• 1.6 Liter engine
• 80 horse power
• 2 dr convertible
• No roll cage
• Extremely small wheel base
• Looses value quickly
• Parts & accessories few
• Higher roll over possibility
• 2.4 safety rating
• 6.3 reliability rating
• Modest off-road capabilities
• Made in Canada
• Introduced in 1986

• 2.4 Liter, and 4.0 Liter engines
• 180 horse power (4.0 L)
• 2 dr convertible
• 6 point roll cage
• small wheel base
• holds value very well
• parts & accessories plenty
• fair roll over possibility
• 7.2* safety rating
• 8.2* reliability rating
• Excellent off-road
• Made in USA
• Introduced in 1938?

• The GEO TRACKER

Is definitely not for everyone, but for some it may be a better alternative to a Jeep. It's smaller, lighter, rides like a car, and is very good on gas mileage. It does feature a convertible 2 door, and has modest 4-wheel capabilities. It is intended for people who don't want a Jeep, but would like some of the benefits of a Jeep, while still maintaining a more stock "feel". Around my neck of the woods I see more women driving Trackers then men. To a ratio of at least 4:1. My experience with a Tracker (I'm a male) was pleasant, but I found it did not satisfy my wants, and needs. Actually with all due respect to the Tracker, it really isn't intended for serious off-road driving. Yes it does have modest off-road capabilities, but it's more of a "all weather" vehicle, then a "all terrain" vehicle. But then again, most people who buy a Tracker will probably never or hardly ever go off road any way. For them, the 4 wheel drive will only be used in the winter if at all. My model had manual locking hubs, the auto hubs are an extra option.

• The JEEP WRANGLER

Is most definitely not for everyone, I'm referring to the Wranglers of course. But if you are bitten by the Jeep bug, the only cure is to get a Jeep! The Jeep is intended for people who demand more out of their vehicle. It satisfies every aspect of adventure, ride, and recreation. You can drive it completely stock and be better off then any other (stock) 4-wheel vehicle. No other vehicle comes as complete right out of the box! Or you can build up as much or as little as you want. You can immediately go off road with your Jeep completely stock and be amazed at it's capabilities! With a few mods, you can even go rock climbing. Operating the 4 wheel drive is very simple and straight forward. You can switch to 4H on the fly at any legal speed! To switch to 4L you must switch to neutral and coast at 3 to 5 miles per hour before switching to 4L. It's all automatic and simple. No manual hubs, no stopping, or parking, or reversing. Plus it's a Jeep! People will look at you with respect. Drivers of every pick up truck will watch you drive by wishing they had a Jeep. What can I say, it's a Jeep Thing, you either understand, or you don't.

• Final Words

The Tracker definitely has it's admirer's and fans. However it is not even close to a Jeep. It's predecessor the Suzuki Samurai was a closer approach to a Jeep, and even earned the respect of many Jeepers and off roaders. The Samurai was fashioned after a jeep, but smaller. It's doors could be removed, and it's windshield could be folded down, and it could be modified to do some serious off roading including rock climbing! Despite it's many good points it never sold very well. Perhaps it was it's high price tag, or poor marketing, most likely both. Suzuki finally stopped making them, and replaced them with the stripped down Sidekicks and Trackers. Suzuki did the right thing from a business stand point. The Samurai couldn't compete with the Jeep because it cost more then a Jeep, so why bother buying one then when you could get the original, and full size Jeep for less money. Now Suzuki is targeting a different breed of car buyers with their Sidekicks and Trackers. And it seems to be working for them. At least Tracker sales are pretty good. Surprisingly a 1999 Tracker still cost more money then a 1999 Jeep! However, drive both cars off the lot and see which vehicle depreciates in value more. The Tracker depreciates more and keeps depreciating more at a very fast rate. The Jeep will hold it's value very well.

One final observation I'd like to make. I see a lot of Trackers in my area. But the only Tracker I ever seen with it's convertible top off was mine! I can tell you that it was 10 times easier and faster to remove and put up my Tracker's top then my Bestop on my TJ! So why are all the Trackers driving around with their tops on in beautiful sunny warm summer days? Beats me. Every chance I got I took my Trackers top off. Even now with my Jeep which takes me 5 times longer to remove and put back, I drive with my top off my TJ too! The only thing I can think of is that this further signifies yet another primary difference between Trackers and Jeeps, and that's the drivers. And if by chance you should run in to a Tracker with their top off, maybe we should be waving to them too, as they could be Jeepers soon!