What have I done? Car #5, Suzuki Sidekick Sport

This is a 1996 Suzuki Sidekick Sport - 4 door, hardtop.

For some reason I have agreed to buy this car from a friend. I had passed on it, since she had another buyer lined up, but the guy flaked and I do not want to see it in the junkyard. These are such cool little trucks - full frame, simple trucklets with true low-range equipped 4wd and a manual transmission. This one lived its life in the desert until a few years ago and there's almost no rust on the thing. It's what I would call "Ohio Rust Free" which is to say there's some surface rust on the frame and underside but no paint bubbles or anything on the bodywork.

Unfortunately this is car # 5 for me, the third "fun" vehicle, and the second major project. And I have just about zero time for any of the projects I have, being the dad of two little girls and the owner of a huge project house, with a huge yard, and of course having to work to pay for things. But just look at it. It's like a puppy, eager to please.

Here it is in its current state and habitat. As far as the exterior is concerned, it needs new headlights, new sideview mirrors, and new tires along with some paint help on the hood and roof. The rear hatch doesn't unlock or open from the outside. The interior is decent but needs a cleaning and the driver's seat needs a bit of upholstery work or replacement. It needs at least a wheelbearing and possibly something more major - I haven't driven it lately but the prior owner reported that it "didn't want to go," although it ran fine, and stalled when she tried to drive it in 4wd. It's been sitting for a few months now, but having worked on it before I know it's actually pretty decent mechanically.

My current plan is to fix the glaring issues to get it presentable and drivable then decide from there. I had entertained the idea of stripping it down to make a yard kart out of it for landscaping work since it's so much cheaper than a John Deere Gator or a Side x Side. My idea was to call it the "Side x Sidekick," but really that's more work than I have time for. I may just drive it and enjoy it. I may just sell it on once it's decent. OR - is anyone here interested in it as-is for around $800??

More updates once I have it in my possession.

You need to visit Expedition Portal.

I approve. Those are cool little trucks

You've got about 30 more days of possible snow.  If it does snow, put that 4wd up on CL right away.  Ask $1,400 (accept as low as $800) and it should go quickly.  In the mean time, slowly make the updates to it that you have planned and adjust the price accordingly as improvement/investments are made.  

They are cool.  Back when they were newer, I always thought one of these for winter driving and a Miata for summer driving would make a perfect combo.  The best part was that you could own these 2 vehicles together for less than the purchase price of a single, bigger SUV like a Grand Cherokee.  

I occasionally want one of these as a replacement for my old trail truck. Im pretty sure my wife would kill me right now though. 

I really like my 2 door Tracker. Tops were off from spring until put away for winter project work.

Awesome off road/fire trails/yard work/toy hauler. Wait that's what a sport utility is supposed to do. 

Make it road worthy and enjoy

Love it. 

Ahhhhh, one of the last holdouts for body-on-frame small SUV’s with a real low-range and available locking hubs and a solid rear axle.

I knew I could count on you guys for some good old enabling. None of this "that's too many" or "you don't need that car" here. ;-)

John, I think that's good advice and probably what I will do. Start advertising it while also working on it when I get a chance. Honestly once cleaned up and operational I think it's good enough for DD duty in a pinch.

Hal, that might be a bad idea since I want to keep it simple. Then again maybe not...

outasite, I used to have a soft top Samurai. Driving this (back when it was operational) reminded me of a very refined but not much more complicated Samurai. Nobody's going to mistake it for a Range Rover, but it's certainly light years beyond what my Samurai was in comfort. Now, that said, I loved that Samurai!

ebonyandivory, this does have locking hubs in the front. Such a cool little truck. Every time I worked on it for my friend I remarked on how much I liked it. Hmm, funny that I don't seem to be talking myself out of keeping it.

I'll probably get this towed home later this week. No time to trouble shoot stuff off site right now. Then again I might throw a battery in it and see what it does first. A $65 tow would pay for a new battery if that's all I need to limp it home.

Rust free those are worth something. People that like them really like them and rust free examples are near impossible to find. I would clean it up and flip it.

Oh yes

I have some spare good batteries if you want some help limping it home.

I vote for sideXsidekick.

In reply to bgkast :

OH MY

@Evan: thanks! I realized I have a good battery on my shop floor for the mr2 when it’s finally running. Maybe I could limp it home on that. 

It's only five cars, it's not like it's a lot.

These things go for a fortune up here for some reason, especially unmodified - much more than Grand Cherokees. With a Chevy/Geo badge on it, slightly less, though. I think the fanbase is pretty rabid.

Definitely could see myself rocking one of the two-door examples.

regular sidekicks have a cult like following that doesnt like the Sport since the sport doesnt really share much to the normal one. Different engine and transmission and all the suspension options are 90% only for the non sports and will not fit the sport. iirc its 4 inches wider than the non sport. My feeling is flip it and but a regular sidekick or tracker if you want one.

I sometimes want a RWD one to rallycross.  With rally tires appropriate for its weight and power, it would be about as low as a car.  If you removed the body mounts and bolted the body straight to the frame, it would be even better.  But it would have way better sightlines than any car has that isn't a Forester.  Not enough power to get into trouble, so it would be perfect for tight courses.

Eight months later and I finally got key copies and had it towed to my yard. I will get it running and post it on Craigslist for a grand. If it doesn't sell by the time I get around to more, it may meet with the sawzall and welder to become a sideXsidekick to haul stuff and trailer around my property.

Mebbe I missed it--is it an automatic or a manual?  1.8l, correct?

would judicious use of the sawzall create repair pieces for others out there?  

In reply to dculberson :

I really miss our 2-door soft top. I was sad it got smashed. 

In reply to stroker :

It is a manual. 

@nuther: maybe! I’m not even sure I’ll cut anything on it. Might just take the doors and carpet off. Might just leave it whole. 

I loved my old Sidekick!  I had a JX which was the perfect blend of simple and rugged and angular coolness.  I never should have let her go, but I traded her in on something else.  My daughter put her head on the bumper and cried and said "no more mizuki".  A sad day all around.  

Most have rusted back to the earth, so please save this one! 

I am going to send this to my brother.  He is looking for something 4x4 to use for his business .  

Damn I loved these. The Sport got the bigger 1.8 and wasn't completely gutless. 

Big block  swap it like the roadkill samurai?