1998 suzuki sidekick sport 4x4, tell me about it please

[Wildcat]

anybody got one? im looking at one that has 137k miles, 4x4, auto, a/c. needs tires. haven't test driven it but it looks clean inside and out. $3200

is there anything i should look for on this vehicle? i'm fixing to do some research on aftermarket support, etc.

the seating area seems a tad bit smaller than my XJ, the cargo area is definitely smaller.

thanks

[shmabs]

I've been out of trackers and kicks for a while now but....

The sport is actually a unique platform when compared to a "regular" sidekick or tracker. I know that there isn't as much aftermarket support as the other trackers and sidekicks, but its up to you as to whether or not whats out there is sufficient. you're research will point you in this direction. It's slightly larger as well.

The 1.8 motor seems like a decent motor, and i believe it is matched to a 4 speed auto. I think this motor was pretty specific to the sport platform, but is in a similar family with the 2.xxx liter motors available in later zuks. I know when i was looking at a few of them, i was a little put off by parts availability. I have found the zuk's i have owned to be tough little truck-lets, but because they are so "cheap" it seems like a lot of people skimp on maintenance with them.


YMMV

Mike

[jeffryscott]

I've owned a few Sidekicks, a Vitara and a Samurai. Great little vehicles. I'd have another in a heartbeat if I didn't have two kids (I'm 6'3" and while there is plenty of room in the front, there is almost no room in the back for the kids legs) My mom currently has a 96 Sport. They are relatively bulletproof little vehicles and off hand, I can't think of any real trouble areas to look for other than all the general things you look for in a used car.

Aftermarket is thin, but Rocky Road outfitters offers suspension and sliders. I had my Vitara kitted out from them and it was quite a beast.

I always felt like the Suzuki's were mini FJ80's and are way under-appreciated for their abilities.

edit: went and found my build post of sorts from my Vitara: http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...ghlight=vitara

[Wildcat]

are they body on frame or uni-body?

[shmabs]

body on frame.

[Mrknowitall]

I used to service the Suzuki R&D lab in Wixom, MI. I was looking for a Sidekick at the time and was advised to skip the Sport, dispite its wider stance and more power. They sited a slew of reliability problems. That said, we has a 94 4door JLX in the family until there was just too much rust for TUV. It needed a transmission fairly early, but otherwise no major problems. Solid and simple.

[chet]

the sports have a wider stance and cast alum control arms on the front. A body lift will fit like anything else as will a coil lift. Check with trail tough. I would skip it for a normal sidekick from `1996 or 1997.

[Warn Industries]

The frame is actually wider on the Sports, and therefore many winch bumper, trailer hitches, etc. that'd fit a regular Sidekick/Tracker will not fit the Sport.

If you decide to go with a non-Sport model, there are still a number of companies (including Warn Industries; we offer hubs) that offer bumpers, sliders, lift kits, etc. for these little rigs.

I have a '95 Sidekick with a BDS Suspension lift (2"), a Shrockworks winch bumper, a WARN VR8000-s winch, WARN Lights, etc. Calmini offers a host of parts (I'd like to get their roof rack), too.

Do check out www.rocky-road.com, www.lowrangeoffroad.com, www.trailtough.com, www.calmini.com; they all have parts.

- Andy