Buying A Tracker ???

[gumby_ct]

I am happy with my 96 Metro but thinking about buying a 'used' 4wd Tracker to get up my crazy hill. Reading the forums I believe what I am seeing is Geo, Chevy, Suzuki all make one. Is that correct? Samurai the same as the Sidekick?
Is anyone year or model better or one to avoid?

Do these tend to get fairly high mileage- as in motor lifetime? Gas mileage?

Any known routine failures - as in they ALL do that? Recalls to consider?

I am also thinking standard as opposed to auto. Is a clutch hard to change in these?

Thinking A/C - does the A/C take away from the power much?

Hard Top or rag top?

Any other options or accessories I should look for or stay away from? Your opinion helps.

Thanks for any replies or suggestions.

Gumby_CT

[baumbr]

Chevy, Geo and Suzuki are all the same car, just different badges. Samurai is the smaller, boxier car, Sidekick is the parent for the Tracker clones.

My '92 is still going strong.
Clutches are easy to change out, just tedious and dirty like any clutch job.
Routine failures - Anything before '95 and the ECM dies at about 45,000 miles. The rest is just here and there maintenance.
Mileage - I can get between 27 and 30 on a manual.
Auto or Manual - Your call, manual gets better mileage.
Rag or hard top - again your call, rag tops are nice in summer, you go without. In the winter they can be very breezy and cold. Here in the Utah mountains (-15) we do OK, good thing these cars have killer heaters.
A/C almost always draws from the power and MPG, with a rag top A/C is redundant anyway.
Just my penny's worth anyway.

[gumby_ct]

Originally Posted by baumbr

Chevy, Geo and Suzuki are all the same car, ...
Routine failures - Anything before '95 and the ECM dies at about 45,000 miles.
... good thing these cars have killer heaters.

So anything after 45k miles or 1996 should have been repaired/replaced?
Killer heaters - that IS a good thing - I was worried about that.

Thanks for your dimes worth.
Gumby_CT

[viperh]

Originally Posted by gumby_ct

So anything after 45k miles or 1996 should have been repaired/replaced?
Killer heaters - that IS a good thing - I was worried about that.

Thanks for your dimes worth.
Gumby_CT

My computer didn't die until 157,000 miles.. I bought a best top rag top and there's no breeze at all. I have a 91 2wd. unfortunatly. I was told it was 4x4 but I just bought it for the snow. The shorter wheel base makes it better than my camaro in the snow and it handles alot better than alot of cars even though its not AWD. There's a seat belt recall on some trackers..

[gumby_ct]

Went to look at a 95 Lsi, auto., 176k miles, (Manuf. date 12/94 - if that matters) today. I am told the engine won't start but I did NOT have the keys to try it, so I have no details on what the symptoms are. The interior was rough & dirty as was the rag top. My question is how many miles do these typically get? What does the LSi pkg include? I am just looking for a winter beater w/4wd (a little late, eh). it had alot of cosmetic damage but I am wondering if it would be worth spending $300 or $400 to see if I can get it running.

Any thoughts would certainly be appreciated.
Thanks,
Gumby_CT

[viperh]

Originally Posted by gumby_ct

Went to look at a 95 Lsi, auto., 176k miles, (Manuf. date 12/94 - if that matters) today. I am told the engine won't start but I did NOT have the keys to try it, so I have no details on what the symptoms are. The interior was rough & dirty as was the rag top. My question is how many miles do these typically get? What does the LSi pkg include? I am just looking for a winter beater w/4wd (a little late, eh). it had alot of cosmetic damage but I am wondering if it would be worth spending $300 or $400 to see if I can get it running.

Any thoughts would certainly be appreciated.
Thanks,
Gumby_CT

Trackers are like any other car the mileage you will recieve depends on how well you maintain it. I bought a new ragt top, carpet, and seat cover for the front seats for 400. All I need to do is bolt the back seat in and find a seat cover and I'm good. I purchased my tracker for a winter beater also and was told it was 4wd it isn't. However I was really suprised at how well it handles and maneuvers in the snow Im sure it is becuase of the shorter wheel base. I dont know what the LSi package entails. Your best bet is to find the blue book price, Find out how much you will spend to buy it and fix it up. Then ask yourself if your willing to spend that much. If you can buy it and fix it up below blue book cost thats awesome. if you spend a little more thats good too. That way if you happen to get into a wreck and total it you wont be out of too much money from the insurance company.

just my 2 cents..

Nate