my buddy had a sidekick 5 speed 4x4 and it was pretty fun to drive around in, ive never owned a 4x4 before, im more into road racing, auto x stuff. i own a 87 bmw 325 that i spend most of my money on, but i went mudding for the first time last week and it was pretty fun, ive been looking for a daily for the winter so i can work on my car and was thinking of a tracker or samurai, but i dont know too much about them, what should i look for when buying one? any differences between the tracker and samurai? or even the sidekick? is there different engines that came in these? if so is there a better engine to look for? or tranny? or anything along the lines of this. and benefits that one has that the other dosent(bedsides that one has 4 doors) thanks for any input guys, and hopefully i can post pics soon of a new samurai or tracker

what should i look for when buying one?
Depending on if you decide on a tracker or samurai... Look for a relatively rust free, smooth running and shifting rig and you should be OK..
any differences between the tracker and samurai?
Kicks and Trackers are the same thing.. But Samurai and Kicks have many differences... Samurai.. Solid axle front and rear... smaller engine.. smaller body and less room in interior but more options for modification... Kicks.. IFS, solid axle rear... more room inside, large interior.. larger motor.. less options for modification.... Kicks are much better if your going to get a lot of on road use but Samurai's are still decent in most on road use but high speed interstate running....
is there different engines that came in these? Sami... 1.3L some carbed some EFI.. Kick 1.6L all are EFI but a few remaining 1.3L 89 models BUT the 1.6 in a Sami...wow 

Both will be a good winter ride for you... I personally prefer the Kicks over Sami's but I do have plans on purchasing a Sami soon. The Kicks are a better on road vehicle but the Samis have many more aftermarket options to feed your new addiction when you buy one....

Zig

thanks for the info, i got my eyes on a samurai right now that has 33's, said axles were moved under springs to give it lift, and some other stuff for 900, think that one was a 88 and im also looking at a 90 tracker that looks pretty clean with nice mud tires for only 800.

both sound good.  Im almost finished with my samurai on 33s, same one i learned to drive a stick on all those years ago.  The trackers are good, my grandpa was in the mts and stumbled onto a Range Rover competition course and noone was doing it bc it rained.  He, my grand ma and uncle in the tracker did every obstalce sucessfully except the last bc of high center-all stock).  either one sounds good.  The tracker will have move get up and go, softer ride prolly but like he said sami has more options

where are you located?

im in lima ohio

There are sidekicks and then there is everything else! 
Kidding!, all are good just make sure it says Suzuki (or chevy/geo) on it!
Just no jeeps please! J.ust E.mpty E.very P.ocket
Any other acronyms for jeeps out there?

yea, i was really wanting a yj but they cost too much, thats why i want a sammy. there pretty badass

Anything that can be said about a Sidekick also applies to a Tracker.  They are the same truck (Hummm could add X90 to that.  Same as a Tracker-Sidekick except for the body...).  The Tracker-Sidekick can be found in 4dr hardtop as well as 2dr convertible and 2dr hardtop (up to about 1993).  The convertible can be fitted with a removable fiberglass hardtop.

Having had both a Sami and a Tracker, if you are looking for a daily driver, the Tracker has a much more comfortable (smoother) ride.  The Sami can be very jarring at times.  Fuel economy is essentially the same for both, at least in stock form.  

The 1.6 engine comes in two flavors, 8 valve ('89-'94(I think)) and 16 valve.  I have never driven an 8V, so I can't say much about the difference, but the 16V seems to get better gas mileage and is rumored to have more power.

If you go soft top, the Tracker soft top (at least on my '96) doesn't seem to blow around and flap as much as the Sami top, and doesn't have velcro that blows loose every time a semi goes by.  When it is cold and stiff, the Sami top really makes a lot of noise when the side panels flap against the frame.  My Tracker is a '96, 1.6L, 16V, 5 spd, 2dr convertible with manual hubs. It is a great winter vehicle, especially with a removable hardtop, and very capable off-road even in stock form. The 2dr has a slight advantage over the 4dr off-road because the shorter wheelbase allows you to do sharper break-overs without scraping the rockers.  The 4dr has the advantage on the street because you can lock it up, whereas the soft top just unzips if someone wants to get into it.

I would suggest looking for a 16V, 5spd, 2dr. with both soft and hard tops.