hi,all happy new year. i tried  to search this question but i didnt get any answer, i hope you can help me.

      i've been thinking of getting either the samurai or sidekick, but i dont know whats the diff. or which is  better between the two..  but i kinda like the look of the sidekick.

     I mainly going to used it as my 2nd car and some minor wheeling i live in orlando ,florida. hows the gas milage ? are they dicent compare to my 2004 nissan frontier that gets only about 18 mpg around town.

      I am thinking of putting bigger tire on it but not to big . thank you very much . nice forum it keeps me entertain here in iIRAQ . 

hi,all happy new year. i tried  to search this question but i didnt get any answer, i hope you can help me.

Happy new year, I think you could have a lot of success in search on these subjects, try some different key words.

i've been thinking of getting either the samurai or sidekick, but i dont know whats the diff. or which is  better between the two..  but i kinda like the look of the sidekick.

Well the first thing is that they look different, They both have a Suzuki logo on the grill. The Samurai is a straight axle vehicle and has a slightly smaller motor. Sidekicks have independent front suspension and a larger engine.

I mainly going to used it as my 2nd car and some minor wheeling i live in orlando ,florida. hows the gas milage ? are they dicent compare to my 2004 nissan frontier that gets only about 18 mpg around town.

I got 30 mpg in my Sidekick lil Suzy before I started modifying her. folks on this forum have reported mileage from low mid 20's to above 30 it depends a lot on the condition of the vehicle the terrain and altitude it is driven in and the driving habits of the driver.

I am thinking of putting bigger tire on it but not to big

Larger tires can lower mileage, probably not to much in Florida on the landing strip flat roads you drive
on.
 

thank you very much . nice forum it keeps me entertain here in iIRAQ . 

Your welcome, If you're in the military thank you for your service.

Hi,

I have owned both.  You might also consider the Geo-Chevy Tracker, which differs from the Sidekick in markings and trim only.

If you are planning on using the vehicle as a second car, there are some practical matters to consider. 

The Samurai is smaller and more tightly sprung.  It has a harder ride mostly because it has solid axles and leaf springs on all four corners.  The Sidekick/Tracker has independent front suspension and coil springs all around.  It has a much more civilized ride, and for light wheeling, is a very capable and reliable vehicle. 

My stock Samurai would get 25MPG with its carbureted 1.3 engine.  My stock '96 Tracker with the 16 valve 1.6 engine with 5 spd trans gets 28 to 30MPG IF you ignore the "factory recommended" tire pressure (23 psi) and keep them pumped up to about 32.  I hear the automatic and the older 8 valve engine gets in the low 20's.

I am running slightly oversize tires (225 75x15 stock is 205) with no lift and no cutting of the fenders.  I understand that 235's will fit with some rubbing at full lock on the steering.  The tires do not seem to affect handling or mileage very much at all.

With both vehicles, unless you get a hardtop, you can't lock it up.  The soft top offers no security.

From your description of your use and intentions, I would recommend a '96 to 98 Tracker or Sidekick  1.6 16V, 5 spd, 2dr convertible with an aftermarket hard top and 235 tires with an agressive tread.  It will do what you describe and much more.  And, for Florida, it's also readily available with air conditioning, which I have not seen on very many Samurai.

Good luck. 

  thank  you for the respond and answering right to the point and some other choice. i didnt know that geo is the same as sidekick . hey jzap that is exactly what i have in mind but i dont know what tire sizes,

     is 235 same as 30' or 31' ?

is 235 same as 30' or 31' ?

235X75-15 is about 29.50 depending on the tire.

From your description of your use and intentions, I would recommend a '96 to 98 Tracker or Sidekick  1.6 16V, 5 spd, 2dr convertible with an aftermarket hard top and 235 tires with an agressive tread.  It will do what you describe and much more.  And, for Florida, it's also readily available with air conditioning, which I have not seen on very many Samurai.

I have nothing to add.