1997 Geo Tracker 2 door soft top from North America - Comments

Before I bought it, I had the dealer fix a few things on it for me -

The Dome light

The rear door (stuck, just needed lube)

The hazard light switch (blown fuse)

The V-belt (replaced - it was squeaky)

That was all that went wrong that I knew of.

I had prior experience with a tracker. It was my favorite car I ever had. Later I bought an 02 Stratus, and got bored with it quickly (it was also giving me trouble), so I traded in the Stratus for a 97 Geo Tracker 4x4 soft top.

I only had it for 300 miles. I never had to fill the gas tank, either. It was uncomfortable, but tolerable. Loud, but not deafening. Zippy, more than capable of keeping up in traffic (it was a stick, the autos are painfully slow). It could handle expressway speeds, but took a bit to get up there. It had NO passing power in 5th gear, and just enough to pass in 4th. It shifted easily enough, and the gears worked well. The clutch and gas were very responsive, but the brake required a normal amount of pressure though.

If you aren't stupid with it, it won't tip on you, and if you are still worried about tipping, get wheel spacers. I was going to.

One thing, though. If you ever want to get one, replace the manual hubs with auto locking hubs. I had manual locking hubs, and that is why I no longer have the car.

I was driving in Michigan, on a decent road, so it was in 2 wheel drive. I came upon an icy road, but didn't have time to stop and get out and lock the hubs for 4x4. I should've made time! I hit a spot of ice and went flying off the road at about 40 mph. I nailed a tree. This is the main reason I'm writing the review, is that I was very impressed with how well it took the crash. the front end was destroyed, the airbags deployed (I'm sure they saved my life). But the cabin was in perfect shape, didn't crumple a bit beyond the firewall. I scratched up my left hand and broke my neck. But I'm still alive, and able to walk and all that. I just have to wear a neck brace for a while.

I'd tested the 4 wheel drive before, and the Tracker does excellent in 4x4. I know I would still be driving it today had I been in 4x4 on that road. Oh, well. Woulda, shoulda, coulda. This being my second tracker, I can say I would get one again. But it's pretty much a Suzuki. I want something a little smaller, quieter, and more comfy for my next car, so I'm getting a Suzuki X-90. I think I will probably only buy Suzuki's for a while, as they are so reliable! But I would definitely recommend a Tracker to anyone who wants the 4x4 of a Jeep, the mileage of a metro, the fun of an ATV, with the price tag of a toy.

Another thing, though... I would strongly adivse you avoid ever getting a 2WD Tracker. There is just no point to it, and they are very unsafe in bad weather in 2WD. I have every bit of faith in them in 4X4 in any weather, though.

No I don't think your right about a 2 wheel drive I have one and it is very good, but I lowerd it 3" and it just hugs the road I also put 16" rim's on it and it helps a lot on the way it feels when you go around a corner it almost feels like a vet.. lol thank you.

Just a word of caution, Driving on ice at 40 mph isn't safe in 2 or 4 wheel drive. On ice you'll slide no matter how many wheels you have.

Thank you for your comments. I live on Miami Beach and I'm considering buying a 97 tracker and my boyfriend has me scared about it tipping. I don't know much about cars - auto vs manual hubs... but I'm a cautious driver, and want something fun.

My husband bought a 1997 Tracker 4X4 to use as a hunting vehicle, but with gas prices skyrocketing, he uses it every day. We love it. We live in the deep South and the only thing with it is that it gets really hot with the soft top. Of course, everything gets hot here in the summer, so that's not really its fault. We had rented a backhoe which was on a trailer to do some work in the yard. It was attached to our full size extended cab 4X2 truck and the whole outfit got stuck in the low part of our yard. I got the little Tracker and it pulled the truck, trailer and back hoe out of the mud. It was pretty impressive to me.

I was just wondering how fast the automatic can really go.

Hello.

I live in the Pacific Northwest (Seattle area). I have a 1990 Tracker with a 5-Speed, 4X4. Had to have the top end rebuilt about a year after I bought it (I bought it used, had 123,000 on the O.D. when top redone). Nice to be able to park where others can't, great mileage too. The turn signal/ headlight switch broke (No lights), saw another tracker (1997) for sale, bought it for $3,999. This one is an AUTO, which, in the older years were slow as heck. This one seems to have some get up and go, 4-Speed Auto, manual hubs, power steering AND cup-holders in the center. This one sits a little lower than my other one (Design change height from tipping). Nice commuter AND still easy to park, has the 16V motor vs. my other one had 8V. Having problems finding out what bulb fits in the dome light. Checked the local parts store and their bulb list. Nothing there. Had to replace the dome light cover and a few other things (Nice also to be able to find pieces on-line). Anyways, Got a used steering column light switch/turn signal cluster for $35, including shipping. Should be able to replace it myself and have 2 working trackers (both convertibles). One word of caution. A friend of mine works on these rigs and it is a pain in the butt to adjust the 16V motor valves. Other than that? Nothing bad to report.

I had a 4 speed manual 1995 4x4 Geo Tracker for almost a year before a girl ran a red light speeding at 45mph. She rammed the drivers door. It sent me for a mental loop, but I was OK! It bent both the body frames and actually bent the door outward. For a Wisconsin car it had NO rust and had just gotten a new soft top. I was sorry to have to trade it in for a 1997 4x4 Geo 4-door automatic. I found I lost the pick up and go the manual had. The automatic cruises right along and I find it sticks with most traffic conditions unless it is real windy. I have had this tracker for almost 2 years now and I am looking for a newer one. Manual transmission only! 2 or 4 door does not matter, they are both small enough to enjoy off road. I run aggressive tread and whine about not being able to play the CD player because it rides rougher, but it rode too rough with normal tires too. I got 32-37 mpg with the manual tracker and get 23-26 mpg with the automatic. Overall the tracker makes for a great vehicle on road and off road for me.

Hello, I just wanted to say I just bought a 97 Geo Tracker a few months ago. I wanted something fun to drive, and boy it is great driving it. It is a little slow, but it will keep up with traffic. It is lowered a little, and has after market wheels wider than the ones that came on it, so it makes it a little harder to steer at real slow speeds. But overall, it's a great little SUV.