1998 Suzuki Sidekick

The little Suzuki that can!

By Big Tim (TX) on Thursday, February 14, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 138,000

Pros: "Small but spacious, quick, 4x4 is useful."

Cons: "kind of sluggish in some situations"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I have the suzuki sport 1.8l model with the 4x4 and this thing gets great gas mileage and has never given me any trouble. Keep the oil changed and tires in good condition and you're set."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you?  yes | no | report abuse

1993 Suzuki Sidekick

By Jerry (MO) on Thursday, February 14, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 215,900

Pros: "Fun driving experience. Reliable."

Cons: "Fuel economy. Sluggish. Poor interior quality."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This may be one of my favorite cars I've ever owned. I bought it used in 2008 with more than 160,000 miles. I love driving it any chance I get! I have the two door soft top convertible. It offers a direct feel for the road and loves to hug corners like no other! One complaint I have is with the automatic transmission. At highway speed the (only) 3-speed transmission makes the engine rev really high, causing less mpg than I think I could get out of the small 1.6l. I wish I had the five-speed manual, I believe that with the extra gears the engine could relax more. Plus, it would make it ten times more fun to drive, in my opinion. But even with an auto trans, this car is a blast! It begs to go faster through the curves. Now almost five years later and nearly 216,000 miles, the car has caused me only a few minor headaches. Like, when it's cold, the transmission refuses to shift out of first gear for the first few starts and it sometimes skips second gear altogether (another reason I want the manual)! In four years we've had one breakdown and had to replace the water pump, and I want to replace the tranny, not that it needs it, it still work everyday, I would just prefer a manual, I'd say confidently that it is a nice reliable car. Every time you jump in and turn the key, it starts right up!"

Was this review helpful to you?  yes | no | report abuse

Great Car. Saved my life.

By Jon (CO) on Friday, February 08, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 160,000

Pros: "Great price, safe, reliable, fun, and comfy"

Cons: "No rear cupholders."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I bought my 97 Sidekick 2 years ago. We've had several older models before. This one was amazing, it was also our first automatic sidekick. It wasn't fast, but it got you where you needed to go. Gas mileage was okay. About 23mpg. This car had small issues like rear defrost didn't work, but that's okay. I bought it after the previous owner did an engine overhaul, but they didn't do that well, because only 4 months after I bought it I was in the garage replacing a Head gasket. Other than that, I've had nearly no issues, until two days ago, I was driving through the mountains in the snow (Which this car is exceptional at) and I hit some black ice, and decided it would look good on top a rock. Airbags deployed, and I'm thankful for that, for I wasn't wearing a seatbelt. It kept me safe and I escaped with only some bruises."

Was this review helpful to you?  yes | no | report abuse

14 year and drives great

By Renee (OH) on Monday, October 08, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 13,300

Pros: "gas miles"

Cons: "window"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"love it!"

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you?  yes | no | report abuse

My second Sidekick

By pandragonmom (International) on Tuesday, September 04, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 35,000

Pros: "Lasts forever with simple care."

Cons: "Hard to find replacement units for A/C condensors."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"The Virgin Islands have steep hills everywhere, so are hard on transmissions and brakes. My 97 Sidekick was the standard for rental cars in its time; bought it 10 years ago from a car rental and sold it to my next door neighbor this summer with 65,000 miles on it. Loved it so much that I bought a '98, almost identical in appearance, from the original owner, with only 34,000 miles on it. I love the simplicity of these older cars - you can count on the windows rolling up and down, for one thing! I love the side-opening rear gate, which will never fall on my head. Its modest 1.6 liter engine gets me up our hills slowly but steadily, and the good low gear in its automatic transmission, and strong brakes, make descending a wet rainy hill very safe. For a small car it holds an astounding amount of stuff. There are oodles of 90's Sidekicks here on little St. John (population 5,000); people hate to give them up and all the mechanics know every single part!"

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you?  yes | no | report abuse