![]() ![]() But this makes the brand look exceptionally good to the general public. ![]() Doug-g "Say whatever you want about Ford.The company was called MAHZ-DA and they made interesting quality cars and trucks and still do.I I even owned a hand me down bright red 1994 Mazda 323 in college and one of my frat brothers had a 1990 Mazda Protégé AWD. Ian Schultz Hearing me that 6 o’clock news anchor lady pronounce MAAAZ-DUH hurts my ears, brain and existence.I grew up riding shotgun in my dad‘s green Mazda rotary pickup and got to see his friend auto cross his gorgeous, black Mazda RX3 rotary coupe.ToolGuy Ponder this: If you are reading this website, what are the chances that any part of your front fascia would loosen to the point of being in danger of falling off without you noticing first and addressing the issue?.ToolGuy Let's be thankful it's not the portion which is painted.Either way, the Sidekick is lots of fun so long as interior space for passengers and cargo is not a big priority. ![]() Snappy performance and a friendly personality make the open-top Sidekick a joy to drive, while more conservative shoppers might feel more comfortable with a four-door. Storage space is scant, beyond a sizable glovebox The soft-top's back seat is small and hard-more like a platform. Visibility in the convertible is superior to the front and side, but the rear view is obstructed by the spare tire and center high-mounted stop lamp. Not everyone will feel comfortable in the driver's seat, which lacks thigh support, but gauges are large and clear. Despite a short wheelbase, there's no sensation of danger. Highly stable on the highway, the Sidekick slips easily in and out of traffic and into off-road or rural situations. Though fairly quiet ordinarily, hard-throttle start-ups produced some engine roar. Optional automatic transmissions have a normal and power mode. The manual gearbox on the base Sidekick we drove shifted easily, helped by good clutch action. The monochromatic look of the base model, combined with the Sport's engine and track width, would be a hot setup - too bad Suzuki doesn't see it that way. The Sport's two-tone paint and chrome-ringed grille make the Sidekick look like a little freckle-faced kid wearing an Armani suit. Frankly, the base Sidekick is the better looking vehicle. The Sport also gets unique paint colors from which to select.īasic Sidekicks get a new grille and bumpers, new exterior colors, and new seat fabrics. Exclusive to the Sport is a 100-watt Alpine stereo system, cruise control (on the JLX only), security alarm system, power windows and locks, split-fold rear seat, remote fuel door release, cloth door trim, power remote mirrors, rear window wiper/washer and overhead map lights. Four-wheel antilock brakes are optional on Sidekick standard on Sidekick Sport. Daytime running lights also debut in 1996. Sixteen-inch tires and wheels, a shiny grille, and a two-tone paint scheme set the Sport model even further apart from garden-variety Sidekicks.Īll Sidekick models get a revised instrument panel that contains dual airbags and dual cupholders. ![]() Hallmarks of the Sport include a larger, more powerful twin-cam engine good for 120 horsepower, and a track that has been increased by two inches for increased stability and response. New for 1996 is a Sport model, which is offered only with the four-door body style in JX and JLX trim. Convertible and four-door Hardtop models are available. The JS is a two-wheel drive runabout the JX a four-wheel drive mountain goat. Basic Sidekicks come with a frisky 16-valve, 95-horsepower engine in JS or JX trim. The Sidekick is available in two body styles and two series totaling three trim levels. Suzuki aims the Sidekick squarely at teens and 20-somethings, but older adventurers are likely to find it irresistible, too. Soon, Toyota will have its own tiny sports-utility vehicle for sale. The Geo Tracker that's sold by Chevrolet dealers is basically identical, and the Kia Sportage is a new competitor. Neither a true truck nor a car, this mini SUV has created a niche that other manufacturers are rushing to capitalize on. Even folks who find it easy to fault small sport-utes run the risk of falling for a Sidekick-especially the convertible model. ![]()
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