1985 Suzuki Mighty Boy F5A - OHC 550cc 3 cylinder from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Requires driver with a VERY warped view on life..

Faults:

Blown head gasket.

Exhaust fell off.

Someone tried to steal my alloy wheels off it, breaking 6 wheel studs in the process.

Clutch cable seized and broke.

Blown oil seals.

Drinks more oil than petrol.

The door sills & seat frames crack if the suspension is upgraded to be too stiff, or if the occupants are too heavy.

Noisy valve-train.

General Comments:

This car is almost 20 years old now, so don't be surprised about what has broken on it.

To add insult to injury, it's been "hotted up".

If lowered & fitted with good shock absorbers, it makes it feel like you're driving a go-kart.

The back end feels hard & jittery unless you have a big bag of potting mix in there to weigh it down. Drives well then.

These came with 550cc engine. Fit the 800 motor & gearbox out of the later Suzuki 800 Hatch and it makes them go so much better.

Japan had a turbo twin-cam engine & 5 speed gearbox in their MightyBoy.

They only cost about $6000 new, so build quality is pretty dodgy at best.

No options of air conditioning, power anything or any kind of creature comforts, save for the single speaker AM radio...

They are fun to drive, and there's something about them that makes you want to pull up beside a V8 Commodore/Falcon/whatever, look at them, blip the throttle & laugh your head off...

Chances are they'll laugh too...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 13th May, 2002

22nd Jan 2004, 21:05

Hello fellow, Mighty Boy owner.

I also own a Mighty Boy, and most of the things that have gone wrong with yours, have happened to my little beast as well.

And yet, despite all these problems... we both have kept our Mighty Boys. (says something doesn't it)

OK, my point really, is that I laugh at all the attention I get, just from driving round a roundabout, or parking.!

The Suzuki Mighty Boy truly is the greatest ride, thank you for telling me about your's and good Luck for the future.

Regards.

1985 White Suzuki Mighty Boy owner.