Faults:

The clutch needed replacement after 140,000 km before I bought it, and again at 265,000 km

General Comments:

This car is one of the oldest active vehicles on the road.

Annually, I buy some body filler, and spray tar. With this combination my vehicle is often mistaken for a 1998, (it's a 1991).

The engine sounds like a new car's engine. Nothing rough, and the power is still remarkable.

This is clearly a well built vehicle, as my family owns several other vehicles all which have died and which were much younger and lower mileage then my still going strong Sidekick.

Take care of the panels, and maintain structural integrity and this car will outlast you.

Faults:

Needed a new catalytic converter when I first tried getting it onto the road. It cost me about the same amount to get it on the road as what I had paid for it at the time ($1300)

Needed to replace the muffler and exhaust for emissions requirements.

The stitching on the soft top came apart in the back window and it cost more to fix than replace so I drove throughout the winter with snow in my car. I was lucky to find a used one for sale.

The engine throttle went out about 5 months after I bought the car and it also required a major tune up, costing me another $500.

No cup holders!!!

Fuel injection has now failed on the car and the throttle body requires a new computer, which is very expensive to purchase as they are very popular. The 1991 through 1993 models have been known to have this problem. Including labor and parts it should cost about another $1000 to get this fixed.

I have given up on this car. It is not worth putting any more money into it.

Back door latch does not work.

Handles awful in the wintertime, it is far too light.

The entire car shakes on the highway and it does not feel safe.

Do not make sharp quick turns.

General Comments:

Great on gas!

Moves about quickly, can get into those small parking spots.

Faults:

Fenders, inner fenders, and rocker panels rusted out.

High amp fuse box under hood rusted out because of inner fenders rusting.

Fuel pump wire rusted off.

General Comments:

These little rigs will go anywhere and rarely, leave you on the side of the road.

My best advice for owners of a sidekick or samurai is to look for another cheaper one for parts. You can usually find ones in the few hundred dollar range.

One thing to remember is that, Suzuki Sidekick, Vitara, Geo and Chev Tracker, Asunna and Pontiac Sunrunners are all basically the same. Most parts can be inter-changed throughout the years of 89 and 98.

Overall I think the Suzuki Sidekick is great all around vehicle, that's easy on gas, very reliable, and will go anywhere you want it to. If you look after it, it will look after you.