General Comments:
This has been driving me crazy. I have read many reviews about the Chevy Tracker (years: 1999-2004), and many of them are very disappointing. Not about the car, but about the reviewers. OK, lets get started with the basics. The Tracker is REAR wheel drive and has the capability of FOUR wheel drive. In bad weather such as snow mud anything like that or when off road, FOUR wheel drive should be used. It should not be used in rain, because the transfer case is not designed to grip asphalt all of the time. This means that when it is raining out, like in ALL rear wheel drive vehicles, you should take your time, there is no rush. Both the two door and four door models have a short wheelbase which will give a harder ride, and may cause the vehicle to be top heavy at times. From my experience with the vehicle, the frame sits low to the ground and from other reviews it handles better than the original tracker. The 1999-2004 models have a wider wheel base, are longer and are designed to handle better. The Tracker was designed to drive OFF road, Chevy makes a wide variety of aftermarket parts for use off road for the Tracker. Being that this vehicle is built for off road it is going to have a high stance (8” minimum ground clearance from frame I believe), a Ladder frame, Coil Suspension, and Short Wheel base’s are better for off road sometimes.
OK, the Tracker was not built to out run a Lambo, or anything really, it was built to get you from point a to point b and if you want to go off road, not to race. I believe the 0-60 is 11.5 seconds for the I-4 (inline four) engine that is in the vehicle. It is not the best time for a 0-60, but hey is pretty good, some do it in 13, so be happy with it. Also, it is not meant to corner, it has a high stance and a short wheel base, don’t try it especially in wet weather.
On windy days near open fields the Tracker will move a little bit on the road, just like any other car, but maybe a little more. The Tracker weighs about 2,650lbs, that’s pretty light and it’s a box, so ya its going to get pushed around by the wind. This means that all you have to do is keep both hands on the wheel, not one on the wheel, and one on the phone, its not safe in any condition.
In my opinion, the Tracker is a GREAT vehicle. I have owned it for a couple years now and I love it! Mine is 2WD (rear wheel drive only) and its really a great vehicle it gets me to where I am going. Now don’t get me wrong I want a little more from anything I drive, and since it's not four wheel drive I tried my best to work with what I have. My Tracker is currently lowered 2-3” with H&R Lowering Coils, has KYB GR2 Shocks and Struts, Bridgestone insignia tires, Tranny Cooler, Intake (SPS cut and chopped) with K&N filter, along with a Mufflex exhaust with a Flowmaster muffler. It has a lot more done to it, such as a sound system and more, but I’m always working on it as my hobby, I’m NOT repairing it, I’m adding to it. As you might be able to tell, I have seen almost every part of my Tracker, so take my word, once you get it you will probably like it, just Drive Safe.
31st Aug 2014, 20:40
This is my second Chevy Tracker. I bought both of them used.
The first one was a 2001, 2WD, 5 speed. The second, which I still own, is a 4WD auto. Both these cars are fantastic, for the money. The 1999 that I have now has 153000+ miles, and runs and starts great. Can't say enough good things about it.
I liked those two Chevy Tracker/Suzuki Vitaras, and my wife fell in love with a used 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara with only 65000 miles this last June. I paid premium price for it, and it has a V6, and has plenty to power and is a pleasure to drive. It is a 4WD, V6, automatic. My wife doesn't like to drive big cars, so we looked for a Vitara or Chevy Tracker for her for a couple of years before we were lucky enough to find this one. Don't have any cons.