Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Posted ImageWelcome to the all new Geo Metro Forum. We hope you enjoy your visit.

You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are features you can't use and images you can't see. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Join our community!




Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Should I get it?; Buying a metro
Topic Started: Mar 22 2012, 02:22 PM (1,694 Views)
Charlie1717
New Member
[ *  * ]
Hello everyone!

My name is Charlie and I may be purchasing my first Metro on Saturday. I currently own 3 Ford Festivas (the geo's natural friendly enemy ;) ) and love them! However, I have always loved the 2 door geo hatchbacks, I've always wanted an xfi.

The geo I am looking at is a 1997 4 door auto with 167,000 miles. The exact oposite of any metro I've wanted but I can pick it up for $300.

The bad- Reverse is out on the transmission, cracked windshield, driver side mirror is broke off, driver side window is off track a little bit, no power steering, and no air conditioner.

I've heard the auto trans often have strange issues. If worse comes to worse and it needs replaced is it a straight forward replacement? How much does an auto tranny cost?

The rest is cosmetic and doesn't bother me nor does the lack of power steering/air conditioning.

Do you guys think it is worth picking up?
Here is the pic I've got
Posted Image
Looks like it would clean up pretty nice

And...
Here is my festy :)
Posted Image
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
72gremlinx


wow really nice fiesta. As far as the metro, I would pass on it as a driving car but if you would like one as parts I think it would make a great donor car. They arn't hard to find and they are cheap when you find them so probably can get a nicer metro for just a few hundred more. Just my .2 cents
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
todaugen


I'd pass on the Metro also. And that Fiesta is SWEET.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Charlie1717
New Member
[ *  * ]
Glad I stopped by maybe it isn't my time just yet ;)

Ohhhhh and it is a FESTIVA not a fiesta haha common thing we hear.

Here is my old Fiesta
Posted Image

On the left Festiva on the Right Fiesta haha
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
dayle1960
Member Avatar
Fastest Hampster EVER

$300 is a good price for that metro. A parts car would be nice to have IF you were to buy another 4 door. If you scounge through a junk yard maybe you could come up with a good running tranny for a couple of hundred bucks.

Here is something to think about, (please do not take this as a knock against you personally) with the picture you are showing us two things stand out, 1. it has a rear spoiler and 2. the car has nice spoked rims. That means a younger driver wanted to rice it out. If so, then I wonder what kind of harm the fellow did to the motor trying to keep up with other ricers while racing. If you do want to rehab this car, the mirror and window are easy fixes, the engine and tranny will bite you in the behind very hard, especially since it is a 4 cyl auto. An auto tranny will be $200-300 and a 4 cyl engine will be under $500.

Just some things that I see which will possibly kill the deal.

Good luck.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
72gremlinx


hehe woops sorry use to seeing the new fiestas on the road and wasn't paying attention. well nice fiesta and festiva
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Johnny Mullet
Member Avatar
Fear the Mullet

The rims are worth that.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Charlie1717
New Member
[ *  * ]
dayle1960
Mar 22 2012, 06:15 PM
$300 is a good price for that metro. A parts car would be nice to have IF you were to buy another 4 door. If you scounge through a junk yard maybe you could come up with a good running tranny for a couple of hundred bucks.

Here is something to think about, (please do not take this as a knock against you personally) with the picture you are showing us two things stand out, 1. it has a rear spoiler and 2. the car has nice spoked rims. That means a younger driver wanted to rice it out. If so, then I wonder what kind of harm the fellow did to the motor trying to keep up with other ricers while racing. If you do want to rehab this car, the mirror and window are easy fixes, the engine and tranny will bite you in the behind very hard, especially since it is a 4 cyl auto. An auto tranny will be $200-300 and a 4 cyl engine will be under $500.

Just some things that I see which will possibly kill the deal.

Good luck.
Agreed for sure, I think I let the lower price get to my head. Around here on Craigslist they all seem to be $1,000+... And you are correct I usually avoid a car with rims that don't make sense for the car :p I may as well wait for the 2/4 door hatch that I'd much rather have. I'm actually trying to find a car for my Brother/Dad to use for a while and I've always wanted a Metro. It would be cool to have my two favorite econobox cars and in my opinion the two best compact cars (that is of course if you can find one before the rust cancer has gotten to it).
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Horn


Charlie im assuming you know of the frame rust issues with geos right?

Nice fiestiva (festiva fiesta hybrid) lol

Also where were you a month ago when the fiesta crew came here?

And what is a deal breaker on a festiva....like frame rust on geo?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Charlie1717
New Member
[ *  * ]
BILLY MAYS HERE
Mar 22 2012, 07:53 PM
Charlie im assuming you know of the frame rust issues with geos right?

Nice fiestiva (festiva fiesta hybrid) lol

Also where were you a month ago when the fiesta crew came here?

And what is a deal breaker on a festiva....like frame rust on geo?
I am on the festiva forum and saw the great debate on here with Neanderpaul haha. He is a great great guy and man does he love his Festivas! Check out is music on youtube he does some pretty cool stuff, just youtube search neanderpaul.

Anyway the deal breaker on a festiva- Rust is still an issue but not quite as common as the metro or atleast not in as critical structural areas. So, I'd say what most people would avoid is the 1988-1990 carb models vs efi 1990-1993. Along with any auto trans festivas, it just kills mpg. Some love it but it brings your avg mpg to low maybe mid 30's. Then engines (like most metros) are bullet proof. My first festiva had 90,000 miles and wasn't taken care of. Wouldn't be surprised if I gave it it's third oil change of its life. 5 years later it is still chuggin along with my brother behind the wheel.

I wish the metros didn't have such an issue with the rust. I think they are wonderful cars and in many ways are similar to Festivas which is why I think they both have very strong followings with great communities of people who love the cars.


I'd love to see a xfi festiva, and a huge gathering MetroStiva we can call it.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Horn


Fiestro!
MeSTIva (yes its an sti turbo charged version. lol)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
GeoStalker
Member Avatar
"Chicks dig me and guys think I'm cool."

Definitely PASS on the Metro!! The 4 cylinder, automatic transmission sedans are the least coveted, especially with the transmission problems you outlined. Stay patient and wait for a 3 cylinder 5 speed to give you a fighting chance at 50mpg.

That is to say, unless you want your first foray in the Geo Metro world to be a parts car!!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Charlie1717
New Member
[ *  * ]
GeoStalker
Mar 22 2012, 09:50 PM
Definitely PASS on the Metro!! The 4 cylinder, automatic transmission sedans are the least coveted, especially with the transmission problems you outlined. Stay patient and wait for a 3 cylinder 5 speed to give you a fighting chance at 50mpg.

That is to say, unless you want your first foray in the Geo Metro world to be a parts car!!
Yeah I figure I ought to wait until I come across a hatchback model. Plus I don't really need one and already have a car that gets great mpg. I'll just keep waiting. Someday!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Coche Blanco
Member Avatar
Troll Certified

What kind of engine is that in the small white car?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Charlie1717
New Member
[ *  * ]
Coche Blanco
Mar 23 2012, 10:23 AM
What kind of engine is that in the small white car?
It is a BP 1.8 L out of a 94 Mazda Protege.

Being that the Festiva is composed of Mazda components it makes the Mazda B series engines a pretty straightforward swap. Although, the BP swap is one of the more difficult there is a 1.6L engine swap that is basically a direct swap with very little mpg damage and about 30ish hp increase.

Even with twice the HP I average 38mpg - (44 highway 35 in town) Which is pretty dang good and it is a blast to drive.

My other festiva I average 45mpg- 43 in town 50 interstate but I have a 4 speed (po swapped it in for some odd reason) which has hindered my mpg.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Introductions · Next Topic »
Add Reply