Hey,
I was thinking about getting a samurai as my first car(I'm 16 "N" test is coming soon). Would this be a good choice? I'd be going offroading sometimes with it, and in the future was hoping to lift it and put some 32's or 31's on it... I was just wondering if with the stock motor it could handle this? what can that 60hp engine do???

just some general questions I'll probly have more later, thanks

Welcome
I ran th 1300 for a couple years then worked good with 31 x 10.50 x 16" .
I put some lower gears in the t-case to help with the tire change.
Then I wanted more power. Then I went to the 1600 W / EFI .
Remember its an addiction. Once your start you can't stop.
We have some great parts suppliers listed on the homepage.

                              ........once again Welcome    Ross

I am a sami owner and fan... and in your situation, have you considered a sidekick or tracker?

I am a sami owner and fan... and in your situation, have you considered a sidekick or tracker?

Ross, thanks for the welcoming and info


I havn't really looked at them, particularly because 1. I'm not crazy about the look of them (tracker ain't that bad but would be considered "chick" around here unless I got some new tires and a lift right away.), and 2. the prices seem somewhat high around my area... my budget is around 3k, depending on if I get my new job (had to quit the old one cause of time conflicts :\)... anyways, I was sorta looking at this.

http://www.buysell.com/root/detail/British%20Columbia/1990_Prior_Import_SUVs/3334/57631508/1988_SUZUKI_SAMURAI_lockers_frnt_rear.aspx

but there is not alot of info and I havn't bothered to call yet as I'm really not 100% on what car to buy...

I forgot to mention/worded my first "statement" wrong, I do quite often go off-roading, usually quite light, but I recently found a nice section near me that my friends cousin took us out to on his jeep, fun as hell  .... but I want to remember that this car will be used for road travel too, though I don't expect any long trips with it, it will be on the road often.

PS> No offence to people with stock trackers... I was just saying.

PSS(:|)> Did I mention I was a noob offroader and was wondering whether auto or manual would be better for me (I am learning stick pretty much as I write this)

If I were you, I'd try for a track/kick.   Initially the track/kick  is easier and cheaper to get 31's under it.  A spring spacer lift kit with some crown vic rear shocks, and a 2 or 3" body lift make it easy for 31's.     That being said I think the Sammy has the better potentional for off-roading.  I started with  a SJ410 on 235's and a 2 shackle lift; then went to a hardtop Sammy.  I now drive a Escudo (track/kick) and when the parts get here I will be on 32's. 

welcome, you do know were all sick right? this is an addiction, for 3k i would also recomend a track/kick for a few reasons 1 more stable on road (ive rolled my sami twice) 2 fuel injection wich you would end up doing to your sami later on anyway, 3 poss auto trans much easier for beginer off road-er ,4 you can always sell it later and get into a sami with more money to start rather than the other way around,, as i said bfore welcome hope to see ya out wheelin soon if you have any q's feel free to write, later

welcome, you do know were all sick right? this is an addiction, for 3k i would also recomend a track/kick for a few reasons 1 more stable on road (ive rolled my sami twice) 2 fuel injection wich you would end up doing to your sami later on anyway, 3 poss auto trans much easier for beginer off road-er ,4 you can always sell it later and get into a sami with more money to start rather than the other way around,, as i said bfore welcome hope to see ya out wheelin soon if you have any q's feel free to write, later

If I bought a kick howmuch would a couple of bumpers, winch, lift(just generally...), tires run me?

and would an '89 be a good choice?

EDIT: And would a samurai be a "BAD" choice or just that a tracker/kick would be a better choice? because I really like samurai's (I did drive one )

Hey,
I was thinking about getting a samurai as my first car(I'm 16 "N" test is coming soon). Would this be a good choice?

I say go for it.  One thing is for certain.  The Samurai will always be in demand, and will retain value for years to come.  This is because the Samurai has obtained cult status, something the Sidekicker will probably never do (sorry Kickers!).

It's an easy trucklet to learn on, and an even easier truck to repair and modify.  The Samurai crowd is tight knit, and will bend over backwards to help a fellow fan out with suggestions, even repairs!  It's also very high on the cool factor.  Get a 1994 or 1995 and it's a 2 seater, meaning you get to carry only one passenger, so you'll never be the one hauling a boat load of loser, no-car-owing friends around on your dime.  And with the top off in the summer, hot blondes with big titties will like to occupy the front seat with you (at least that was my personal experience).

But on that note, I will caution you.  The Samurai has an extremely short wheel base (SWB), and a relatively high center of gravity (COG).  What does this mean?  It has the propensity to spin out on slick roads or at high speeds and can roll more easily than a car would.  And since you are a learner and young, this means you don't have the experience yet to help you regulate speed in bad conditions.  The faster you go, the more the SWB and COG works against you.  Trust me, even with many years driving experience, I spun a stock sammy out on wet leaves while doing ~35-40 mph and when it went off the road at 15-20 mph, it rolled and on the top it went.  VERY valuable learning experience for me.

Now, if you are reserved, have a level head and are not prone to normal teenage risk-taking, these concerns shouldn't be much of an issue.  If you have a heavy foot, drive home from keg parties or go fast to impress the girls, then this might not be for you.

Otherwise, like I said.  Go for it.  You only live one.  Unless you are revived using CPR or AFD, then you get to live twice.

whats the top speed of a samurai? just for info... (dont plan to try it)

and, friends are gay and say I should get a 5 speed. Bad idea?

[/quote]
This is because the Samurai has obtained cult status, something the Sidekicker will probably never do (sorry Kickers!).
[/quote]

I am going to have to disagree... Track/kicks are on their way....

Track/kicks would be great to wheel. More up to date... comfortable!!! ect,ect,ect...
Do a solid axle on a kick and put it against a sami.... hhhmmm.... the only thing the sami would have on it would be cool points... And cool points don't help get you over the obsticle any more...

Do you wheel with older drivers?  if so ask questions and watch how they drive.
I have about 5 neighborhood boys 15 to 16 years old that I take wheeling 2 own sami's
I own 3 sami's  1 have had since 1988 with 350,000 miles on it.
 So I would say take it easy and ask questions and have fun.

This is because the Samurai has obtained cult status, something the Sidekicker will probably never do (sorry Kickers!).
[/quote]

I am going to have to disagree... Track/kicks are on their way....

Track/kicks would be great to wheel. More up to date... comfortable!!! ect,ect,ect...
Do a solid axle on a kick and put it against a sami.... hhhmmm.... the only thing the sami would have on it would be cool points... And cool points don't help get you over the obsticle any more...
[/quote]Its not the vehicle its the! driver 80% diver 20% vehicle.

Not sure how accurate those stas are... But that is pretty much what I stated... However, take into consideration some of the differences in the vehicles!!!

I have .  I've owned a sidekick traded it for a 2006 Grand vitara for the ride. but for the fist car a sami is inexpensive and easy to work on.

A fellow 06 GV owner?!!!!