Good morning! it’s time for another epic battle between cheap cars, and today, both of those cars come from the same manufacturer. They’re the same price, too. But before we can look at them, we need to find out the results from yesterday’s odd matchup:
The Audi takes the win, by a very narrow margin. Honestly, watching the comments, I had no idea which way this one was going to go. I was surprised to hear a number of you who have experience with this era of VW/Audi rise to the TT’s defense; it kind of sounds like Stockholm syndrome, except since we’re talking about an Audi, I guess it’s actually Ingolstadt syndrome? At any rate, I side with those who picked the Chevy. Better the devil you know, and I know ’80s-90s GM products pretty well.
Remember Suzuki? Yeah, they’re still around, in other parts of the world, selling cool stuff we can’t have. Suzuki sold cars in the US from the mid-1980s until 2012, when it ended not with a bang but a whimper, selling a handful of rebadged Daewoos before pulling the plug. But for a while, especially with GM selling Suzuki-built Geo Metros and Trackers, Suzukis were everywhere. Today we’re looking at two of their greatest hits sold under their own name: the tiny controversy-ravaged 4×4 Samurai, and the Metro-with-an-extra-cylinder Swift. Let’s dig in.
1987 Suzuki Samurai – $3,500
Engine/drivetrain: 1.3 liter overhead cam inline 4, five-speed manual, part-time 4WD
Location: Vader, WA
Odometer reading: 178,000 miles
Runs/drives? Yep
I’ll just say it: Consumer Reports did the Suzuki Samurai dirty. In 1987, Suzuki sold twice as many Samurais as new Jeep owner Chrysler sold Wranglers. Then, in 1988, a review in Consumer Reports, that I clearly remember reading, proclaimed the Samurai “unacceptable” because it rolled over too easily in turns. But the test was, if not rigged, certainly stacked against the Samurai. Sales tanked, and Suzuki sued, but it was too late. The writing was on the wall for the Samurai anyway, with new safety regulations rendering it unsellable in the US. It was replaced by the larger, more road-friendly Sidekick, but the Samurai remains the stuff of legends in the off-road crowd.
Ironically, it’s the same attributes that make it a handful to drive on pavement that make it such a great off-roader: live axles at both ends, a short wheelbase and overhangs for the all-important angles, and a narrow track to fit through tight squeezes. It doesn’t have a lot of power, just 63 horsepower from its carbureted 1.3 liter four, but you don’t need power to scramble over rocks; you need gearing and geometry.
This “tin-top” Samurai runs and drives just fine, and its four-wheel-drive system works well. It’s not pretty, but for off-roading you don’t want pretty, despite what you may see on Instagram. It has been laid on its side before; there’s quite a dent above the left rear window. It all adds to the character. Inside, it looks exactly like you’d imagine. The Vise-Grip for a window crank is a nice touch.
Because of their popularity among the off-road crowd, it’s getting hard to find stock Samurais in any condition, for any price. Personally, I’m regretting not picking one up when they were $1500 all over the place. This one will sell for the asking price, I’m sure.
1993 Suzuki Swift GS – $3,500
Engine/drivetrain: 1.3 liter overhead cam inline 4, five-speed manual, FWD
Location: Enumclaw, WA
Odometer reading: 169,000 miles
Runs/drives? Sure does!
Suzuki’s on-road game was on-point in the 1980s and 90s as well. The Suzuki Cultus, sold in the US as the Chevy Sprint and later the Geo Metro, was a tough, tiny mileage-maker that was more fun to drive than it had any right to be. A 993 cc three-cylinder made about fifty horsepower, but also returned about fifty miles to the gallon. Suzuki sold this car in its own dealerships as the Swift, but added a cylinder and about twenty horses. This is the same basic engine as the Samurai, actually, but with throttle-body fuel injection.
Seventy horsepower isn’t a lot, but in a car that weighs less than a ton, it’s enough for some shenanigans. “Swift” might not be entirely accurate, but compared to a three-cylinder Metro, the Suzuki version is a hot rod. But GM’s Geo dealer network was a lot wider-reaching than Suzuki’s own distribution channel, so Metros were always a lot more common. There was an even hotter twin-cam version of the Swift available, but it’s as rare as hen’s teeth.
This Swift is in good condition, with a very clean interior and flawless bright red paint. I worry a little bit about the paint under the bra on the front, not because I think there’s damage under it, but because I’m worried it might be a different shade of red. The seller says its mechanical condition matches its appearance, and it runs great, with the tires, brakes, battery, and clutch replaced recently. The only issue mentioned is difficulty downshifting into first gear; I imagine the synchro is worn. No matter; double-clutch it, and I’m sure it’s fine.
The Geo Metro is still popular among hypermilers, and they often sell for the same money as this. Personally, I’d rather have the extra power and better handling, and get “only” 40 miles to the gallon. In fact, I’ve missed out on buying a Swift twice now. I did have a Metro, briefly, but it wasn’t the same.
You never know what you have until it’s gone, and I don’t think we in the US really appreciated what we had with Suzuki. These were fun, efficient, well-made, reliable cars with just enough flair and style to make them stand out from the sea of Hondas and Toyotas. We’ve got two different flavors to choose from – same price, same engine size, close to the same mileage. Which one suits you better?
(Image credits: Craigslist sellers)
While I do think the Samurai is a cool little suv, it seems a little overpriced given it’s condition. And when is the last time you’ve seen a 90’s Swift in that good of condition? So the Swift wins it for me.
Both.
Multiple project options abound:
Option 1: Trade the bodies and engines, so you have a less top-heavy off-roader with more giddy-up. Make a tube chassis for the Samurai body and use its carburetored engine to make a 2WD sand rail, or go-kart.
Option 2: Put a new Jimny 2DR body on the Samurai, maybe it’s powertrain, too. Soup-up the Swift so that it matches its name.
Option 3: Maybe make the Samurai an EV, or perhaps one of those three-cylinder agricultural diesels (like Yanmar) for off-road use. EV means the center of gravity could be lower, and instant torque sounds like a hoot in such a light vehicle.
Those are just the first ones that popped into my head.
This Samiroll has seen better days, and for me the price is too high for a ranch truck or woods beater. $2k and I’m all in.
The Swift is in terrific condition and should provide several years of thrifty commuting. I’ll take it.
This needs a both button.
Sami all the way. The Suzuki Samurai is one of the best off roaders of all time.
Most of them are chopped up and/or rusted out plus drivetrain mods. In spite of the roll damage, this one is better than most.
I voted Samurai. My wife wants one and we live near several trail networks. I think the Vise Grip window winder is normal, a friend had one modded for off road and it had Vise Grip window cranks. It was also like riding inside a bobble head with the soft lifted suspension and short wheelbase.
My cousin had a red chevy sprint. At one point he mentioned that he wished he had looked around for the 4 cylinder version. Also, as it was the mid to late 90’s he put in a very powerful stereo. It used so much power that the car had trouble idling and would die at stop lights. Did he just mess up the wiring? Entirely possible. But I can’t imagine the power output of the alternator being overly high in these either.
The Swift is my choice. It’s the better vehicle for on-road use and I have no need to go off-road.
Honestly pretty split. Only went with the Samurai because it’s a niche I don’t have covered. None four-wheelers yet in this household.
This is a tough one.. I eventually went Samurai, but they look so plucky. But man the Swift is in great shape
Dad had a Samurai, so as was said about yesterdays picks, go with the Devil you know and I know the Samurai. The fact that it is a tin top is kind of a ding against it, but stick on some tube doors, remove the back glass and you still get an airy feel and great air flow for those oh so hot and humid deep south summers.
I don’t want to get a tetanus booster, so I need to steer clear of the gross Samurai. I’ll take the little Swift, because someone must have really cared for that little econobox for 30 years, and I am a sucker for a car bra =)
Have happy memories of bombing around and beach trips in a buddy’s Sami growing up. After the CR article, and being curious and stupid teenagers, we actively tried to roll it one day in a pre-housing development dirt landscape. We did not succeed, so it gets my vote today.
Samurai either as is for an off roader/ranch vehicle or you and mix and match parts with the tracker if you want something a little nicer looking.
I really wanted to scroll down and mash the Sami button but I just can’t after looking at the condition of the two. . .
Sami all the way. Plenty of modern cars can provide 40MPG, but I can’t think of any modern US-market street-legal vehicle that can fill the void left by the Samurai. It fits a unique niche (certainly more so than “Metro plus a cylinder,” which is only a little bit distinct from a normal Metro).
Swift. It’s cleaner, parts are more available and its fun to hoon legally. Slow car fast!
I reluctantly chose the Samurai because they are epic off-roaders and here in rust country they are very very rare. The Swift would be kinda fun to drive like a gokart, but if I’m going to drive a tinny death trap just for the fuel economy I’d want better than 40mpg. Sure, the Samurai is also a tinny death trap, but I’d be driving it for the “can go places stock jeeps can’t” factor.
As soon as I saw this headline I started hearing “Every 1’s a Winner” by Hot Chocolate in my head. Reluctantly chose the Samurai because Truck.
The sami has a hardtop and it just plain ugh. At least the swift would be a ticket into Radwood
I will take the Swift because it is in better shape and you are more likely to find me at an autocross than off road. The Swift was one of the last cars sold in the states that weighs under 2000 lbs, quite a bit under as I recall,and that is a good thing. The right answer may be to buy them both and have a sweet little commuter and a capable of roader. Add a mini-truck to the mix and all your mini-vehicular needs are met.
I was going to say “Both!”, but the Samurai is well on its way to reaching the end of its desirability, with what looks like blue tape in lieu of body work and a vise-grip instead of replacement handle. Better Samurais can be found than this one, and the Swift is very clean and complete, so the choice is made. Extra points to both for three pedals and five speeds.
How the hell is the Swift winning this one?!?
Condition. I agree the Samurai is the more desireable model, but people are voting based on the interior and the state of the sheet metal.
Swifties thought it was Taylor Swift, not Suzuki Swift…
Because most driving occurs on roads, and some of us respect our spines.
the correct answer is the Kizashi https://www.carfax.com/vehicle/JS2RE9A70A6100208
Genuinely decent when new and they could be had in AWD. I have not followed since, so I am not sure if they held up, but they were OK cars and far better than the Metro.
The Sami has a following and looks about halfway tot he inevitable Toyota axled, Sidekick drivetrain swapped, exoskeleton’d poor man RZR. I might consider that at $1,500 dollars as that is all that beat up little box is worth to me, but I digress.
I’ve wanted a Kizashi since I saw one. I’m pretty sure you could get the 6 speed with AWD, which really tickles a fancy.
I’d buy one in a heartbeat if I could.
People down the road from my previous house had a Kizashi, and it’s a sharp looking car. I always liked it, too bad it arrived too late to make a difference.
WTF that link is some kind of clickfarming redirection nightmare
weird, i got it directly from Carfax, it was a listing for a sub 4K kizashi in Black was all.
That’s what I saw.
I test drove a Kizashi and it was a dream. Crisp handling, smooth engine, lots of neat bells and whistles everywhere, attractive and understated. Sadly it also had a sunroof which killed precious space for my height. I’m 6.0′ and even with the seat set as low as possible my head still touched the ceiling. No bueno, could not buy, many sads for AlienProbe.
If Suzuki had made a wagon version… I would sell both kidneys and my soul for it.
The Kizashi and SX4 could have saved Suzuki in the U.S. if they’d gotten better advertising, didn’t have the miasma of the warmed-over Daewoos that GM was foisting upon them, and had the two hit about a year or so earlier. Even more so if Suzuki brought the Swift and Jimmy into the mix within a year or two.
I test drove an SX4 and loved it. It wasn’t the fastest, nor most fuel-efficient, nor quietest, nor had the most features, but everything it did it did competently. Locking AWD? Check. Easy to use controls and good ergonomics? Check. Room to work in the engine bay if the need arise? Check. Delightfully-tall roof for easy ingress and visibility? Check. Fun colors? Double check.
The Kizashi was quite the looker, especially in SLS trim. Admittedly the front (arguably) borrowed some VW elements from the time, but made them look fun, fancy, and exciting, rather than dull and boring. They could have/should have had an off-roady version of the Kizashi like they did for the SX4 eventually, when they split the 5-door into the “crossover” and “sportback” versions.
I’d have MUCH rather kept Suzuki here and had Mitsubishi leave than the other way around. Take Subaru, too, for that matter.
I’ll take the Swift. It will never be valuable, but it will be the only Swift/Metro at the car show in 2050. At car shows I often pass by typical classics (’60s Mustangs, late 50s Chevys, etc.) to look at rarer “regular” old cars. I presume I am not the only one. This thing would be great to preserve to show in the future.