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

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

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    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.  


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.  

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


92-95 (my favorite)


89-91

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

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