ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: mingez on July 25, 2004, 09:57:59 PM
-
Contemplating getting one.
I did a search, but didn't find any "newbie" advice posts.
Tell me please why you like em, what do I need to look for when buying, and anything else you think I need to know to get me started.
I've been offroading for years, (I own an XJ) it's a jeep, but atleast it's not a wrangler. ;)
Thanks for the info people!!!
-
What are you looking for in this vehicle? Daily driver? Trail rig only? Both?
-
(I own an XJ)  it's a jeep,
ÂÂ
LOL we are not just zuki nuts, we know about just about every kind of 4 wheel drive. ;) but wecome aboard
stu
-
haha i think he was saying that as in: "its a jeep *insert barf smiley here*"
-
I just got a used '87 Samurai this summer. I've always liked the look and almost bought a new one back in '87. The dealers here in Utah were selling $8500 Samurai's for $12,000 back in '87. That's how popular they were in Utah. After Consumer Reports killed them you could buy them for dirt cheap. The used priced just started going back up in Utah so I got one for $1000.
I'm a good mechanic but a horrible body person so I was looking for one with the least amount of rust possible. Mine has a little rust at the front fender corners, and around the fender flares but none on the floorboards and very little on the springs and mechanical components.
Look for leaks underneath the Samurai. Some oil on the back of the engine is usually from a leaky o-ring on the Distributor housing and is easily fixed. Look at the oil on the dipstick. If it's black and runny and smells like gasoline then you probably have bad rings. Look for radiator leaks. The steering has a damper that goes bad and causes the steering to wobble back and forth around 40 MPH but again that's very easy to fix.
Here's a good link for Samurai info:
http://www.off-road.com/suzuki/
Just click on the Samurai link for a bunch of useful information.
I have to say that this Samurai is one of the easiest vehicles I've ever owned to work on. It's simple and it works.
Hope this helps,
Matt
-
LOL,  yeah the jeep comment was a flame jacket...that's all.  I know you all know what XJ's are, but I am well aware of the all too common anti-jeep thing amongst Sami circles.  So, I wasn't implying you didn't know what an XJ was, but rather I was saying: "atleast it aint a wrangler".  ;D
When I owned an Early Bronc, everyone mistakenly called it a "jeep" and it always pissed me off, so trust me, more simpathetic I couldn't be.
Anyway, what about differences in years etc.  1994 vs. 1988 etc.  Differences advantages etc.  Thanks again.