Mini-SUV: 1988 Suzuki Samurai
The Samurai was the first non-motorcycle sold by Suzuki in the U.S. It began in Japan as the Jimny in the early 1970s and continues there in some form today. Considered a small SUV by U.S. standards, these little 4-wheel drive vehicles can go almost anywhere, and this 1988 edition looks to have been well-kept. The proud owner is only selling it because he/she needs something bigger for work. Located in Bozeman, Montana, this nifty little machine is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $15,000. Kudos to T.J. for this off-road tip!
Because of its size, the Jimny was part of the “kei” class in Japan for tax and legal reasons. After more than 50 years of production in some fashion, more than three million of them have been built. Known as a motorcycle company in the U.S., Suzuki renamed it the Samurai for importation. It was the first 4-wheel vehicle that Suzuki brought to these shores in 1986 where 47,000 were gobbled up the first year. We understand that they became quite popular within the 4WD community with its 1.3-liter engine and convertible and hardtop body styles. By 1987, the Samurai was outselling the Jeep Wrangler
We don’t know how long the seller has owned this Suzuki, but it’s clear that the love affair between the two is sadly ending. At just 69,000 miles, this vehicle seems no worse for wear or its age. We’re told it has only had one prior owner and comes with a screw-in bench seat for passengers in the back. The body and paint look great, and no mention is made of any rust. We’re told it runs fine, even in wintry weather.
The buyer will get to take home both regular and snow tires (which may come in handy this Winter). An aftermarket block heater was added (well, it is Montana) and a radio/CD was installed and you can have the seller’s collection of CDs if you want them. The only thing amiss is a stuck sensor light, but the brake it monitors works correctly. Who’s ready to climb a snowbank?
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Comments
Some will scoff at the price, but it’s still cheaper than most side by sides.
and, it is tough as nails……
15k for one of THE best off road rigs ever. I had the predecessor 600cc SJ-410. Could go ANYwhere a quad could, and places full size 4×4’s can’t.
30 years ago, on a snowy freeway, totally empty of traffic saw two upside down on gbeirvtops spinning down the 405 in Renton Wa. Wish I’d seen how they accomplished that at the same time. Haha
My roommate had one of these when I lived in High Point, and it just so happened that we had a fairly rough winter that year, to include many inches of snow that hung around for awhile, as well as a freezing rain storm. It completely coated everything with a 3/4 inch shell of ice, and the car I owned at the time was useless (’77 T-bird), so we drove that little samurai all over the place, and I really got a good representation of it’s capabilities. Simply the most agile, maneuverable off-road vehicle I’ve ever had any experience with, and I used to own an ’87 YJ on 33/12.50’s with a 350/350 turbo trans setup. It would sling mud to the sky and climb a tree in 2wd, but the little samurai would go to places never seen by a Jeep. I’m acutely interested in this little rig, and I’m very tempted to put it in my driveway…
Truly tin cans w very little power.
But Honest little 4wd rigs, stick shift, lever T-case, manual hubs.. good for outdoorsman, and quite capable, nimble off road. Lots of hwy travel is best left to others. Hardtop model is nice. Price is hard to imagine.
Bought one in London pretty cheap because it was LHD. Drove it to Athens flat out at about 80 MPH. Kept it for a year while living in Greece. Of all the cars I have had over my life, it is the one I miss most.
was tempted to buy one when they first came out, but my then current wife balked, claiming they were dangerous…. wish I had divorced her then and bought the car. But she stuck around for a few more years, and by then they were off the market. Looking back, it was probably a good thing I passed on the Samurai. It had a tendency to roll over when turning at high speeds. Suzuki disputed the fact that it was dangerous, but internal documents produced at trial confirmed the problem. Over the years, over 200 Suzuki Samurai rollover lawsuits had been settled, and Suzuki’s own expert witnesses testified the automaker was aware of 213 deaths and 8,200 injuries involving Suzuki Samurai rollovers.
Cute vehicle, but I’m scared of it.
these R a fav of mine, just did a turbo conversion to the “1/2 vert” (geo tracker). Never knew they out solda jeep but bettin thats when the gov/business pact to outlaw them began. Seems typical round here (corporate values on display).
Any 4WD will flip when cornered this way. Wrk trucks, off rd vehicles, etc R inherently dangerous. One can not expect to get in’n drive w/o danger (on st or off rd). One must learn FIRST. Dont go out into da woods, grab a chain saw & start cuttin dwn a tree either PLEZ~
A fun little throwaway car back in its day that someone forgot to throw away.
Friend of mine had one, we beat the livin’ heck out of it. Like riding in a very tippy tin can. Passenger (me, usually) made full use of the grab bar on the dash.
Love it to death. Rented one in St Lucia. RHD and drive on left side. What a blast on steep cut backs, and mountain roads. Another in Tortola for a week. Wish I could find a rag top in good shape in Fla. Better than a golf cart!
I remember when these first came out in the US. Our local dealer had a promotion, where they gave you a $25 gift card, if you took one of these evil tin cans for a test drive. I was not impressed. But, they were dirt cheap, and the non-car guys thought they were cool.