5k: Forgotten Fun: 1996 Suzuki X-90

When you make a list of all the T-top equipped cars from the 1990s (and we will do this for a future twister subject), you might find a decent sized list.  Further narrow that list by refining to a 2-seater, rear drive standard, Japanese built, available 4X4, and manual gearbox– you’ll probably scratch your head…because the Suzuki X-90 is all but a forgotten piece of Japanese automotive history.  Find this 1996 Suzuki X-90 here on eBay offered for $4,200 buy-it-now or make offer, located in Clermont, Fl.

The X-90 was a Sidekick/Escudo based replacement for the outgoing Samurai and if I’d seen a photo of this yesterday I would have bet good money it was front drive…but the X-90 uses a conventional longitudinal engine configuration with an optional 4X4 transfer case (the real deal, with a big shifter sitting next to your passenger’s thigh). This one is the rear-drive, 5-speed manual version, and has been resprayed in blue (from an original “ugly” green).  If you don’t like blue, there is also this pink example for sale.

The X-90 was only sold in 1996 and 1997, so it is somewhat of a unicorn…perhaps not as valuable as an actual unicorn, but more desirable than a pig with a horn glued to its head.  The short wheelbase small size should make the X-90 a capable offroader if you are into that kind of thing…but you’ll probably want to lift it, mount some huge tires, and drop a small block Chevy under the hood.

See another car with better custom pinstriped decals?  tips@dailyturismo.com