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www.Suzukiauto.co. The accessories are compatible to the Tracker and a great selection.
I did not install a perforated aluminum sheet between the fan and the new condenser as I had originally planned. I am afraid ice and snow could build up on the aluminum sheet and damage the fan when I turn on the defrost. Instead, I placed two washers on each of the four fan assembly mounting bolts to move the fan assemble 1/8" more forward of the condenser, then I removed the foam gasket from the fan shroud. That leaves a 1/4" gap between the fan shroud and the condenser. Thus, there is no additional air flow restriction, but excess air pressure is allowed to escape around the circumference of the fan shroud. I am amazed at how much air is blowing out of that 1/4" gap when the electric fan is on, so the air pressure with the gasket in place must have been high, especially at freeway speeds. Hopefully, this will also reduce ice and snow build-up within the fan shroud.
I really doubt that driving in rain at high speed could have caused the damage, because the fan blades would turn rain drops into a spray. I know that rocks and insects did not cause the damage to my condenser because the front of my Tracker is unmarked, and I use a mask with bug-screen from Spring to Fall. Besides, anything flying through the small rectangular grill openings could not cause that damage pattern.
Since I live in Washington state, and the two other people who reported similar damage live in Michigan and Nebraska, this problem may be unique to some specific winter driving conditions. Either that, or a lot of Tracker and Vitara owners have the problem but haven't found it yet.
By the way, my air conditioning is a whole lot more effective now.
Kudos to you for getting one and may it run long and well for you!
http://www.geocities.com/benjamin_380xd/
We have two older trackers that we like alot but I want the wife in a new car and I really like driving the small SUV's over a car any day I'm just wondering what others are paying for new trackers.We live in southeast michigan.
It does sound like a very low price and it is new (only 31 miles on it-after my test drive)the sticker price is $20,510.advertized price is $13,399
Here is the deal I can find at my local dealer (Upstate NY):
Brand new 2002 4x4 4-door ZR2, yellow, v6, cruise, power windows, rack, skid plates, cd, tilt (I believe they are all stardard equipment of the ZR2 trim)
Price: $15,999
So even though yours is a 2-door model, it seems that it is pretty good deal!
Happy tracker-ing!!
Thought you guys would like to know that trackers/sidekicks are the most popular cars in this part of the world. I assume the reason is their practical performance and economical operation.
THese are tough little rigs!
What a nice little ride (4x4,auto,ac,pw,pl,cd,tilt,cruise,delayed wiper)and I bought the extended warranty for it,added expense but worth it I think.I want to get a hard top for it before next winter.
A co worker owns a 1994 model with 156K on the clock.
Its still running fine. WIll go anywhere and turn on a dime and give you nine cents worth of change!
Steve, Host
And, like the previous post, check your tire pressure.
Had that done. Does not help.
Thanks
Just raising the center of gravity doesn't necessarily make a vehicle less stable. It's the ratio of the height of the COG to the width that matters. E.g., H2s have a quite high COG but aren't known for their tendency to rollover. They have a very wide base.
Also, why would a vehicle "catch more wind" merely by being raised? I don't see how an inch or two change in height could have any effect on susceptibility to wind.
tidester, host
In regards to increased height effecting susceptibility to wind, you got me again. I'll have to defer to the auto designers who over the years reduced ground clearance and lowered roof height by only inches and fractions of an inches to supposedly reduce turbulence and improve stability. Could it be that lowering Cd a few points has no real effect? It's all just a marketing farce? Or, I suppose it is indeed very possible that the physics that apply to sedan and sports car aerodynamics don't apply to SUV's, even when SUV's are driven at highway speeds in strong cross winds.
The point is, Trackers do not handle well at highway speeds in strong cross winds. It is inherent in the design. Reasonable modifications to the vehicle will not really resolve Betty's concerns. In fact, modifications she may make to address her concerns about driving in the wind may adversely effect her vehicle's performance under other, more common, driving conditions.
If I am way off base here, give me some answers. I would love to be able to modify an old VW hippie bus so I could drive it through the Columbia Gorge on a groovy day to watch the wind surfers without getting white knuckles and aching biceps.
My previous comments were in response to your assertions regarding using larger tires. The change in COG and height resulting from larger tires just isn't that large and I was questioning whether the effect on rollover resistance and susceptibility to wind would be significant.
tidester, host
Having loose objects in the back of the car isn't such a great idea since that stuff can fly around if you do have a fender bender. If you decide to go that route, I'd stick with small sandbags and maybe even try to tie them to something back there.
Good luck!
Steve, Host
I have moved to the Eastern Sierra and am looking to purchase a small, American (but not a ford), four-wheel-drive, gas economical, RELIABLE, vehicle. The Tracker sounded like the perfect car, but, going to Consumer Reports, JD Powers, and Edmunds, they are not impressed with them. I have no way to readily go for a realistic test drive due to my location. I do not do a lot of 'off road' travel, but as you probably know, the snow here can come down very thick and very fast. I wanted good gas mileage because I work for two counties and spend a lot of time on roads that can get very bad very quickly. If the Tracker is not the right car, what is?
Thanks in advance.
For the record, here in W PA, trackers, kicks, and vitaras are quite common place. A co worker has a 94 two door soft top. It has 160K on there and still goes. I have seen and ridden in it when it was -10 and 9 inches of snow on the ground and it went right along with no problem Plus, it literally ran me out of there because it was so hot!
I own a Vitara with 12K on the clock. Bought it new April of 2002. Never had one issue except for a bad alternator. It goes very well in snow too, even with the lousy stock uniroyal tires. However, tires are an easy fix.
Trackers and Vitaras come with a real 4WD setup. This is much more reliable and less costly to fix than the AWD setups used by other makers of SUVs.
I would without a doubt recommend you get a tracker or vitara, since they are literally the same rig. Suzuki has a 7 year 100K powertrain warranty so that should alleviate any misgivings you may have about reliability. As stated earlier, there are many trackers here in PA and some look very pristine others have some rust. But all of them are running like champs most over 100K.
Go with what works best for you.....however, I take issue with Edmunds, CR and JD powers.....as I have real world observations to conclude otherwise.
Its still running, no rust.
Has replaced the clutch, the trans (due to him not fixing clutch in time), shocks & struts, and brakes.
One emissions control valve also.
Everything else is OEM.
The tracker, kick, and vitara are the same rigs under the sheetmetal..so comments to one pretty much apply to all.
That doesn't make any sense. You can drive the vehicle until the clutch fails completely and it won't hurt the tranny.
Now, driving poorly could lead to premature clutch failure and tranny failure.
When gears grind, bad things are soon to follow.
If you want a real truck in a tiny package then the Vitara is for you. If you want the most options and the smoothest ride for the money then this car is not for you[not a car review kind of car]
The people who write car reviews really don't know anything about machines at all. All they understand is what they feel and what they think is important. There is alot more to making a good machine than that.
80 Vw's are a good case in point. The car reviewers said blah,blah but these are the cars that go to 300k mi reliably, use no gas, have interiors that don't fall apart.......
Rely on reliability and longevity history to make your decision.
I live in Saskatchewan Canada, we have bad winters. My Vitara does well in deep snow with Goodrich A/T 215/70 R16 tires. The only real complaints I have are:
-At -40 all the plastic rattles worse than other peoples cars.
-The fuel economy is not "Honda" level and degrades rapidly with colder temperatures
-The gearbox is relly stiff in extreme cold
Also, I've noticed the same thing in my Sidekick about the popping of the plastic. The first time it did that, I thought something was falling apart, scared the crap outta me.
Gas milage: I have the 1.8 liter (its a Sport) and I get about 22 on average per tank. I haven't calculated what city vs. highway milage is, because I have all mixed driving.
Is yours a 5 speed? I've noticed when mine is cold, the gear box is stiff as well, and it always scrapes lightly going into 2nd and 3rd. Could be a Suzuki thing.
These rigs are built tough! As you already know, zuki is in the minority when it comes to body on frame small SUV. Their engines are lendengary for sturdiness. ANd, they have a real 4WD setup, second to none
Sure they ride rough but as posted earlier, get an accord or camry if you want a smooth ride.
If you want toughness, get a Suzuki!