I just got back from a 3400 mile trip to New Mexico and Colorado in my '97 Tracker. I averaged 27-30 mpg and used about a half quart of oil, and that with an engine with 80,000 miles. I had just put in $200 worth of sound deadening material and it made a difference. The tracker is a completely reasonable and realistic long-distance ride.
Now, as to 4-wheeling, I did only about two miles on a forest road that petered out to nothing on a hilltop. With a mixture of dust and forest fire ash about a foot deep, I found that I could use a limited slip or locking differential.
Maybe one of these days I'll get to take it off road more. But until then, it's a nice little traveler.
