Geo Tracker and Suzuki Sidekick - Part 1 of the "Little Weirdos" 4x4 Series

Better Than New

00:00 - Show open - Little Weirdos 4x4 Edition Series

Today is the first episode of our Little Weirdo’s 4x4 Edition month-long special reviewing small, affordable used 4x4 SUVs from the 80s and 90s. over the next four weeks, I will review four different mini SUVs, including the Daihatsu Rocky, the Suzuki Samurai, the Dodge Raider and the subject of today's episode, the Geo Tracker, which was also sold as the Suzuki Sidekick.

01:30 - Intro - the 1989-1998 Geo Metro and Suzuki Sidekick

The Tracker is a seriously fun and affordable way to travel to your next outdoor adventure. The intention was to put drivers behind the wheel of a small, fuel-efficient, fun-to-drive 4x4 that could take them out on the sand at the beach after work without getting stuck or take them to a trailhead for an epic hike on the weekends without worrying that the underside would

05:30 - Geo Tracker Details

If the idea of getting a Geo Tracker or Suzuki Sidekick sounds intriguing to you, let’s dig into the details, review what to look for when purchasing a Geo Tracker and talk about what you can expect to pay to put one of these fun little’s SUVs in your parking spot.

10:00 - Changes over time to consider

• Engine - horsepower later bumped from 80-hp to 95-hp
• Transmission - Get the manual for best use of power
• 4WD or 2WD - You choose
• ABS - Available as an option in model year 1996
• AC - Recommended for hot/humid climates

14:00 - Pricing

$2500-$5000 - Examples are okay at the bottom end of the range and improve to decent driver-quality vehicles as you approach $5K

$5000-$7500 - I would call this the sweet spot for great deals. These won’t be show-winning examples, but they will typically be well-cared for vehicles that will have a lot of life left in them.

$7500-$10,000 - This range is where you will find some of the best private party examples. If you’re willing to spend this much and take your time finding a good example, you could easily find a low-mile, one-owner example here.

$10,000+ I would expect Trackers and Sidekicks in this range to need nothing. The top should be in great shape, tires and brakes should be relatively new, paint will be shiny, interior will be excellent and there would again be minimal owners, no accidents, low miles, etc.

16:35 - Wrap Up

So that wraps up part one of our four-part Little Weirdos 4x4 edition series here on Better Than New. After listening, hopefully you’re considering the idea of a buying a small, 2-door 4x4 convertible version of the Geo Tracker or Suzuki Sidekick.

Please join me for part two of this 4-part “Little Weirdo’s 4x4 series” next week as we dig into what makes the fun, but hard to find, Daihatsu Rocky, another outstanding small 4x4 SUV that you should consider if you’re in the market.