I’d been dreaming about owning a 4WD for years after always being the passenger in them. The idea of hitting dirt tracks, exploring hidden spots, camping under the stars… it sounded incredible! The problem? I hate driving big cars. SUVs? Massive. Utes? No thanks. Every time I got behind the wheel of something, I felt like I was driving a cruise ship through my suburb. Not exactly the thrilling off-road adventure I had in mind.
So, naturally, I started looking at Jeeps. Tiny, rugged, “adventurous enough” without being a mammoth — they seemed perfect. (Looking back, I have no idea what I was thinking 😂) Lucky for me, a friend gave me some sense: “Before you throw money at a Jeep, go check out a Suzuki Jimny.”
Three words: BEST! ADVICE! EVER!
I walked into the closest dealership, hopped in for a test drive, and within minutes I was grinning like an absolute maniac. Small, nimble, surprisingly capable — and full of personality! I didn’t even think twice, well after asking how to put the windows down. I put a deposit down right then and there. A Jimny was about to join my life, and there was no turning back.
The Day Fluffy Became Mine
Fluffy wasn’t fresh off the showroom floor, he was a second-hand little legend all the way from NSW. After what felt like the slowest paperwork in history, I finally got the call: the registration cleared in QLD. Cue me driving straight to pick him up on 31/12/2021, ready to roll into the new year with the newest member of my life.
There’s something about that moment. Standing there, keys in hand, knowing that this small, slightly quirky car was about to completely change my weekends, my adventures, and honestly…my whole outlook on life!
How Fluffy Got His Name
“Why Fluffy?” everyone asks.
Well, here’s the deal. In Harry Potter, there’s this terrifying, massive, three-headed beast guarding the Philosopher’s Stone. Its name? Fluffy.
I looked at my little Jimny and thought: he’s small but fierce. A beast in his own right. Quirky, clever, and perfectly on point.! And that was it, Fluffy stuck, and I couldn’t imagine calling him anything else. From day one, he wasn’t just a car. He was Fluffy!
Mods, Accessories, and (Mildly) Questionable Choices
Picking up Fluffy, I was thrilled to know he already had a few mods done: ARB rock sliders, a nudge bar, and a TJM snorkel! The dealership also helped upgrade the tyres to BF Goodrich AT 215/10.5/15 and added Rhino roof racks. Solid start!
But, of course, I didn’t stop there! Oh no. I went online, clicked “add to cart” on everything I could find, and decked Fluffy out like he was auditioning for Pimp My Ride: Off-Road Edition. Looking back… well, let’s just say my tastes were a little overzealous 😅. But in that moment, I was proud as punch. He was my rig, my beast, my adventure partner!
The Very First Adventure
Just two weeks after bringing Fluffy home, we went on our very first proper 4WD trip: the Suzuki Sweep-ups Event at the Glasshouse Mountains.
I’ll write a whole blog about that one, because it was ridiculous, challenging, hilarious, and somehow life-changing all at once! Let’s just say this: dirt, mud, a few “oh no” moments, and a lot of laughing. That trip cemented one thing for me, I was hooked!
How Fluffy Changed My Life
Here’s the real thing: this car didn’t just get me from point A to point B. Fluffy changed how I spent my weekends, who I met, and even how I felt about myself.
I started camping. I started exploring. I started chasing sunsets in places I didn’t even know existed. I met incredible people, formed friendships that I’ll treasure forever, and gained a confidence I didn’t even know I was missing. Driving Fluffy meant I was no longer waiting for adventure to find me, I was making it happen!
Small car, big life impact! And honestly, I can’t overstate how transformative it’s been!
What’s Next
This is just the beginning! Fluffy’s journey is going to be shared month by month. The build, the trips, the challenges, the wins, and yes, the occasionally questionable accessory decisions 😅
Whether you’re a fellow Jimny lover, a 4WD enthusiast, or just someone who likes stories about tiny cars doing big things, there’s more to come, and I can’t wait to take you along for the ride!
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