WH1TB FREE PRE>SS. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7.1989. PAGE 31 Sidekick is a well thought-out package Forwheel- 0rive sport utility vehicles have been surging in eularity in recent years. Jeep 8continue to seil as fast as dealers can get them, and the Suzuki Samarai is one of the best selling importe in recent history. These small 4WD vehicles are ideally suited for Canadian weather conditions having all-weather capability, seating for four, and reasonably good gas niileage. Now there' a new conipetitor in thisclass, the Suzuki Sideick, big brother ta the Samarai. It's also sold through GMC dealers as the Tracker. Beginning ini April, the Sidekcick was built at the new CAMI auto plant in Ingersoil, Ontario, a joint ventre'1-'v Suzuki and GM. The inside is a step-up for this casas of vehicle. The driver sits tall in the saddle with good visibility ail around, though the plastic rear windows in the convertible are a big cloudy. Ergonomnics are excellent. The analogue instruments aee well- poitioned ini a pod directly ahead of the driver.- Controls on the centre console are easy ta reach because the console protrudes out towards the driver. Since the cabin is so tali, the elevated rear seats offer generous legroom and headroom. For more cargo space, the rear seats fold forward, and the front seats fully redine ta make an instant bed. The Sidedck's power supply is a 1.6 litre overhead cama four cylinder engine with electronic fuel injection that pute out 80 horsepower at 5400 rpm. A five speed manual transmission is standard and a three speed automnatic is optional. Gas niileage is very good for a 4 x 4. My convertible Sidekick with automatic transmission is rated at 30 mpg Èround town and 34 mpg on the highway. The manual transmission version is rated at 33/37 mpg. Driving impressions can be summed up in a few words: this is a very civilized 4 x 4. Grandma could drive this 4 x 4 with no trouble. The engine is quiet, stering' is easy, power is adequate, and the suspension is commendably soft. Since the wheelbase is. so short, the Sidekick can turn on a dinie. Its 4.9 meter curning radius is gooci for tight manouevers and parallel parking. The quality of the ride can be attrbutd tatheindependentcoil %ring suspension in front and tecoul spring suspension in rear with a trailing link that lias a generous suspension stroke. Another point worth znentioning is that the transfer case is integral with the transmission, thus keeping the cil warmed up when you're ready ta shift into 4WD. The Sidekick bas manuel locing front hubs, or optional automatic free wheel hubs. In the cabin, the gear level for 2 i-gh, 4 I-gh and 4 Low is located directly behind, and out of the way of the transmission lever. I found I had only a few criticismns of the Sidekick. At a steady cruising speed of 100 kmh, the engine is pretty busy at 3500 rpm. Also, the stitching on the bottani of the front seats seemed ta be coing loose. Overaîl, the Sidekick is a well- thought-out package. A go-anywhere vehicle, with good looks, comnfort, and good fuel economny, the Sidekick may even ecipse its sidekick, the Samarai. The front halogn headlemps, body-colored bumper, and air dam wrap smoothly around the front of the vehicle. The rear looks equally attractive with a large glass window (plastic on convertible) and swing-out rear door with a fuIl-size spare tire mounted on the outaside. Overall, the Sidekick is larger than the Samarai, though it is still fairly short and tail. Just about everyne seems ta agree that the Sidekick looks great, bath the convertible and hardtop versions. The bulging fender flares give the Sidekick a tough, sporty appearance. The big 205/75R 15 radiais add ta the ' F ready for anything'look. ATYU CHEVROLET e OLDSMOBILE e CADILLAC 'he pert a chioice. FOR PARTS AND SERVICE SPECIALS MAY AND JUNE 1989 EiJ MAT Service Special "A"' Keep your "tair hununing with a When the heat's on 3roulU want your "air" to be ready. Corne ini for an air conditioner tune-up by our GMtrained specialists. and if they're needed, we have genuine GM parts in stock Light $ Cars ~ u & Trucks$ 2 0 ii - - - - - - - - - - - i THE FUL SERVICE OIL CHANGE' from $25.85 Our full service includes oil change, using top grade engine oil, replacing the oul filter, lubricating the chassis and driving you to workl 0f course the lubricants and filters we use are genuine GM parts - The Expert Cholce. MAT M w Servie Special "B Vacation Season AheadLI You Could Use A Few Good Breaks BRAKE SPECIAL FRONT DISC Ià htCas$187.50 Parts & Labour Inci. I REAR DRTJM $142 SPRING PAINT SPECIAL Our specialists bave the benefit of GM training and GM parts and body panels at their disposaI. They'Il make your car look just like new again. And of course, we're happy to quote for your insurance adjuster. Refinish complete car in one colour (a,-rylic enamel). Compact and intermediate size cars, any make. Please corne visit us regarding complete collision repairs, featuring Durham Ragion's latest equipment. $695*00 Reg. Price $877.50 Rust repairs, collision work & striping extra. Service Special "C' Wandering Wheels Need Light Cars and Trucks FOUR WHEEL ALTGNMENT $59e95 ]Rear shims extra if needed. --- - - -- - - - ONE iFIREEGMi * with A,B,or* * /qÇ\CCServIoe* * Specials* i - ~ and This T1he exprt chie.i SUZUKI SIDEKICK Ride for Sight Saturcki flMOM PAGE 30 name for a closely related group of retinal eye disorders which cause vision to deteriorate and frequently lead to blindness. In Canada, more than 100,000 people are affected. Registration starts at the Pick- erin colnmunity centre, Valley Farm Rd., at 8 a.m. on Saturday. Every rider or passenger raising at least $50 receives a Ride for Sight pin and year bar, with special pins and crests for riders raising more money. For more information cal Raines at 433-1969. Upcorning car shows FROM PAGE 30 ectual meet, but everyne is welcome ta view the cars and ta]k with the owners. June 23-25 - The Antique Truck Society will hold a truckW sud fire equipment show in activities. For more information CHE ROEOUO D MO IE EADLA write ta Box 390, West MIl MiE 4Y.O -- W ~ ~ - -j- -V i 4 s. y r; 7 t c ARTS -9