1988 Suzuki Samurai

4X4 Base Convertible

4 - Cyl.

Manual

Gasoline

You are looking at a very nice little 1988 Suzuki Samurai 4 X 4 built in Japan in May of 1988. I have put thousands of dollars into making this little gem stand out. The truck has under 98,500 miles, has two seats (no rear seat), and does not have A/C. The heater will bake you and the truck runs very, very well. The four wheel drive system is fully operable, stock, and has not been chopped up or mounted with parts from long dead Toyotas or Chevys. I have seen many Samurais on eBay and would not even dare to say that this is the nicest one ever listed but I will say that this model is in far better shape than many that have been called "mint", "like new", etc. This Sami is NOT mint, not "almost new", and not the best ever on eBay. I do not have a time machine to find such a Samurai and it may only be in a museum. I will say, however, this is an exceptional Samurai and it is in beautiful condition. You can purchase a $ 3,000 rusted tin top ready for the scrap pile all day every day on eBay. You can buy Samurais with a quarter of a million miles badged as perfect even though we know this is not the case. This is not THAT Samurai. I have bought four cars from eBay in the last five years and two of them were completely misrepresented so I know what it is like to be burned by doctored photos and incomplete CarFax reports. Including the purchase price of the truck in 2008 I have a minimum of $ 8,000 wrapped up in the Sami and it shows. Some might compare the restoration to gold plating a Styrofoam cup so I am guilty as charged. This truck had been located in Tennessee since new until I bought it in 2008 and moved it to south Alabama. This means no salty roads eating at the underside of the truck and no beach air devouring the paint. I bought it in 2008 from a fellow selling it for the original owner. I paid way too much for the truck on account of the excellent body and low miles. Follow the link below to see the final purchase price that I paid for the Samurai back in September 2008. (You may have seen my previous listing for this Sami where I stated that I paid $ 4,000. I checked my feedback profile and realized that I paid $ 4,500). http://feedback.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=jaymes2864&ftab=AllFeedback There was very minimal rust on the hood and under the plastic trim that runs below the driver’s and passenger’s doors. I ground the rust away and primed and sealed it prior to the paint job. I have had it in my garage since painting it back in October, 2008 and have driven it only on occasion. Most of the information in the Auto Check sheet is accurate for this car but I am the second owner, not the first. According to CarFax the Samurai had minor front end damage which would explain the new bumper when I bought it. The Auto Check provided by eBay does not mention this event. I bought the car with original paint and there was absoluetly no damage to the body. Since 2008 I have put thousands of dollars into getting the little 4X4 right and I have performed the following: Spent over $ 1200 on the paint and prep work; the painter refinished the door jambs and all visible metal on the interior. Just take a look at the doors! The color is genuine Suzuki blue with metallic hints that was an available color for the 2006-2008 model years. Installed new Fuzion tires and custom rims along with matching spare. These cost well over a grand for all five and have less than 1,000 miles on them. The spare has never been used. Replaced battery at the end of 2008. Replaced muffler and tailpipe. Replaced master cylinder. Replaced oil pan gasket. Installed heat/sound resistant metallic bubble material under hood and under all the carpeting. Replaced the front and rear bumper lenses—the ones up front are from Thailand and have the clear/amber combination look. Installed custom door straps. Replaced both exterior mirrors with very nice replica mirrors. Replaced license plate lights with new, chromed ones. Changed stock steering wheel and installed a Momo hub and an off brand steering wheel. The horn operates with a button next to the left knee on the driver’s side. Replace stereo with Pioneer CD/MP3 deck and mounted new front and rear speakers and cables. Replace antenna and cable. Placed new old stock graphic equalizer/amp to complete 1980’s look and feel. Installed new sun visors—okay looking, a little flimsy, and not original Suzuki. Installed trailer hitch but have not used it to pull. Tinted main windows with vinyl tint—the kind that peels off when the cops pull you over. Nice look and no bubbles. Installed visors around windows—cool air in and rain out when parked or driving. Installed new Monroe shock absorbers. Replace housing around steering column with new, old stock Suzuki part. Replaced convertible top with custom model. Replaced every snap for the convertible top with high quality brass/stainless fittings. Replaced carpet throughout with quality custom molded carpet. Replaced interior panels throughout with aluminum boiler plate panels—I have at least $ 400 in the paneling alone not to mention the install time, the cursing, and all the beer it took me to get these in and to look correct. Installed new bulbs throughout including dash bulbs. Installed white face laminate on the gauges. Chromed the surround of the gauges. Drained and filled radiator after flushing Drained and refilled front and rear differentials. Drained and filled torque convertor and manual transmission. Replaced window washer pump and reservoir with aftermarket model. Installed Wo-Lo Bad Boy Horn…it’s a loud two tone air horn. Replaced valve cover with aluminum model from modern Suzuki engine. Changed spark plugs. Changed spark plug wires. Changed distributor cap and rotor. Change coil to Accel brand. Installed K&N air filter. Changed fuel filter. Placed bright reverse lights in addition to those installed at factory. Chromed the pillars behind the doors. Placed vocal back up alarm that speaks in Spanish—just a gimmicky thing that will probably fall off the first time you take this off road. Changed oil in June 2010 along with K&N oil filter. The undercarriage is clean is very clean. Remember, this car has always been in the South. The engine compartment is tidy and the interior is beautiful. The roll bars are in great shape as are their black vinyl covers. I installed aftermarket seat covers using hog rings so they fit well and do not slide around. The original vinyl under the seat covers is still in very good shape but I chose to install the seat covers on account of the hot summers in the south. Negatives: You have to manually cancel the turn signals Maybe not a negative but you might have to honk the horn button with your left knee. No A/C I am selling this truck without a warranty. I have tried to be honest in my listing and reveal any negatives. Please feel free to inspect this vehicle before bidding. Remember that this vehicle is 22 years old as are the engine and related components. I would not hesitate to drive the Samurai anywhere as it is very reliable and fairly comfortable for the size. Why am I selling this truck after putting so much money into it? Well, I put so much time and money into it I have to pay the piper, as they say. I am nearly broke and selling off all the stuff I bought while going through a nasty divorce a couple of years ago. The little lady is back and the toys have to find a new home. It’s kind of strange how everything on eBay goes from a luxury to necessity after swilling a six pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon. That damn Buy-It-Now has gotten me into a lot of trouble! Why am I asking so much? I am sure the NADA book value on this truck is around ten bucks but… I will be happy to assist you in getting this vehicle shipped. I will drive it to a pick up point within 50 miles of Enterprise, Alabama if this would help you on the cost of shipping. Some freight companies offer substantial discounts if the car is shipped from a loading point instead of a residential area. Note in the photos: It has snowed over and inch two times in Enterprise, AL since 1980. I have captured the moment with my cooler on ice photo of the Sami. Please note the cold beers and potatoes ---an Irish meal at its best. Thanks for looking.