1987 Suzuki Mighty Boy review from Australia and New Zealand

Blown engine. (Rings - 150000kms)

Broken water pump. (Main seal - 180000)

Various carburettor faults. (Constant)

Creaking chassis. (Started 180000)

Broken seat mounts & collapsed seats. (When bought @ 122000)

Let's face it, the humble Suzuki Mighty Boy was built to a price, and it shows.

Firstly, the 543cc engine leaves a great deal to be desired in the performance department. Throwing out a staggering 19kw of power (factory figure) they aren't exactly going to impress you with blazing acceleration or make you feel at ease belting down the freeway at 100kph, where the engine screams for mercy at 5000rpm.

The body and chassis weren't exactly designed to take any form of impact either. (the plastic bumpers are bolted onto the panels and are really only there for looks). Try to avoid having an accident!

Suspension is dodgy, and will most definitely require replacing. The good news is that this is quite cheap.

The interior is devoid of any creature comforts. No air-con, no dimmer on the dash lights, and an instrument cluster with only the most basic of dials. A one-speaker AM radio is standard.

Anyway, besides the shortcomings that they have, the Mighty Boy is a remarkable little Ute. There's hardly a street you can drive down without people looking at you driving by. They're a real head-turner. Especially when hotted up a bit. And that is where the Mighty Boy comes into its own.

Simply take a standard Mighty Boy, throw on a set of bigger alloy wheels, replace the suspension, open up the exhaust, and you can be guaranteed of enjoying every moment you spend behind the wheel.

With regular servicing (every 5000kms) the Mighty Boy will last for around 150000kms before the engine will most likely have a heart attack. This is to be expected with the constant torture they require to actually move the car at a decent speed. Replacement engines are cheap, and if you choose to fit the larger F8B 800cc engine, you'll reap the rewards of a little speed demon that handles like a go-kart. Great fun and cheap to run!

I love my Mighty Boy, and it'll be a cold day in hell before I sell it!