Hey all,

I'm thinking about a mid-'90s Sidekick wagon/5-door as a knock-around work car, it will see a lot of L.A. freeway use. How are they in general? Is there any notable difference in performance or reliability/durability between the different motors? (They seem to have changed a couple times from 8 to 16 valve, and then DOHC).

I owned a Samarai many years ago and other than being too small for my purposes, it was a tough little car. Last question would be what kind of gas mileage people are actually getting, please include model info. (Auto/manual, which motor, etc..). Thanks in advance for any help!  

I have a 90 2 door.  It gets about 19 mpg around town.   I briefly owned a newer one that got about 23 mpg on the road.   They don't get as good of mileage as I would expect a small four to get.

I have a '96 Tracker 2dr 16V, manual, and other than having 225's on it, basically stock.  It is my daily driver, and we do some light off road with it.

It is a much more civilized ride (more comfortable) than my old Samurai, and gets about 28 MPG.

It has been very reliable, and even stock, is pretty capable off road.

ive got a 89 2door tracker 8v 5spd and was getting 28mpg after my DUI wile i had no license

after my DUI wile i had no license

So you were babying it I take it...



Mike

Welcome aboard  DenisH
I have a 97 4dr 16valve. Gets 25mpg in town and about  28mpg on the Hwy. (with 235/72x15 tires)
Great run around car.
I also have a 95 2dr convertable (w/ 32"inch swapmpers) with all the Calmini goodies and get 20mpg in town
BTW: they're both 5spds

Thanks a lot for the replies! Sounds like it's safe to say that the newer 16V models might be a little more efficient. I was leaning towards a mid-90s model, are their any significant reasons to buy one year over the other, or a particular year when they got better?

Once again, TIA for the replies.

EDIT
I have a 97 4dr 16valve. Gets 25mpg in town and about  28mpg on the Hwy. (with 235/72x15 tires)
Great run around car.
BTW: they're both 5spds

We have a 1995 4door 16v and when we had 235s this was what we got too!.

~Nate

I was leaning towards a mid-90s model, are their any significant reasons to buy one year over the other, or a particular year when they got better?

Yes - 1995 is the best, if you're having any thoughts about "building" it for off-highway use.  96 and newer models have air-bags, and are more challenging, if you're ever thinking about a body-lift.

My 95 4-door gets 28mpg or better, unless I'm running in 4-wheel-drive (heavy snow), then it might drop down to 24.  The "Sidekick Sport" models are the least popular for building, as they have wider spacing on the frame members, and there are a lot fewer upgrade options for them.

Thanks, this is a great board w/ all of the quick replies.

This car will pretty much stay stock since it will be a street car, but I like what some of you people have done w/ mods on your little rock-hoppers.

I am only interested in the 5-door wagon, is '95 a bump in motor from '94 then? First year of 16V?

I am only interested in the 5-door wagon, is '95 a bump in motor from '94 then? First year of 16V?

Nope - the 16 valve 1.6L came out in 92.  Be careful!  Both 8 and 16 valve engines were available!

This is what you're looking for:

...and this is what you are NOT looking for:

This dash was offered up through 91 - the best - but it only comes with an 8-valve motor:



Here's what a 95 dash looks like - still "squared off":



In 96, and newer, they went to the "curved" dash:

...and this is what you are NOT looking for:

HOLEY $HIT THAT IS CLEAN

The "Sidekick Sport" models are the least popular for building, as they have wider spacing on the frame members, and there are a lot fewer upgrade options for them.

What types of aftermarket parts are different? It seems that the OME lifts are compatible and since the Rocky Road lift web page shows a Sport, I'm guessing the body lifts are similar.

Are aftermarket bumpers compatible?

Are the axles interchangeable?

Thanks,