1996 Geo Tracker LSi | Retro Review

[@Motorweek]

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[@nimamojtahedzadeh1568]

I still see some of these on road! Mostly with some weird looking 90’s graphics.

[@popanz25]

These actually aged decently well. I still see the hard top 4 doors around every once in awhile. Wouldn’t mind having one with a 5psd,

[@wawewawe1316]

Yeah I agree with the 4cycl 3 doors models. But the V6 models had problems from the beginning and the 4cycl 5 door models we're too underpowered.

[@tylerpowers453]

@@wawewawe1316 there were no geo trackers with a v6. Not until it became the chevy tracker in 1999

[@ruad2642]

These cars are extremely popular in South America, you can see many on them still on the road.

[@wawewawe1316]

@@tylerpowers453 here these were either known as a Suzuki or Mazda

[@Karmy.]

I've been drooling over the idea of someday owning one for years now

[@LearnAboutFlow]

Geo - Another great GM idea that held tremendous potential, so naturally GM killed it.

[@rightlanehog3151]

You know what GM said, "If I'm going down in flames, I'm taking you with me"

[@sutherlandA1]

All Geo was was rebadged Suzukis, just let them sell under their own brand

[@Prizm2356]

Geo was a good brand of cars a collection of Toyota's, Suzuki's, and Isuzu's all tweaked a little to give them their Geo image. I loved them my favorite brand.

[@rightlanehog3151]

@@Prizm2356 Bring back the Prizm! It would look great in my driveway alongside my Vibe.

[@LearnAboutFlow]

@@rightlanehog3151 Funny, since Tesla's Fremont, CA plant is the old NUMMI (GM/Toyota) one where they built Prizms/Corollas and Matrix/Vibes. Probably the only plant GM had that consistently turned out reliable cars.

[@barryervin8536]

When I was an auto mechanic I always assumed Suzukis were probably junk since they weren't that common in the US. But then I worked in a shop that had a couple of Suzuki owning customers and I was surprised to find that they were actually built pretty well and reliable. I wouldn't mind having one of these Trackers today.

[@herbiehusker1889]

The convertible Tracker is still a good looking vehicle.

[@mazdafiero112]

Yes it is!

[@OhioGuy216]

LOL!

[@mazdafiero112]

@@OhioGuy216 😏

[@estebanamador7601]

I'm from Costa Rica and we have a lot of them. In this moment, if you want one like this of the video in my country, you have to pay US$6000. Most of them were imported from USA and they are very popular because they are the best option for many families that live in rural areas. It's cheap to maintain and It's fuel economy is awesome vs the big 4wds options, and It's one of the most reliable cars on road. Nowadays Suzuki is the only one that continues making small real 4wds.

[@DiecastShowCustoms]

*Chevy needs to bring the Suzuki Jimny under this name*

[@LrulestheworldM8]

Diecast Show Customs except they wont, cause china.

[@MandusahRamirez]

That is a good idea

[@ohguy1991]

Yeah okay. They'd never sell here

[@Offshore1977]

I’d totally buy it if the Jimny was sold here

[@DiecastShowCustoms]

@@rightlanehog3151 that is funny. But I still want one

[@brtmn7902]

Where I'm from, it was called Suzuki Vitara

[@mrdaykurutakuchannel]

Here's aka escudo and sidekick, similarly aged.

[@vincentdarsch6429]

No difference except chevy logos...

[@rcairforceone]

The Vitara/Grand Vitara came to the US in the next generation.

[@BluePhoenix2013]

The Vitara/Grand Vitara replaced the Sidekick

[@Atomusk90]

Had a 94 4 door and still have a 2 door tracker. Love these little SUV's.

[@OhioGuy216]

Jesus, I still use the same luggage bags as they used in this review from 23 years ago! They’re still awesome as well.

[@MTLbigJ]

Man this brings me back... My dad had one when I was a little boy. I remember the back seats having no headrest made it impossible to nap in back... But they were unbelievably reliable!

[@BikerJim74]

I had a 4 door 4x4 version of this. I finally got rid of it after 200k miles, it was a great vehicle, despite being slower than molasses in january

[@aestheticcruise8807]

Biker Jim I still see the odd Geo Tracker in my city. They are great vehicles but I’d say better for small towns where the roads are not always refined and are excellent for those dusty gravel roads

[@howtobebasic2122]

in 1998 the Geo tracker was renamed the Chevy Tracker, and that car continued until 2004, and in 2005 the equinox came out

[@halohunter5217]

Then Suzuki released the XL7 on the Equinox platform in 2006.

[@COYGunners]

halo hunter and both are shit

[@mikhael4505]

These these are everywhere in my country and are called the Suzuki Vitara or Escudo. I am from the Caribbean island of St.Lucia and most of them are very well kept.

[@gregeliason2536]

I have a 97 4 dr. Runs great. Last snowfall roads were fairly bad. I was passing Yuppies in they're $60k SUV'S like they were standing still.

[@Nskawtea1]

Honestly, when I got into this car, I felt pretty cool. And I still think it’s pretty cool

[@COYGunners]

My mom had one of those, 98’ model in a nice blue color, it was manual and drove pretty decent. I was a teen and of course tried to push it hard anytime I had the chance to drive it. It never rolled over. Nice, small and tough vehicle. Kinda wish I still have it for everyday driving.

[@Sit2090]

My first vehicle was a 1996 Geo Tracker 4DR LSI 4X4. It was white with black bumpers and black trim. It also had vinyl blue/green wave decals on the doors and rear. It was automatic with an automatic transfer case. No ABS though. I locked my brakes up one time and slid into an intersection to prevent running a red light. I hated it when I had it. But looking back at it, that little SUV was a tough cookie. I put that thing through hell. Too it off-road a time or 2 and sped every where I went. That 95 HP was way underpowered for that suv. Naturally a teenager would drive it like it was stolen. Lol. It had a tiny oil leak, a leak in the AC and the CV boot needed replacing when I sold it. Was sad when I found out it was totaled by the girl who bought it from me. RIP Geo. You’ll be missed.

[@shaeet]

i've always thought the tracker/sidekicks looked cool. Loved the flared fenders and military-esque aesthetics

[@palebeachbum]

I always liked these. Fun, cheap, capable. Our neighbor had a bubble gum purplish-pink 2 door soft top. It was a 5-spd manual and she didn't know how to drive manual, so someone had to drive it home for her from the dealership. LOL

[@rightlanehog3151]

How do you think I got my first manual home?

[@landyachtfan79]

I would sure love to get to know THIS Geo, I'll tell you that!!!!!!

[@anthom.c5830]

Beautiful car! The Geo Tracker still looking nice today because it's so 90's!

[@sutherlandA1]

It's design dates back to 1988

[@wolfsburg4x4]

Look at the color on this one, doesn't get more retro !

[@katrinaanderson2427]

I drive a 98 tracker. It’s really something. And it won’t die.

[@oliverdelgado6952]

Another beautiful retro review video thank you !

[@95jonas95]

I live in Brazil and they were sold here as the Suzuki Vitara. The second and third generations were called the Grand Vitara (I own a 2010 3rd gen). And the funniest thing is that GM also sold the second gen Grand Vitara as the Chevrolet Tracker (they've dropped the 'Geo').

[@NSXTypeRGTRLM]

If they came out with this SUV today they'd sell so many of them. Too bad Suzuki doesn't exist anymore in the US.

[@nickmotsarsky4382]

Not really. People prefer larger suvs and crossovers.

[@corionh4775]

@@nickmotsarsky4382 Tell that to almost every other compact CUV in the segment. People today prefer CUV's period, not just larger ones.

[@1hackmodeller557]

Top 4x4 version under 19K. Man, do I miss those days!

[@kippaseo8027]

This burgundy twin to the Suzuki Sidekick jlx was actually my dream car in high school. It's interesting to note though that MotorWeek didn't publish it's 0 to 60 time of almost 15 seconds. They were severely underpowered with the heavier addition of three more doors and 11 in in length but still they were very reliable and if you didn't overheat the engine and blow the head gasket you could still be driving one today.

[@wawewawe1316]

Yup the 4cycl 5 door models we're greatly underpowered and the V6 models were notorious for blowing head gaskets

[@yungkidnf]

The Geo Tracker,the spokes vehicle for the game show "Supermarket Sweep".

[@Mr_Chris77]

The background music is going to loop in my head for days.

[@ShaiyanHossain]

having a small offroad SUV like this in 2019 would be nice, like even smaller than a JL wonder how a Renegade or the upcoming Baby Bronco will compare to something like this

[@robolsen3506]

Why Chevrolet ever discontinued this, and didn't just move it to unibody I'll never understand. They abandoned a now hugely popular market.

[@ninjahood]

you mean like da Chevy Trax (Tracker?) lol

[@cadsux]

The Chevy Tracker was 1988 - 2004. The Trax came out in 2012. So Chevy abandoned it for 8 years. The modern Trax is called Tracker in Russia because Trax sounds like copulation!

[@syxepop]

AmericaLovesRob, Chevrolet never built it in most / all of the world. It was a rebadged Suzuki and GM divorced from them when VW bought 20% of Suzuki Auto's stock (which they got back in a big court battle to then sell almost all of those to Toyota).

[@briteidea08]

My friends father had one. Very capable vehicles. My buddy wanted to show me how well it went off road. Went from Rosewood state hospital to Cromdall Lane via the woods. Came out where Stevenson has an entrance now. Plenty of good off roading area's in Owings Mills 20-30 years ago.

[@RockyFoxxowo]

My dad had the Suzuki version and got respected by all the off roaders in the area

[@immature1990]

I liked these trucks my aunt had the Chevy version that she bought brand new and kept it until 2012 when she got rid of it

[@Trendyflute]

John Davis's pace and pitch are both a big higher than normal in this! Interesting... Agree with many other commenters that this car aged quite well, despite being a punchline when new.

[@YeetoLavito]

I have a 2nd gen tracker. Best car I've ever owned.

[@akshunjaxon604]

Not a bad SUV. Still looks decent today

[@mazdafiero112]

Yes they do!

[@josenapoleoncastanedamoren2727]

I drive a 96 geo tracker 4x4 4 doors with 260,000 km original engine, I put in new A/T tires recently, that car always surprises me

[@TurboMan942]

It's a shame that they don't make vehicles like this anymore. Same deal with small pickups. Assuming the safety regulations, public want for bigger versions, and lack of room for markup played a factor.

[@LrulestheworldM8]

Faux Craig Singhouse oh its still possible to make a vehicle like this. Manufacturers just dont want to. You dont need a touch screen in your vehicle to make it 'safe'. But dont tell the normies and engineers that. They will behead you for thinking such a thing.

[@TurboMan942]

@@LrulestheworldM8 I agree. I'm sure touchscreens are way more distracting than simple knobs and buttons.

[@abdulbukhary2372]

Timeless shape.

[@IVR02]

I've only seen one 4-door Tracker in the last few years, but I still see the two-door models pretty often. Hell, I've got a close friend who drives one.

[@jimmyjimjims7483]

I had a red 93! It was a reliable little creature and still drove when I sold it last year, always had good luck with my Geos (had a metro and a prizm too).

[@mauart.7893]

I own a 90metro since 2000 and still use it everyday. So damn reliable little car as all geos

[@rossco5995]

Remember when Consumer Reports made false claims which ended the Samurai. Then we got the watered down Samurai.

[@campbemj180]

The Geo Tracker 2 door convertible is the greatest vehicle ever made. Fight me

[@MasterJim2020]

Nice looking Geo. Too bad Geo has been gone since the late 90’s.

[@garybakerthegazz8707]

Did motorweek do a test with the 2.5V6 version I own a 2002 suzuki grand vitara sports 2.5v6 manual here in Australia it goes like a rocket the engine was designed by suzuki the intake fuel injection manifold was made by Mazda and GM built the engine a 2.0&2.5&2.7 litreV6 versions of the same DOHC 24V engine

[@ahmadfaisal6778]

In Malaysia, we called it Suzuki Vitara.

[@Ferraridude13]

We had that in the US as well. This was just a Chevy rebadge of a suzuki product

[@ahmadfaisal6778]

@@Ferraridude13 the 2 doors version is more beautiful than the 4 one. And still beautiful to this day.

[@MandusahRamirez]

GM owned Suzuki and daewoo

[@ohguy1991]

Ummm beautiful? No I wouldn't go that far

[@juliogonzo2718]

Buddy of mine had a gmc tracker. Just prying the plastic cap off the rear seatbelt anchor bolt, about 16 square inches of the wheel well came with it. She was a rotbox!

[@zythr9999]

lol

[@thomaspotemciano]

I remember I saw one in the Philippines that was 5spd diesel. Don't know if they ever came out with one like that or it was swapped.

[@nonic4vic600]

I saw one on sale and now i think imma buy it. Hopefully its still available when I get my license this summer

[@JohnDrivesAnything]

Did you get it?

[@Bdub1952]

I have a second gen 2 door 4x4 Suzuki and love it. It's a beast off-road. Try to find an affordable, competent small off-roader with a 2 speed transfer case in 2020. Can 't find one in the USA.

[@JohnDrivesAnything]

I just picked up a 92. Cant wait to take it off road

[@johnbehneman1546]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! GREAT VIDEO AND EDUCATION. THANKS FOR SHARING!!! I LEARNED SO MUCH!!!

[@glsracer]

I have a lifted 1997 Suzuki Sidekick Sport JLX 4x4 and it has 125 or 130 HP from a 1.8 liter DOHC engine which is barely adequate, I'm surprised that the Geo equivalent came with the smaller engine. Overall, it's been a great little off-roader. I've toyed with selling mine on several occasions since I only use it for off-roading, but I always find reasons to keep it around.

[@syxepop]

glsracer - that was when Suzuki had the 4-door Sport Vitara w/that engine. By the time of this video Suzuki's top engine was the 1.6L shown here... (I don't think Geo or Chevy had any US-spec version w/the 1.8L or very few would've been sold w/that engine)

[@MandusahRamirez]

I would love to have one of these and do a modern GM 4 cylinder swap from a Equinox with about 170hp. That’s all it needs

[@COYGunners]

justen ramirez Lackey I guess you can supercharge the original engine.

[@lancetheb.m.c]

I have a suggestion: If you have a Retro Review UNDER Four Minutes, do a double shot, meaning Two reviews for the week......

[@crazyone1067]

These things were everywhere when they were on sale!

[@tjwatson0403]

These would sell so well if they came out today

[@FantomLightning]

God I miss Suzuki...

[@BenJabituya]

FantomLightning The first car I learned to drive in had to be a Suzuki. In the USA, I drove a Suzuki Esteem. In India, I drove a Maruti Suzuki 800.

[@garbagebanditdayz819]

R.I.P Geo Tracker 1989-1997

[@maddesi2709]

More "Trail-Rated" than all the new Jeeps but the Wrangler

[@mythosallen32]

The two doors could run ATV trails and were solid in 4 lo.

[@86angrybees]

Trackers look awesome with black offset samurai wheels and larger tires

[@PaulMyers-q1m]

GEO were weird but good .today we wish affordable cars like these some had no power windows or lock was enough 😮

[@AlexRodriguez-yi9vw]

I had a Geo meter of 3 very good and very economical silindros

[@d.j.langehennig6330]

Have a lifted '95 vert and a '00 Vit. 4dr. Eventually the Vitara's 2.0 will get refreshed and put in the Tracker.

[@highfuturamic]

Also know as Suzuki Grand Vitara overseas...

[@syxepop]

58'chrysler, just Vitara... The Grand was for the 4-door with the larger V6 engines, like the 2.5L or the 3.2L. Before that was the 1.8L 4-door Sport Vitara. Any US-spec 1.6L in 2 or 4-door would have the plainer name...

[@StreetrunnerYZF_R6]

How’s the engine reliability

[@Sanpedranoazul]

Scion was the Geo of these years

[@MandusahRamirez]

Mario Torrez Quant Saturn was too

[@davidaubin3902]

Too bad Geo was gone after 1997

[@halohunter5217]

The cars kept going as Chevrolets...

[@brianlego98gaming]

My dad used to own one but he scrapped it recently and kept the tires

[@arhsapiriumpichannel2310]

Looks like suzuki escudo?

[@rightlanehog3151]

Gee Geo, where are you when we really need you?

[@jeremyb456]

Suzuki is the one that started all this small SUV crossover's that we have now and they are not even around selling these anymore in the U.S and canada.. Come back to us suzuki I really like the new 2019 Suzuki Jimny!

[@rightlanehog3151]

Have you seen its horrifying European crash test results?

[@jeremyb456]

@@rightlanehog3151 not yet will look now

[@rightlanehog3151]

@@jeremyb456 It is a real pity because an inexpensive and nimble 4X4 is a very appealing idea.

[@dbrxsdgo]

Back to basics....these days are missed. Now, everyone wants gobs of power and luxury everything...meh.

[@JohnDrivesAnything]

I just got a 92 Tracker. Way more enjoyable then Modern little SUVs

[@Countrysideboy247]

Looks better than most crossovers today! It is sad to know that the current generation of the vitara is a shitbox crossover!

[@wawewawe1316]

Here we have two versions of the Vitara. That crossover that looks like a mini landrover and the proper 4wd.

[@JohnDrivesAnything]

Just picked up s 2 door 92 Tin Top

[@Tool0GT92]

To think the explorer and lots of other large SUVs are front wheel drive based now.

[@rightlanehog3151]

The new Explorer is back to RWD.

[@Tool0GT92]

@@rightlanehog3151 yea I saw that but for years everything has been switching to longitudinal based engines.

[@Peter-ev2kr]

Is this similar to the Suzuki xl7 we had in Australia??

[@wawewawe1316]

This is the generation before the XL7. The XL7 was a nice idea but didn't sell that well because the competition in that size category was heaps better in terms of packaging and value.

[@juliogonzo2718]

Ya we had the xl7 in Canada and it was the next generation of the Suzuki sidekick (tracker)

[@चेतन_महाराष्ट्र]

My first car was a Geo Prizm stick shifter which was actually a rebadged Toyota Corolla. It was ugly but I loved it.

[@tokyotopp]

My mom had one of these,but it was a Suzuki sidekick.

[@mw3gamer23]

Those made great ridge runnin vehicles or back and forth work

[@kippaseo8027]

I can't believe it's been almost 22 years since GM killed off the Geo brand. You can still see quite a few little Suzuki built Geo Tracker and Geo Metro cars zipping around Miami. They were very well made so basic little cars. My neighbor recently lost her 1996 Geo Prizm which was built by Toyota in a crash. She went to the local Chevrolet dealer and foolishly asked what Chevrolet Chevy replaced the Prizm with. Luckily there was a disgruntled Chevrolet Cruze owner in the showroom who was able to talk her out of the salesman's recommendation. Chanel Drive a 2020 Corolla hatchback.

[@JohnDrivesAnything]

I just picked up a 92 Tracker.

[@zythr9999]

Prizm was replaced by the Aveo

[@Blackout_1692]

Still can't believe these were made until 2005

[@zythr9999]

lol

[@goodbonezz1289]

It was actually pretty decent off road

[@takeomack2782]

Very nice video!

[@CHMernerner]

we need bring small offroaders back

[@1beck2en3ham]

2019 there are 1) Big 4WD 2) Small FWD high ride

[@freedomairconditioner6152]

Time has proven it to be an “ok” vehicle. Not great, but not bad. Great for the money. The grill/face is too pudgy. If the headlights were narrowed, the grill widened the same amount, and an extra slat added, it would more match the sleeker doors and door frames. Those window frames are nice and sleek.

[@VDPEFi]

The later ones with a V6 were quite a little machine, admittedly the rav4 was more sophisticated, that's probably why those poor old oil burners are about dead and the tracker/Vitara are still smashing it off road

[@wawewawe1316]

Yup the V6 models always blew their head gaskets from a low mileage. So I never bought one. The RAV4 of the generation has problems with their automatics and not very roomy inside. So I bought a Honda CR-V.

[@skostur79]

can’t believe i was going to buy one. then again i can’t believe i bought a 19 cherokee =pos

[@Moondog970]

Why don't you like it?

[@budbundy5021]

I want the motorweek theme song as a ringtone

[@quentinwooten30]

Needs tint on the windows asap

[@christopherconard2831]

Geo, GM speak for "If you can't beat them, import them".

[@bsimpo18]

Hummm that’s where Jeep Patriot got there design...

[@anthonylaurice9593]

I like how they said bargain price of 18k. That's like 29k today. Average price of most cars

[@cadillacdevile]

I wonder why the jeep patriot looked so familiar -

[@jsizemo]

Think one would have been better off springing another grand on the RAV4.

[@steveespinola7652]

GM drop the Geo brand but they still had the Tracker under the Chevy name until (I think) 2010 and replaced it with the Equinox.

[@wolfyboy11hitler61]

Sad they gone be in suv showing places