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Comments: 1-15, 16-18
First after getting stuck on a snow pile, the rear end went out. Because what I didn't know with this model car you can't rock it when in a jam, unlike the owner's manual says. That was aproximatly 700 to fix and this happened in the first year.
Two weeks after purchasing the car I started the monthly trips to the garage to have the front end aligned. The car is definitely not an off road car. I live 3 miles down a private road 40 miles from my work, yes I do drive the vehicle with some force, but the fact that the problems started just two weeks after I purchased the vehicle proves the point I am trying to make.
A couple of months later the clutch started to slip so I had to have that changed and that wasn't the only time.
And during that time I also had to replace the throw-out bearing.
After that the transmission started humming, garage time again, replaced all of the bearings in the transmission. Now just realize that at this point I have a 200 a month car payment, paying twice as much a month for the insurance because of it bad reputation as a high risk vehicle, replaced the rear-end (used) 700.00 + labor = 1020.00, replaced the throw away bearing or what ever it is, the clutch (I can't remember the price for those items), now the transmission problems bearing problems equal 450.00 + labor aproximately 200.00.
But don't go I'm not finished I am also paying aproximately 40 bucks a month for the front end.
Four wheel drive hub got stuck had to have them fixed another 70.00.
Something in the motor starting messing, a vacuum problem, don't remember what that was, but is was around 500.00 to get fixed.
Muffler fell off, but that I really don't consider a major deal it was 80,000 miles and mufflers don't last long in West Virginia anyway, so that isn't a big deal.
Now three weeks ago I just got the thing back from the garage had to replace the transmission completely this time. And that final amount for that visit was 1400.00 trans 1000 and labor.
Also because the vehicle slides so easy the rear end slid around in the road causing it to plow into a guard rail on the opposite side of the road, that has been quoted at 2000.00.
Also the struts on the sidekick are bad.
If you haven't noticed most sidekick's or tracker's you see on the road that is model 94 or so to 98 have a dent on one of the four corners. Is this a coincidence, I think not the car is poorly designed and definitely not designed for the off-road life, maybe off-road once in a blue moon, but not every day. My former Trooper which was also a 1997 until a friend decided to go off road over a cliff was purchased new then 105000 miles later the only thing I had to replace where the struts or shocks whichever it had, then was killed by my friend just after that. Also the struts on the sidekick are bad. Now considering that the Trooper and the Sidekick were put through the same things, like driving through the ditches of my private road every 6 months or so. I don't have the time or the energy to do it by hand so I drive the cars through them when they are wet which displaces all of the gunk, very effective. Now the Trooper took this abuse and more because it was higher and I could actually drive through the woods and over rocks and even more places that where never intended to be a road, the Sidekick on the other hand is to ruff to drive anywhere, but the dirt road of my lane. Even driving up my road I cannot even count the amount of times the car drop into a hole, shifted and caused my head to slam into the drivers side window. The only thing that has never failed on the car is the security alarm. So at this point I have had to repair the rear-end, transmission twice, clutch, motor, and have had to replace the alternator, the hub problem, and the alignment problem. At this point I am tired of the car and I am trying to trade the thing off for another car, but I have only been offered 1500 for the thing so far. Now considering that the Trooper and the Sidekick were put through the same things, like driving through the ditches of my private road every 6 months or so. I don't have the time or the energy to do it by hand so I drive the cars through them when they are wet which displaces all of the gunk, very effective. Now the Trooper took this abuse and more because it was higher and I could actually drive through the woods and over rocks and even more places that where never intended to be a road, the Sidekick on the other hand is to ruff to drive anywhere, but the dirt road of my lane. Even driving up my road I cannot even count the amount of times the car drop into a hole, shifted and caused my head to slam into the drivers side window. The only thing that has never failed on the car is the security alarm. So at this point I have had to repair the rear-end, transmission twice, clutch, motor, and have had to replace the alternator, the hub problem, and the alignment problem. At this point I am tired of the car and I am trying to trade the thing off for another car, but I have only been offered 1500 for the thing so far. Please God don't ever give me another Suzuki, it was the worst investment of my pathetic life, and not ever again.
i'd be makin my friend buy me a new trooper if I were you.
It sounds like you'd have the same troubles even if you were driving a Hummer.
I have a 4dr 89 Sidekick a 4dr 96 Sidekick Sport, and my wife has a 2dr 90 Sidekick. For us these have been the best vehicles we have had to date! We drive the heck out them and the 89 has 203,000 miles, about 50% hard off road miles to boot! We definitely do not have a problem with Suzuki's. Could this be driver or maintenance problems? Sounds like it!
I have a 1997 Sidekick Sport and I love it. It is a bit bumpy and doesn't accelerate that great, but once your on the freeway, it does pretty good. I noticed that once I replaced the tires, the ride improved substantially. No major problems after 52,000 miles. Of course, I take care of my cars. Maybe you should do the same.
I'm sorry you're having what seems to be a rash of bad luck with your little truck. It is possible that you got a lemon. However, don't think all sidekicks have the problems you've written about. It's also possible that whoever is servicing your vehicle is creating his/her own job security. With the amount you're spending on repairs, try to pick up a parts vehicle if you have room to store it. It's also possible that for the kind of driving you're doing you need a bigger SUV. Good luck and happy motoring in the future.
I own a '97 Sport 4wd with 105k miles. With an exception of a recall involving the front strut mounts, it hasn't been back to the dealership. It leaks a little around the rear main oil seal (a typical problem for this model, so I've read) but I don't plan on repairing it until my clutch needs replacement. This mini-SUV continues to serve my needs, I have no regrets in purchasing it. My factory stereo gave out last year. I replaced it with a $110 CD player, no biggie.
I live here in Baja, the toughest terrain this side of the world, and the sidekicks are very popular here, due to the reliability and low cost maintenance of the vehicle. If you want extra off road performance, you gotta make some upgrades and that always costs money. You should get second thoughts about the Suzuki.
I wrote the story, well horror story above, since then I have traded the vehicle in for a Mercury Mystique just a temporary car, I am now purchasing a brand new Isuzu, 2004 model. But what brings the Sidekick to shame is, the Mystique has held up even longer than the Sidekick, it had 120,000 miles on it when I traded, I have had to replace the water pump which is expected with a ford and I know this. But that's it, nothing more, and keep in mind this is a car, not a vehicle that is designed to travel 3 miles off road every day, the Sidekick didn't make a very good transition, it was rough off road, but you didn't notice it until you went on the hwy or just a one lane pave road. The whole vehicle started to shake, and the ride was even still rough, but OK, because I like to feel the road, but not on the side of my head. It is possible that I bought a lemon, or maybe its just the kind of car it is. I don't expect to accessorize my car after I buy because it is called an SUV or Sport Utility Vehicle, and they are well known to go off road, and also my Trooper did just fine, other than just regular maintenance, my husband makes very good money as a scientist in Gaithersburg, MD so its not like I'm cheap. But over and over again, doing the same things, the brakes, the transmission, the rear-end. You know the the definition of insanity is 'doing the same things over and over again, expecting the same results', I've learned my lesson and if you are reading this you will heed my warning, DON'T BUY SIDEKICK!!!
Pathetic indeed. I'll still buy a Sidekick despite the poor review you've given it. Find a new mechanic he's taking advantage. There are limits to anything even the most reliable vehicle will eventually succumb to excessive abuse. Learn how to drive.
I own a 97 sidekick that has well over 100k miles, the worst problem has been the cigarette lighter. I also own a 82 sami
(a sami with a 970cc engine) and I have over 300k miles on it, with basically no major problems. I also go four wheeling quite often especially when I live in the Rocky mountains. So obviously your problem must be driver incompetence.
If this forum is indeed focused on giving some light to future buyers, I felt I needed to say this:
I love off-roading, but have no interest in modifying any car, nor have much money, so I buy cars used. I like to take stock cars and see what they are able to do. So the cars I have had have seen mud and snow several times.
I have had:
1987 Toyota pick up 4x4, 4 cyl…. Sold at 180.000 miles
1989 Toyota pick up 4x4, V6……. Still within the family 165.000 miles
1990 Geo tracker 4x4, 4 cyl, 2 door… Sold. 156.000 miles
1995 Suzuki sidekick 4x4, 4 cyl, 4 door… Still in the family 155.000 miles
1998 Suzuki sidekick Sport 4x4, 4 cyl, 4 door… Show room condition 100.000 miles
1998 Isuzu rodeo 4x4, V6, 4 door…. Has problems 100.000 miles
2005 4runner 4x4, v8, 4 door… Just got it.
The sidekick sport 98 is by far the most reliable car of all. I had it since 2000. Got it with 30 K miles. I have changed only oil, liquids, spark plugs and light bulbs, no joking!!. It does not use a drop of oil in between changes. 25-27 mpg highway. I have use it daily until about a year a go that I got a new car. I still have it and I can’t sell it… it is too good to be sold for the market price.
The other two sidekick/tracker had been used to the extreme…Yes, they required some maintenance, but I am just amazed how much hard off-roading those cars take. I will encourage anybody to buy a sidekick if the price is within NADA figures. I will sell you my Sport, but you will not pay what I think that car is worth.
In perspective think about this: The sidekick hit the market in 89 and it stayed until end of 98 (10 years), the 1.8liter engine of the Sport (started in 96) has been used in other Suzuki models and it was slightly modified to be used on the vitara 4 cyl 99-2005 models (10 total years also). Now tell me which company keeps a car/engine in the market for 10 years if it is not reliable?
Buy a Sid.Sport, put synthetic on it, have it for life.
If the SidKck is not good for you, You are not good for the SidKck.
I own a 97 jx 4x4 and I take it off-road. I don't have any problems with it except for the regular maintenance and repairs you have to do to it. maybe what you need is a tank, but it may still not hold up with the luck you have.
I had a 96 Sidekick that lasted me for 8 years, with very little maintanance, none of which was out of the norm...
I put 90,000 miles on it doing everything from driving on mountainous roads to delivering pizzas... It got great gas mileage, and ran like a dream, finished only by the fact that I got plowed from behind...
The only problems I ever really had with this car were cosmetic... The canvas top went bad pretty quickly, and the knobs and buttons periodically broke off...
Other than that, I have no complaints about the vehicle, and wish I still had it, since my new car gets rotten mileage, and has been more trouble in the last year than my Sidekick ever gave me...
I just have a question... I have a 1997 Suzuki Sidekick. I cannot find anyone where I live that can work on it. It will go, but you have to take it slow. If you try to go to fast it will miss and backfire, however if you take it slow then it will eventually make it up to speed and once you are at regular speed it will sail. If you let up on the gas it will bog down and back fire if you try to start again to fast. We have put new plugs, wires, and a distributor cap on it. Please if you have experienced this comment this we are so stuck! Thanks.
I have a 1997 sidekick sport and I truly think it is absolutely fantastic basic transportation. The 1.8l runs like a champ and with the manual transmission it sails along the city and freeway effortlessly. In fact, I find it hard to believe the motor is that small for how peppy it is (if driven right, keep rpms up and don't lag the engine). I had to change the rear seal and clutch, but that is all. It uses no oil between changes and I use just regular 5w30 oil. It gets great mileage as well. It is very rare to get this kind of mileage out of a SUV with 4 wheel drive. I think it is in a league of its own. It does suffer ruff handling on wash board roads because of it short wheelbase, but that would be my only complaint. If you want something that drives like a car, buy a car. if you want a tuff, reliable, and economical sport-ute do not over look a Suzuki.