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Suzuki Samurai as a daily driver

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dkhb1990

Suzuki Samurai as a daily driver
« on: September 11, 2007, 09:13:12 PM »
Are they good on gas? Do they keep speeds well? ect. ect. What are the pros and cons?
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little_toad

Re: Suzuki Samurai as a daily driver
« Reply #1 on: September 13, 2007, 09:05:09 AM »
I bought mine used (87 w/140,000 miles). It was originally used by a college student as a daily, her father got it back after her graduation and her first job. He used it as a tow vehicle. I use it as a tow vehicle, for backroads, and to run errands.

I get 24 to 26 mpg, runs great on freeway up to 65 mph, I don't run more than that for safety, leery about roll over at higher speed. Otherwise it's a good daily, fun to drive, economical.
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Mudjockey#1

Re: Suzuki Samurai as a daily driver
« Reply #2 on: September 13, 2007, 05:35:19 PM »
I retired my stock one as a daily driver once I finished my built Sami.  My 88 got around 20 mpg most all the time and could motivate along in traffic.  65 was all you wanted for sure, due to some handling characteristics.  Over all fun and economical!!! 
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erik the red

Re: Suzuki Samurai as a daily driver
« Reply #3 on: September 13, 2007, 05:50:41 PM »

  I hate to say it but my choice would be a Track/Kick over a sammi as a dd. Same fun and excitement but with better road handling, cruising speeds (75+), gas consumption (27-30) and creature comforts inside the rig. Just my .02
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Offline Carnage

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Re: Suzuki Samurai as a daily driver
« Reply #4 on: September 13, 2007, 07:00:55 PM »
Quote from: erik the red on September 13, 2007, 05:50:41 PM

 I hate to say it but my choice would be a Track/Kick over a sammi as a dd. Same fun and excitement but with better road handling, cruising speeds (75+), gas consumption (27-30) and creature comforts inside the rig. Just my .02

wish my tracker goes mpg that good
But I go comfortably between 60-80mph while getting 23mpg in my 4 door auto
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Offline jzap

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Re: Suzuki Samurai as a daily driver
« Reply #5 on: September 13, 2007, 07:20:39 PM »
Having used both as a daily driver...

I prefer the Tracker.  More power, more stable, more comfortable, more civilized ride, and slightly better gas mileage.  My '87 Sami got about 24 mpg around town, and the '96 Tracker (5spd) gets about 28 (if you keep the tires pumped up to about 32psi). 

The top on the Sami had a velcro flap that wrapped around the door frame.  Every time a semi passed by going the opposite direction, the roof blew upward and pulled the flap loose.  The roof on the tracker is tighter and doesn't flap in the wind as much (not much at all really).

Still, I miss the Sami.
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Jim Z.
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66 Apache camper
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Offline daddyizzle

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Re: Suzuki Samurai as a daily driver
« Reply #6 on: September 13, 2007, 07:35:25 PM »
I've had a soft top sammy and now a tintop[ sammy. Softtop was loud from the wind noise.

With my tin top, I'm getting 28 mpg mixed driving. Mine will go 70 on the highway on a flat and struggles on a hill. Engine labors a little getting up to speed (if you're in a hurry).  Not a bad ride if the roads fairly smooth. It'll jar you going over railroad tracks and you'll bounce all over on a dirt road. This is a vehicle that is most comfortable to drive under 55 but I have never been concerned about rolling over or loosing control over 65. I had mine going over 90 on a long hill and it kept a straight path. My Sammy is stock with no lift at this point.

If I were to do anything for road comfort, maybe some better seats and different springs.  Power steering would help also. It's lacking in leg room but I think I can modify my seat brackets to gain a few inches. Kind of tight for me since my knees hit the window crank. It's still o.k. to ride on smoother roads and at normal (below 60) speeds.

If your mostly flat and not alot of highway, you'll be fine.

-Adam
« Last Edit: September 13, 2007, 07:37:19 PM by daddyizzle »
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Offline pizzatrick

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Re: Suzuki Samurai as a daily driver
« Reply #7 on: September 13, 2007, 08:08:55 PM »
I agree with the other guys re: the tracker as a better daily driver.  I had an 88 sami for 15 years and it was great.  A could go 75 on the interstate without problems.  Gas milage was about 20 mpg in the city.  I had to get rid of it (new baby) and bought a 98 tracker.  It's got more power, better on gas, smoother ride, just a nicer version of the sami.  I've had the tracker for a year now, and I love it.  Good Luck.
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Offline rupzuk

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Re: Suzuki Samurai as a daily driver
« Reply #8 on: September 14, 2007, 11:50:02 AM »
I've been DD a Sami for two years now . I love it .
But I live in a small remote comunity that you can get anywhere in 10 minutes .
If you have long freeway comutes I'd go with a tracker/sidekick .
Hopefully thats the way I'll be going next year .
But I'm keeping the Sami !
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Offline Carnage

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Re: Suzuki Samurai as a daily driver
« Reply #9 on: September 14, 2007, 03:45:30 PM »
in my book, the only thing a tracker lacks in PERFECTION is

1. Bone chilling AC (the vents are too restrictive imo)
2. Side Air Bags
3. More power (100hp is a little low)
4. Gas Mileage (25mpg is low for its size)

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Offline bbagwell

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Re: Suzuki Samurai as a daily driver
« Reply #10 on: September 15, 2007, 01:32:38 AM »
I think my Grand Vitara is a little closer to perfection.  AC works great if you ask me, but it is my first car with AC  ;D.  No side air bags, but dual front air bags.  Much more then 100 HP with the V-6  ;D.  Gas mileage is pretty dang good especially for having a V-6.
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Offline john1974

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Re: Suzuki Samurai as a daily driver
« Reply #11 on: September 15, 2007, 08:15:15 AM »
I had a 88.5, and a 87 samurai that I daily drove to work and back 4-5 times a week on a 100 mile round trip all highway. Stock the samurais got me about 25-27 MPG, and had no power issues and were a good drive.  I seen lifted both and put 31's on them, but still daily drove them.  MPG went down to 20-24 and on big hills or head wind I had hard time doing 60-65.  Also in  the winter I had to use a tarp to block off the rear cab to help the heater have less space to heat, of course I live in minnesota so its COLD!

soon after I added 4.62 gears from a tracker into my samurais, and boom 5th gear was back, and I could do 60-70 no problem, and MPG went up alittle.  later I added a weber carb and MPG stayed 22-25 while my power was never a issue.  not bad doing 70-75 in a sammy with 31's

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Offline museboy07

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Re: Suzuki Samurai as a daily driver
« Reply #12 on: September 16, 2007, 11:54:35 AM »
Hey John...I saw some trail pics of yours and did I see a full size 31inch spare on the back of your rig?  How did you get it to fit with the 3rd light and the bumper in the way?
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Offline Jeremiah

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Re: Suzuki Samurai as a daily driver
« Reply #13 on: September 17, 2007, 09:34:51 PM »
I've had 2 Samurai's and now have a 4 door tracker (aka Sidekick). I'm much Much MUCH happier with my tracker as a daily driver, and I'm actually happier with it offroading too. It's far less bouncy and more comfortable. If you're planing on staying close to stock - go with the tracick.
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Ira

Re: Suzuki Samurai as a daily driver
« Reply #14 on: September 19, 2007, 03:46:22 AM »
I can't compare my newly acquired '95 2-door Tracker to similar vehicles, but I CAN compare it to my other vehicles:

I'm amazed how smooth this thing is on the highway doing 75. (Yes, I would be scared to death to try 77, but I keep it around 70 anyway.) I had a 2005 full-size Silverado--and the Tracker rides just as smooth, and more importantly, it's STEADIER. I can't figure this out at all, because I thought that with wind and resistance from that speed, the light weight of the vehicle, etc., that I would be all over the road--but this isn't the case at all.

Again, it's weird to me, and after 2 months, I'm still amazed driving on the highway and I'm always thinking, "How can this little thing ride so smooth? I don't get it." Hope it stays this way after the coil spacers.

For streets, she zips real nice, leaves other cars in its dust accelerating from lights, and great visibility of the vehicles around you--which I am REALLY enjoying.

But alas, I do slow down for those railroad crossings. BUMP!!!!!!



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