Suzuki Samurai

Skipholiday · Jul 25, 2007

I purchased an 87 Samurai and I am very impressed.
Its not much (if any) wider than my xuv.

Climbs like a goat. For a 63 hp motor this thing rocks.

Places in the mud that slowed my xuv down aren't even a challenge for the sammy.

I love my xuv and my rhino but for $1800 Samurais rule~!

P.S. I will post pics tomorrow.

darkday · Jul 26, 2007

Anything done to it ?

ultrarunner · Jul 26, 2007

I couldn't agree more...

I bought a high mileage 87 Samurai about 10 years ago to maneuver around the "Back 40" and to haul 5 gallon jugs of diesel for my Cat D3 Dozer. It cost me $1050.

This little 4wd has been bulletproof... it can sit for weeks and is always ready to go and the stock drive-train is real smooth and has plenty of torque. I also use it to pull my trailers out of the hollow in wet weather and tow my firewood trailer.

Unlike other small SUV's, the Suzuki is a true, solid axle, 10 spd forward with transfer case, "Jeep"

It's only anemic quality is cruising the interstate at 65-70 mph...

I know you will enjoy it!

Egon · Jul 26, 2007

Those were a really neat little machine. They were great in town in winter and out in the woods. On the highway they were pushed till the roads got bad.

And they got nice fuel mileage too.

Bird · Jul 26, 2007

We bought a new one in '86. It was primarily my wife's car to drive back and forth to work, although one reason we bought it was because we were thinking of towing it behind a motorhome when I retired. We put 45k miles on it in 3 years, but then I retired and we decided on a fifth-wheel trailer instead of a motorhome, so I just sold it back to the dealer we bought it from. A month before we sold it, I had to replace the battery. That was the only "repair" I ever did to it.

Skipholiday · Jul 26, 2007

darkday said:
Anything done to it ?

I installed some mud tires and she needs a top.

ultrarunner said:
I couldn't agree more...
It's only anemic quality is cruising the interstate at 65-70 mph...
I know you will enjoy it!

60 seems about top speed on mine.

I'm very pleased with this purchase.

Bird said:
A month before we sold it, I had to replace the battery. That was the only "repair" I ever did to it.

I had heard they were very reliable. That was the encouragement I needed to get this little jewel.

I looked at the little trucks and they were no comparison and were priced 3 to 5 times more than the sammy.
Also the samurai turns into a truck in a couple of minutes.
Remove the rear seat and your set. Even has a tailgate...

Did I mention I am impressed?

darkday · Jul 26, 2007

"I installed some mud tires and she needs a top."

Take the top off. Then when you wife drives it she will be topless!

Bird · Jul 26, 2007

I had the dealer install a cruise control on ours because I knew we'd be driving it on a few long trips. Then I ordered (can't remember if it was J.C.Whitney or somewhere else) a hard top and put on it since it quickly became obvious that we were always going to be using the air-conditioner and not be taking the top off anyway. I did learn a few years after selling ours that some parts, such as OEM starters and alternators were very high priced.