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#9 of 1696 alex travanti by alext Jun 06, 1999 (8:54 pm)
Well, the issue with the tires is very real. I recently got into an accident in my 99 metro hatchback. It was very dark and raining, which in LA is very bad because since it rains infrequently throughout the year the road becomes very slick. I was going about 35 mph on a slightly downward hill when a minivan in front of me stopped very quickly at a yellow light. I slammed on the brakes, which did stop the wheels, but not the car. Because the car is so lightweight and has such tiny wheels, the car kept sliding, right into the minivan. I was pretty much unhurt, except for being a little sore from the seat belt, and the minivan wasn't even scratched, but the front of my metro was bashed in. No damage to the headlight, just the hood and the front bumper. Thank good for the foot of space between the grill and the radiator! I took it to my body shop and their estimate is over $4000 (!!!), which is almost half the price of the car. Fortunately I have full coverage and a $500 deductible, so it'll only cost me the five hundred. But this brings up an important safety issue about the metro's wheel size. The stock wheels are only 13" by about 6" at the most. I am seriously considering buying new rims and tires after my car gets out of the shop, not only for looks but to add more weight and a fatter, meaterier wheel on the car. Pep Boys is offereing a deal on a set of no-name brand 14" x 7" wheels for about $600 total (including installation and balancing). Anybody out there have any other suggestions for making my metro better at handling the road? Replies to this message: corvairbob (Dec 01, 2007 7:20 pm) corvairbob (Dec 01, 2007 7:30 pm)
#10 of 1696 carlady by mzn Jun 06, 1999 (9:41 pm)
Before you think about getting new wheels, you might want to put your money into the best possible *tires* for your current wheels. Other small cars have the same size (or smaller) wheels so I'm inclined to think it is your tires that could use a bump up. What do others think? carlady/host
#11 of 1696 cjaccetta by cjaccetta Jun 07, 1999 (2:09 pm)
I own a '93 Metro 3-door and I agree with alext. Though it wouldn't hurt to get the best rubber you can buy, the skinny wheels simply won't put enough of it on the road. Luckily, the car's sluggish performance doesn't encourage "spirited" driving. Go for the wider wheels. BTW, count me in as a Metro enthusiast. This little car has been nothing but reliable. In five years of ownership, I have had NO troubles. I have replaced the front brakes and all four tires, and that's it. I live in northern NJ and my Metro is great for city driving and parking (just don't expect true comfort or refinement). Plus, you can fill the tank with regular for $9.00 and drive for a week. I even managed to squeeze three mountain bikes in the hatch. Question: is it possible or practical to retofit a '93 with A/C?. Replies to this message: joes1 (Jun 14, 2005 2:22 pm)
#12 of 1696 alext by alext Jun 07, 1999 (3:16 pm)
The 99 metro comes with goodyear tires stock, so there's not a whole lot more I could put in it. So, I've decided once it gets out of the shop to opt for the $600 to get new wheels. Not only will it improve handling and stopping ability, but it'll look a lot better than those ugly stock steel wheels.
#13 of 1696 bigger not better by baveux Jun 17, 1999 (9:36 pm)
Wider tire will just give you more problem like aquaplaning.Tailgating is much more dangerous,drive according to the road condition and you won't have any problem.I'm in ontario Canada,I'm driving 80 miles per day mainly on highway,on,rain or snow,and these small tire are just doing the job.I'm not trying to say here that I'm a better driver than you guys,I`M sure that we can find better tire ,but going bigger and wider,no thanks.... And IMHO a car is not loosing control....but a driver will...
#14 of 1696 jenn by jennvaccaro Jun 18, 1999 (9:48 pm)
Well, in response to "bigger not better," I did not lose control of the Metro.....as I stated in my original message (# 7) I was traveling the speed limit, and the bridge was nearly traffic-free at the time I was on it. I simply do not think that a CAR that loses control despite the driver obeying the rules of the road at 55 mph is a safe vehicle. In addition, prior to owning the Metro, I owned a small Nissan Sentra. I crossed the same bridge twice a day for a year in it because of my job, and was NEVER in danger of losing control. BTW, I have an impeccable driving record, so till the day I die I will insist that the METRO lost control, not me.
#15 of 1696 hey,hey ! by baveux Jun 18, 1999 (10:20 pm)
Jenn : L.O.L Don't get upset!!! You were probably not the only one who hitted this black ice.Do you really believe that 1/2 wider on four tire would have made any difference ? Personnally I dont think so.A bridge is the worse place to be in winter,and on black ice you can drive a semi and put yourself in trouble.So the Metro lost control....probably because where you leave they haven't put a sign at the entrance of the bridge saying that the road might be slippery below zero like we have here in Canada,so the poor little car ignoring the fact made a mistake ! Maybe 55mph was to fast on that bridge that day ? Maybe this, maybe that,so till the day I die I will insist that the DRIVER lost control,not the car.) Richard You probably think that my English sucks,but it's not me......It's that frikin keyboard.....! Take care
#16 of 1696 to richard by jennvaccaro Jun 19, 1999 (8:23 pm)
Who said anything about black ice or freezing temps? Where i live, it rarely gets below 50 degrees....the day this happened it was 80 degrees, bright, sunny, and dry.......whatever....i still think the metro is the most unsafe vehicle ever made...in fact mine is for sale right now! Replies to this message: corvairbob (Dec 01, 2007 7:37 pm)
#17 of 1696 to Jennifer by baveux Jun 19, 1999 (10:52 pm)
I`m confuse,I've assumed that the slick patch was a patch of ice....Sorry about that. I'm getting worse....i can`t write and now i can`t read... I wish you good luck with your new car. Are you upset..? ;-)i hope not.... Richard p.s that bother me ,you hitted a patch of what...?
#18 of 1696 groovy by cjaccetta Jun 25, 1999 (1:42 pm)
I was just scanning these posts and I read with interest Jenn's 6/18/99 account of her causeway bridge incident. I know what she went through. There are many bridges where I live (northern NJ) and many of them are drawbridges. The surfaces of these bridges are often made of a sort of steel mesh. When I drive my Metro over these drawbridges, I feel as though I should be wearing an adult diaper because the Metro slides ALL OVER THE PLACE, regardless of my speed or the weather. I think it's a combination of the skinny tires, the car's light weight and the fact that it is vulnerable to crosswinds. Plus, the steel bed develops "tire grooves" from all the traffic, and these grooves also play havoc with the tiny wheels. They shake more than Elvis's hips. Metro drivers beware of bridges (and, for those of us in the Northeast, that tricky "grooved pavement")!

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