I'm thinking of buying a Tracker or Sidekick. I've been advised to only consider 96 thru 98 models because of a better injection system during those years. any opinions on this would be appreciated

I enjoy my 96, but my Dad's 93 doesn't have any problems.  The 95 and up has the 16v engine in the 2 door Tracker/Sidekicks that gives you an extra 10hp and 96 and up has airbags on both sides.

Mechanically they are pretty much the same, the big difference being the different splines in the front end.  Depending on what you want to use it for any model should be worthwhile. 

You're saying 16 valves began in 95? No difference in injection systems in 96?

yes 95 was the beginning of the 16v. same motor. only diff is the 96 and newer has a sensor in the oil pump. other than that its all the same.

I could be wrong - but - isn't '96 the year everything (at least stateside) switched to OBDII?

What's OBDII?

yes 96 was the year. but that doesnt change anything about the motors. just the wiring and such. this isnt the most tech of answers for OBDII but basiclly its what software the ecu uses to run. also when you get the check engine light the connector to check the codes you have to use a scan tool on it. pre 96 you could take a paper clip and put it in the connector and you could pull the codes. now you cant do that.

What's OBDII?

Google is your friend.

OBDII (OBD2) - OnBoard Diagnostics 2 - is a little more than just the "software the ECU uses to run", it is in fact an entirely different (and vastly superior) engine management system, and that is why you were advised to only consider the post '96 years.

If you have a US market vehicle with EFI built prior to '96, you'll have an engine management system capable of telling you when an emission control related sensor has failed, if it's post '96 it will be capable of providing a lot more information, including impending failures (ie before the failure occurs).

The part that makes the IBDII great (more sensors) is also what makes it less than great (more sensors). If you can afford a good scan tool (around $125), OBDII is very nice. The cheap scan tools don't give you all the diagnostic info (especially the live feeds from the sensors). Because it has more sensors, it's superior at helping to diagnose problems (and does a decent job of self-diagnosing).

The downside is more sensors = more things that can break... and you need the scan tool to take advantage of the diagnostic capabilities. I was hesitant to shell out the $$$ for a good scan tool, but it's since been one of my favorite purchases. It doesn't always help me instantly know what the problem is, BUT it usually at least eliminates a lot of possibilities: a HUGE time saver.

As an added bonus, you can also use the live-scan to teach yourself how to do hypermileing (get the best gas mileage possible). You need a live-scan tool to do this. Google "hypermiling" if you want to know more, as it's really outside the scope of this thread.

Don't forget that most of the 4 doors had 16 valve engines in them as well, after 92 or 93.  It's only the 2 doors that kept the 8 valve.

Then there's always the 1.8L sport model 

Well, yea, but that is post 97 and has different plastic flares. 

The 16V was put in all the 4 doors starting in 92.
The 16V was put in the cali and NY 2 doors starting in 94.
The 16V was put in all the other 2 doors in 95.  BUT only if they were 4wd.
The 16V was put in all 2 doors in 96.
The sidekick sport model was available in 96-98 and only with the 1.8, 16V engine.
AFAIK, there is no difference in the injection systems between the 92-95 and the 96-98 1.6L 16V engines.  The big change was the introduction of OBD2 in 96....but the injection stayed the same, I believe.

Post 1996 16V injection is synchronous, the injectors are fired individually at the optimum timing for each cylinder. Pre 96 16Vs were batch fired, two injectors were fired at a time so one would be on the exhaust stroke and one on the intake. Synchronous gives slightly improved low rpm power and better emissions performance. To achieve synchronous timing Suzuki had to add the Crankshaft Position Sensor.
OBD2 only affects the protocol that the diagnostic port uses. Prior to 1996 the requirement was only to have diagnostics, there was no standard protocol so each manufacturer used their own. OBD2 means that one scanner will read all models, the second O2 sensor was added to allow monitoring of the catalytic converter which is required by the OBD2 standard.
Most OBD2 Suzukis still have a diagnostic port that allows codes to be read using the 'paperclip' technique. Similarly pre 96 Suzukis generally have a diagnostic port for a scan tool, this is not shown in the FSMs but I hacked this a couple of years ago and published the details.

http://www.btinternet.com/~j_holland/pages/diag.html

Good info, Rhinoman, bookmarked!