1995 GMC Jimmy

Everything that’s been said of the Chevrolet Blazer applies to the GMC Jimmy.

Has to-it’s the same vehicle except that the grille sports big G-M-C letters where Chevy put its bow-tie logo.

Jimmy offers the same expanded interior dimensions for increased roominess, the same occupant-friendly suspension to cushion you from road harshness, the same car-like ride and handling that makes you feel as if you’re behind the wheel of a sedan rather than a sport-utility vehicle, the same powerful 4.3-liter, V-6 that allows you to merge with ease or tackle the hills and inclines without a running start.

There’s also the same availability of push-button four-wheel-drive activation, which we were able to use in a recent snow.

The button makes for quick change to four-wheel pulling power and about the only difference between two- and four-wheel-drive mode is that you’ll detect a tad more road noise in four-wheel, though the noise level in four-wheel drive in the ’95 is about the same as in two-wheel drive in a ’94, thanks to more sound deadeners and more attention to quiet operation in the redesigned ’95.

If you opt for a transfer case lever to engage 4WD, a change was made to ease the task. Push a button on the lever and the shift is smooth, not forced and finicky as it was when you had to fight when going from two-wheel-drive to four-wheel-drive high and enlist a sumo wrestler to engage four-wheel-drive low.

There’s also the same driver-side air bag and four-wheel anti-lock brakes.

Of course, being fraternal twins means you not only share the same joys, but the sorrows, too.

Jimmy, like Blazer, lacks a passenger-side air bag, though one is coming because all trucks must offer dual bags by 1998.

And you’ll have to suffer the infernal hump in the floor on the passenger side, an accommodation for the catalytic converter. The two-door has one problem the four-doordoesn’t: large forward-slanting side roof pillars that look Pathfinder-like and obstruct the side view.

Also, though the 4.3-liter is potent, it has a thirst, as the 16 mile-per-gallon city/21 m.p.g. highway rating indicates. We admit that when driving in that recent snowstorm the 16/21 m.p.g. rating probably was the last thing on our mind, but there are about 360 days each year when sidling up to self-serve gets annoying-and expensive.

One other gripe: Despite a redesign for ’95 that increased Jimmy’s interior dimensions, it passed up the chance to add slightly larger and thicker side bolsters to better hold you in your seat when driving aggressively.

One other point, which can be a nuisance for shorter folks, is that the outside mounted spare tire carrier in back blocks part of the rear window so you lose some field of vision.

About the only other problem is that sport-utility vehicles are a hot commodity-particularly Blazer and Jimmy-and the rule of thumb in the a uto industry is to make money while you can. So the two-door vehicle we tested had a base price of $20,157, and the four-door starts at $22,205. Options on both quickly raise your debt.

The SLS decor package on the two-door sets you back $3,439 for a host of power goodies, from windows and locks to mirrors, as well as what may be the least-used item on to any vehicle, the roof-mounted luggage carrier.

On the four-door, the option package is $5,248 for the extra power goodies and the stupid luggage rack, which, in case most people don’t notice, makes it difficult to wash and wax your vehicle and often serves no other useful purpose than to be the source of water marks when you miss with the chamois.

The only other complaint is personal: a vehicle named Jimmy?

One word of warning. Jimmy is available in Radar Purple, one very unusual color. You must pause a minute and consider whether you’ll love that hue as much three or four years from now as you do today. However, we admit that when the snowstorm came and all the cars in the lot were buried, Radar Purple stood out like a beacon to help us find our vehicle while others were searching for theirs.

>> 1995 GMC Jimmy 2-door Wheelbase: 100.5 inches Length: 175.1 inches Engine: 4.3-liter, 195-h.p., V-6 Transmission: 4-speed automatic EPA mileage: 16 m.p.g. city/21 m.p.g. highway Base price: $20,157 Price as tested: $24,541. Add $3,439 for option package that includes SLS decor trim, power windows, power door locks, dual power mirrors, folding rear seat, tilt wheel, speed control, roof-mounted luggage carrier, heavy-duty suspension, all-season 15-inch radial tires, AM/FM stereo with cassette and clock; $375 for power driver’s seat, which includes keyless entry; $210 for heavy-duty trailering package; $159 for outside spare tire carrier; $147 for overhead console. Add$485 for freight. Pluses: Driver-side air bag and ABS standard. Occupant friendly suspension with luxury sedan-like ride and handling. Fairly spacious interior. Ease of push button 4WD. Very powerful V-6. easy to see and use controls. Dual cupholders/coin holders/stowage tray in center console, cupholders/snack tray in the rear compartment. Snow Belt 4WD insurance policy. Minuses: No passenger-side air bag. Passenger side floor hump. Forward slanting and huge side pillars obstruct side view. Mileage sad. Seats could use more side support and wider bolsters. With outside mounted spare, expect to lose some rear visibility. Can’t stand the name. How about lowering the price before consumers make that demand? >>