Anyone like the Suzuki Samurais?

[Sn95Snake]

Hey guys I have been looking at getting a suzuki samurai as a beater. They seem like cool little cars, and get pretty decent mileage to boot. I've also heard that they are basically indestructable.
I have only heard good things about them so far but I've only talked to a couple off road buddies. Has anyone on here ever had one or been in one?
Anyone have any opinions on them? Any feedback is appreciated.

 

[Stinger2011]

My dad's had a couple, but he had to sell them because his back and hip hurts too bad to shift. If they'd been automatic he'd still have them. They're pretty good vehicles.

 

[deadernie]

I think they are awesome little 4x4's. I was looking for a cheap beater 4x4 for winter use and that was what I was first looking for. I quickly found out that unmolested, good condition Samurais don't come cheap.

Ended up getting a $600 5.0 Explorer instead.

 

[SID297]

I like them, but would not buy one for primarily on-road use.

 

[Blade Runner]

You can always get a Tracker........


BTW, NWS, language. Or, just mute and LOL....



[youtube_browser]lbxBFb3A5ak[/youtube_browser]

 

[DaleM]

KIA is making some good looking SUV X-overs here too. Not bad priced and the quality seems to be improving each year.

 

[mysterio]

Back in the late 80's, they were massively popular. Until the articles came out about them being prone to rolling over. Did Suzuki continue to make this model after all that bad publicity, or did they drop them? I can only vaguely recall that they were either dropped or changed as a result.

 

[Relaxed Chaos]

Suzuki vehicles are junk. I recommend avoidance.

 

[WireEater]

Suzuki vehicles are junk. I recommend avoidance.

We get it already. Anything that isn't "built" in the US is junk. You make this clear in every thread someone makes about buying an import.:lol:;-)

 

[Steve@BAS]

They are an amazing off road car. Not sure about the on road factor.

 

[zaxjax]

My buddy had one is high back in 1991 and it was the most comfortable ride. Get a Ford Ranger, decent power and gas mileage

 

[CompOrange04GT]

For Offroading they piss me off, a Samurai on 33's can go through everything I took my Bronco on 38's through. Not fair at all! haha

 

[Outlaw99]

those are stupid little cars. bar roll over numbers.

 

[Carbd86GT]

They are fun off road only, wouldn't trust them on road. Me and my buddy used to screw around with one and all we did was put a snorkel on it and some 33's and it went through everything. we had water up to the windshield a couple times and it kept going. Change the fluids when we got back home and repeat the next day.

 

[Relaxed Chaos]

We get it already. Anything that isn't "built" in the US is junk. You make this clear in every thread someone makes about buying an import.:lol:;-)

I actually own a Mazda and a Subaru, both made in Japan, along with my a Cobra and I am contemplating buying a VW gti or Tdi, an M3 (all 3 made in germany), or maybe a new ecoboost F150.

I actually just hate junk cars.

 

[langod]

I remember the the Suzuki ads after the bad press about the tendency to roll-over:

Scene: A bunch of Samurai's going down the backstretch on the Daytona oval at very slow speed......
Voiceover: "They REEEAAALLY go straight...."

 

[haz-matt]

I had one a few years ago. It had a small body lift and some 30inches or so tall maxxis mudders. This vehicle was extremely underpowered. It has a 1.3 litre engine that you can hold in the palm of your hand. It was fun, wasnt much bigger than a golf cart and would fit down some of the 4wheeler paths. In my experience It was unreliable. It would go 55mph down a hill with the wind at your back and the pedal to the floor. I would have enjoyed it alot more if it was geared a little lower and had about twice the power.

 

[WireEater]

I actually own a Mazda and a Subaru, both made in Japan, along with my a Cobra and I am contemplating buying a VW gti or Tdi, an M3 (all 3 made in germany), or maybe a new ecoboost F150.

I actually just hate junk cars.

But I never see any solid foundation, just personal opinions.

 

[Relaxed Chaos]

But I never see any solid foundation, just personal opinions.

He asked for an opinion. I gave him an opinion based on experiences I've had, anecdotal evidence from mechanics, owners, and loan officers, and industry reviews and extended warranty repair cost and frequency reports. I will not do the research for someone else and post a myriad of links to articles, stories, poems, song, and reports unless they are a close personal friend or I'm getting paid to do so. However I will provide my opinion. Respect it or not, that is up to you.

I was unaware that I must back up my opinions to you for them to be valid opinions. You should go ahead and just stop posting until I change my ways.

 

[DougT]

I had a few friends that had them, Great off road machines. Since I have been around the towing business ( last 15 yrs) and the trucking world all of my life i will tell you i have seen ALOT of people DIE in these things.