She can write a novel about her 1993 Suzuki Samurai, says Thea van der Merwe of Roodepoort, but describing it as “the cutest 4x4 by far” will have to suffice.

Thea says her Suzi is the love of her life. She gets asked regularly to sell it, but the answer remains, “No!” Her husband wanted to upgrade her to a newer, fancier 4x4, but all he succeeded in doing, was to reduce her to tears.

Thea’s 14-year-old son thinks his mom’s car is totally uncool and not macho enough, but her 12-year-old daughter has already claimed the car for when she starts driving. That still has to be negotiated ...

What did you drive before?
A pair of shoes – this Suzuki is my first car.

How did you decide upon the Suzuki?
I wanted a 4x4 and this was all I could afford at the time. Ever since student days, I have regarded it as the cutest little jalopy, with so much pizzazz.

What else did you consider?
A Land Rover Defender, but it was too expensive. Ask me anything about beauty, but don’t ask me about mechanics. And I have read one has to know something about an engine’s workings if you want to drive a Landy ...

How long have you had it?
I bought it in 1994 as a demo model (with the emphasis on model). At the time, this specific vehicle had been used as a photographic and demo model for Suzuki’s promotional campaign (I still have the official brochures, with my Suzi as the chief model).

What is her best characteristic?
Attitude and loyalty, a little like a pet dog.

Second-hand or new?
I was looking for a brand new one, but this demo model was all that was available.

Which accessories does it need?
Not much. She has little packing space, and a small roof rack would have been useful, but it could have looked a little silly. If you want to go away for more than a weekend, it is just a little two-person car.

What accessories have you bought?
A sound system and a tow bar. And an immobiliser, but only because the insurance insisted on it.

If you could change something, what would it be?
Just about 10 kW more, a bigger fuel tank (the standard one is a small 40-litre) and leather upholstery (the current upholstery is worn out).

Which modifications have you made?
Only an A-frame up front, to allow us to tow her behind our other vehicle, a Cruiser. But my husband is thinking about a diesel engine and 17-inch tyres ...

What do you like?
Her cheeky uniqueness. And let’s be honest, you need guts to drive around in such a car while the Joneses and everyone else around you are driving around in big, shiny cars and 4x4s.

And what don’t you like?
She is only a little quicker than the shoes, tinny inside and the wind noise around the windows are on par with an aeroplane toilet. But it doesn’t matter too much, because it al contributes to the feeling of adventure I get each time I get in, turn the key … and off we go.

Repairs to date?
The only time she left me in the lurch, was the day her immobiliser (an aftermarket addition) decided to immobilise me in peak traffic in Roodepoort’s busiest road.

There has also only been one accident − when a poor varsity student on the way to lectures hadn’t woken up when he got into his car. He drove into my Suzi’s rear in peak traffic when I braked. His car definitely had more damage than mine.

What problems does it typically give?
She is fifteen years old, and apart from the troublesome immobiliser, there have been no problems.

Where have you been in the vehicle?
The Richtersveld (where we pulled a Pajero out of the thick Orange River sand), Botswana (mostly the Kalahari), the Karoo, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Swaziland (in the mountains), Mozambique, and I drive all over with her daily – with children, dogs, cats, goldfish, shopping and the whole caboodle.

You’ll be surprised how much you can fit into that trim body if you just know how − once I loaded up my two Great Danes, a ridgeback and three cats to take them to the kennels. All in one go.

What is a comfortable cruising speed?
About 100 km/h

Where can you go in it?
Anywhere – the restriction rather lies in your capabilities. Where Suzi can’t get over, she can go around. In Mozambique we even raced around on dune quad tracks to our heart’s content (totally legally, let me add). The Cruiser’s wheels wouldn’t fit in the narrow tracks.

Fuel consumption?
About 11 litre/100 km

Any special precautions for a long trip?
If you want to take only her, you need a trailer. And plan your route. As she’s not that quick, you will have to drive forever and a day to cover a great distance. Know where you are going to sleep over and where the next filling station is. You obviously have to have the vehicle serviced and checked like any other vehicle.

How much does a second-hand one cost?
Anything from R45 000 to R60 000, depending on the condition and kilometres

What do I have to look out for when buying second-hand?
It’s difficult, because so many Suzukis have been customised and aren’t in their original state. Ensure all the wheels point dead ahead, not sideways. Rust is a big problem among those who have lived next to the beach.

The drop-top model is cute, but the canvass roof has a tendency to leak.
Most important is to get into the vehicle, drive and decide whether you can live with the bumpy ride and noise. And if you know nothing about mechanics, let the AA check it.

Whom will you recommend it to?
Definitely not for the speed freak or status-conscious driver. However, if you’re looking for something which is simply fun to drive and which will last the next century, it is definitely an option. If you can lay your hands on one, that is.