Suzuki Sj/Santana

[Shnozz]

I recently test drove an early Santana. I was of course expecting a somewhat agricultural drive, which after all is part of the charm. However, the car proved almost undriveable insofar as it idled like a race car and required 3k+ rpm to move away without stalling, the manual choke was adjusted after it had warmed up but still engine felt as though it was close to cutting out. The brakes were scary even on the flat and I felt needed applying anywhere within 20 feet of another car. The gearstick moved about a foot in each direction and generally I wouldn't be comfortable on anything other than a few hundred metres on the flat.

As I say, I was expecting a classic car drive, and an agricultural one at that. However, this seemed unusable in a modern world and for the hills where I live, some of which are pretty severe.

I loved the idea of a classic but wondering now if a slightly later era Vitara of the early 90s might be a better choice when it comes to being that touch more modern with EFI and discs. Anyone who has experience of these that might advise? Not one for wasting dealers (or private sale) time with test driving everything and anything if I can help it.

[Scrump]

My parents replaced an SJ with an early Vitara, which then got replaced with a RAV4.
I thought the SJ was the most fun to drive (I only drove it occasionally, so didn't have to put up with it on a daily basis).
The Vitara was much better on the road than the SJ, a vast improvement for road use. (doesn't stop me still thinking about an old SJ for a bit of fun!)

[Shnozz]

Thanks Scrump - sounds like an early Vitara might be worth a look then.

Any later than that (Rav4 etc) and it starts to merge a bit too close with what I fancy as a cheap daily which is a pseudo 4x4 sort of later car. This one would be for mucking about on sunny days only rather than to do mundane daily duties.

[ian_c_uk]

That all sounds pretty accurate. My first car was a Santana and whilst I loved it for giving me freedom, going back to it after driving anything else, even in 94, was hard work!

It certainly taught me about maintaining momentum, planning ahead, and to always transition weight into a corner as gently as possible!

[and31]

I’ve owned several sj413 samurai -excellent little cars.my wife absolutely loved them and so did I.
Every one we owned had an auto choke,apart from the last one which was a very late model with single point injection.
Ultra reliable,great fun to drive.just don’t expect them to be a motorway cruiser!
Spare parts availability was the main reason for getting rid of our last one a few years ago.
Absolutely unstoppable in the snow!!

Edited by and31 on Friday 10th December 23:22

[InitialDave]

I had an SJ413 years ago, great little thing. OK, not the last word in refinement, but definitely "simple" as opposed to just "crude".