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| Help me buy a Geo!; Trying to decide between cars. | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Aug 19 2011, 02:33 PM (836 Views) | |
| KnightmareCS | Aug 19 2011, 02:33 PM Post #1 |
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New Member
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Hello Everyone, I've been looking around trying to find a Metro and came across this awesome site. I need your help as I'm having a bit of trouble figuring out what MPGs these cars really get. My drive will be 30 miles highway, but there is always a possiblity of traffic backups (moving 1-2 mph). I would like to have a minimum of 40mpg to offset my other car. Right now I have found these: - 91 Metro (LSI?) 4 door Hatch 3 cyl Auto 141k - 96 Metro 4 door Sedan 4 cyl Stick 126k - 91 Metro XFI w/ 93 Motor 200+k Guy says engine has a knock. Which of these would best suit my goals of 40mpg? What are the trouble spots I'm looking for? What would make you throw the red flag? Edited by KnightmareCS, Aug 19 2011, 02:40 PM.
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| Coche Blanco | Aug 19 2011, 02:41 PM Post #2 |
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Troll Certified
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Bottom 3 will hit 40mpg. Bottom 2 will hit 50+, with the last one being close to 60. Rust. |
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| snowfish | Aug 19 2011, 02:50 PM Post #3 |
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Basic GearHead
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First off, Welcome to the Party! Second check out our buyers guide. http://geometroforum.com/topic/1666576/1/#new Third, Coche, I only see three. First one, Automatic Transmission. Not so great for high mpg. Second one, Four Cylinder. Can be OK, but not the very best for fuel efficiency. Third, XFI with different motor. Even if it's not an XFI engine, probably the best choice for higher mpg. But it will need a build, maybe. Actually, all of them will probably need some "freshening up" to get them up to par. |
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| KnightmareCS | Aug 19 2011, 03:12 PM Post #4 |
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Thanks for the welcome! That's exactly what I was looking for - buyer's guide. Nice. I had to edit one car out as I called and the guy said it was sold. I figured auto wasn't going to be a good choice, just that one in pics looks the best condition of the three. It is also the farthest from me and highest price. Not worth it right? Second one has clear fading on the hood. I think Coche said that it'd be able to do 40mpg with the 4 cyl. I'll be checking this one out tomorrow. Third one is tricky. The guy says it has a knock. I can rebuild it, but I only have a weeks time. He says it's most likely a rod knock. This means the crank would likely have to be turned/polished, which means more time. What freshening up would the second one need? I'd change the basics: oil, gear oil, coolant?, spark plugs? |
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| dayle1960 | Aug 19 2011, 03:18 PM Post #5 |
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Fastest Hampster EVER
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What kind of creature comforts are you looking for? The xfi does not have A/C. The sedan has better impact protection with the airbags and steel rods in the doors. You won't have to manually shift with the automatic. 95+ metros are slightly larger than the 94- metros, which makes for a slightly better ride. If it were me, I would take a newer metro. That's just my opinion after owning older and newer metros. As far as reliability, all metros are equal. Most inetrnal parts interchange, but not all. Keep asking questions. We will help you as best as possiblr. Welcome to GMF. |
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| KnightmareCS | Aug 19 2011, 03:27 PM Post #6 |
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Thanks again for the welcome! I'm not looking for any specific creature comforts. I don't mind and actually prefer a manual. A/C is no big deal to me as my current cars have no A/C. Safety is a plus as it is highway with trucks and what not, but I won't be going Fast & Furious with it. You think the seller would be offended if I want to do a compression test? The guy said the car is a 3 cylinder, but I looked it up and there were not 3 cylinder stick sedans in 96. I called back and asked him if he was sure it was 3 cyl, he said "maybe 4 cyl, doesn't matter". Like to see this guys reaction when I ask him if I could remove the sparkplugs O_o. |
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| Coche Blanco | Aug 19 2011, 03:52 PM Post #7 |
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Troll Certified
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It was edited snowfish.
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| snowfish | Aug 19 2011, 04:19 PM Post #8 |
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Basic GearHead
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| Johnny Mullet | Aug 19 2011, 08:28 PM Post #9 |
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Fear the Mullet
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That 96 is a 4 cyl. I don't care for the 95-97 4 bangers. I suppose if you want to "FEEL" safe, get a 95+ model, but in reality, you are in a freaking Geo Metro ![]() The older models (89-94) seem to be more resistant to rust and frame rot. Please read the buyer's guide and research the frame rot. Cars from the rust belt do not fair too well and if you do not inspect for rot, you bought scrap. Welcome aboard! |
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| bogs | Aug 19 2011, 11:48 PM Post #10 |
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Duct tape heals all wounds
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I agree with the others for the most part. I have the 4 dr. sedan type and I like it. CB also has one (least till he sells it). The hardest part for you to over come is going to be the 1-2 mph part, I'm not really sure that you would see that much difference between the three under NYC driving conditions. As Jm points out, *really* go over it for rust. Welcome aboard
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| KnightmareCS | Aug 20 2011, 08:57 PM Post #11 |
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Ok, so today turned out to be flop. Called the guy before and told him I'd be coming to day. Called today and no one picked up. Sounds like a business by the answering machine and I was calling after 5. I guess I'll have to try again. I'm having problems finding anything within 200 miles of me. Nothing out there that doesn't require a rebuild. Getting quite irritating. Grrrrrrrr I'm also looking around for anything that gets ~30mpg, for backup purposes. Only finding jacked up Civics. Blahhhhhhh. |
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| Jittney | Aug 20 2011, 09:13 PM Post #12 |
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Anchorage 92 XFi
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Your Geo is out there waiting for you.....as bogs can tell you. He waited for months and almost gave up. It requires good knowledge of what to look for, along with luck in being the first one to spot a new 'for sale'. Let us know how you're doing. |
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| KnightmareCS | Aug 22 2011, 08:50 PM Post #13 |
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I'm going to throw this out there. Anyone from southern CT that can help me out? I want to see if anyone can check out a Metro before I make the trek out there. The guy has only sent a handful of pics and vague description. PM me for info. Not looking for someone that'll snatch it up after me giving out the info...:-P |
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Even if it's not an XFI engine, probably the best choice for higher mpg. But it will need a build, maybe.


3:34 AM Jul 11