1996 Geo Tracker LS 1.6L 4 cylinder

Summary:

Overall it's a good car

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong with this car for me, yet.

General Comments:

The Tracker is an alright performer for the gas mileage it gets. I can burn a little bit of rubber when I punch on the gas at 35 mph and shift it into L (low). But that's probably because I put a K&N air filter on it. That boosted power about 5-7 and a little bit in gas mileage.

Get this, I raced my friend in it against his 1992 Acura Integra with a performance muffler, cold air intake, and 4-2-1 headers, and my 2nd and 3rd gear kept up with him! First gear is a little slow, but the other gears are alright. For everyone who thinks Trackers are weak, you're wrong. All you have to do is take the exhaust off from the catalytic coverter back, and a good air filter and this little SUV will kick you in your seat.

For gas mileage I get about 32 in the city and I don't know about the highway. All I know there is that you're running about 4,100 rpm and your gas tank needs filled up every hour and a half.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 17th September, 2002

20th Feb 2008, 22:56

I doubt very seriously that the Tracker gets 32 mpg in the city. Maybe on the highway - and that on a very good day. But these vehicles are rated at about 24 mpg on highway, with the automatic tranny.

1996 Geo Tracker 4 door 4 cyclinder

Summary:

Not worth keeping

Faults:

None.

General Comments:

Great vehicle for around town and not bad driving in snow (with added weight).

Having just had the transmission serviced ($90 in parts), the mechanic suggested I get rid of the vehicle if I notice anything going wrong. Said parts are extremely expensive and some are being discontinued (said I should buy an extra transmission kit for later).

Drove 65 mph on the highway and it felt like the vehicle was going to fall apart.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 26th August, 2002

20th Mar 2003, 12:14

Your mechanic is full of it. Did he offer you $100 bucks for it "just to get off your hands"? Any used car can have problems the Lexus went through many recalls when it was first introduced. As for parts, guess what? All Chevy or Suzuki dealers can get them and many discount places carry the common parts. The Geo was an offshoot of the Chevy brand and has since returned to the Chevy brand name. Why would you not be able to get parts for one of Chevy's best selling small SUVs? Just as an FYI Chevy owns about 20% of Suzuki and the Suzuki Geo's are built in Canada at a Chevy/Suzuki factory. Bottom line... get a new mechanic preferably one who has your interest in mind and not his inability to work on Chevrolet vehicles.

29th Aug 2004, 11:13

I've purchases a 96 tracker, and it is very bad! Parts are extremely expensive and hard to come by! If I need a part I'm sure I won't find it aftermarket, and quite positive I'll have to special order it from the dealer. I've never owned a vehicle so difficult to find parts for.

4th Mar 2009, 13:34

I have owned my GEO Tracker for 6 years now, it has 144,000 miles on it and running strong. Had the clutch replaced and muffler, and an alternator and that is it. I love my 4 door Tracker.

1st Jun 2010, 21:11

My Tracker is a 96 too, with 150,000 miles on it, and it runs fast enough. Parts are not too difficult to find, but it does not demand much, but as with all used cars, needs more care and you have to listen or "feel" it in order to detect failures before the car stops. Very fun to drive.

1996 Geo Tracker 1.4 4 cylinder.

Summary:

Reliable, thrifty and fun for the money

Faults:

I have not had one problem with the Tracker over the past 12,000 miles, it has performed very well.

General Comments:

Although I have only had my "rag top" Tracker for 12,000 miles it has been great! My wife and I just drove it 1200 miles on a trip and it was very comfortable, really! The four wheel drive worked great last winter, and this summer with the top down it is a blast! We have averaged nearly 30 miles per gallon and did get 33 one time on our trip. I tend to drive only up to 60 miles per hour. The AC works fine and I just have no complaints.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th July, 2001