16th May 2016, 23:56
I bought a 1988 Suzuki Samurai brand new. I kept it for 11 years and didn't have to put a dime into it other than tires and mufflers. I did replace the timing belt, but that was preventive maintenance. If I had to do it all over again I'd still buy one, although I'd get a tin top instead of the soft top. One of the best vehicles I've ever owned. I just bought a 2016 Nissan Frontier. I hope I get the same lifetime out of it.
1st Jun 2016, 08:38
I have owned 6 Jeeps, from the first V-8 made in 1972, and many others as well.
I can emphatically explain that the Jeep does not match the Suzuki
for off-road ability. Not once sir: but at least a dozen times I have out-climbed Jeeps easily. I was embarrassed by one when I owned a Jeep.
The lighter weight and narrow wheel track make it an extremely versatile and able 4x4. Not to mention, I used to install 1000s of extra into my Jeeps. The Sidekick gets the job done on 1/3 the cost of upgrades... and usually can be repaired in the field. My Jeep almost never.
I have driven Jeeps since 1960 and owned 6 as I stated. It was PROVEN to me that the small... cheap Sidekick was easier to drive and superior. I now own two happily.
22nd Nov 2016, 22:29
I couldn't agree more, I owned a Samurai 1988 and a Sidekick 1994, drove each of them for over 10 years with no problems, basic maintenance... I've passed trucks (including Toyotas) and Jeeps stuck in mud, rivers, ditches... yeah, they definitely don't have the power big 4x4s do, but they have the perfect combination of torque, weight and size to perform at a very low cost... wouldn't go otherwise... Samurais are legends!!
24th Nov 2016, 03:44
Isn't this the vehicle that flips quite easily? Pretty sure I saw this point brought out in car reviews.
13th Dec 2016, 23:49
To the guy that said they were legends; I agree.
To the person who asked if they flipped over easily... I don't know... mine never seemed to want to flip in all the 6 years I commuted in it (including highway, sand dunes, blizzards and so forth).
27th Jul 2017, 18:19
...Suzuki sued Consumer Reports over that claim, and they settled out of court, agreeing to disagree. If you drive it like a sports car, it might roll over. That is a design choice that you can't easily get around with a short and narrow wheelbase and a relatively high centre of gravity. That is the reason that American Motors stopped making the CJ-5, too -- but making a dedicated off-road vehicle wider and lower makes it less capable of what it is designed to do. Fine if you are showing off on sand dunes, less so if you are trying to negotiate old prospecting roads in the mountains.
1st Oct 2017, 16:39
I've owned my 88 1/2 for over 14 years and also 3 other 4x4s, and to me the Samurai is the most fun, reliable 4x4 I've ever owned. I love driving by "Bloated Jeeps" that you see a dime a dozen. It's more fun to go against the grain. Suzuki Samurai!!
18th Oct 2017, 22:42
A Suzuki Samurai with the right crawler set up will go more places than a Jeep, sorry to say. I have owned four.
5th Jun 2018, 21:39
I have a Suzuki Samurai SJ80. I love it, but I am looking for some parts; can I get some help?
14th Apr 2020, 18:09
I have had a 1988 Samurai as long as I've had my oldest son. 13 years. 14 years this year. I have only replaced the alternator, because I got it wet washing the engine. Starter because it was worn out and the front driveshaft, because it broke while driving. And that's it. I have had a carburetor kits done. I do need to replace the valve cover gaskets due to age. I'm not sure how many miles I have on it. I got it and the guy said it is at 142,000 miles and not guaranteed. It is a rag top and I had it replaced. I also had a roll cage for safety for my kids. A roof rack to go on road trips and fishing. I did replace the muffler. It had a hole in after driving it for 2 years back firing like a little cannon. The engine is still original. Transmission original. I did replace the clutch now that I think about it. There's not enough words to show my satisfaction on this little car. I put aside my 1991 Mazda convertible RX-7 for this Samurai. This Samurai in my hands have taken me over 200,000 miles in 13 years and it still runs. Just needs new tags. I get offers all the time and it is in awesome shape. I ain't selling it.
13th Jun 2020, 02:36
Wow that is so awesome, and it's quite amazing how durable the little buggers are. Good for you, that is so cool.
25th Dec 2020, 05:53
I agree with you. The comfort mark in this review is 1/10. The off roading capability doesn’t really matter if your seat is hard and has a vertical backrest at a 90 degree angle like the Suzuki. Jeeps are far more comfortable. Off road in style in a Jeep. They were the originals and have always been the best. Hummers and other pretenders have never unseated Jeeps as the kings.
15th Jan 2022, 02:36
I have worked in the car business for 29 years. Most of that time was spent in Chrysler/Jeep service departments. My wife loves her Jeeps. We have owned several. We have one, now. We have also owned 2 Samurai’s. We just gave the 2nd one to our son. So, we are pretty much Jeep people. But, as far as off road capability, we haven’t had a Jeep that can hang with a Samurai. You do lose a little in comfort. But, off roading never has been about comfort to us. JMO.
4th Jun 2023, 16:29
I've owned 2 XJs 95 96 and a 04 TJ. The Samurai is lighter by 1000lbs and will go anywhere a Jeep will. The lack of power sucks on the road, but wheeling you don't need that 4.0, it's just more weight. So whoever says it's not comparable to a Jeep, they don't know what the heck they're saying. I loved my Jeeps, but like the Samurai true Jeeps are dead. After 07 they ruined them. No 4.0 different body, 4 doors! And oh yeah they cost 40k!
9th Aug 2023, 06:12
Suzuki didn’t win that lawsuit, so I’m not sure how that is relevant to disproving the rollover point.
This sure looks to me like that Samurai is rolling over, but my eyes aren’t what they used to be:
http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/PJ-AU599_eyesro_D_20100420153451.jpg
16th Mar 2024, 06:37
Right. Just one of the many reasons Jeeps are superior to these Suzukis would be the rollover point. Suzuki never proved anything Consumer Reports said was false. Looks pretty clear actually based on your photo that the Samurai is unstable. One fast lane shift or go through a drive-thru and accidentally drive up onto a 4 inch curb, and your fake “jeep” is upside down.
7th Jan 2015, 15:10
You hold Jeeps in way too high an opinion. Get a Toyota or a better equipped vehicle. I love off roading, and I would never buy a Jeep for this purpose.