Alright, I've pretty much decided on the Sammi, or the Sidekick. I need your help to make that decision though. Sammi's are cheaper (lifted and big tired), but these are only 1.3 L engines, not much power I think. :( However, the sidekicks I've seen are bone stock, but they are 1.6 litre. I want a rig that can go offroad, but that has a decent road ride too. :cool: And I've heard that on sidekicks, the doors rust through. So, any help would be helpful. But I want a 5 speed, and a Stick for the T-case.

Rick

One thing that you have to remember is that, yea the Samurai only has 60 h.p., but it also weighs around 2000 lbs. The power to weight ratio is not too bad.
Also hp is less important when you have gearing. That is why they make a 4.16:1, 4.87:1, or a 6:1 transfer case.
If you want the power of a Tracker, just put the motor in the Samurai, there are numerous kits out there to do it.
It will be harder to lift a Sidekick or Tracker because they have independent front suspension (bad) whereas the Samurai has straight axle front (good)!
Also the Tracker doesn't have a full frame.
It's a lot less work to do the Samurai.

Probably the biggest reason to go with the Samurai is the availability of aftermarket products. For the Samurai there are tons of parts available, and compared to the tracker they are much cheaper. And if you tire of the cheap and flimsy axles on the sammi, you can always add a set of Rockwell 2.5 ton axles!!!!!!!!!:eek: :eek: :D

Originally posted by richwurm
I want a rig that can go offroad, but that has a decent road ride too. Rick

Unless you are planning to do some heavy-dooty 'wheeling, you might be better off with a Sidekick. They are more car-like and ride very nice compared to a Samurai. They have a lot more creature comforts, too. Heck, I had one with power mirrors! They are pretty capable off road, too.

Originally posted by 350Samurai
Also the Tracker doesn't have a full frame.


Excuse me? All my Sidekicks have a full frame, where'd you get this info?

Sami's are cheaper, and they go about anywhere, if you don't mind replacing broken Birfield joints.

Sidekicks/Trackers cost more to purchase, and more to modify, but they have a lot more creature comforts. I have no problem doing a 1,600 KM trip in my Sidekick - in a Sami, you would DIE.

Here's where I'm coming from - bought a 2-door Sidekick off e-bay in January (my 5th), and where I'm going:

$3,000 95 2-door soft-top Sidekick off e-bay
$1,000 Calmini 6" Lift
$1,000 Calmini Winch Bumper & Warn 6000 lb winch
$1,000 Wheels & Goodyear Wrangler MT/R tires (5)
$1,000 Calmini 4.2:1 Low Range Transfer Case Gears
$1,000 Calmini 5.83:1 R & P gears, and Centerforce clutch.
$1,000 Calmini ANVIL front axle case, Grand Vitara Manual Transmission Diff carrier (steel) and 26 spline axles from a 96 or newer Sidekick.
$1,000 Belly armor, snorkel, rear bumper etc.

About $10,000 US, for a very capable rig (and I declare Calmini as a dependent on my income tax LOL!)

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Bobzooki
[B]


Sami's are cheaper, and they go about anywhere, if you don't mind replacing broken Birfield joints.


hmmmm. after 115000 km's mine seem to be still hangin' in there.




I have no problem doing a 1,600 KM trip in my Sidekick - in a Sami, you would DIE.


oh, Bob.:p i have driven my Sammy up to Valdez Alaska and a little place called Inuvik, in the North West Territories.
and i'm still alive.:flipoff2:

now if only i could figure a way out of this full body cast, i'd drive down there and smack you. :D

I think he was refering to the angry drivers behind you on hills that want to kill you for going so slow!

I have a sammy, my girlfriend has a sidekick. Driving in the sam makes a trip feel twice as long as the kick.
Ken

I don't know to much about Sidekicks, but as my Samurai gets more and more towards the rock buggy side of wheelin', I'd like to have a 4 door 'Kick to take campin'. Seems to me they are very capable rigs and a auto tranny with AC would be nice!!!:D

More expensive to modify a kick + less aftermarket support. Unless you like Crapini stuff your stuck. Or you could buy a sidkick then swap in a samurai front axle and have all kids of possibilities.