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Chevrolet/Geo Metro

1864 messages,  Last post on Aug 22, 2012 at 10:55 AM

You are in the Chevrolet Metro/Geo Metro Forum.

What is this discussion about? Geo Metro, Chevrolet Metro, Hatchback

Messages Page 59 of 187

#579 of 1864 advice on 1992 metro by kimbo535

Oct 10, 2002 (2:19 pm)

Hi! You people seem knowledgable about his little car so...I am thinking about buying a used 1992 geo metro. It has 49K and the driver said he has had the oil changed every 3,000 miles. I've read a few postings that say NOT to get an automatic, but this one is and I hate stick shift. The car is selling for $1350. I just need it to get around LA, but I will also be taking trips up to Santa Barbara a couple times a month (about 100 miles). So, what do you think?

#580 of 1864 1992 Metro by inuvik

Oct 10, 2002 (7:16 pm)

Kimbo,
 
First of all I would make sure it was 49K and not 149K. 1992's only had 5 digit odometers so I would have him show me all of the service records.
 
If you are just going to stay within LA and drive in a lot of heavy traffic and never wander too far on the open highway then I guess you could get by with a automatic but you will suffer with substantially lower fuel mileage (low-mid 30's) and a drastic reduction in acceleration (not that there was all that much to begin with!).
 
Before you consider buying this car make sure you run it long enough so that it gets warm and then check the automatic transmission fluid. The fluid should be pink and should not be dark red or smell burnt. If it smells burnt or the fluid is a very dark color then do not even consider buying the car, the tranny is on it's last legs.
 
And finally if after all of this you still think you want to buy the car, the price is too high. Offer them $750.00 and see what happens. Explain it's a orphaned model (no longer manufactured) and it's 10 years old and the car doesn't have air conditioning in a city where the average summer temperature is about 20 degrees lower than the surface of the sun. Don't pay more than $1000.00.
 
Just my 2 cents worth.

#581 of 1864 Hi kimbo535- Welcome to the Hatchbacks board. by revka

Oct 11, 2002 (8:57 am)

I second inuvik's suggestion on checking the service records. 49k is very few miles for a 10 year old vehicle.

Have you tried plugging this vehicle into Edmunds' Used Vehicle Appraiser? This will give you the average price others are paying in your region. Good luck, and please keep us posted on your decision.

Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards

#582 of 1864 Just bought a '98 Chevy Metro by powerisfun

Nov 13, 2002 (3:10 pm)

It has 52K miles on it, but looks to be in excellent shape (like new), has brand-new tires and runs great.. Is there anything I should look for in terms of potential problems.
Any services I should do to it? If so, please let me know.
-Tim

#583 of 1864 powerisfun !!! by baveux

Nov 13, 2002 (5:08 pm)

If powerisfun....your buying the wrong car )))
 
Actually look for defective, rad,front brake and exaust system .I have a 97 3 cyl with 75000 miles, and the car is still running like a sewing machine , no major problem to report.

#584 of 1864 Hi powerisfun- Congrats on your '98 Chevy Metro! by revka

Nov 14, 2002 (4:56 am)

"Is there anything I should look for in terms of potential problems. Any services I should do to it? If so, please let me know."

In addition to the feedback here, you can check in Edmunds' Maintenance Guide for recalls, TSBs (technical service bulletins), and manufacturer recommended service schedules. We look forward to hearing more about your Chevy Metro experience. Happy motoring!
 
Revka
Hatchbacks & Wagons Host

#585 of 1864 Thanks. by powerisfun

Nov 14, 2002 (2:35 pm)

Thanks for the info. I'll take a look at those things.
 
I guess I should also be more specific and say that the one I got is the standard 3-cyl hatchback with manual transmission which is what
I wanted.
 
My name has to do with the
fact that I also have a '96 Impala SS which is pretty much the Metro's diametric opposite (among cars anyway, if you include SUV's the Excursion would make an even nicer contrast ). There's just something about the Metro that always intrigued me and I finally got one.
 
 I've heard from several different sources (i.e. previous or current owners) that their Metros just
refuse(d) to die. That made me feel good.

#586 of 1864 HellOOOOOOOOOO... by powerisfun

Dec 09, 2002 (4:50 pm)

Wow, no new Metro forum posts in almost a month.
 
Just filled up my first gas tank and I got 41.4 mpg with a heck-of-a-lot of stop-n-go driving. That's with the 2-door hatch-back with 1.0L 3-cyl and 5-spd.
 
Did GM (or Suzuki) offer the 2-door hatch-back with 1.3L AND 5-spd. That's would have been the one I really wanted, but every time I found one with the 1.3L it had the auto tranny.
-Tim
 
.

#587 of 1864 4-cyl Metro's by emckelvy

Dec 10, 2002 (7:36 pm)

Both the Metro and Swift 2-door coupes were available with 4-cyl 5-speed. Swifts only came with the 4-cyl's. The 4-cyl 5-speed Metro's are harder to find but are out there. Seems like most of the 4-cyl LSI's are automatics, though.
 
I would like to find a 4-cyl, LSI, 5-speed Metro, with the tach; 70 HP would be sweet, and probably could increase HP with a header and low restriction exhaust system such that the MPG in town would be about the same as a 3-cyl. The extra torque and smoothness would be nice.
 
I think the 3-cyl will typically have the MPG edge though on long hiway trips; once you get them rolling along they go pretty well. Stop-and-go with the little motor is a killer and takes quite a toll on MPG.
 
I can tell a diff on mixed driving between going one way with lots of lites/stops, and going another way with less traffic and lites. About 2-3 MPG more on the lesser-traveled road.
 
My old '91 3-cyl got better MPG than the '95 3-banger but the newer one handles better, rides better, is quieter, and more solid feeling. Guess it's worth a few MPG for those qualities.
 
But I've been thinking about a 4-cyl and if the right one comes along will probably snatch it up! Check out the Auto Trader online, www.autotrader.com as you'll probably find many to choose from.
 
Anybody out there with 4-cyl 5-speed Swifts/Metro 2-doors care to post their city and hiway MPG???
 
Keep On (Roller)Skatin'...........ed

#588 of 1864 Thanks for the info. by powerisfun

Dec 11, 2002 (11:08 am)

It's funny that you don't see more 4-cyl, 5-spds.
I would have thought that would have been the MOST popular combination.
 
I used autotrader.com to find my current Metro and maybe it's just the area I'm in, but all the 4-cyl's were auto. Oh well, the 3-cyl's gas mileage is hard to beat...but it could sure use that extra cylinder when it comes time to climb a hill.
-Tim

Messages Page 59 of 187

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