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Fleet of Metros
Topic Started: Feb 17 2012, 12:28 PM (2,156 Views)
490k


Hey gang.

I run a messenger service and have at any one point 7-8 Metros running packages around. I stick with the 99-01 cars, but have had a couple 97's a 98 and a 94. A 2000 I just got rid of a couple months ago clocked 490k. I buy these cars with over 100k cheap because I know I can get another 2-300k out of them. haha Have owned approx 20 Metros since 2001/2002 when we swapped out the Festivas for the Metros. The Festivas were decent cars, but parts were getting hard to find. Like exhaust and rear brake parts.

I love my Metros...call them my little soldiers. They've been through hell and back driving the streets of PA, NJ and NY, but still start up the next morning. :cheers
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idmetro
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Welcome aboard! Do you favor the manual or auto trans cars?
Edited by idmetro, Feb 17 2012, 12:31 PM.
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Johnny Mullet
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Fear the Mullet

Welcome!
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490k


idmetro
Feb 17 2012, 12:30 PM
Welcome aboard! Do you favor the manual or auto trans cars?
Thanks!

We use all automatics now. Believe it or not, there are ALOT of people that can't drive stick. Had a guy blow up a Festiva clutch on me once. haha Since then it's all autos.

I rebuild the automatics myself. Usually my Metros need just one rebuild about 200k. I found the valve body plate wears out from the little balls.
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bogs
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Duct tape heals all wounds

Welcome here, nice to see em being put into service :) Time for fleet pics :popcorn
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me2


Very interesting. Thanks for coming here. You are sir are a Metro Overlord.
I was told by a local fire chief that all the big fire trucks and all their big trucks are now automatic. I asked why. He said it was because they couldn't find sufficient recruits that knew how to drive a manual and it was VERY costly to have them learn on their trucks.
You are speaking to the same phenomena.

For your fleet to you tend buy the nicest cars you can find or does it vary from car to car?
I guess what I'm asking is do you buy cars that you know need work but will end up nice mechanically once you are done?
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490k


me2
Feb 17 2012, 02:35 PM
For your fleet to you tend buy the nicest cars you can find or does it vary from car to car?
I guess what I'm asking is do you buy cars that you know need work but will end up nice mechanically once you are done?
Ummm... it varies. The cheaper the better. I tend to stay away from cars that look like they were beat on. I almost passed on the most recent purchase because it had some Autometer gauge installed, alloy wheels and some weird purple accent lights. Those are turn-offs for me. I bought it, reluctantly. I know I'm going to have to spend some time on it.

Cars with paperwork issues are just plain nightmares. I bought a couple "salvage" cars, one had like 20k for $400 and the other around 50k for $1200. The 20k car needed a bumper cover, some bumper support welding and a rear door. The other car just had a couple dings. Since I'm using them for work (not reselling to the public) the inspectors are a little more lenient. But all the paperwork is a pain.

The 20k mile car, out of all the Metros I bought, was the only one with p/s and power door locks. haha We called it the Luxury Model.

Back in 2004 I hooked up with a wholesaler up in CT that was reselling rental cars from Enterprise. I was buying 2001 4 dr LSi's with 40k for $3000.

When I buy a car it gets: oil change, tune-up, water pump, timing belt kit, front crank seal, front pads, tires, belts and air filter, trans service. That's usually all these cars need to be reliable.

I never did a set of rear shoes.....ever. The a/c compressors are the only drawback. I don't want to spend $300+ at the dealer and usually find some $100 rebuilt unit off Ebay, but even those don't last long. Maybe 1-2 years.

The state car inspection fails you for "visible smoke". I found that if you just give the car a coupla revs before your turn you can get it to pass. haha Last time I took a car through, car had like 275k w/original valve stem seals, prick behind me says "Look at all that smoke, you ain't gonna pass!" I said "Watch me." and little Metro went right through! :D
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490k


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MR Bill
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Welcome to GMF. This guy is a Metro King
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ascensions
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Je conduis une petite voiture.

It's Metro Heaven!!!!!!!!!
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me2


Its like you own your own Geopalooza. ha Thanks for all the information on how you are using these cars. Very interesting. I have four of them but that is only because I became a bit obsessed with them during a time of illness. It was something that was interesting to me.
Now I can't get rid of them because I like them too much.
My first one the timing belt went out , probably from a main seal leak. I did the seals, the belt, the tensioner, the water pump and now it just goes and goes. Oh , and I did the alternator because it was so easy to get to at that point and looked original.
It was all fun work. The only car I have had as fun to work on is my toyota truck for a lot of the same reasons. Easy to get parts. Lots of room to work. Fix some standard things and your good for another couple hundred thou maybe ( my first truck has 465,000 miles . I bought it new. Its still a good truck.) Thanks again for all the good info
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palposity
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wow dude! Love your fleet!!!
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bogs
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Duct tape heals all wounds

That is impressive indeed :thumb
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Bad Bent
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Facetious Educated Donkey

Welcome to your new forum, 490k! :coffee

Impressive. :rocker

"I rebuild the automatics myself. Usually my Metros need just one rebuild about 200k. I found the valve body plate wears out from the little balls. " The kind of information we love to read and we can use more automatic gurus. :thumb
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490k


me2
Feb 17 2012, 07:01 PM
and I did the alternator
Oh man, you reminded my of one of my nightmares!

A while back, I had a couple of alternators go so I bought some "new" alternators from CarQuest. Those things are complete garbage! I had them in 2-3 cars and had to tow each one back to my shop within a month of installing them. (not the easiest to replace on the road) After numerous conversations with CarQuest I got them to refund the alternators and pay at least 2 of the tow bills. Their coils are garbage too.

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