![]() * Spongy steering, mashed potato suspension on highway. ![]() THE GOOD: * Excellent off-road performance. ![]() * Fuel consumption, EPA city-highway, 23-25 m.p.g. PERFORMANCE: * 0-60 m.p.h., as tested, 16 seconds. TYPE: * Rear drive, four-seat, 4WD sport-utility vehicle. ENGINE: * 1.6 liters, four cylinders, single overhead cam engine developing 80 horsepower. But a glutton for hyphens.ġ991 Suzuki Sidekick JLX COST: * Base: $12,999 * As tested: $14,070, including optional air conditioning. city and 25 m.p.g highway, the Sidekick earns another superlative: It is the most fuel-efficient, four-door, four-wheel-drive, sport-utility in America. Or maybe it is the concert of road thrums and engine noise, a commonality of all sport utilities, that drowns out a generally adequate sound system. The seats have something called “bolstered cushioning,” the best feature of which is kidney grabbers for when the going gets jouncy.Ī mediocre sound system is common to both JX and JLX. Trays and open containers abound, but door storage is skimpy. The JLX comes with power windows, chrome wheels, tilt steering, split rear seat and other nifties. Power steering, underside skid plates, anti-lock rear brakes and fold-down rear seats (creating a total of 46 cubic feet of cargo space) are standard on both models. The four-door Sidekick is produced as the JX at a base price of $11,999 and as the JLX for $12,999. The result is rear legroom comfortably close to that offered by the Isuzu Trooper and Toyota 4-Runner, and rear headroom greater than skull space offered by the Rodeo, Nissan Pathfinder and Jeep Cherokee. Graduating to four doors (a two-door Sidekick remains in production and nationalists may also purchase it as the Chevrolet-Geo Tracker) required stretching the chassis by 12 inches. There’s also enough rake to the silhouette and sufficient softness to the edges to make the vehicle look much more sport than utility. But handsome, unpretentious, uncluttered and with the quality fit and finish of a $20,000 vehicle. Not cute, thank heavens, like its stablemate the Samurai. Yet the Sidekick certainly is attractive. The bias of the Sidekick, unfortunately, seems to be with its function as sod-thumper-and studies show that less than 10% of 4WD owners take their vehicles over anything much more rugged than a Renaissance Faire parking lot. Short, low gearing for maximum flexibility on dirt may run out of revs and start screeching at highway speeds.Įrgo, success in the science of manufacturing sport-utility vehicles rests with finding the marketable middle ground between roles. Steering and a suspension that cushions against moonscapes tend to be spongy and encourage wallow on simple asphalt, especially when threading through traffic. Unfortunately, horsepower that is ideal for the sod is soon exhausted on interstates. In first gear, that 80 horsepower, delivering 94 pounds of torque, was more than enough for full traction with a broad margin against wheel-spin. Steering and wheels tracked true despite some almighty wallops against rocks and ruts. The front strut and rear coil suspension (most sport-utes remain locked to leaf springs in the rear) soaked up extremes of movement around all axes and tamed any sense of tipping. That sweaty cliffhanger was enormous proof of the Sidekick as a stable, manageable off-road system. Their hand signaling, it turned out, had been a frantic attempt to wave off passage along the previously impassable track. I would sell it NOW for $3,500 or a reasonable offerĭon't wait until the end of the auction t0 make an offerĬar is located in Walnut, CA and is available for inspection or test drive anytime.Įast Coast $700 (Plus $200 for N.Y.So the Sidekick was spurred forward, grinding and lurching in 4WD, butting rocks aside, bucking against gravity until it rejoined a relieved official party. I have been told that this is such a rare Suzuki it could be worth about $5,000 to $6,000. He lost the starting remote but it has a push-button start. He told me it installed an alarm system with an automatic start so he could start it before he got into it in cold weather. I am selling it for the owner whose health has deteriorated. This little guy has spent its entire life at Lake Arrowhead, CA. ![]() I just spent $550 for a new (rebuilt) power steering pump and a brand new (rebuilt) power steering gear box. Research, compare, and save listings, or contact sellers directly from 1 Sidekick models in Orange, CA. It has a few dents and scratches but its 100% original paint and never any accidents. Shop Suzuki Sidekick vehicles in Orange, CA for sale at. The paint is original but could be waxed and buffed to bring out more shine. This little Suzuki runs fantastic, everything works. 1989 was the ONLY year they made a hardtop. 1989 Suzuki Sidekick JLX Additional Info: ![]()
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