I’m about to sell my $700 Chevy Tracker, but not before off-roading it. Luckily, some awesome car enginerds have invited me to a local off-road park and agreed to let me extend my invite to you, dear Autopian readers. So here are the details.
What do you think about the Chevy Tracker? How good will it be off-road? I’ve been anxiously waiting months to find that out, because I suspect that it may be the best off-road bargain in America. It’s body-on-frame, it’s got skid-plates, it’s got low-range, it’s got a manual transmission and great gearing in the differentials — it has what it takes. I am a little concerned about geometry, as the bottoms of the bumpers and the rocker panels hang a bit low, but they’re not bad.
I think, especially with my nice Goodyear Wrangler Radial junkyard tires, that geometry is what will limit the Tracker’s off-road capabilities, but it should still be decent. I’m excited to find out. More than that, though: I’m excited to hang out with you [points into screen], dear Autopians.
Here are the details:
Where: Holly Oaks ORV Park, 14551 Shields Road, Holly, MI 48442
When: Saturday, November 12, 2022 9:30 A.M. meetup
How: You need a flag that stands at least 10 feet above the ground. It must be a rectangular, orange flag. My plan is to snag a cheap, lightweight fiberglass pole from Home Depot and ziptie that pole to my grille. The orange flag will just be some orange fabric or plastic I find. Apparently you can purchase $30 tickets online to guarantee entry, so that’s not a bad idea. Email me at david@autopian.com if you have any questions.
This is just some friends and me going off-roading about an hour northwest of Detroit, and if you want to tag along, “send me a note,” as they say in corporate America.
Goddammit David, I would drive out from Denver in the Montero if I didn’t have birthday celebrations this very Saturday at a local go-kart track.
I just started several weeks of paternity leave, this would have been my chance to drive to Detroit and back to Autopian it up.
Alas, another time I guess.
I’m gonna lead a Moab trail run for Autopians this easter. Be there!
I will be there, bought my ticket already! Coming up from A2 in a big white 2005 Toyota Sequoia. Been trying to get to a Detroit meetup for awhile now, something always seems to get in the way.
Is that a polite decline? (I can’t tell.)
Phooey. I was hoping you were gonna say Bundy Hill ORV Park south of Jackson bacause I would be there in a heartbeat. But Holly is a lot closer to you. Have fun!
Bring a tow strap.
Well, there goes date-mobile. :p
I don’t have an off-roader, but I’d love to meet up with everyone (and serve as a spotter/helper for anyone who is taking part).
You will love off-roading in this. I drove a ’95 for 14 years and NOTHING stopped it. NOTHING! Of all the cars I’ve owned, this is the one I still miss.
I would try to bring my AWD S/C Previa from AA before I try to sell it at the end of the month, but unfortunately it just threw a check engine light (potential buyers ignore this part!)
might as well get a little fun out of the little feller. If you were back home in Kansas< i would join ya.
Hmmm, I read, I’m going out to thrash on a 4×4 (that uses a turkey baster to engage) before I need to sell it and possible hydrolock another 4×4.
Doesn’t quite sound like the best plan at this point