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2nd time Geo Metro Owner
Topic Started: May 2 2010, 08:31 PM (3,934 Views)
honestabe


Hi all. I owned a 94 Geo Metro 2-door until March of last year, but traded it in because I was tired of fixing wheel bearings (they kept going out on me). Anyways, fast forward to recently. I was tired of getting only 23 MPG and spending a fortune on gas since I drive a lot. While searching craigslist I found a gem. I got me a 95 Geo Metro LSI 5-speed 2-door hatchback for sale by the 2nd owner (who's only had it for 2 years) for only $1200. The only thing wrong with it is that it has been in an accident before since both airbags have been replaced (they're a different shade than my dash and steering wheel) and the dash is heavily sun bleached. The guy I bought it off of did have a nice dash pad on it though, so that made it look a lot better. It only had 109k miles on it and was well maintained. I've driven it about 1000 miles already and it rides perfectly. The passenger side mirror has been deleted already and I have the original window sticker. I did a tune up on it yesterday which included changing the spark plugs and wires, the air filter, and oil filter and oil. I've also removed the dash pad and front license plate. Next on the list is the disabling of the DRL. I'm going to start doing aero mods to it soon to really start getting some killer MPG. So far I've bested only 41.6 MPG, but that was with a front tire that was going flat due to a bad valve stem. Anyways, here's the pics of my new DD. FYI, this car is the exact opposite of my other car, a 500 RWHP 87 Toyota Supra :D If anyone lives near me and has done some aero mods I'd appreciate some help.

Adam

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Edited by honestabe, May 2 2010, 08:33 PM.
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Johnny Mullet
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Fear the Mullet

Welcome to the forum! That is a nice ride you got there!
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bogs
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Duct tape heals all wounds

Nice looking car :thumb but i hope you don't mind a dumb question, how often could wheel bearings go out that it was enough to throw a car?
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convertible


Welcome to the forum. Nice looking metro.
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metro_fiend
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where Geos come to die

Welcome to the forums! lookin like a pree mint geo
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mjspiess
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Nice find! I've done quite a few aero mods to my '95 Metro. Just took a weekend trip & averaged 57 mpg with 4 people in the car with a partial grill block & without my partial kammback. I was pretty pleased with that. I've got a few threads on several of my mods. If you have any questions, just ask.
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honestabe


bogs
May 2 2010, 08:50 PM
Nice looking car :thumb but i hope you don't mind a dumb question, how often could wheel bearings go out that it was enough to throw a car?
Thank you all. And to answer your question, it was every couple months if that. Keep in mind that I drive a lot (probably 20k per year). I think I replaced the front wheel bearings a total of 5 times.

mjspiess, I've seen a couple of your threads and I'm looking to do a couple of the mods (grill block and rear wheel skirts and pizza pan wheel covers).

I just filled up and got 43.1 MPG, which is a 1.5 MPG improvement from my last tank (mind you I frequently have passengers in my Geo, some of which are very heavy). So far I'm loving my Geo.
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bogs
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Duct tape heals all wounds

Huh, I also drive a lot, somewhat in excess of 30k miles a year (in a light year, closer to 22k). If your doing the wheel bearings 5x during that year of driving, then your bearings are failing at 4k miles (roughly). That is not even a normal persons year of driving.

I think I would be looking for the reason they are failing so quickly because it isn't the bearings themselves, given the information here. At the very least, any given set of properly installed bearings should last 50k miles, most probably go in excess of 100+k miles.

I sure hope you have better run with this car, and please, if you start encountering that kind of thing again, post with pictures of the failing side(s), lots here would be more than happy to help you out.
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honestabe


Yeah, I think my hard driving style didn't help any. My current Geo is a gem and I plan on keeping it for a long time.
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Bad Bent
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Facetious Educated Donkey

Welcome to the forum, honestabe! :coffee

Real nice car. :thumb :thumb
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mjspiess
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Honestabe, not sure what the car looks like on the underside, but I'd get that puppy rust treated if you want to keep that gem for a long time! Can do it yourself with a can of rustoleum. At least hit the problematic areas. Mine was done before I bought it & I recoated it this fall. It'll give you some more years to enjoy that Metro!
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honestabe


Thanks. I will have a look underneath to see what areas need addressing. Where I live salt isn't used on the roads when it snows, gravel is. So around here rust isn't that big of an issue. What are the problematic areas? Oh, in case ya'll are wondering, here is a couple pics of my Supra.

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Edited by honestabe, May 11 2010, 10:32 AM.
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nerys
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Grr

wow - nice car man!
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mjspiess
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"The deal breaker with these cars is the frame rust issues they have if the car is from areas that see winter. The known problem area is the lower control arm mounts. These can rust away to the point that the wheel can separate from the vehicle. Rocker panels and floorboards also rust, but can be repaired. Another area is the rear inner wheel wells on 1995+ models can rust and create holes. More info on frame rot can be found HERE and other threads on the forum." JM Buyer's Guide in upper right hand corner of homepage.

You've got a nice Supra! I love those older turbo charged cars. My other car is an '89 Ford Probe GT Turbo.
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Coche Blanco
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Troll Certified

I <3 that probe...that's what she said?
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