Suzuki Samurai vs VW Beetle Drag Race: The Winner is Obvious! | Beetle Diaries Ep. 12

[@jamesc.5734]

I remember my 71 bug being quick until who ever was beside me realized I was racing them. ;O)

[@drakkarc558]

Old Gear Head 😂

[@chriscon8463]

Old Gear Head I remember getting into a close, exciting drag race with a VW Beetle with my ‘86 Escort. He gave me quite a run, but my 86 hp 1.9L pulled through. Of course, me & the Beetle driver were the only ones that knew we were racing...

[@americanpanzer4163]

@@chriscon8463 this is why slow cars are better, you can go street racing all you want and the cops won't know you are racing

[@pdr_2703]

@@americanpanzer4163 YESSSSSSSSSS

[@supercrazyhouse9754]

this is why i love sleeper cars

[@sigor2011]

Dyno both! See how many ponies have escaped!

[@XerxesTheGreatOne]

These father and son videos always get my thumbs up :) Suzuki wins btw!

[@taledarkside]

Herbie always wins

[@josephwhiskeybeale]

I love father and son drag races.

[@yawmen2408]

Nathan is NOT Mike's dad dude

[@josephwhiskeybeale]

Nah...they both wear shirts, and have similar toes, definitely father and son.

[@UltraSS-nj8kd]

Yaw Men ... well they haven't done the dna test yet so don't jump to conclusions lol

[@timrellis90]

Need to drag race with the Suzuki in 4Low then you’d win. Also don’t forget that bench flips up against the front seats in the Suzuki which leaves essentially a small truck bed in the rear for storage.

[@kct5888]

What so your top speed is 30

[@timrellis90]

Kc T actually you top out about 50mph at redline in fifth with stock tires and gears.

[@timrellis90]

Actually it’d be even higher. That would be top speed for 4th. 5th is actually an overdrive gear so you be pushing 70 assuming you could get it to redline in 5th low.

[@EdwardFeenman]

I grew up in the mountains in California, winter's meant snow, and I was into imports and drag racing at the time. Couldn't get anywhere in the winter with a slammed Civic so every November I'd buy a samurai for about $1000, and sell it in March for about$1000. I might not be getting anywhere anytime soon, but I'd get there.

[@blufftontiger1]

Volkswagen FTW! My family had that exact same model, year, and color beetle. In the late 70s, it got painted bright Clemson orange for my grandparents to pull behind their matching orange GMC motor home. After that, it sat in a Merc mechanic's yard through the late eighties/early 90s, when my brother and I restored it twice. We drove it through high school. My bro took it to college then he move to Maui. That's when I got it back, drove it through grad school and post graduate school. The engine died in 2004, so I sold it in 2004 for $3500. Miss that car every day.

[@josephwhiskeybeale]

If they’re both still running at the end of the race I’d consider it a win.

[@jacobking4106]

Both are unbelievably reliable so it will always be both

[@josephwhiskeybeale]

😂😂😂not so much anymore.

[@TheAndreas7990]

Beetle has more space for luggage even with the bonnet stuck... You guys forgot about the luggage compartment behind back seat. That's at least 100 L of storing space. Nice race though !

[@TheAndreas7990]

@Allen Portz Yeah tou call it hood too 😛

[@xnova5]

I always thought the rear compartment storage was cool until I had to use it. it is kind of pain in the ass to get back there, im glad my beetle has it but I never use it.

[@toddmininger3932]

@@alexltx_7708 , true, but they also didn't fold the rear seat down in the Beetle.

[@thomasstoewer2681]

When I was in the army and on alert status, I would keep my gear behind the rear seat. Full duffle bag, back pack, web gear ( not internet related ) and kevlar helmet. More than you can put in the Suzuki'si cargo area.

[@1970HondaCL100]

"It doesn't matter if you win by an inch or a mile, winning's winning" -Dominic Toretto

[@CoelhoSports]

if you aint first yer last

[@christopherwilliams8423]

Ain’t that right! I remember flying around Ft. Bragg in my 71 SB. What was considered fast in the early 90s has changed so dramatically. lol 😂

[@PupitoManuel]

I’ve never commented in this section before, but this comparison was awesome (it gave me a classic and nostalgic slack tent).

[@rhettdopwell9367]

Lol, fun video. Did you guys forget the storage behind the back seat in the Beetle? It's bigger than the Suzukis'. It is a good idea to adjust the trunk cable before it stretches too much otherwise you end up having to cut your glove box to get in. Other option is there might be a plate in the spare tyre area that you could get into trunk from below. Also you would be amazed by what a rebuild to that engine would do. New pistons and sleeves, webber carb and a simple extractor merged exhaust would do a lot.

[@brianworden7022]

Was coming to say that the Beetle has a good size luggage behind the backseat that is bigger than the Samurai's even without counting the front trunk space.

[@smithjones1906]

I love both of these cars so much.

[@DerMoelly]

Two of the best cars I've ever owned! Today I still own a SJ 410 from 1984, as a 3rd vehicle. Unfortunately, the beetle here in Germany is hardly affordable anymore!

[@crashbox7130]

You guys need a Citroen 2CV in your lives. Seats 4 with doors for rear passengers. Front engine, front-wheel-drive with inboard disc brakes (from 1982 model year), fully independent suspension all round, with front to rear inter-connection so the rear wheels react to the action of the front wheels to improve ride and stability. Plenty of space behind the rear seat for stuff. Roll back canvas roof for sunny days. Wonderful Bauhaus inspired styling by the Italian sculptor Flaminio Bertoni (not to be confused with Bertone), who also styled the Citroen DS of 1955. The perfect car.

[@giannidallemolle705]

The 2 CV Carleston is wonderful.... maybe I will buy one ( By the way, I already have a Beetle and a Sj in my garage, both so funny to drive!)

[@dposcuro]

And just as fast as either the Zuki or the Bug.... When you pull two spark plugs on their 4 cylinders.

[@ayehtunohn]

We, Suzuki drivers has a saying...”You can go fast, I can go anywhere!”. ;)

[@crosisofborg5524]

A baja bug can go anywhere a Sammy can go.

[@mitchellc2723]

How cool, My first car was a 1969 beetle. I purchased one of the very first Samauri's in the USA, SLOW but fun. How cool to see them compared.

[@brianworden7022]

My first car is a 69 bug.. bought it a week ago. I need to figure out why the turn signals don't work.

[@mitchellc2723]

@@brianworden7022Good luck. Don't remember much about them, I bought mine in 1977.

[@ebikeengineer]

Fun video guys! I love these head to head comparisons.

[@badkittynomilktonight3334]

Owned both, a 71 Super Beetle and a 93 Samurai, liked both for different reasons. The bug was a fun little car when compared to competing small cars and my Samurai I called Mi Burro because it went everywhere.

[@paulmeglasson1919]

Don't forget that the back seat folds forward in the samurai giving you lots of cargo space!

[@jedironin380]

"Muppet Roman" FTW! :D Thanks guys, loved it! VW Fail! You can easily get 2 backpacks on the shelf BEHIND THE REAR SEAT! Why do you always forget about that?! Should have done a heater test, too. ;)

[@jasonmartineau6441]

Muppet Roman was hilarious, lol.

[@wcsd9577]

I had a Superbeetle also, but a 74 with the rounded windshield. Hardly enough power to move itself around. Fun car though and I miss it.

[@kamakazikrawlers2855]

Dreams do come true. Both of my favorite vehicles.

[@Bearthedancingman]

Videos like this are so much fun.

[@alexgray2179]

Great video TFL. Thanks!

[@AverageBud]

Awesome videos, As a person who has loved this whole series I avidly hope for a new episode. Prompted me to finally get my own 1973 Super beetle. Really hoping for more content.

[@tomcole020]

pgstick01 Hopefully we see more vids on the bug soon, I’m also getting tempted to pick up a Super beetle 🤔

[@Mannycts]

Best dam race I seen in awhile 🍻

[@T_TanksTinkers1066]

Have actually had a chance to own a 68 vw with a 1300 single port and a 88 samurai (with a sport top from rallytops) and kinda cracks me up how similar they are in terms of slowness but both can be a blast if ya just take your time.

[@MonkeyWithAWrench]

I've owned both, and I love both. Stock for stock they're similar in speed. Common mods make the samurai slower, and the beetle faster. When I had the beetle, it was an 1835cc engine with a center mount 44 idf carb, w110 cam, and a 4-1 trimill exhaust. It sounded great, made good power, and would easily do 80+mph. The samurai with 235/75r15 tires (29" tall) wouldn't do 65 with a head wind. As for daily driver comfort, I prefer the samurai. 4wd is nice and the engine is more reliable.

[@dederonair]

The sword noises still kill me! Love these video comparisons!

[@Biggja22]

Ahh back when I was young and skinny I actually got busy in the back seat of my 71 super. Memories.........

[@EvanMoon]

The hand puppet was hilarious 🤛

[@SmallADVentures1973]

Just watching the last on this Playlist, really enjoyed the series. This video though? Pure awesomeness :D

[@patrickirish8110]

We asked for this foolishness, and you delivered. Sweet!

[@timhemus6070]

The Samari is amazing. I wish Suzuki would come back to Canada.

[@sockmonkey201]

Best vid I've seen all day! Cheers!

[@drewhiz7334]

Thanks for the unconventional video! I've had to hold in so much laughter for I'm at work right now watching this. Great video, great humor, great everything. Keep up the good work!

[@keithcox7243]

Also owned and loved '71 Super Beetle in that same color. Great video!

[@chrisfreemesser5707]

Why the Beetle wins: Drive down the street in a Beetle, people look at you and smile. Drive down the street in a Samurai, people look at you and laugh.

[@jamesbeaman6337]

Chris Freemesser not if you’re Chuck Norris.

[@sqhatr]

They will literally trash anything on a trail.

[@SSYoung125]

The hand puppet Roman deserves a like 😆 (5:50)

[@judsonr1]

You called it a drag race, therefore the Beetle is the winner. If you want to make the Suzuki feel better, you’re going to need to find a diesel Chevette, or a four year old on a Big Wheel. Great fun!

[@amunarjoh]

My -69 Beetle was painfully slow. But delightful...

[@saal202]

My first car was a 1955 Bug and love that thing, also a 1976 and last a 1979 Bug convertible Back/white interior my favorite.

[@timsisco3742]

I'm giving the win to the Beetle it's basic design is from the 30's while the Samuri (Jimny) dates only to the 70's.

[@craigmonteforte1478]

One of your better videos ! I had a buddy back in the 80s that had a Samurai he put a header on his and i laughed at him ( i had a CJ Jeep with the 4 cylinder that was no high speed vehicle but had lots of torque to it. And my 36 inch mud terrains gave me a advantage off reading with him mostly in the Florida mud flats Btw

[@johnnyturbo8460]

Both are cool cars! Great little nuggets

[@patricioandreslagosgarvia3226]

Glad my beetle has disk brakes in the front... Really funny video. PS: If the trunk really got stuck, you'll have to cut the handle to reopen it. It happened to a friend a month ago

[@alfreddeneumann]

VW all day!!

[@vinceclark6164]

Great video! You guys are hilarious! I think the Beetle won this round, but Zoe is much more fun!

[@geoffmooregm]

I did work on a Sami for a friend a few years ago. I fixed a botched lift kit. Fixed the steering wheel lower bushing. Fixed the transfer case location so the drive shafts wouldn't rub. I put 29" BFG's on it and went for a drive. 😳 holy freaking shit these things are slow. I thought something was wrong with the engine. But it ran like a dream with great starting and throttle response. It's just dangerously under powered. The tires made it so much worse too. But he only used it off road and could go all day on a tank of gas which he really liked. Since he was mostly in 2nd and 3rd gear he got along just fine. But I understand why the Tracker engine swap is so popular.

[@jameshall4385]

you should’ve added an old Fiat, then you could see who was the best axis power auto manufacturers. nice video. we need more beetle episodes

[@speedbuggy16v]

having owned both, I am surprised he beetle did not win by a slightly larger margin, and the zuk still looses, you can fit two backpacks in the rear parcel shelf of the beetle. I cant remember if the flat window supers have it or not, but look behind the front plate for a round block off plate, pop that out and you will have access to the front deck lid latch to get it open to readjust the cable.

[@brianiannarelli1168]

now that's what I call doing dum stuff while having fun 😂 thanks guys

[@philip4x4guy]

Speaking to the Suzuki Samurais cargo capacity I have an 87 Tin Top and since the rear seat is removable by popping couple pins I have hauled an 80 gallon water heater with the door closed! Even kept the sub And rear seat inside. And a 55 gallon drum just clears the top lip on the door, I've also hauled 6 people inside. ( so no one was complaining of being too comfortable) Modern vehicles have made us lazy ;)

[@BoopSnoot]

Y'all need to go on KETO if you're going to fit under the GVWR! Joking aside, we actually did that for our old WW2 vintage airplane, so that we could actually carry some cargo and it worked w/ a combined 50lbs lost, heh!

[@johngeorge5285]

I believe there is storage behind the back seat in the Beetle that should hold 2-4 of those backpacks, yet you did not even mention that fact, but like Samurai, it can be hard to get to.

[@anantdabholkar685]

I think a bicycle would have beat you in 1/4 mile with the 3 of you and a driver in the Suzuki!!

[@Blink-Ensu]

Beetles have storage space behind the back seat ....

[@burninggas7715]

BOTH CARS ARE GREAT THANKS TFL :)

[@huissens]

Back pack could have gone behind the back seat of the Beetle. When I was 5, I'd sit back there!

[@agoraphobicadam1171]

Zero to sixty time: Put the stop watch away and get a calendar.

[@rccrazer]

Mike, you should give Felix more ignition timing. I know your at 5300 feet, I'm at 6000 feet, give him 40 degrees of timing advance at Max rpm. You'll see even better power. There's several good articles on your latch issue. Usually the trunk lever is where the problems start. Have a great time playing with your bug. I know I love mine.

[@Bearthedancingman]

The Samurai has extra storage if you flip the seat forward. The Beetle also has storage behind the back seat and can also get extra space by flipping the seat-back down. So the beetle might win for storage either way. But I want both!

[@billreacts-n4x]

I could smell coffee when you were talking about it in the samurai

[@tedboggs4569]

I once fit 7 people in my Samurai. Not sure how. I also moved in my Samurai several times in college. Tons of space!

[@Joey4420]

Sadly should have renamed this the "slow lane car", just to be clear I own a '72 Karmann Ghia and I love the Samurai. But for fast in comparison I fly :)

[@dmegahan]

Why does the “father son combo” of Nathan and Michael, test the oldest cars in the fleet, and Tommy and Roman get to do either awesome off roads videos together or a much newer car. I guess it is good to be the owner of the channel. Lol

[@TFLnow]

You mean like this trip to Moab in the new Ranger: Is This The Most Expensive 2019 Ford Ranger You Can Buy? kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5rRoaZvmL17nq8

[@dposcuro]

Shit, I would rather drive the Zuki than anything else they have access to right now.

[@connor3288]

The older car videos are way more interesting, modern cars have no soul. I loved when they had the 3 4x4s the samurai Land Rover and I forget the other, in Moab I think

[@herbie53opf]

I really don't known which one I like more. I even have both at home. I just like both equally.

[@Kueso72]

this became decidedly more Slavic when Andre flagged the race to start wearing an ushanka. i dont know why but garage 54 popped right into my head as soon as I saw that. Dont ask lol great video though!

[@sonicgamer7206]

The beetle definitely wins. I support it 100%. The dysfunction in the hood doesn't count. It has a heck amount of storage. Super beetle is definitely super AWESOME.

[@johncollins5552]

luckily you had the 1600 engine in that Beetle, aSuperBeetle normally has front discs? I have a 1200 Standard bug as my daily for 10 years, it has less power but is lighter so gets 35 to 40 MPG. Leaves me with more beer money and girls love it Beetle Wins!

[@RoverRacer913]

"The winner is obvious..." is it though? 😂👌

[@stew8584]

Though we all love the Beatle, Suzi is my pick. If I could I'd have both. But I'll stick to my 1368cc/82.3CI, 101HP, 74Kw, Fiat 500 S its Rosso Red, my little Ruby. Cheers.

[@terryi8892]

My thought processes stop working during that 'race'. 😂

[@abb_123]

The beetle has more Space anyway, because there's space behind the back seats!!!

[@larryburnett100]

Awesome video I had a great morning laugh 👍

[@n4120p]

Both excellent designs, each on its own time and function , if we all have cars like that today many problems of fuel economy, space, emissions and pollution would not have happened !!!

[@johnarmstrong6940]

Good thing there wasn’t a stiff head wind in this race, the video would have been a good 5min longer. Enjoyed the video. Do yourself a favor, take out the original hitachi carb in the samurai, replace it with a 44mm Harley Davidson card kit. You’ll be amazed how much space is freed up in the engine bay and how much better the engine performs. The other must haves in my opinion, replace the old radiator with a aluminum one, get a new stainless steel header, replace steering dampener, leaf bushings and shocks, even with just KYB Japanese original shocks, all reasonably priced and easy to find. Just those things dramatically changed the performance, handling and running temp of my samurai at not much cost. It’s acceleration and torque is way better, but top end with the samurai gear ratio will remain at most around the 140kph or 85mph mark in good conditions. Will never sell my samurai, best car I’ve ever owned, love it.

[@meademorgan6614]

I could do the same type mods to a Bug, and it would beat the Suzuki even more. I know the VW has no radiator, but putting a Weber carb, headers, and remove the points for an electronic module would amaze you with the performance upgrade over stock.

[@kyledavis4890]

When braking during the brake test, did you also use the engine and downshift to help the brakes, or did either of you pull the e brake? Just curious. Also, beetle wins all day long. Even off-road because it is so light.

[@jasonmartineau6441]

Lol, I love this vid, TFL. Nathan was especially funny in this one. Hand Puppet Roman was extremely funny. Love these two vehicles. 👍🏼 (Also, Andre is super cool in his hat and sunglasses.) 😂

[@thepaddockengineer]

The zook isnt an 87 model, its about 10yrs older looking at the grill and capacity. If its leaf sprung its up to 96, if its coil sprung its 97 onwards.

[@talfacprez]

The Suzuki is geared down lower since it is a 4 X 4. I Loved my 1987 Samurai.I had to get rid of it because the rear seat-belts were not designed to hold child car seats so I had to trade it for a station wagon.

[@Fotomotoblog]

Beetle always the best. Mine 1302 from 73'

[@siraff4461]

A couple of tests missing. Crawl ratio's, gold mine hill, fully loaded drag race, ike gauntlet. :)

[@damiangutierrez9103]

You guys are the best ! 😂😂😂😂

[@arca9e295]

The funny thing is that I raced my friend who had a Baja style bug with my samurai before the engine swap and got the same results

[@RyanRKJ]

This really looked like it was in slow motion. lol

[@westman8527]

Funnt thing is vw's have a massive drag racing culture, air-cooled flat 4 2 liter engines are often built to have 800 ish hp and then paired with a striped down vw that weighs less than 1500 pounds, boom you get a 9 second car from the 60's

[@michaelconverse5127]

The beetle brakes probably need adjustment. Despite being four wheel drums they actually have excellent brakes. 60-0 on a vw was on the level of early 1990s corvettes. Adjust the trunk cable too. Oddly enough one of my uncles had a Suzuki Samari in the late 80s and I had a beetle as a daily at the same time. Both were very fun and I’d be happy to have either one but I can tell you after driving both the vw is a much nicer car to live with. Heck it was even warmer in the winter. There is no comparison in terms of reliability and build quality. The Vee dub is much better at being a real car.

[@Dukelax510]

Wish this series had more of Felix. Any possibility he will return in 2020?

[@pedromartinez4913]

Bugs can be made fast, we used to pump them up to 2.2L which could leave a Camaro with a 350 in shame in an 1/8th mile. But the Zuk has better quality, much longer lasting, less trouble engine. It's also 4x4. The VW can go to a lot of places disguised as a VW baja, but the Zuk can go to the same places and others the VW can't. I had a bunch of both and the VW ignition always gave me problems, plus they caught fire easily. If I had to go somewhere during a war, I would take the Zuk. If I didn't have a lot of gas, I'd take the VW. Did I mention VW had NO heater, though they say they did, in reality, not useful. Zuk was warm even with the rag top.

[@lilymae4131]

Next time do an autocross comparison or a tug of war between the two.

[@lilymae4131]

PS: I really thought the Suzuki would win. I've had an 88 Samurai, 66 Beetle and Dune Buggy made from a 66 Beetle. The dune buggy was excellent in sand, they were all fun in their own way. Thanks for the entertaining videos.

[@Jberenguer2894]

Beetle because it lighter

[@jook13]

The samurai is about the coolest vehicle on the planet

[@MrGAdam]

Actually, there is more than a backpack room behind the rear seats of the beetle, so it wins even without opening the bonnet.

[@rudyhernandez7120]

Why hasn’t there been any more of these videos??? :(

[@jacobsmemories2021]

I Love The Sound Of The Volkswagon Beetle

[@welshwarrior7197]

Jeez the SuperBeetle is so different from the older one

[@dylanwillis2812]

in the time you guys drove this beetle did it ever break down? did anything go wrong?

[@polarbear4686]

lol the explosion