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  Nov. 7, 2011 6:57 a.m. Klayfish HalfDork

  OK, admit it. You thought the answer was Miata. As much as I'd love another one, that's not the answer this time. It's a 1991 Geo Tracker. I actually picked it up a few weeks ago, but a very busy week, followed by a week without electricity kept me from even opening it's door until this weekend.
  

  I picked it up for $500. It's the base 2WD version. 5spd, manual everything, no a/c. So I think it tips the scale around 2150lbs. It's been sitting for 1.5 years. Odometer says 78,000 miles and PO says it's correct. Can't be sure, but it doesn't look whipped like 178k. Long story short, PO said he had been having intermittent starting problems. Eventually thought it was a bad starter. He wound up breaking the wire where it connects to the starter, and it sat after that. So I towed it home. Well, a simple replacement of the connector where the wire hooks to the starter, 45 minutes on my battery charger, and a turn of the key...and voila, it fired up. No smoke, no good awful noises. I just did a quick lap around my driveway to make sure the brakes work then parked it again. Clutch engages up high, so that may need attention at some point. Need to change the oil since it's been sitting so long. Brake pads are gone, rotors probably. Rear window is dry rotted and ripped. Interior is on OK shape. But for $500, pretty cool.

  So anyone know much about these things? I know rust is an issue, like any 20 year old Japanese car. What else? The CEL is on. Would this be an OBD I? I don't plan to do any major changes/modifications right now, as I just want to do the basics and get more practice turning wrenches.

  
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  Nov. 7, 2011 7:14 a.m. Toyman01 SuperDork

  Slam it, turbocharge it and take it to the challenge.

  Other than that I have nothing to worthwhile to add other than I always thought they were cute.

  I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.

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  Nov. 7, 2011 7:29 a.m. Billy_Bottle_Caps Reader

  In reply to Toyman01:

  CEL is probably O2 sensor. There is a black switch under the dash by the driver side front speaker. Try switching it the other way. If it shuts it off, it was just a scheduled service light I have had many of these. Only thing it real crap is the fuel pumps and computers. Pumps are cheap on eBay and there is a guy who redoes the computers for $75. Any questions shoot me an email be glad to help you out if I can

  BBC billmaulding@gcctv.com

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  Nov. 7, 2011 11:25 a.m. Klayfish HalfDork

  Billy_Bottle_Caps wrote: In reply to Toyman01: CEL is probably O2 sensor. There is a black switch under the dash by the driver side front speaker. Try switching it the other way. If it shuts it off, it was just a scheduled service light I have had many of these. Only thing it real crap is the fuel pumps and computers. Pumps are cheap on eBay and there is a guy who redoes the computers for $75. Any questions shoot me an email be glad to help you out if I can BBC billmaulding@gcctv.com

  Awesome! I'll have to check that switch out. The car (truck?) is old enough that I can register it as a classic here in PA, so it'll be emissions exempt, but if I can shut the light off, that would be great. Finding parts to be dirt cheap so far. Going to try to hit the local u-pull before long to see if they have anything.

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  Nov. 7, 2011 12:57 p.m. Raze SuperDork

  awe does this mean you gave up on the fiats?

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  Nov. 7, 2011 1:03 p.m. 914Driver SuperDork

  I had a Suzuki Samurai with a blown 1.3 engine, I swapped in a 1.6 from a Tracker. I agree with Toyman; there's one bombing around my neighborhood that's slammed, flamed and noisy. It's so low and tight it looks like it should corner like a go kart.

  Dan

  BMW -- You don't need a hibachi to cook rice.

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  Nov. 7, 2011 2:41 p.m. Klayfish HalfDork

  Raze wrote: awe does this mean you gave up on the fiats?

  Well, not really. Cliff notes version... Found an old car on CL that I didn't want to pass up. Wife said OK, but I'd have to sell the Fiats. Did so. Very quickly regretted selling my projects. Started searching for another project and found this Tracker. And...the car I ditched the Fiats for is now up for sale, as I wound up never driving the damn thing anyway. Automotive ADD, what can you do?

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  Nov. 7, 2011 3:16 p.m. kevlarcorolla Reader

  Check the bundle of grounds on the back of the head,those tend to rust off-at least up here in the frozen north anyways.

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  Nov. 7, 2011 5:48 p.m. mmosbey Reader

  I had a 2wd 1992 Samurai. I am jealous. I've never been in a Tracker, but the two are similar enough to share a Haynes manual.

  Drive it like you stole it, and get 28MPG all day long, city or highway. IIRC, there is a valve adjustment interval on the maintenance schedule. It's super easy, but I bet it hasn't been done.

  I put a set of five BFG Radial Long Trail T/A on mine, and after 30k, they had very little wear. LT tires don't wear that quickly under ~2000lb trucks.

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  Nov. 7, 2011 9:10 p.m. Junkyard_Dog Dork

  It left the factory with box flares. Therefore it is already awesome.

  I love going to the Pull-a-Part because the dollar admission is cheaper than most car shows and you almost always see cooler cars.

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  Nov. 7, 2011 9:45 p.m. mrhappy Reader

  
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  Nov. 7, 2011 9:47 p.m. Tom Suddard SonDork

  I've got one for sale.

  White, new top, 4x4, AC, 235/75r15 all terrain tires, automatic, perfect interior, low mileage.

  Anybody interested?

  'cause we're aliens, and thats how we roll.

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  Nov. 7, 2011 10:35 p.m. Greg Voth HalfDork

  Give you $500 for it. Plus a Honda Odessy (Go Cart)

  I am the the Devil (Insurance Adjuster)

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  Nov. 8, 2011 7:32 p.m. Tom Suddard SonDork

  Throw in the yellow RX7 and we've got a deal.

  'cause we're aliens, and thats how we roll.

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  Nov. 8, 2011 7:43 p.m. 92dxman HalfDork

  It is a shame these are getting up there in age and crusty. I always had a dream of a 4 door Tracker 2wd lowered with some wide rubber and wheels on it..

  07 Fit & 88 Bianchi Nuova Alloro.

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  Nov. 8, 2011 7:48 p.m. familytruckster Reader

  Greg Voth wrote: Give you $500 for it. Plus a Honda Odessy (Go Cart)

  FL250 or 350? 350's are worth like 8K! I'm still kicking myself for trading my 350 for a foxbody.

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  Nov. 8, 2011 7:52 p.m. Greg Voth HalfDork

  Since you didn't specify which yellow RX-7 I would do that deal. You can have ole smokey.

  The Odessy is a 250 but comes with a spare 250 and 350 motor. Its a friend of mines that is just sitting by the house. I want him to sell it and start working on the BMW R90s that he has sitting on my porch.

  I am the the Devil (Insurance Adjuster)

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  Nov. 8, 2011 8:03 p.m. 93EXCivic SuperDork

  How hard is it to lower a Sidekick/ make it handle? I may have just sent an email to a guy about a Sidekick.

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  Nov. 8, 2011 8:23 p.m. Billy_Bottle_Caps Reader

  In reply to 93EXCivic:

  Calmini used to have some lower springs and swaybars..Not sure if they are still making them or not..

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  Nov. 8, 2011 8:35 p.m. 93EXCivic SuperDork

  Ok so I found B&G lowering springs, Koni Sports and Addco rear bar.

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  Nov. 9, 2011 7:37 a.m. Klayfish HalfDork

  93EXCivic wrote: Ok so I found B&G lowering springs, Koni Sports and Addco rear bar.

  I've already got visions of lowering it (or maybe raising it up a little) and doing all kinds of things with it dancing in my head. But I have to remind myself to take it one step at a time. First, get it roadworthy and learn some wrenching skills.

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  Nov. 9, 2011 7:42 a.m. carguy123 SuperDork

  92dxman wrote: It is a shame these are getting up there in age and crusty. I always had a dream of a 4 door Tracker 2wd lowered with some wide rubber and wheels on it..

  I bought one new and did that. But people kept hitting it.

  I had 3 people crash into it within 18 months and they were super expensive to repair.

  One time they made a sandwich of it.

  I Ioved it, but I got rid of it after 2 years.

  "mobilito ergo sum" I drive therefore I am!

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  Nov. 9, 2011 7:42 a.m. pinchvalve SuperDork

  I had a 4-door JX for a while and really liked it. It was my first new car. Had to trade it in on something bigger when the daughter arrived, but at 90,000+ miles I had not experienced a major problem. The only issue I ran into is adding fender flares from Calmini. They looked very cool, but any penetration of the OEM sheet metal seems to lead to rust quickly.

  "Don't Sweat the Petty Things." Yes, and Don't Pet the Sweaty Things.

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  Nov. 9, 2011 8:24 a.m. Klayfish HalfDork

  pinchvalve wrote: The only issue I ran into is adding fender flares from Calmini. They looked very cool, but any penetration of the OEM sheet rust seems to lead to disintegration quickly.

  Fixed that for ya

  I also plan to spray the underside and other areas very liberally with CRC marine rust inhibitor.

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