1997 Geo Tracker two=doro soft top from North America - Comments

I have a service route that makes 30 stops a day over about 130 mile range 5 days a week. Gas is killing me on my Ranger Edge 2wd between 17-18.5. Thinking of downsizing to a Tracker. Will be putting a platform into the receiver hitch that will carry 3-18 gallon containers of products. Not too heavy about 150lbs total. Located a 1996 Tracker 2 door auto 2wd. 77,600 miles, car fax checks out. Needs tires, windshield replacement, and the A/C is shot. Engine runs strong, brakes good, trans shifts well. What can I expect for mileage, engine and trans life? All on site mention crank issues. Should I or can I do anything to prevent this problem.

My Geo Engine reamed out the crank shaft after replacing the timing belt at 115,000 miles. Dealership said replace the engine. Local welding shop said with the correct rod for the crank shaft, I could locate the key and run a bead of weld down each side of the key. The local dealership said if that worked, they have a job for me. I experienced the same loss of power as other comments above but not the subsequent failures. The vehicle has over 200,000 miles on it now, is still running strong, and getting excellent fuel economy. I packed cold wet rags around the shaft/block seal to protect it during welding. The dealership provided me a bay and welding outlet. The root cause on our collective pain is probably a timing belt replacement procedure that involves removing the crankshaft pulley without adequate torque or a needed loctite application.