Tow Dinghy: 1989 Suzuki Samurai JL 4X4
As I ponder the ways I’d most enjoy leisurely traveling around the Country, one of those RV-type motor homes the size of a small bus with dual wheels on the back just might be my vehicle of choice for a drive across the USA. About the only thing I can think of that would make things better would be a tow dinghy on the back, you know, one of those smaller vehicles you pull behind it to drive around once you reach a destination. That’s how the seller of this 1989 Suzuki Samurai JL used this 4X4, and it’s a very nice looking and well-preserved example, so if you’ve been in the market for a small four-wheel-drive this one may be worth checking out. It’s located in Williams, California, and can be seen here on Craigslist with a price tag of $11,800.
I’d like to thank Barn Finds reader T.J. for the second time in as many days for his keen eye and for sending us all the great tips, including this one! Please keep them coming. These small Suzuki 4X4s were a fairly common sighting back in the late eighties and nineties, but I don’t recall seeing very many of them on the roads as of late. They seem like an ideal candidate for a dinghy too, small enough to tow easily but large enough to get a couple of days worth of gear in the back if you want to go out exploring. This one also comes with a complete tow setup, and the seller says it’s a rust-free survivor in all aspects. It’s said to have always been garaged and the top is new, plus there’s also a new set of tires.
Lift the hood and you’ll find a very neat and tidy engine compartment, and while the odometer is showing 115,000 miles the seller believes the actual driven mileage is more like 75k due to the amount of highway the Samurai covered while being towed. The owner says it’s in tip-top shape mechanically, with no leaks or other issues of any type. Newer parts include a water pump and a replacement timing belt.
Things are looking nice and spiffy inside as well, with just about everything in there showing signs of a well-cared-for pleasure vehicle. There’s also an aftermarket stereo with a CD player and Pioneer speakers, and it’s just not bothering me at all that the cigarette lighter is missing. I’m really liking this one and wishing I owned a motor home to tow it behind, although it looks pretty useful on its own as a stand-alone mini 4X4. What are your thoughts on this 1989 Suzuki Samurai JL and the asking price of $11,800?
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Comments
Very well maintained.
Above average.
In the 90’s I used a Samurai , canvas , and it just gave me joy.
It’s fun.
But if the price is good I don’t know.
I drove one from London to Athens flat out the entire way and used it for a year when I lived there- Loved that little thing. Later on bought 2 of the versions they called Trackers.
dat’s a “Geo”. (GM/Suki)
Turboin one right now
for a friend.
Price is fair?
I just bought an 86 in similar shape and condition. It also came with thousands of dollars in NEW spare parts (hood, bumper, exhaust parts, and dozens of boxes of smaller parts, all new in packages) It was 9,000 Canadian. It also had a hardtop, soft top and bikini top. The previous owner was fanatical about maintenance.
I might be selling it in the spring but I fall in love with it every time I see it. I previously owned a 1988-1/2 which I bought new. it was my first brand new car and it was fantastic.
I think its a little high on the price but otherwise nice rig, under 3000lbs some states (not California) will let you get away with NOT having a brake buddy and most other states won’t even check unless they find a excuse to pull you over
Cute little car but just a tad overpriced. One thing to look out for with these cars happened to a friend of mine. He blew the engine, we found a good used replacement in Talladega, Al. went bought it brought it back, installed it and it would not start, turned over fine but would not start. The computer would not recognize the motor. That is a major problem with the computers in these cars. Change any major component and the computer has to be reprogramed.
RV’ers call this type of vehicle a “toad.”
Perfect toad. Refrigerator white, like you’re towing an appliance you can also drive.
If you’re only going a few blocks, jog … you’ll get there faster
This Samurai is carbureted so you don’t have to worry about a computer. This was the last year before fuel injection. This looks like a really nice example of a stock Samurai.
When I was working for dad at the Pontiac dealer, we took a Suzuki franchise. These would come in with the hardtops and soft tops shipped separately. They would come in with a cardboard top, and any top was a dealer installed option. New in 89, without a top or ac I think they retailed for a tad over $3,000. Dad wanted me to buy one but I was stuck in an obsession with rusty cj-7 jeeps. Recently I wanted to get one as an around town vehicle and found the supply of used ones have dried up.
So, while I think the price is high, they were originally disposable. So if you like them, there aren’t as many left as you would think. Underpowered, but nimble. And from what I read, trail worthy. Sometimes a slow manual in a small car can equal the fun of a powerful car.
These mostly have been used up but geez almost 12K for a used Suzuki? Nice but not sure you could insure it for the price they are asking. Guess you could put it in the rec room.