We all have those vehicles in our community where even if we have never met the owner, we “know” the car. There’s a first generation Toyota 4Runner near me that’s in very nice condition, and I see it so often that it practically seems like part of the neighborhood. However, I have never met the owner to tell him what a great rig he has. In a similar way, this recently donated 1987 Suzuki Samurai with the rare “tin top” surely was known around town, especially with a sticker in the back glass indicating it belonged to a local firefighter. Since this Samurai runs and drives, it’s one of the better vehicles we’ve seen end up at your favorite donated vehicle seller here on eBay.

The Suzuki Samurai is well-loved as a cheerful rock hopper that punches above its weight on the trails. It’s also a perfect California vehicle from a lifestyle perspective, with year-round sunshine and no road salt to threaten the sensitive sheet metal. The tin top versus soft top debate can really come down to where you live, because the benefits of the fixed roof in climates where it gets cold or rains a lot are obvious. In addition, the hard top generally allows for less wind and road noise and makes it possible for the puny heater and A/C systems to work a touch more efficiently (I also think it’s a better looking rig, too).

Regardless of your preferences, the hard top certainly shows up for sale far less frequently. The convertible model does offer the option of tracking down the accessory removable hard top, which really does give you the best of all worlds. Regardless, this Samurai was clearly loved by its firefighting owner before it was donated, as the interior is in shockingly nice shape for a vehicle known to be rather cheaply constructed. The same goes for the exterior, which was likely repainted in the shade of battleship gray paint you see here (that was not a factory color.) The dash doesn’t even appear to be cracked.

The Samurai made around 63 horsepower and 74 lb.-ft. of torque, but it generally feel light on its feet and sprightly around town with the manual transmission. All that really mattered to Samurai owners was that it was shockingly capable off-road and humbled trucks with more power and sophisticated 4WD systems with ease. The seller, which routinely hawks vehicles with numerous running issues (they are donated for a reason, after all) notes that this Samurai runs decently and just needs regular services like a fresh battery, some new shocks, and an A/C recharge. This seems like a deal in the making to me; would you go for a tin top or a convertible Samurai?