Looking at a suzuki samurai

[stans02]

I was looking at a VW Rabbitt, but now have my eye on a Suzuki Samurai, to tow behind my 02 Grey Hawk. I think someone else mentioned a Samurai. I read about having to stop every 200 mi or so to run the engine on the Suzuki to get oil to the rear transmission bearing. Anyone else towing a Suzuki and can tell me something about towing. I am going to see it today. The lady wants 2250. She says it has around 75,000 mi. What do you think? Stan

[Boss Wagon]

I towed a Geo Tracker which is a Suzuki Sidekick. Great tow vehicle due to the low weight. The transmission stops were never a problem for me, I usually did it around 150 miles. To tow flat, the owner"s manual stated it had to be 4X4 with manual hubs. Funny thing about the 4X2 model, the owner's manual stated it should be towed backwards an on a tow dolly!

I checked my favorite brand of baseplates and tow bars, Demco and they no longer list a baseplate for the Samurai. I don't know if others companies (Blue Ox or Roadmaster) list one. If it is no longer available you will need to fab one.

[hausknwa]

We have owned both a Suzuki SideKick and a Samurai. i really enjoyed driving both vehicles as they were small, 4 wheel drive (we live in snow country), and good on fuel. The Sidekick held up well mechanically, however the Samurai was a nightmare. If it has 75K on it, you had better look it over really close. I would think that the VW would be much easier to find parts for and repair. You see a lot more VW Rabbits around than you do Samurais of the same vintage at least here. I am sure others have has better luck as we did with the sidekick. So take it for what it is worth.

[TexasA&M]

I had an '88 Samurai for almost 10 years (1999-2009) and really liked it. I flat towed it all over the place behind a number of different tow vehicles. I did stop every 200 miles or so and crank the motor up (with trans in 2nd and tcase in neutral for flat towing, per the manual) so that it could get oil. Not sure if it really mattered, but I figured it wouldn't hurt since I almost always stop at least every 200 miles for something or another. I had a few issues here and there with it mechanically, but nothing totally unexpected considering the age/vintage (cars from the 80s just don't last as long as today's vehicles do).

There are lots of places to get tow bars for a Samurai since they have somewhat of a cult following for the off road crowd. Lots of cool stuff you can do with/to them as well.