I recently purchased a '97 GEO 2-dr, soft top, 4x4, for my son.  It's in great shape but has a few needed services (timing belt and the soft top leaks over the back door).
It's an awsome little rig and extremely fun to drive, I like it!  I want one for myself, but I'm thinking the 4-dr model. 
1.Does it matter which brand, really? 
2.What year is the best year to get and why?
3. What things should I look for when I beat the bush at the mom/pop car lots?
4. What area of the country seems to have the largest selection of used ones for sale?

Any ideas, comments, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  And if anyone knows where I can get a good hard top for my son's, let me know.

Thanks.

1. it really doesent matter which brand , except that suzuki is better just kidding, there the same machine.
2. my opinion is the 96 is the best one to get , all the parts work perfect , it is OBD2 computer, so it is easy to diagnose.
3. 16valve motor, 5 speed (opinion:more reliable than auto)power steering.
4. they are not very common anywhere because they are such a bitchin ride no one ever wants to part with them

dont be concerned with mileage, just check it close and go with your gut. look for signs of a tow bar, they might have high mileage, but most are solid
there are 3 in our family the one with the least mileage is the one that has the worst susp and drivetrain(bought it for sas, wanted a pretty one)it only has 113,000 mi on it. the other two have over 175,000 and drive out great.
hope this helps
jason

In my opinion, 1995 is the best.  No Air-bags, OBD-1, simpler to mod.
Be sure that it has the 16-valve engine, and not the 8-valve!
I don't know if any of the Geo 4-doors still had the 8-valve engine in 95, but I DO know the 8-valve was still being sold in 95.

Here's what a 16-valve looks like:

Be sure that it has the 16-valve engine, and not the 8-valve!
I don't know if any of the Geo 4-doors still had the 8-valve engine in 95, but I DO know the 8-valve was still being sold in 95.

Why do you recommend against the 8 valve?  I've heard some people have preferences for the 8 valve.

Why do you recommend against the 8 valve?  I've heard some people have preferences for the 8 valve.

Simple:

8 valve = 80 HP
16 valve = 96 HP

20% more power.  (And believe me, you'll want it!)

ya I have a '91 4 door with the 8 valver and its gutless!  oh well its not staying anyways! 

AAAAH!  I got some opinions, this is great!
Okay...'95 has the OBD1, '96-OBDII...what are the main differences, basically?

Are there any interior/exterior changes from 95, 96, to 98?  any beneficial features, one from the other?

BobZooki...nice engine, clean!

Thanks.

'96 to '98 Sidekick Sport model was made in Japan.  There is no Geo equivalent.  It has 1.8l, 16valve engine.  Is slightly wider, has 16" wheels, larger brakes.  There are a few other small differences.  There is apparently a lack of aftermarket parts (headers, etc) for the engine.  I was unaware of the differences when I bought mine, but am very happy with it.

For specs:

www.off-road.com/suzuki/sidekick/sidespec.htm

Are you saying that the SPORT model is the best out of all of them?

So, let me get this straight.  Between '96-'98 Chevy Geo does NOT come in a sport model, just the Suzuki Sidekick.  But, Geo is still made in the regular 2/4 drs., right?

Does the Sport model get the same MPG as the regular model? 

Okay...'95 has the OBD1, '96-OBDII...what are the main differences, basically?

Are there any interior/exterior changes from 95, 96, to 98?  any beneficial features, one from the other?

  I would get a 95 with a 2.7 V-6 kind of rare but they do exist.......

obdII systems have better diagnosing abilites than obdI systems. the sensors are a little more sensitive to changes in the exhaust emissions so you have a greater chance of getting a check engine light come on. obdI codes can be cleared by disconnecting the battery - obdII codes stay in the computer until cleared with a scanner. as far as which one is better that would be hard to say. i would by obdI just because it is easier to diagnose and repair.

derek

Actually, the Evil Empire, Consumer Reports, rated the 95 as most reliable of all years for the Sidekick/Tracker.

The Sidekick Sport is NOT the best, because there are few aftermarket parts available for it (the frame rails are farther apart, so even things like bumpers don't fit).

The 96 is the beginning of the rounded dash:




The 95 and earlier, had the squared-off dash:




The 91 and earlier had the very rare, and coveted "Dish Dash" (but no 16 Valve):

+1 for the 1995 model. Even some 1994's. Especially if you are looking at 4 doors.

1994 and 1995 were still simple (ODB1) and were 16 valve.

No airbags. Airbags started in 1996. (Depends on personal preference here. I hate the idea of airbags while wheeling.)

Plus, my front passengers love my rollercoaster bar. (See Bob's pic above of 1995 dash) 

I feel that ODB1 is simpler technology, and easier to diagnose. It just takes one little wire to make a jumper between two connectors on one plug under the hood to diagnose what a check engine light means. Plus, you also have the check engine override switch behind the dash to turn it off when it comes on at mileage intervals.

Personally, I wouldn't recommend a Sport, even though they look cool and have the 1.8 valve. I've heard too many mixed reviews on the engine for it. Some people have had good luck, though.



EDIT: Forgot to mention 1994-1995 trim levels. In the Suzuki line up (not geo) They have the JS, the JX, and the JLX. The JS is a two wheel drive model. The JX is your basic 4wd model. The JLX is 4 wheel drive, but has electronic door locks, power windows, and somewhat nicer interior (like a deluxe model).

EDIT Part Deux: Things to look for at mom/pop lots:

Take a phillips screwdriver with you and pull off a rear tail light. Check for rust.

Lay underneath and check for leaks, rust, etc. Check the bottom of the frame rails and the exhaust for scratches and dents (to see how it was treated/offroaded, etc).

Open the hood and check out the valve cover gasket area. Also, the distributor area, looking for oil leaks, as these are the most common places.

Check the oil, see if it's milky. Check the radiator fluid, see if it's clean.

Start it up, listen to it run. A little sewing machine action is fine, loud noises might be something worth checking out.

Cruise it around, feel up the transmission. Spin hard circles in forward and reverse in a parking lot to feel and listen for CV joint issues.

Put it in 4WD and lock in the hubs if they are manual and drive in a circle in both directions, checking to make sure it goes into 4wd and everything meshes right. If they are auto hubs,  listen to the front hubs to see if they make any noise while in 4wd.

Hope this helps!

Yeah...this helps a lot!  Thanks!

Now the hunt begins...I suppose when I find one I'll get some input from you guys before I throw down the cash.

The 91 and earlier had the very rare, and coveted "Dish Dash" (but no 16 Valve):

I love my dish dash.  Very useful.