Samurai vs Toyota questions

[huntsonora]

I recently bought 2 Toyotas to put on the ranches I lease in Sonora Mexico, they are 1993 regular cab 4x4 trucks with the normal sized bed. These will be perfect vehicles for what I want to do but I have always wanted a Suzuki Samurai and literally 30 minutes after sending a check for the 2nd Toyota my buddy calls me and tells me about a tin top that a friend of his is selling.

Questions I have would be how much more "capable" would the Samurai be here in Colorado on 4x4 trails vs the Toyota? I was thinking about taking one of the Toyotas back and forth with me to Mexico so I could use it here in CO as well.

The Samurai I am looking at is a tin top and its CLEAN! Has a freshly rebuilt motor and I think it would be awesome for up here but if the Toyota is as capable I just cant see myself spending the $4500 on the Samurai.

Pics to follow of the Samurai...

Opinions appreciated, let me know if I'm an idiot for not buying the Samurai already

 

[huntsonora]

This is the info I have on the samurai....

I just rebuilt the motor about 500 miles ago. There are many upgrades including:
*Pacesetter Headers
* Flow Master Exhaust that comes out in front of driver tire
* Milled Head
* Bored 20 Over
* High Compression Pistons
* CD/Aux Alpine Deck/ 2 6x9 sony explode speakers and back with stock speakers in front
* New GoodYear Dura wall/ puncture resistant tires
* Whole truck is Rhino lined charcoal gray with black fenders,bumper,etc..
I knew the previous owner very well and he barely drove it.

 

[huntsonora]

 

[1911]

how much more "capable" would the Samurai be here in Colorado on 4x4 trails vs the Toyota?

IMO, they're both about equally capable for the kind of wheeling in Colorado (I grew up there and learned to wheel there BTW). The Sammi would have the edge if you were to get on the old Overland Trail which is really narrow in some spots. The Toyotas will have a little longer wheelbase for going up and down steep ledges. The Toyota trucks you mention would give you tons of more room to carry stuff, if you're going on any more than a day trip. Both are fun and capable, both have good upgrade potential and a large aftermarket for same. Both are reliable as far as I can tell, though I've had a lot more experience with Toyotas than with Sammis.

 

[Warn Industries]

You might want to poke your head around Zukiworld.com, as it's got a lot of good info on Samurais. I've got a Sidekick (1.6-liter 16V engine), and it's never left me stranded. I've put about 5,000 on it, but it's got 144,000 on it right now and—no lie—it starts faster than my Toyota and my Subaru (both of which have also been super reliable thus far, although the Subie only has 1,400 miles on it!).

- Andy

 

[Willy G]

Samurai's are perfect for day trips, I've got mine with the 16v like Warns(and yes It starts very easy), and a 5 inch, but I go out just for fun and ride with the tent and sleeping bags in the back, also it fits a cooler perfect if you fold the back seat up :sombrero: but that is a great price on a samurai like that, but I would recommend some gears if it doesn't have any. aslo you can't FIND a tin top with AC for that price anywhere

Also a great company to get stuff from suzuki or toyota, is Low Range Off Road,

 

[grimbo]

I drove my Sierra (Samurai to you Stateside) on many 1000km+ trips, a few in the club drove from Melbourne to Cape York and back with no issues and a friend drove around Australia in hers.

I had a Hilux as well and while it always did the job there was never any fun or enjoyment in driving it, just meh. The Sierra was just a fun vehicle, wish I didn't sell it

 

[chet]

if the toyotas are regular cabs the samurai may very well have better leg room than the toyota. I am 6' and 230# and fit better in a samurai then a reg cab yota. Also more in cab storage in a samurai as everything in the back is within arms reach. My yota with two people in it there wasn't hardly any place to put your lunch!