Hello, New memeber, need help finding an SJ.

[gsommo]

Im new to this, and I am also very new to the whole idea of buying a suzuki. I fell in love with them after my friend showed me them on the internet, and ever since I have been trying to get my hands on one.

I am not looking to use it for serious off road right now, and would really prefer something pretty standard. I want to use it for my new landscaping business, so maybe some minor off roading.

My first issue is that I understand that there are loads of types, I understand the sj 410 and 413 ( im only interested in the 5 speed 413), however what is the JX, JBX all those different specs about, and which is the best one to go for? When i looked at an insurance quote about 10 of these different specs came up. does anyone know about these?

Also I have seen an SJ samurai sport for sale on the internet, what is the difference between sj and samurai and also the sport versions, my understanding is that its pretty much the same but more for road use (suitable tires etc) is this right?

Anyway sorry for the long blurb as my first post, hope that one of you guys can help me.

Many thanks

[ScottieJ]

Hi there and welcome to the world of suzukis, once you buy one i'm sure you'll get hooked

410s and 413s are the earlier models of the sj and the samurai is the later one, these have wider axles and a few other minor differences to the old 413s. unless that is you find a late samurai with single point fuel injection (thats the one you really want!) I would just ignore all the other specs like the sport,jx jbx model etc as there really isnt any major differences apart from the age/name and there wont be any difference in insurance price. the only thing that will effect insurance will be whether it is a soft top, hard top or a van. or if its modified in any way.

I would say your main concern will be finding a good, solid sj as they are prone to body rot around the arches, fuel filler (under the cover in the boot), footwells and around the bodymounts behind the front seats so have a good look under the carpets when you go to buy one, also look out for the usual engine rattles or smoke on start up. the chassis however are galvanised and never rot.

If you need any info at all this is your place!

Scott

[carnut]

hi & welcome.. like scott said really,,, my old one was a late type single point injection, samurai, which is still standardish. the guy that bought it, (luke, goes by the name of taz), i think he may well be selling it. not posative, but you could give him a pm.
andy

[Henry]

Hello and welcome. Like has already been said rott can be a down fall, be prepared to pay for a none rott one if you can find one.

The sports only difference is a lovely (hmm) brown dash as carpets, when the average sammy is grey.
If you are going to be road using it, I would buy a bog standard one, and just stick sone MUDs under it.
If you are looking at sjs with a 2" shackel lift, see this as a bad modification, but a good hagaling point as these often snap springs and mess up steering geometry.
Other places to find rott... Cills, under the headlights and other places as mentioned.

Henry "don't be put off by the rust, it's ageing beauty " cureton

[gsommo]

Thank you all for the quick responses, what you have all said is very interesting and very helpful.

Im looking on pistonheads and ebay, places like that for an sj (any other good places??), but seems that good ones are few and far between, especially as im after one that has not been modified purely for offroad. Ill make sure that if i do come across one, that I look in all the places that you have mentioned to make sure that I am not getting a bum deal.

I dont really want to spend much more than 1000 all in, including insurance etc ( ive been quoted 200 for that) tax Mot if needed, however taxed and MOT vehicle would be preferred.

Thanks for all your help so far, if i do come across something ill post on here to get advice so im sure that im onto a winner.

Thanks again

G

[gsommo]

Oh and ill get in touch with taz and see what he is doing with his sj. Many thanks

[Tramp]

yeah I think the lads here have missed something off,

The type of SJ you should be interested in is the lwb version this is the same as the samauri except that it is much longer so you can fit extra things in the boot for your business, ordinary sj's are certainly limited in the 'boot space' department,

another point..... £1000 including insurance so realisticaly your looking at £800, I think you struggle to find a good example for that much, I paid £1500 for my swb 92' sammy sport which didn't need any welding, You will find the ropier the condition the cheaper they are, as said alot of bodys are damgaged by rust and I would advise spending more to get one that doesn't require the welding attention,

Finally.... the newer the sj generally the better the condition the body is in, ebay is a good site, I got mine from the classifieds on this site, and piston heads do have some on,

Luke

[Tramp]

The sports only difference is a lovely (hmm) brown dash as carpets, when the average sammy is grey.

Not all sports have the brown dash my sport has the grey, which is fine i think that 'sport' more depicts the detailing on the sides of the car, sometimes they have the two ticks (like mine) some have the pink squiggle (on black car) and ive seen one sport with a sort of townscape on the side, and that was a loverly truck

Luke

[Henry]

Suzuki confuse me sometimes!

£800 isnt a bad price to be looking for, immaculate ones like your luke are off course worth a lot more.
I paid £600 for mine, rott free but not completely standard and i think i picked it up cheap. Also have you considered a vitara?

[gsommo]

Yeh a LWB would be mint, I would love one of them but they are rare are they not?

I know what you are saying about spending a little more to get better condition, I just want to keep cost to a minimum and in the future I dont mind trying to sort out the body work if needed. Should I maybe try and look for a samurai that has been modified, would this be cheaper as less desirable or what? I can then always try and make it more standard. Ah its always so confusing when trying to find the right car!!!

As for the vitara, i dont think that it will be as fun. I love the idea of the little square samurais/sjs, they just seem so cool, and in terms of boot space, there will only ever be 2 people in the zuk with bits and bobs so should be plenty of room.

Is the 1.3 injection the best option for reliability and economy?

Also saw this on pistonheads http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1426419.htm what do any of you think.

Oh and actually there was a completely standard sj413 for sale on pistonheads asking £600 and it looked in totally mint condition inside and out, fairly low mileage (50k or so) and it was a sort of green camo colour, looked amazing. Got snapped up super quick though gutted.

Thanks alot guys for your help