1998 Suzuki Sidekick Consumer Reviews

i had no roof on this car when i had this car, when it was raining i was soaked and i got so mad i told my frend to never buy suzukis, also the piston rings blew off, and the car became a nice decoration in the dump, someone sue suzuki

Had it for about 18 years and it got a flat tire every week. The oil exploded and the engine caught on fire. the tires burst and took off the whole wheel. Pistons get knocked out on gravel roads. Belt ripped 4 times already. Surprised im still alive.

My late husband bought this car, used, in 1996. It sort of languished in the driveway for many years although it seemed to always run. After my husband died in 2007, I started fixing up this car: new paint job (original red color), new wheels and tires, new sound system, new top. It looks great and runs great. It has hardly any conveniences but that has also been a plus because there's less to go wrong. It's coming up on 19 years old and still looks so sporty!

After doing a frame-off restoration on a 1988.5 Suzuki Samurai, and thinking I would keep it forever, learned that my left knee could no longer handle manual shifting. LOVED that car, it would go anywhere and was just savvy enough to draw a crowd where ever we went. So, began to look for an automatic Suzuki 4WD, as by this time I am spoiled at how these little vehicles can go without complaint, and slither through places that are often considered sidewalks . .. very handy when traffic is backed up and sliding out is important, eh ~~ Suzuki builds a fine vehicle, and more's the pity that they never captured the US market, and are no longer being imported here. I bought the Sidekick JX a little over a year ago, with 183000 miles, a busted head gasket and other sundry mechanical issues. The body was solid, interior quite decent, and the wheel rims quite stunning. Bought a rebuilt engine and fully remanufactured automatic transmission, along with numerous other restoration parts, as I wanted to make this little Suzuki superb again. The 'fit' is excellent, with ample headroom and plenty of leg room, and it's easy access both in and out. Gets phenomenal gas mileage; about 25 city and just over 30 mpg highway with Regular fuel, and of course has the easy shift into 4WD without having to get out of the car and reset the hubs. Will thread through narrow trees in the forest or slide up a sidewalk, if necessary to get past an accident on the road. These very narrow Japanese SUVs are remarkable in their agility and economy. Yes, this Suzuki Sidekick is a keeper, and the fun of ongoing restoration of small items is enormous fun, as well. This car is more like a 'pet' than basic transport, though must confess that every day is all the more enjoyable with the low cost of insurance, fuel and upkeep ~~!!

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.

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!

love it!

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!