It is odd to see certain once-average vehicles become prized specimens when found in decent shape. While we all know the Suzuki Samurai to be a fun, capable off-roader, it was more or less seen as a low-priced entry into 4×4 ownership when new. Of course, the impact of rust and time are two of the biggest reasons a car can become disposable, making survivors truly hard to come by. That’s why this 1986 Samurai “tin top” listed here on eBay is so special: it’s rust-free and looks like it has been pampered since new.
There are so many correct details on this truck that you begin to lose track of them all. The original mudflaps, spare tire cover, wagon wheels, body decals, and brush guard all appear to have been dealer-installed, and it’s incredible to see them still with the truck. Usually, the spare tire cover gets tossed by now, at a minimum. The seller lists mileage at 118,000, but keep in mind, many of those were accumulated being towed behind a motorhome. That seems to be a familiar story for the Samurai, as their modest footprint made them a great accessory for camping and/or outdoor lifestyles.
The interior is just spectacular, with only modest signs of use noted. This is the benefit of being towed behind an RV most of its life, as the mileage isn’t really an accurate representation of the type of use it was subjected to. The dash looks tidy along with all other interior plastics. The beauty of a Samurai lies in its simplicity, which also impacts its appearance. With so little to otherwise deteriorate or fail, it stays looking respectable even without heavy-handed upkeep. The seller notes that the “…interior fan motor is strong.” Does that mean A/C?
Under the hood is a bone-stock 63 b.h.p. 4-cylinder. This is a lightweight truck so it can still get around town, but I wouldn’t want to spend hours on the highway in one (but you could – just aim for the light traffic hours.) The updated hoses and plug wires are nice to see, and since the owner has looked after it for the last 5 years, I suspect he had at least done the proper preventative maintenance. Check out the original jack still in place, and all of the various warning labels – it looks absolutely pristine under the hood. The seller is asking $13,000 or best offer for this minty Samurai.
The auction is already ended. Someone must’ve made an offer the seller couldn’t refuse.
Possibly the cleanest Samurai I’ve seen.
I never paid much attention to these until I saw that Top Gear episode where they went into the Amazon rain forest and James May’s Samurai held up really well, gave me new found respect for these vehicles.
Awesome little vehicles. No surprise it’s gone CVPanther
Where I live these, these Suzukis had a nasty rep for rollover crashes. The Samurai was aka Somersault, and the Sidekick was aka Sideflip.
Anyone remember how Consumer Reports altered their road tests to make the Samurai roll over when they couldn’t get it to roll over in normal testing and basically tanked US sales?
They did the same thing to the Isuzu Trooper. As a kid I owned a Trooper and even with some stupid mistakes my old Trooper never rolled.
I’ve never trusted CR after that.
I drove mine “vigorously,” and it never felt tippy. I think my old VW van would have flipped more readily.
Nice little rig towing behind your RV is not as easy on the car as people think its getting hit with all the road spray and salt if you are traveling in winter that your RV kicks up but had i spotted this before it ended i would reaching out to the seller to negotiate a deal
It’s in nice shape, the Latino crowd love these, the motors don’t seem very durable as they are quick to change them to something else. Size wise they are cute. I’m not surprised that it sold quick.
A few comments from a person who owns and drives one of these: completely reliable, nothing strange or eccentric (once you accept the basic concept of a tiny 4×4), without any mysterious electronic or digital components, the most complicated smog compliant carburetor I have ever seen, the ride is stiff, slow, and uncomfortable, and will go anywhere any other rig might attempt. Not for the highway, really, wonderful in the backcountry.