ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: snakeman on October 26, 2004, 12:38:42 PM
-
I am seriously looking at getting a DD to save the miles on the family car (03 Maxda protoege). The Sidekick / Trackers have always appealed to me, now it is looking more so than ever. I am thinking 2 dr w/ removable hardtop. But a 4dr might be good to (future family trailrig like hcgalvin's)
Now the Q's,
Are there any major differences throughout the years?
Problems with auto / manual trans? Different engines? etc.
Any favorable years, or stay away from years?
If you were going to use one as a DD, what year would you get? Your opinions are greatly apprectiated.
I drive 25 mi. each way, sometimes over mountainious paved roads, but mainly freeway and town. Rarely haul passengers, but want something capable of pulling a small (4'x8') utility trailer 2-5 miles. And fun to drive in the hills is a must! Welove to go exploring on gravel roads.
Finally, what kind of mileage should I expect? (commuting |removethispart|@ 65-70 mph)
Hope I didn't ask too much for a newbie post, but I don't know anyone else with knowledge on this subject.
Thanks in advance, Jeff
-
The first thing you need to know is that a Kick does not ride like a car.  The height and the short wheel base combine to give a bumpier ride than a car.  On a long commute that can get old.  The gas mileage will be around 22-25 mpg, at least that is what I get.  The 99+ models have a bigger engine and more creature comforts, but weigh quite a bit more.  Also they have terrible resale values.  I wouldn't pay more than 10,000 for a 2 year old one.  I paid quite a bit less.
-
snakeman,
I would try to find a 94 or later with a 16v engine. It has more power than the 8v. Five speed, to take advantage of the 16v engine. Power steering, if you are ever going to put larger tires on it. And a/c if you are in a hotter climate.
If you can find one cheap though they are all good. Suzuki didn't change much between 89 and 98!
Just my .02 ;D
Cwkick
-
snakeman,
I would try to find a 94 or later with a 16v engine.  It has more power than the 8v.  Five speed, to take advantage of the 16v engine.  Power steering, if you are ever going to put larger tires on it. And a/c if you are in a hotter climate.
If you can find one cheap though they are all good.  Suzuki didn't change much between 89 and 98!
Just my .02 ;D
Cwkick
Awesome, thanks.
I am a newbie to suzukis, not to the 4x4 world. I understand the short wheelbase and all and if I wanted a car ride, I would get a car. I would like to get a vehicle that will be fun to drive, can haul 3 people on the weekends, but still take me to and from work. The samurai will be for the trail duties, I want the DD to be for exploring logging roads in a little more comfort for the wife and baby.
So, 94 and on had the 16v, and a/c would definately make the wife happy.
Keep em coming!
-
If you're looking for automatic, I'd say look for the 4-speed auto. My 3-speed auto runs just over 4k RPM at 70MPH :o Not particularly good for gas mileage (22-24 MPG typical). I'm not sure, but I thought for many years, the 4-speed auto was only offered in the 4-door model.
You may also want to check crash-test data. I don't think my '90 crumples particularly well.
Other than that, mechanically and build quality-wise, I've been very pleased with how this vehicle has held up and performed.
-
Jeff,
I have own a 89 Sidekick, 97 Tracker, 98 X-90 and love them all. If you are foing to do alot of interstate driving I would definately go with the 16V motor, but during around town driving I can't tell that big of a difference. I have hauled utility trailers with all of them and it will be fine. When I was in college I hauled my mowing equipment with my side kick (when it was alot closer to stock). It consisted of 1-18hp Riding mower, 1-14 hp Riding mower, small push mower, 2-weedeaters and an assortment of hand toold, gas etc. It pulled it just fine around town. Currently I haul all me needed house items on a utility trailer with my x-90 and it does fine too.
Gas mileage:
Sidekick: sucks w/ 33's and gears
Tracker: on cruise |removethispart|@ 75mph gets 27-28mpg
X-90: no cruise but I usually drive 80-85 mph anf it gets around 25-27 mpg. If I slow that down to 65-70mph it jumps up to 26-29 mpg (29 rarely)
All of mine havve been 5 speed trans. 2- door models.
HTH,
Zig
-
Good info guys, just what I wanted to know! Anybody else?
-
Not all 94's had 16v engines. I think in 95 most of them had the 16v engine. (geo models)
Suzuki started the 16v engine as an option in 92?? in the two doors.
Many of the four doors have 16v engines and four speed auto's
Cwkick
-
I'm a little biased here, so I'll say 4 DOOR!
:) Way more versatile.. put people in the back in comfort, still have room for gear, take the back seat all the way out, or fold it forward, room for more gear. Eric nicknamed us "Schucks Auto Supply" when we were in Moab, we had all our tools and parts with us. ;)
As for year, 94 to 98 NON-Sport model - 16 valve with A/C. 4 speed auto or stick, whichever is your preference. I like sticks, but I also like the smoothness in the drivetrain with the Auto. For example, with an Auo and a lock-rite in the back, you don't get any clunking in the driveline as you would with a manual because of the play in the lockrite. An auto would be smoother offroad.. but, I like being able to select my own gears.
I've pulled a small 4x8 trailer (Fred Meyer special) on several occasions, and it works fine. A little slow uphills, but still ok.
I personally like the dash layout on the 94-95 models... No airbag, and the front passenger has a "rollercoaster" handle to hang on to. ;D
Heather
-
I personally like the dash layout on the 94-95 models... No airbag, and the front passenger has a "rollercoaster" handle to hang on to.  ;D
Heather brings up a good point about dashes, I think i have seen like 3 diff ones. I want to try and find one that has the grab handle and the place to put junk.
stu
-
The three dashes
Thanks, ebay.
96-98
(http://i16.ebayimg.com/02/i/02/aa/65/2b_12_s.JPG)
92-95 (my favorite)
(http://i11.ebayimg.com/02/i/02/a3/81/ec_12_s.JPG)
89-91
(http://images.auction123.com/A123IH/ebb5fb4e-7315-4db2-be3f-0579ccf60e3b/2CNBE18U9M6900329/12/webimage001l.jpg)
-
My favorite is the early years. With the undercut in the storage tray, you can leave all kind of stuff in it and you have to literally get vertical before it dumps anyting. Plus the passengers love the OH-%^& handle.
Zig
-
we dont get that grab handle in the UK , as my mrs keeps on to me to get one
-
I'm alaready thinking of ditching my 97 SideKick so I can get a better looking dash like my 95.
I don't like having an explosive device in front of my face that may go off when I don't want it to. (so I've heard)
Or even the 89-91 dash aint bad with that extra tray above the glove box but I'm gonna stick with a 16valve.
So Back to a 95 ;D
-
Humm, more info to ponder. The 96-98 dash sure looks like anissan pu, but I am not that picky, so they all would do.
Who has the auto? I have always felt that auto's felt sluggish on the power. When searching for our family car earlier this year, We drove both autos and manuals and the autos always felt gutless. Are these this way? Thats why I went with a 5spd in our Protege. I personally prefer a manual, but I will probably drive an at least a few of both and see.
Thanks for the info guys (and gals), my wife thinks I over think these things, but to me it is important to go prepared. Makes for a safer sale on my end. Been bit a few times too many.
Jeff
-
I have the 96-98 style dash but in the UK we didn't get the airbag so where that goes I have an extra storage compartment ;D. There are two threaded holes above the door for a grab handle. An SJ interior handle fits just right.
-
The first thing you need to know is that a Kick does not ride like a car.  The height and the short wheel base combine to give a bumpier ride than a car.  On a long commute that can get old.  The gas mileage will be around 22-25 mpg, at least that is what I get.  The 99+ models have a bigger engine and more creature comforts, but weigh quite a bit more.  Also they have terrible resale values.  I wouldn't pay more than 10,000 for a 2 year old one.  I paid quite a bit less.
I'll have to disegre with you on the ride. My 94 soft top rode great. It rode better then this rentle impala (03)were driving right now. I spent the money and bought the emu kitt for it and it was the most comfortable riding thing I've ever owned. My truck would drive a whole week on a tank of gas 40 miles a day also. I would recomend any one to buy a tracker. There a great DD and a great trail rig. 8)
-
I'll have to disegre with you on the ride. My 94 soft top rode great. It rode better then this rentle impala (03)were driving right now. I spent the money and bought the emu kitt for it and it was the most comfortable riding thing I've ever owned. My truck would drive a whole week on a tank of gas 40 miles a day also. I would recomend any one to buy a tracker. There a great DD and a great trail rig. 8)
I saw on Rocky Road's site a set of rear shocks that are supposed to be softer. Is that what you have with the Emu kit? How much different is the EMU kit from stock?
-
I have the 98 in 2door ragtop 4X4 with 4spd overdrive auto trans and AC. 1.6 16V engine. P235 15 AT tires on upgraded OE alloy rims. Tires are about 30"dia. 2" Rocky Rd body lift.
I dont mind the low power output, it is fine for city traffic and the light duty off roading I do. Gravel, sand, muck, mostly flat swampy land in FL. In 4WD low I climbed a decent size sand dune without any effort. It even upshifted from 1 to 2 as I climbed at a pretty steep grade (imagine a typical sand dune about 30 feet high). With even lower aftermarket low range gears available I think there is no power issue in serious off road conditions.
The AC puts a big drag on the power but I dont use it that much even here in Florida, just open the top and widows and instant AC! The AC does cool the whole car OK.
The only thing I dont llike about the auto is the high RPMs at 65 or faster. Its like 3500 to almost 4000 at those speeds even with the overdrive which kicks in at 45mph. I also get some rpm improvement with the oversize tires but its still too high for my taste. I believe it really drops the miles per gallon at the high speeds.
I really wish I had the 5 spd manual.
(When I found mine it was an auto but such a cream puff in almost new condition at a good price that I couldnt walk away from it)
One important factor I learned is that there have been a number of recall orders for minor things on the 95 models, some on the 96 models , a few more on the 97 models and none on the 98s. Tells me they got the bugs worked out by 98.
I take my wife and teen daughters on short road trips for some open cruising but I wouldnt want to take them on a 4 hour vacation road trip in it. (They are girly girls)
So far I love mine! I really like the soft top and the neat ways you can configure it compared to a regular jeep. Parts are cheap, tops are cheap, fun to mess with, reliable, tough, and I think it looks cool.
I would bet the 4door hard top would be nice too. Might be a bit more sluggish due to weight but I have no first hand experience.
I dont like the 99 and newer soft top models but I do like the hard top models. I believe on all 99 and newer models you cant lift thim as well and the wheel well is smaller so some bigger wheels wont work. I would seek opinions on those years, I'm not experienced on them.
Hope that helps.
Dave
-
I have always felt that auto's felt sluggish on the power. When searching for our family car earlier this year, We drove both autos and manuals and the autos always felt gutless. Are these this way? Thats why I went with a 5spd in our Protege. I personally prefer a manual, but I will probably drive an at least a few of both and see.
I have a five speed and prefer it over the auto.  I had a 90 with an auto and it was sluggish.  My 97 with a five speed is MUCH peppier.
One thing to remember is the clutches are NOT self adjusting so you have to keep them adjusted yourself.
In the end it all comes down to personal preferance.
I like manuals with small engines.
Cwkick
-
I really wish I had the 5 spd manual. ÂÂ
(When I found mine it was an auto but such a cream puff in almost new condition at a good price that I couldnt walk away from it)
I dont like the 99 and newer soft top models but I do like the hard top models. ÂÂ
Dave, what was the price and in when did you buy it? Also what do you find different about the 99+ tops?