Faults:

Just bought this Samurai tintop, and it arrived on Monday of this week. Had a newly built high performance engine installed before it was shipped to me, along with a new clutch.

My mechanic has gone over it, found some rust, and is replacing various bearings (noise in steering etc) and has to replace the disc brakes and calipers.

The gas gauge doesn't work, so having it repaired. Things like that, which one expects even on a one owner 1988.5 Suzuki Samurai.

Just wanted to say here, in-spite of all to be corrected, spent the day driving this amazing baby brute to emissions testing for State of WA as well as the licensing office. Handles like a dream, even with repairs needed, fun to shift through the 5 forward gears and has already received several 'thumbs up' from strangers.

Had quite a hunt to find one not all tricked out for off-roading, though indeed I do intend to head for the mountains and back roads to hidden lakes for good times away from the madding crowds.

Will keep you posted...

General Comments:

Great turning circle, handles lightly considering no power steering, shifts very smoothly, and the air flow through factory sunroof and operable back windows made even today's warm temps feel quite acceptably comfortable.

Smooth on the highway, though not a racer, for sure.

Faults:

Computer went bad, impossible to find used one $500 for new one.

Fuel pump wiring went bad, had to Jerry rig it to work.

Drivers door glass broke, they don't sell them new anymore, had to drive 320KMS to buy a used one.

Bolts seemed to break every time I tried to undo them, cheap bolts used throughout.

Windshield got rock chip which spread within 1 week, across whole side of windshield, also can't buy brand new one so I left the cracked one in.

Exhaust gasket at manifold leaking and seems to be common problem.

General Comments:

These cars are overpriced and over rated in my area of the world.

The metal used is very thin, they feel very tippy when lifted, the truck was always in need of some kind of repairs.

I bought this to try something new, you hear so much about how great Samurai's are and what a blast they are to drive. I found it to be all hype, they are cheaply made and highly over rated and therefore overpriced. On the good side of that, I put mine up for sale for $1000 to get rid of it quick and it sold the same day I placed my ad on craigslist.

I know there is a strong following for these trucks in the offroad community, and that is about all they are good for. If you prefer to have an actual vehicle instead of a ATV then this might be for you. I wanted it as a daily driver and it was just not up for the task. I say get a Toyota is you want a daily driver 4x4, because the Suzuki's are very finicky and not all that dependable for daily driving.