Is this the Slowest Car We've Ever Tested? 1987 Suzuki Samurai Unfiltered Buddy Review

( www.TFLcar.com ) Mike and Nathan take a ride in the 1987 Suzuki Samurai to see how it does with a real-world 0-60, road noise test, tech test, and ride quality test. At the end, they give it a TFL rating of Buy it, Lease it, Rent it, or Forget it.
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[@wcjeep]

In High School, we fit five guys into a stock Samurai for offroading. When it became stuck. 4 of us would lift it. Great little honest rig.

[@xaviermayo7629]

Why not all five of you guys

[@wcjeep]

@@xaviermayo7629 driver remained in the rig to steer. Typically we were lifting the rear over downed trees.

[@josephwhiskeybeale]

I love these father and son real world reviews 😂

[@Gabriron01]

Are they really dad and son?

[@m1kerophone]

@@Gabriron01 No!

[@josephwhiskeybeale]

😂😂😂

[@michaelpawluk6791]

I laughed out loud

[@godfatherNYC]

I graduated High School in '87 so I really remember these as a serious option for someone wanting an affordable car. I believe these cost around $4,000 new back then. Which unfortunately was still more than I had LOL.

[@jerroldshelton9367]

My '87 Tin-Top JX was $8,000.00 even when I bought it new.

[@Zatoichinisanyon]

Slow, noisy, bumpy...I'll take it.

[@XLLR8ing2]

When I was younger I used to dream about this truck and all the cool things I could do to it. Looks like a baby G-Wagon. I never had the opportunity to drive one.

[@XLLR8ing2]

Now watching this makes me want it again. Lol

[@esoteric1213]

Did you ever get to own one?

[@XLLR8ing2]

@@esoteric1213 I didnt but it's looking really tempting now! Lol

[@jerroldshelton9367]

@@XLLR8ing2 I had an 87 "Tin Top" that I bought new and it is one of the few vehicles I truly regret parting with. It was a lot of fun and rock-solid reliable.

[@XLLR8ing2]

@@jerroldshelton9367 ever take it off road? I remember way back when it had a reputation of flipping over. I couldve cared less I still wanted it!!

[@RoverRacer913]

Yeah x2 on a great video, you guys inspire so many father son duos out there!

[@messengermax]

Hey Nathan back home here in Jamaica they tend to do a Toyota 4E-FTE swap in those, would do you guys good especially at high elevation

[@jackkirkpatrick2849]

Nathan, I've loved ya from the beginning of TFL. For real. It kinda bothers me that people question whether you're being genuine or not. Cant please everyone I suppose. Anyway, I love TFL and I've supported you guys from the start. Thank you for all you do. Happy about how far its come.

[@Ted_Stryker]

These guys should start a new segment (possibly channel) where they just review the smallest cars they can find.

[@Ted_Stryker]

Hey, thanks for the ups, TFL!! And, might I add that there also needs to be a Power Wagon only channel and you don't need a reason why, because... Power Wagon don't care!! 🤘

[@crowmancaveman2gen-xer280]

I still plan on buying a 1980s Suzuki samurai in 2020

[@humbdedumb6009]

Time is tickin' bud, ya get one or what?

[@joshua6200]

lol my father gave me his Samurai as a teenager and i loved that thing! So many memories! Couldn't accelerate for S***, but started every time... Thanks for this.

[@truckguyjoe]

Those little 4x4 Suzuki’s bring a premium if you can find a clean one. Up here in PA they all rusted out. Great off-road crawler in low range!!

[@CurtEdwards]

Picking up an 1987 Saturday !!!!

[@gutteherr]

This is my favourite vehicle on TFL right now.

[@relicman]

Thanks for this video. I had a buddy in Pennslyvania who had like 3 of these things. He had a farm and all these off-road trails in his woods. I remember us taking these things through his trails in the late 90's. Great times. I want one of these and they are still affordable.

[@bigpoppa1992]

I wanna see this race the vw Beatle

[@mark_osborne]

I've driven one of these for 16 years, almost daily, running the freeways all over SE Michigan without a problem- except in the wind (Yikes!)....but since I upgraded to the 1.6 Sidekick engine- she flies !... and the wind is no longer an issue :-)

[@NukePooch1]

Before I even watched it, I thought there was a real chance the Hula Girl was gonna fly off the dash... Love these things!

[@WanderingDad]

I love that you get 4 gears and an entire conversation BEFORE 60. I own 2 1/2 Samurai btw.

[@stephenhawtree4336]

Yep! Sold my ATV and picked up an '89 Suzuki Sidekick... warm and dry and I can drive to the trailhead!

[@jamesc.5734]

Mike and Nathan the Szuk is the best car you have ever wore ;O)

[@tmwei396]

I love those things. I went with my brother on his test drive of one of those when he was in the market for a new car back in the '80s and I loved it. Definitely a buy.

[@ceeslee]

Suzuki, we need the Jimny in the US!

[@The_sinner_Jim_Whitney]

ceeslee Hear, hear!!! I have an old Sammy (off road only though street legal, Sidekick motor, Toyota axles, YJ springs, 4.56s, rear Detroit, 33s). It is far and away the best off road vehicle I've ever driven in anything other than super sloppy mud (not enough power or wheelbase), which at its size can be avoided by picking a line through the woods out of the deep stuff. It's getting old and may become more than I have the space/ability to keep on the road/trail one day before too long. The new Jimny seems to be almost as great as the old goat with modern reliability and power, and I would buy a used one in a heartbeat in a few years to replace my little trucklet for snow and 4-wheeling. I can't possibly be even close to alone, I know they'd sell here.

[@peppitachips1764]

Random Autonomous Drone Pilot I want one

[@peppitachips1764]

Random Autonomous Drone Pilot wait then what is going on here ?

[@peppitachips1764]

Random Autonomous Drone Pilot ima get it

[@peppitachips1764]

Random Autonomous Drone Pilot and its gonna be dark gray ima drive it every day maybe go camping and stuff with it u know have fun

[@MrKayakinglife]

That car was made in the exact same year I was born (hahaha). You guys have to take the Samurai up the Ike Gauntlet.

[@regsparkes6507]

That would be something to edit, a 2 hour video!!!

[@jedironin380]

Princess Leia: Would it help if I got out and pushed?! Han Solo: It might!!

[@wolfman9999999]

LOL I had one of these. I think 15 - 20 MPH up that hill would be a bit unnerving in a day of people not giving enough of a damn about driving to put their phones down.

[@poppyneese1811]

Wife and I had Sidekick 4 door manual, down right luxurious compared to the Samurai. Still as Nathan said a very honest 4x4. Our 2014 CRV is probably better in every way but honestly I liked the lil Sidekick way better, it had a soul!

[@michaelshone2465]

Also make sure you keep Mike around, he’s really blended into the team really well with his personality. I think he was a good find

[@jamespope4029]

Had one and Loved it!!!!

[@Captndarty]

Like half the TFL crew Nathan is going to buy that samurai from the company.

[@bmwloco]

Grew up driving Willys Jeeps. I went to college in a '59 Overland Wagon. Got a Suzuki Samurai when I left Atlanta back in the day. Towed 15K, maybe 4k on the engine. Winch and bull bars. Tan. It would go anywhere. Do anything. Got 30+ mpg most of the time too. A weasel in the snow. And oh, the memories...

[@regsparkes6507]

Top notch 'review' a.k.a. run around the block! Heck yeah,..I would buy one too, if I could find one in this condition and for less than three grand. The ain't nuttin' wrong with this Samurai! P.S. I laughed when Nathan and Mike were chatting there about the hula girl bouncing around,, all they had to do was look back at Mat there with the camera, being tossed around,...or look at the camera's view while driving. Great stuff TFLnow!

[@dreski226]

Reg Sparkes I got one forsale

[@drewhiz7334]

My goodness this review was hilarious 😂. Thanks for the laugh! This vehicle is as old as me (by a few years). Awesome review.

[@vicarod]

This is the car I learned to drive stick on back in 1989. My brother bought a new one back in '87. I think they were around 7k new.

[@agoogleuser7784]

I just drove my samurai 250 miles one way the other weekend, all freeway and it was a blast lol. Hit 85 mph a few times.

[@DALKISHproductions]

Love the Samurai videos! I've owned mine for 8yrs and still like it better than my new vehicles (in some categories lol). Very honest and funny comments regarding this little gem...Look forward to seeing it in Moab!

[@BigInjun05]

This thing was part of my childhood. Then I had my buddy take it through a field and jump it, thank God for the helmet

[@jl4091]

I'm on a low carb diet and you have to mention Snarf's.I love that place.

[@andymorton1737]

I can’t wait to see the stock Samurai vs. Land Cruiser vs. TJ in Moab video!!!!!!

[@jaygunter3828]

I bought one of these new in 87 and really enjoyed my time with, it took all kinds of abuse and held up great. Wish I would have kept it.

[@Albisriede]

You just convinced me to hang one to m '87 Sammi, thanks.

[@johnpearson492]

I have driven one of these quite a bit. They are absolutely a ton of fun to drive. The perfect convertible to take to the beach, the perfect vehicle to run through deep snow, and the perfect vehicle to teach you how to drive with momentum. They are not highway vehicles however, the aerodynamics and power just don't alow it to keep up safely at 65 mph. They can definitely hit 65 but a hill or a headwind will being you down.

[@rreichar1]

My wife and I bought two of these. A used black 88 and a new red 90. We thought of the red one as our “luxury” vehicle because it had AC. They were slow but I pretty much drove flat out everywhere I went and nobody ever noticed. We never had an issue with either one. After I sold the black one to a friend the aftermarket Momo steering wheel came off in her hands. The previous owner hadn’t put the nut back on. I don’t know why it lasted as long as it did. I remember a 4-5 hour trip across the back roads of northeast Texas for a wedding with 4 adults on board. We were late and I hit 90 a couple of times. Felt like 150. I have fond memories of those things. They weren’t fast or comfortable but they were fun. And cheap. Easiest cars to wrench on that I’ve ever had.

[@Toyuzu]

The first vehicle I financed was a used 88 Samurai. I broad-sided a camaro that U-turned in front of me from a parked position. The accident was ruled the other driver's fault, because I had just come from a stop light about fifteen miles back, accelerating as fast as I could go. I had almost made the speed limit of 35 MPH, and my skid marks were about 12" long. It took so long for the insurance to settle that I fixed the 88 myself, then bought another 87 when the settlement finally came. Those Samurais took me all over the California rock crawling trails for years with only spring shackles and slightly oversized tires as the only modifications. Dusy Ershim, Rubicon, Iron Lakes, Star Lakes, Pismo Beach, no problem, ever. Short wheel base and low gears did the trick. The engines were bone stock. They worked so well, I never saw the need to modify.

[@lfsracer79]

Well, at least you don't get a speeding ticket very easily.

[@XerxesTheGreatOne]

We were in a Suzuki Safari Tour in a caravan of 19 Suzuki Jimnys, the exact same day you guys made this Suzuki video... lol There were 4 of us in there and it felt exactly like how you were in this vehicle! I'm like Nathan in loving these offroad Suzukis. Someone, Toyota or GM or anyone, has GOT to bring the Suzuki Jimny to North America. I'd personally buy 2!

[@thelakebar]

I think one of the things that help me love my 87 Samurai is that my very first car was a 1967 Mini Cooper S

[@willfromct4564]

Best buddy review so far, I think you need some more dirt on the windshield😀

[@HoosierDaddy_]

Just think of the safety of that solid little vehicle in a crash! You can't have more fun for a few grand. Love the samurai. Nathan, you better buy this when TFL is done with it. Then you can challenge Andre in the hummer!

[@Jeremy.Nevermore]

These two crack me up. Thanks for the awesome video!

[@elizabethunruh9635]

Such a great video. Everyone needs a little samari in their life. Unless you live in an area where it is windy enough to blow it away....

[@smarticus6384]

It also had a 5-Coffin crash rating....

[@johnnywishbone932]

Same rating as a 2019 Wrangler! Lol

[@johneratcliff]

Don't knock it until you tried it couch potato!

[@michaelshone2465]

Nathan, don’t get pushed around by your wife this time! You must purchase this Samurai. No debates! I can see how simply happy it makes you

[@timhemus6070]

I loved my Samurai. I wish I never sold it.

[@perpelle]

When I started my company like 8 years ago I bought a cheap ass Nissan serena (panel van) with a 2.8 n/a diesel, believe is was a 1998 model. That thing did 0-60 in around 28 seconds and topped out at around 90 mph.

[@yengsabio5315]

I drove a younger version of Sammy (i.e., nickname I give to the Samurai) before. Speed is not exactly the strength of this vehicle. But on muddy farms roads, Sammy is very capable of tackling it with breeze! In fact, it helped me a lot to focus honing my fundamental driving skills much like when I was practice driving on a Willys.

[@bp5082]

The slow gearing ratio is what made these great. The best 4 wheel drive ever made. I definitely wish it had been quieter and had a plush interior it didn't and I still think it's one of the coolest. With the gearing and a 1600 engine this thing will go through anything, be it mud snow. I Do restorations of vintage cars, scooters wherever you are buy these up. Ss's are still off the grid in sales and people are nostalgic. You could get a great deal on one of these

[@seefolstrom3825]

Being a owner of one of these I believe we all should have a sticker in the back saying 0-60 eventually

[@eugenecourtney1778]

Try driving the Tracker 50 miles per hour but the torque is tremendous. 1.6 L. The large tires and 3 inch lift slows the samaria down alot and it's not a speed demon anyway, fun to drive off road or around town, and you can drop different engines in it. Mine is a hard top and welded in to make a truck bed out of the passenger area and a weber carburetor.

[@jakeZduramax]

I once took my stock 91 1.3 fuel injection samurai to the drag strip, it ran a 13 flat in a 1/8 of a mile and beat my buddy’s lifted 98 z71 😂😂😂

[@edkar7604]

But you’re just lying

[@jakeZduramax]

@@edkar7604 nope 100% true

[@Chops473]

You guys should drive the later coil spring models.

[@titanicwhiz]

Loved it! Super funny!

[@dannygayler90]

I had a Suzuki Sierra 1.3 , rag top , I had it for 16 yrs , wore the 1.3 out at 364.000 km , I'm buying another one this yr 2020 it is slightly bigger 1.5 engine !

[@tskraj3190]

The Samurai has never been known for speed and that is a good thing. The Samurai can easily rollover at speeds of 55+mph. The Samurai is known to be extremely light weight and a beast in rock crawls and the sand dunes.

[@kirksway1]

I remember hearing all about there tip-over problems in the media. Wasn't there a law suit or two because of it?

[@pryme2013]

Lol at beast in sand dunes. It has less power than a new Motocross bike, it's not going anywhere in the dunes.

[@tskraj3190]

@@pryme2013 I lived in the southern Utah desert for about 10 years and these were the vehicles everyone coveted. They didn't need to be fast for the dunes because of their light weight.

[@jerroldshelton9367]

This business about "easy rollover" is overblown. I had an '87 Tin Top that was lifted 1.5" and rolled on 235/75-15 tires and it was a slot-car compared to other things I've had, like a '73 Bronco, and contemporaries, like the '86 Bronco II my father bought new.

[@wolfman9999999]

@@kirksway1 Yes. Consumer Retorts was successfully sued as they rigged the test to get their story. You won't corner in one like a little sports car, but they're reasonably stable when driven with a bit of respect.

[@rachellamb5508]

The only way to hit freeway speeds is to draft off a semi truck. The good news is you can hit 75 mph the bad news is your doing 75 mph 3 feet away from the trailer. If you can take your eyes off the break lights you can read the serial number on trailer door.

[@gnadenhofbellhalla291]

Drove a Samurai myself about 20 years ago and thinking of buying another one these days. If you want to test cars, which reach the 60mp/h much slower, test the Citoën 2CV (called "Ente" in Germany).

[@PureCountryof91]

2 husky fellas, 1 tiny, 60hp SUV, what could go wrong?

[@boohoomoron7629]

The Father & Son duo is cool. Mike, the son that Nathan never had.

[@xnova5]

oh great now I want a Suzuki samurai and I just got over my Baja beetle phase.

[@mikewiseley8828]

Bought my 1988 new after 88000 miles I pulled the 1.3 and putting a 5.o Mustang motor in no 4 wheel drive anymore. Cut and exended from the fire wall 18 inches used a scout differential and a c 6 transmission my friends call it a ford zuki it's my winter car now

[@macreal65]

I bought my 87 Zuk from a guy in 2019, I love the my little goat. I just use it for Home Depot runs and what-knots. I never put it on the FW, surface streets only. I got it up to 55 a few times, I wish it had more HP. Does any of you motorheads know how I can achieve that?

[@mikec5820]

It would be awesome to see a dyno test and an Ike run

[@paulallison6689]

2 versions of the Ike Gauntlet run...first one w/ it not towin' anything at all...second one w/ it towin' a cheap little 4'X5' open utility trailer w/ a 500ish # 4X4 utility quad on it...both runs would be hilarious!!😂

[@nghakabeita3198]

I love that gypsy king edition

[@orangecrush1976]

I would love to see a review of the Isuzu Trooper II with the 2.6L manual transmission. It is loaded with character and although underpowered, it has 4.56 gears so should do fairly well off road.

[@jerroldshelton9367]

I sold my '87 Samurai and bought an Isuzu Trooper RS 2.6/ 5 speed to replace it. This was a two-door, short-wheelbase version that I don't think they imported many of. It had 4.56 gears. It also came from the factory with 31 X 10.5 -15 BFG All Terrains and a limited-slip differential in the back. Off-highway, there was no comparison. Not. Even. Close. The Samurai was much better but mine was quickly modified within weeks of buying it. In stock form, the Trooper was certainly better. The Trooper could have been even better if had a lower than 1.98:1 low range. It also SUCKED where reliability was concerned. It was the most unreliable vehicle I have ever owned.

[@nigelmchugh5541]

Did you guys get the Trooper with the 3.1 four cylinder turbo intercooled diesel? Legendry engine for its long life and reliability.

[@jerroldshelton9367]

@@nigelmchugh5541 We didn't get that engine option in the United States. It would have been nice if we did.

[@orangecrush1976]

That engine was not offered in the states, but you are correct I have heard good things about it in Australia.

[@freed14760]

Wrong! When they were new, Nathan was in JR. High!! Maybe😂

[@pryme2013]

Depends when he was born. If he was born early 70's, which looks about right for him, he would be in highschool when this truck was built.

[@our_wishing1287]

Guys need to do a odd finds segment..unusual car reviews.

[@TimmyMoza]

Awesome. My 1987 was same color. Loved it. It beat the shit outta my bones when in the freeway, slow as hell... but get it into the dirt and offroads and it would just keep goin an goin.. light and floated over obstacles.... there are days I miss it... then I watched yer vid and rwmembered why I got rid of it... hahaha

[@pryme2013]

This color was a popular color in the 80's in Japanese vehicles. My 82 toyota truck was wearing this color as well

[@hedydd2]

The instruments and dashboard remind me of the similar age Daihatsu Fortrak or whatever it was called where you are, if indeed it was available. It was very popular in the UK and along with the HiLux they broke the near monopoly that Land Rover had with the Series3 and gave the child sprung LR 90 and 110 [later called Defender] a run for their money in performance and reliability terms, if not off-roading and comfort.

[@ethanwade9627]

More Suzuki samurai!!

[@numbnutz9398]

Maybe the 500lbs of cargo in the front seats might have an impact the 0 to 60😁🤔😂

[@lukes-uf4bc]

The best tests @re here!¡¡¡

[@aaronbehindbars]

Snarf's has a couple shops in Austin, gonna have to go check em out.

[@dommm111]

That windshield is nasty!

[@blitzbbffl]

Moab! Samurai don't care!

[@arca9e295]

Kinda want to see how my 1.6 16v swapped samurai compares

[@johnnywishbone932]

I really wish I could find one.

[@driveryte]

Three Americans = overload

[@derek6947]

I bet Matt said forget it!

[@brandonlaswiss2974]

with all the new off roaders coming back maybe we could see a 2021 Suzuki Samurai just rename the Suzuki Jimny to Suzuki Samurai

[@adolfoabhurtadoc6106]

Moab Utha Samurai vs Jipsy vs Tomys old 90s Cherokee cheap truck challenge?

[@tomokokishi3066]

It's a pity you guys won't be able to enjoy the all new Jimny.

[@jedironin380]

The 1.3 liter naturally expired motor... Please clean the windshield so you can see where you're going! Even if it does take a while to get there. ;)

[@Paul-go6hs]

How much is one of this? And where do you suggest me searching. Please I really want one.

[@mattmanky2950]

Engine noise can’t be to bad with 80hp, right.

[@douwekruizenga1512]

Matt Manny 60hp, back in 87😜

[@justinslishinsky6551]

Very surprising that the junk pile didn’t crash on it side. That vehicle is highly prone to flip onto it’s side, even if going 5mph around a corner. If this drive didn’t flip it, going to Moab will definitely happen, one million times. Can’t wait for that 😂.

[@nigelmchugh5541]

Try a Suzuki Jimny next!

[@danielgodfrey4415]

Hows the offroad with 3 people

[@samnuebel]

I found one for 2500 but it has 275k miles. Is it worth to purchase or should I buy a more expensive one and put less work?

[@RememberVietnam]

You may find better, I've been looking for one they have several for sale on Facebook. You just have to find one at the right time.

[@leemauser6107]

With stock exhaust, timing, and carburetor, they were slow as hell... Do a few alterations and replacements, get rid of the stupid restrictive exhaust, colder plugs so you can run more advance, they could be pretty good with the 1.3L... One I got will do 100mph on a good day and a 0-60 in about 10 seconds... And that is with 30in mud tires... You do not want to do that speed, too dam short... But it will do it...

[@karenmarieh.j.3842]

They might not be father and son, at the same time, their timing and flow are miles above the Father and Son who they are speaking of. I used too and eventually unsubscribed to the father and son's videos because of how they presented. Basically, it is one thing to feel out of timing with your kid, but to compare a Subaru with a Nissan Titan off road... made for painful viewing. These two guys...and camera man... are more "Top Gear" Clarkson, May and Hammond in their reviews. I just hope it does not go to their head and they start presenting the latest and $ $$ greatest vehicles. Stick with the old and cheap barnyard finds. I think it will distinguish your videos from all of the rest of the car review videos. And for the Love of the Father in Heaven, keep laughing guys... society needs more like you two ...and the cameraman :)

[@larrytaylor1222]

money wise it is not worth alot, but for fun it is worth millions!!!!!

[@OverlandTT]

I think mike is secretly Nathan's son 🙂

[@zackbrandt4662]

How big are you guys ?