it, otherwise I would have had to camp out there). While waiting for the part to come in something else would usually break and it too would go on backorder. This cycle would go on and on. My record was three consecutive cycles of ordering and parts breaking. Anyway, the list of problems included: front C.V. boot, numerous trim parts (mostly exterior), leather seat ripping due to design error, brakes, leaky shock and other things that I no longer remember. Finally small 18 gallon gas tank and no low fuel warning light.

MOST IMPORTANT: The brakes were awful. Looking at other Jimmy, Blazer and S-10 reviews I also notice this being mentioned repeatedly. Was told by dealer and dealer valets that the brake performance of my vehicle was normal compared to like vehicles. I routinely scared myself in freeway traffic when rapid braking was needed. If one is at all agressive when driving, these brakes are not adequate. Strangely, stopping distances were not all that bad. It was just that there was no brake feel between quarter application and full. My front pads were worn out at 17k and replaced by dealer, a sure sign they know something is wrong.

Bought the vehicle when new mainly because I could use my parent's sizable GM credit card rebate. Planned to keep the vehicle for many years since having a four wheel drive is always handy. However, I got tired of always having to take it to the shop. Traded it in after about 19 mos and 25k miles. Sticker when new $28,500. Bought in early 1996 at a sizable discount since it was a 1995. At the same time 1996 Jimmy's with the same options were approx $31k. The best trade in I could achieve was $18,300. This included a $1000 aftermarket stereo. Vehicle was still in great shape but reliability issues were already exposed by consumer reports.

I should have expected this buying GM, but geez, I figured it was a truck and they should have gotten their act together by now. Man, was I wrong. I will have a very hard time ever buying a GM product ever again. I drive kinda hard but nowhere hard enough to warrant these many issues.

If you find a latter model at a good price it may be worth it. But avoid the 1995-1996 at all costs and make sure the brakes work well in whatever you buy.

Similar Products Used:

Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ford Ranger, Dodge Dakota, Ford F-150, Subaru Forester

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
1
[Jan 20, 2000]
Liz
Model Reviewed: GMC Jimmy 5 door

Strength:

Comfortable ride, lots of space, ease of folding rear seats, plenty of cargo room in back (with or without rear seats folded), color, location of all controls, 60/40 split rear seat, large rear view mirrors. Good handling (for an SUV), peppy response to gas pedal.

Weakness:

gas mileage, slope of roof can allow for rain to roll onto driver when window is open, can idle somewhat loudly.

I paid about 25K after adding all the options I wanted and taking off the discounts. I fell in love with this car from the moment I test drove it. After looking at other SUV's (including the Explorer), I decided that this was the one for me. The handling of the Jimmy does take some getting used to as it is basically a truck (as are all SUV's regardless of their "luxury" status). Beware of the braking (it takes a little more time to brake as it is a heaver vehicle than most of your cars on the road). I find it a very quiet ride both out in Suburbia and in the city. As with most of your larger cars, the gas mileage isn't the greatest. It is consistant though. I drive about 40 miles each way in traffic to and from work and find this a very comfortable ride. Also, living in the Northeast, I've found that the Jimmy handles very well in the snow and rain. It provides a safe feeling ride. The Jimmy affords ample space for transporting large items (I've managed to fit two chairs and an end table with room to spare). In my opinion, the Jimmy is certainly worth a look for anyone looking into a SUV. If you're looking for great gas mileage, though, I would steer clear.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Dec 31, 1999]
Jim
Model Reviewed: /GMC Jimmy 4WD 4dr 4.3L V-6 Automatic

Strength:

Wife likes the color.. Rides smooth.. Looks nice

Weakness:

GM quality has not improved over the years. They still build a unit as fast as they can and let the repairs be done after the consumer takes possession.

The day we drove off the lot things started to go bad and the dealer refused to take the unit back.. The automatic transmission was slipping and shifting into and out of neutral. The headlights blink off and on while driving at night, the engine sounds like the lifters are noisy and there are a couple of cylinders exibiting piston slap. There is a bad "clunk" from the drivetrain when you let your foot of the gas. There is a low frequency drone from the exhaust at idle, the vehicle shakes between 60 and 70 MPH, there is a buzzing grinding and vibration on acceleration. The roof rack howls, the rear door molding is coming off. Etc.Etc. Need I go on.. These complaints were confirmed by a BBB arbitrator. But GMC still won't replace it or repurchase it..

Similar Products Used:

Chevy Astro Van 4.3L automatic

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[Nov 30, 1999]
Pat Ferry
Model Reviewed: Jimmy

Strength:

comfort, field of vision

Weakness:

handling takes some getting used to. it is built on a truck frame and drives more like a truck than a car

great vehicle. comfortable, great in the snow, great in the rain.

Similar Products Used:

mini van - smoother ride less comfortable

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
4
[Jan 25, 2001]
Barb
Model Reviewed: Jimmy

Strength:

The front is roomy. I like having the 4-wheel drive. It's like having a truck & car in one vehicle.

Weakness:

I've had problems with the breaks. I never really thought about it until I read all the posts on this site. I've never driven a vehicle with such strange breaks. They seem to have a mind of their own. Recently, the dipstick on my transmission rusted. This must be a known problem, but I'm sure I'll have to pay to get them fixed plus I'll have to have the transmission fluid changed. My interior lights stayed on and ran down my battery. I have to get them fixed too. Also, I have a small oil leak in one of the lines.

I haven't had that many problems with my Jimmy up until recently. I have around 77,000 miles on it. Make sure if you get the breaks replaced that you use GM parts; I made the mistake.

Similar Products Used:

I don't really know. I had a Bronco II many years ago, and I like it.

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
3
[Dec 25, 2000]
Nelson
Model Reviewed: GMC JIMMY

Strength:

cd player and nice quality sound from speakers. factory paint(metalic purple) still looks like new.

Weakness:

Where to start: Anti locks brakes locked up within two months of buying it, good thing my wife was not driving on the freeway. Motor in driver side window burnt out twice, driver side door came misaligned from factory. Computers chips have burnt out two times(1st was within six months of owning it). Replaced brakes disk/pads at least five times(have to replace again) Rebuit transmission. Freeze plugs rusted out/ replaced. Extreme/ unusual carbon build up, head gasket was messed up. Had to get front seat covers replaced because they started tearing(within six months of owning it).Replaced battery four times so far. Windshield wipers(that's another story) Problems NOW: Computer sensor/chips not working again. Less than 200 miles per tank, exaust has excess smoking/water coming from it. I think this is because the computer chips are bad, because I got a tune up(replaced the distributor, roter, spark plug wires @ spark plug) Oil/filter change, new fuel filter, new pcv valve are just some of the things I changed in order to try to fix these problems-still has not. The shocks are complete gone too. Right now I'm just keeping the jimmy in my garage until I can afford to take it to the dealership to get the chips replaced and to see what else is up with it.

I would never recommend this Type of GMC vehicle to anyone. I told my wife within six months of buying it that it was a piece of junk. Her reaction was that her dad had been buying GMC vehicles for twenty years and she was confident the problems would go away. Now she's getting migranes from trying to keep it from breaking down at least every three 3-4 months, and from trying to sell it(nobody in their right mind would buy this thing knowing of all the past problems, so it looks like we are going to have to keep it). What really erks me is that she has followed the maintainance schedule in the Manual to a "T" Plus it's the only vehicle we use for our two kids so I know she's driving responsibly and is taking good care of it.

Similar Products Used:

Nothing is like this car! I repeat, there can not be another automobile like this on the market. GMC should be ashamed of theselves for putting such a disaster on the market. Be careful buying one of these.

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[Jan 27, 2001]
Karen
Model Reviewed: /SLT Jimmy

Strength:

It has a very comfortable ride with an excellent cd sound system. Has a lot of room especially when you fold down the back seats. It fits in my garage comfortably. Push button 4WD. Console above tells you the temp. and direction! Leather seats! Good gas mileage for an suv (19 to 20 mpg backroads) My Rottweilers love it too!

Weakness:

The dipstick is rusted (no big deal to me) and my drivers side door hangs a little. This truck is 4 years old and it was a lease before I bought it. I've had it 1 year and I haven't had any problems with it at all! Maybe 1997 was a good year after all.

Overall my 97 4 dr, 4WD, GMC Jimmy is excellent! It's the perfect car and truck rolled into one. It has the room to fit anything from lumber to dogs or luggage with 5 passengers! It has a very comfortable ride and the heating and airconditioning work great. It is the slt model, so it comes fully loaded including leather seats. I would recommend this truck to everyone! I love everything about it, especially the price!

Similar Products Used:

1986 Chevy Blazer 2dr 4wd

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 211-220 of 245  

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