There's a lot more than just fun in the latest edition of
Chevrolet's suburban machine. It has new features to meet all passenger car safety standards. These include side door guard beams and rollover roof standards. Other 1994 improvements include colorful new interiors and a center console with cup holders.
Produced for Chevrolet by Suzuki, the Tracker is sold by Chevrolet to compete with 4x4s such as the Suzuki Samurai. Yes, somehow this makes sense in a marketing sort of way. After all, there are many more Chevrolet dealers than Suzuki dealers. Like any good auto manufacturer, Suzuki didn't agonize over the logic of competing with itself. It just made more money on what is basically the same product.
The base sticker price for the Tracker 4x4 Convertible we drove was $12,135. Options such as air conditioning, 15inch alloy wheels and a package that included power steering and a premium sound system brought the total to $14,294, plus destination charges, prep and taxes. While this makes the Geo Tracker 4x4 Convertible substantially more expensive than many well-equipped compact cars, it is a fairly low price for a 4WD vehicle. Four-wheel-drive power trains do not come cheap. Neither does meeting safety standards for an off-road-capable convertible.
The Tracker 4x4 Convertible does say "fun." Its looks say, "Jump in and let's go blast over sand dunes or play in the snow." The short-86.6 inches-wheelbase puts the wheels virtually at the corners. An integrated rollover roof bar gives the vehicle a beefy, go-anywhere look. Our Tracker was finished in Tropical Green Metallic with the optional wild child black charcoal "Expressive" cloth interior and multicolored inserts on the seats. The black convertible top folds down behind the rear seat and fits snugly against the rollover roof bar when up. A removable black panel fits over the driver/passenger area.
Flared fenders, black bumpers and black bodyside and rocker moldings complete the muscled, utilitarian look. We had the optional 15-inch alloy wheels. Black mirrors flare out on either side of the hood. Overall fit and finish is very good. Choose the more expensive LSi 4x4 Convertible and you get some bright metal inserts plus body-color bumpers and mirrors, special moldings, tinted glass, power steering and AM/FM stereo.
