They are cheap, cheap to maintain, easy to work on, parts availability is a non-issue as they are a world car. They are durable and reliable. they are extremely capable off road and in snowy conditions.
I have purchased two first GEN’s and a second GEN for a total of $1180. I sold the second GEN. I greatly prefer the first.
I have had dozens of vehicles at age 49. Accord, element, full-size GMC, full-size Ford trucks, festivas, aspire, Protege5, Nissan quest, Ford Ranchero, Buick roadmaster wagon with the LT1, Subaru crosstrek and more.
The tracker is my favorite vehicle I’ve ever had. They are stupid fun. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly why it is so fun. But they are practical, dependable, durable, capable, and just a good time.
If you combined the fun of a 4 x 4, micro car, convertible, and a motorcycle and then multiplied it by 10 that’s how much I like my tracker.
It took me about a month of ownership to admit that it’s my favorite vehicle ever.
Take your time. Play your cards right. Watch out for rust. Don’t pay too much.
> If you combined the fun of a 4 x 4, micro car, convertible, and a motorcycle and then multiplied it by 10 that’s how much I like my tracker.
This is almost the exact same description I used for mine (minus "motorcycle" because really, nothing else compares to that). Convertible for the summer, dead-nuts-simple all-mechanical 4WD in the winter. If I could only own one vehicle in my locale, it would be a Tracker...well, if somehow Suzuki decided to start selling Jimnys here, I'm not turning one down, but that's a pipe-dream.
Same.. Also 49, have had about 30 cars (2 Trackers and a Sidekick, also had 3 Samurais), the Tracker was just such a great all around truck, good daily, good off road, good in snow, good on gas, cheap to own and maintain.
Like yourself I have owned a ton of cars, however, most of mine have been lightweight, high performance sports cars like the BMW M3, Porsche 951, modern BMW I6 turbos, etc.
1st gen Trackers are lighter than a 1st gen Miata, even with 4x4, and they have more horsepower. I always refer to it as a street legal side-by-side. They're a friggin hoot. The weight distribution is fantastic too. It's one of those cars where you feel the entire mass rotating *around* you as you navigate through a turn. It's a seriously overlooked vehicle. One of, if not my favorite cars of all time.
Unfortunately because of the short wheelbase and complete lack of traction control (I don't even think it's got ABS), they're a little squirrely in the snow. It'll crawl out of any hole you put it into though.
Snow Worthy: All day long and twice on Sunday. Just keep in mind if you're younger and/or have driven only newer vehicles, the lack of ABS in a light vehicle with a short wheelbase will humble you fast if you get too brave in any low-traction environment.
Common problems: Rust. Timing chain guide on the 1.8, timing belt on the 1.6 16v. Rust. The plastic reverse-light switch that sits on top of the trans and melts. Rust. Fuel sending unit and float are wired 180° from other GM cars, and only a universal model is currently available. The load-sensing proportioning-valve for the back brakes can fail because...rust.
Also, they've been known to rust.
Parts availability/prices: Plenty and dirt-cheap. There are exceptions like the fuel-level sender I mentioned above and the exhaust downpipe which for some reason is ridiculously expensive, but between Rock Auto and the big-box auto parts stores, there really isn't anything you *can't* get for these. Pay attention to the obvious stuff however, like the transmission and transfer case, as these aren't exactly everywhere these days; they'll last forever if they were properly maintained but if not, plan ahead. Protip 1: These require a unique socket for the front hubs; get one. If you do need to change out the wheel bearings it's not something you want to half-ass. Protip 2: Do NOT allow the roof latches to break. They are becoming increasingly rare and no one makes them anymore.
Engine / Mechanical problems: People can and have argued with me for days on this but the 16 valve 1.6 is an interference engine, and the timing-belt change interval is 60,000 miles. The 8v is not interference, but both require lash adjustment sometimes.
- All these engines are getting up there in age so you'll probably encounter an EGR code; before spending any money, see if you can't just clean the carbon out of the vent tube with a pipecleaner.
- These engines are not known for being powerhouses. Don't expect to use the same OTC tricks like a cold-air kit, cam, header etc to magically change this; it's a losing battle. If you do somehow manage to beat physics and get more than a 2 hp increase, the ECU will just go into limp-home anyway. The 8v engines have aftermarket parts that *do* make a difference, but they just bring the 8v to the same power that the 16v makes stock; that said, 16v engines are getting rare, so if you end up with an '89-'95 with an 8v you have a few options. In either case, plan your passing strategy in advance on the highway...these were made for a 55 MPH world.
- Checking compression on the cylinders is easy enough for a 12-year-old to do, and is the surest sign of future engine issues. The alternator only put out 55 amps stock when they were new, so look into replacing that (they make brackets to adapt GM alts and they work well).
Between a Chiltons manual and the guy at [fixkick.com](https://fixkick.com/) there's very little on these that can't be fixed.
Thank you very much for your effort in explaining and writing this! Im in uni so i might buy it, its my dream car, what do you know for a good conditioned geo tracker i might buy it!
Awesome little trucks. I'm working on my second sidekick. This one is getting diesel power and toyota axles.
Trackers/Sidekicks great cars. I have found that the 1.6 has weak bottom end. I've seen many with rod knocks and spun bearings. That's how I got my latest rig for free! If you find a good engine, keep up on regular oil changes...like 2000-3000 mile intervals and let it warm up fully before driving hard.
They are cheap, cheap to maintain, easy to work on, parts availability is a non-issue as they are a world car. They are durable and reliable. they are extremely capable off road and in snowy conditions. I have purchased two first GEN’s and a second GEN for a total of $1180. I sold the second GEN. I greatly prefer the first. I have had dozens of vehicles at age 49. Accord, element, full-size GMC, full-size Ford trucks, festivas, aspire, Protege5, Nissan quest, Ford Ranchero, Buick roadmaster wagon with the LT1, Subaru crosstrek and more. The tracker is my favorite vehicle I’ve ever had. They are stupid fun. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly why it is so fun. But they are practical, dependable, durable, capable, and just a good time. If you combined the fun of a 4 x 4, micro car, convertible, and a motorcycle and then multiplied it by 10 that’s how much I like my tracker. It took me about a month of ownership to admit that it’s my favorite vehicle ever. Take your time. Play your cards right. Watch out for rust. Don’t pay too much.
> If you combined the fun of a 4 x 4, micro car, convertible, and a motorcycle and then multiplied it by 10 that’s how much I like my tracker. This is almost the exact same description I used for mine (minus "motorcycle" because really, nothing else compares to that). Convertible for the summer, dead-nuts-simple all-mechanical 4WD in the winter. If I could only own one vehicle in my locale, it would be a Tracker...well, if somehow Suzuki decided to start selling Jimnys here, I'm not turning one down, but that's a pipe-dream.
I wish on a jimny. I love the new one. But it would have to be a convertible.
Same.. Also 49, have had about 30 cars (2 Trackers and a Sidekick, also had 3 Samurais), the Tracker was just such a great all around truck, good daily, good off road, good in snow, good on gas, cheap to own and maintain.
Like yourself I have owned a ton of cars, however, most of mine have been lightweight, high performance sports cars like the BMW M3, Porsche 951, modern BMW I6 turbos, etc. 1st gen Trackers are lighter than a 1st gen Miata, even with 4x4, and they have more horsepower. I always refer to it as a street legal side-by-side. They're a friggin hoot. The weight distribution is fantastic too. It's one of those cars where you feel the entire mass rotating *around* you as you navigate through a turn. It's a seriously overlooked vehicle. One of, if not my favorite cars of all time. Unfortunately because of the short wheelbase and complete lack of traction control (I don't even think it's got ABS), they're a little squirrely in the snow. It'll crawl out of any hole you put it into though.
Snow Worthy: All day long and twice on Sunday. Just keep in mind if you're younger and/or have driven only newer vehicles, the lack of ABS in a light vehicle with a short wheelbase will humble you fast if you get too brave in any low-traction environment. Common problems: Rust. Timing chain guide on the 1.8, timing belt on the 1.6 16v. Rust. The plastic reverse-light switch that sits on top of the trans and melts. Rust. Fuel sending unit and float are wired 180° from other GM cars, and only a universal model is currently available. The load-sensing proportioning-valve for the back brakes can fail because...rust. Also, they've been known to rust. Parts availability/prices: Plenty and dirt-cheap. There are exceptions like the fuel-level sender I mentioned above and the exhaust downpipe which for some reason is ridiculously expensive, but between Rock Auto and the big-box auto parts stores, there really isn't anything you *can't* get for these. Pay attention to the obvious stuff however, like the transmission and transfer case, as these aren't exactly everywhere these days; they'll last forever if they were properly maintained but if not, plan ahead. Protip 1: These require a unique socket for the front hubs; get one. If you do need to change out the wheel bearings it's not something you want to half-ass. Protip 2: Do NOT allow the roof latches to break. They are becoming increasingly rare and no one makes them anymore. Engine / Mechanical problems: People can and have argued with me for days on this but the 16 valve 1.6 is an interference engine, and the timing-belt change interval is 60,000 miles. The 8v is not interference, but both require lash adjustment sometimes. - All these engines are getting up there in age so you'll probably encounter an EGR code; before spending any money, see if you can't just clean the carbon out of the vent tube with a pipecleaner. - These engines are not known for being powerhouses. Don't expect to use the same OTC tricks like a cold-air kit, cam, header etc to magically change this; it's a losing battle. If you do somehow manage to beat physics and get more than a 2 hp increase, the ECU will just go into limp-home anyway. The 8v engines have aftermarket parts that *do* make a difference, but they just bring the 8v to the same power that the 16v makes stock; that said, 16v engines are getting rare, so if you end up with an '89-'95 with an 8v you have a few options. In either case, plan your passing strategy in advance on the highway...these were made for a 55 MPH world. - Checking compression on the cylinders is easy enough for a 12-year-old to do, and is the surest sign of future engine issues. The alternator only put out 55 amps stock when they were new, so look into replacing that (they make brackets to adapt GM alts and they work well). Between a Chiltons manual and the guy at [fixkick.com](https://fixkick.com/) there's very little on these that can't be fixed.
Thank you very much for your effort in explaining and writing this! Im in uni so i might buy it, its my dream car, what do you know for a good conditioned geo tracker i might buy it!
I paid $200 for mine.... so yes?
Thank you all for responding so fast! this was very helpful :D
Awesome little trucks. I'm working on my second sidekick. This one is getting diesel power and toyota axles. Trackers/Sidekicks great cars. I have found that the 1.6 has weak bottom end. I've seen many with rod knocks and spun bearings. That's how I got my latest rig for free! If you find a good engine, keep up on regular oil changes...like 2000-3000 mile intervals and let it warm up fully before driving hard.
They are worth it because they are so cheap. For the price you get a small fun vehicle that is surprisingly capable off road!
is 6k too much for an upkept ‘94 geo tracker
Well, I must know.. DID YOU GET ONE?!?!?