I started my search looking for a Samurai. After poking around here I am thinking maybe a Tracker or Sidekick. Any unbiased comparisons?

 Which one is “betterâ€?? I am looking for a capable trail rig. How about differences of up front cost, maintenance, ability, upgrade cost, parts availability? Should I just buy the best one I can find regardless of model?

 I currently daily drive a Class 5/1600 Baja race car so creature comforts aren’t real high on my list.   

all are capable. Trackers, Sidekicks are just new sammys really.  Sammys are cheaper to mod, and lift... but if I came across a tracker,sidekick for decent price I would go that route.  plus it has alittle more power with the bigger motor.

My plans down the line is to do a straight axle kick.  Guess it just depends what you come across and price.

goodluck

John

    The Samurai is cheaper to mod and there's probably more aftermarket parts available (cheaper) for them for now.  But used parts & Sami's are getting harder & harder to find and prices going up.  Much easier to find parts Trackers in the local junkyard.  The biggest differences are the power & solid axle vs IFS, both of which can be altered on both vehicles.  The Sami is a little narrower & lighter weight.  Stock, I'd say the Sami is more capable in general.  Once their modded though, capablitility just depends on the combination of mods and the terrain. 

i like the sami  because of its weight. when i started this project 6 years ago i wanted the lightest stock rig to start with and now its REALLY light.

i like the track/kick because of the 1.6l 

but id still go sami    but im partial

i am a kick driver and the reason for that is,

i prefer the look of the little guys, i also like the interior a littl emore. the ifs is a downfall, but the stock sami axle will need to be replaced anyway if your going to do anything really hardcore. the gearing and the motor in the kick is a huge plus. i have a kick with pretty cheap mods done and 33's with a welded rear. it went everywher e a sami went on my last trip out and more. there are lots of used parts out there for both.  if i came across a pretty cheap sami i would probobly pick it up as well though.  i would like a lwb sammi.
if oyur the minimalist type of guys and want osmething to just beat on, the sami is a great rig. if oyu like a little more comfort, the kick is oyur rig.

my 2 cents

Hi t-h,

I have built up both over the years and when I owned a Sammie I really did not think Kicks would be up to serious trail stuff.

Now that I have a Kick and have a lift kit etc in it I have to say that I have eaten my words - this rig is GREAT  , it is very capable, has all the extras and it is still a pleasure to drive on the black stuff.

IMO - by the time you upgrade a sammie with all the extras that a Kick already has then you would have been better off just buying a Kick in the first place and tweaking it to trail status.

My Kick has out performed heavily modified Sammies in my club time and time again - me, I am not going back 

With the current level of development being put into Kicks by guys on this forum it can only get better 

ZeusZuki 

Thanks for all the info. I take from this that I should look for the best rig for the money be it a Kick or Sammy and buy it. If or when I sell my Baja I want to get a fully set up trail rig.

Obviously Im a big fan of Trackers, I have one I love to death.   Sammies are a hell of a lot easier to get parts for without emptying the pocket.   Ive heard Trackers/Kicks may be a little more comfy, and yes they have the bigger engine.   If you found a Track/Kick, try for the 16 valve!   What you could do, however, is get a Sammie and put a 1.6 16 valve in it, ay?   I want a Sammy to make a light off road toy, but my Tracker will primarily be street.

My Kick has out performed heavily modified Sammies in my club time and time again - me, I am not going back 

Me too... many many times.

well i first owned a sammy that i bought in florida and drove it back to chicago, I thought it was very comfortable and a great ride and then i sold it and next i bought a 96 tracker that i liked but always missed my sammy so after about a year i got another sammy and after driving it for awhile i realized how much more comfortable to drive and how much more solid a tracker is with good heat and air and just an all around better daily driving and offroader so there we have it a die hard sammy guy has been converted to the track kicks and wont go back but dont get me wrong I still have a samurai that is my snowplow machine and one that I am selling to buy more mods for my new 4 door kick.