Stress-Free Fun: 1993 Mazda Miata vs 1999 Chevy Tracker

Good morning! For our Friday showdown this week, we’re just going to take it easy and look at a pair of reliable little hop-in-and-go fun machines. Doesn’t that sound nice? I thought so.

I apologize for the Beach Boys earworm yesterday; if it’s any consolation, it got stuck in my head too. We looked at a nice old Grandpa truck, and a clean BMW roadster with the wrong transmission. As I figured, the truck won easily. It’s funny; even folks who don’t typically like trucks can appreciate those old “single cab with all the options” trucks. It’s just such an honest, wholesome machine. Grandpa knew what he was talking about.

As for me? Of course I’d choose the truck. I have no real interest in any BMW built after the late 80s, and I wouldn’t even consider one with an automatic. I have no need for another GMT400 either, but if those were my choices, it’s an easy one.

Like many of the other writers here, I’m a pretty accomplished mechanic. I enjoy the satisfaction of diagnosing what’s wrong with a car, figuring out how to fix it, and taking that first drive after everything is sorted out. But there are times, when I’m in the middle of trying to fix a particularly irksome problem – as I am with two different vehicles right now – that I can’t help wishing for something that just plain works. Something I could just hop in and go bombing down a country road for a while and clear the cobwebs out of my head. Something like one of these two, for instance.

1993 Mazda MX-5 Miata – $5,999

Engine/drivetrain: 1.6-liter DOHC inline 4, five-speed manual, RWD

Location: Newark, CA

Odometer reading: 145,000 miles

Operational status: Runs and drives well

The term “instant classic” is sometimes overused, but if there ever was a car that deserved it, it’s the Mazda Miata. Ever since we first saw this thing in 1989, small sports car enthusiasts have been in love, and even though it’s still going strong in its fourth generation, it’s these early NA-chassis ones that still capture our imagination. You either have one, used to have one, or always wanted one. I’m in the “used to have one” category, and honestly, I wouldn’t mind another someday. If you’ve never driven one, all I can tell you is: Yes, it’s as good as everyone says. Maybe even better.

For the first few years, the Miata was powered by Mazda’s B6ZE four cylinder, making only 115 horsepower. But it’s a lightweight car, and it’s geared low, so it’s plenty. Behind that little twin-cam engine is a five-speed manual that has to be felt to be believed. This one is in good mechanical condition, though it’s being sold by a dealer, so we don’t know its history. It did just pass a smog test, which is a good sign.

This is quite a bit fancier than my Miata was. It’s got power windows and cruise control and leather seats with the speakers in the headrests. One thing I don’t think it has is air conditioning; the button for it is in the center of the fan control knob, and I don’t see it. It’s in decent shape, though one seam on the driver’s seat has come apart. The round air vents in the dash look like they’re drooping, which is a common problem, and like nearly everything else on this car, there’s a well-documented fix.

Outside, it’s presentable, but far from perfect. The paint on the nose is a bit dull, the rear window stitching has come undone (also a common problem), and no one has cleaned the brake dust off the wheels in ages. But you can’t see any of that from the driver’s seat, with the top down and a nice two-lane road in front of you.

1999 Chevrolet Tracker – $5,300

Engine/drivetrain: 1.6-liter OHC inline 4, five-speed manual, 4WD

Location: Myrtle Creek, OR

Odometer reading: 152,000 miles

Operational status: Runs and drives well

Little sports cars like the Miata have been a fixture on American roads for decades, but so have some much larger vehicles: RVs. These vacation-homes-on-wheels can be seen plying the Interstate all across the country, often with a smaller vehicle in tow, like a dinghy on a yacht. The Chevy (formerly Geo) Tracker and the Suzuki Vitara (formerly Sidekick) seem almost tailor-made for this duty: they’re small, lightweight, and 4WD with a traditional two-speed transfer case with a neutral gear. Pop the transfer case in neutral, and it will roll right along behind a big RV with no problem at all.

When it does move under its own power, the Tracker is powered by a 1.6 liter engine courtesy of Suzuki. It’s not a lot of power, but you’re not racing anybody in this thing anyway. The transmission in this one is a five-speed manual, but since the transfer case disengages the whole drivetrain from the transmission, automatic Trackers can be towed behind an RV too, which adds to their appeal. It runs and drives well, the seller says, and it has new tires.

The second-generation Tracker got fancier and more car-like inside; the original was pretty utilitarian. It still has crank windows and manual locks, though. It’s in good condition, as far as I can tell, and it’s got cool seat fabric. Fun patterns like this need to make a comeback, especially in small fun cars like this. Oh wait – we don’t have those anymore. Never mind.

It looks clean outside, but I’m a little confused about why the bump strips on both doors are missing. Did they fall off? Were they removed intentionally for some reason? And either way, why not remove the short pieces in front of and behind the doors as well? It’s very confusing. The tow bar for the RV is still attached to the front, but if you aren’t going to use it, you could probably sell it and recoup some of the purchase price.

These two both look like a lot of fun to me, without a lot of stress. They’re both known to be reliable and low maintenance, and neither one needs anything but a little cosmetic tinkering at the moment. Which, considering the ordeals I’ve been through with my own projects recently, sounds nice. I’d be happy to take either one for a spin on a nice Saturday afternoon, but which one appeals to you?