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 buy a metro for $1000?
Topic Started: Nov 2 2012, 09:07 PM (2,540 Views)
dtricks
New Member
[ *  * ]
So I currently drive an '07 Silverado and I'm tired of getting 17mpg. I live in the Sacramento area, and have family in So Cal that I visit about once a month. I'm looking at this car to commute to work, as well as job sites that can be 100 miles away.

I'm currently looking at a Metro that's for sale for $1000. it's a '96 Metro 3 door hatchback. I has Airbags, AC which blows, but I did not feel it get cold. It's green with a light green hood. Is $1000 a good deal?

It has 184,000 miles. This car would be bought by a tow yard, and they wouldn't let me drive it on the streets, since it had no plates. They let me drive it in the back, but I really couldn't They have the title, and they got it's smogged and registered until 2013. It seems to run fine, but I hear a little clicking/tapping noise coming from one of the cylinders.

What are your guys' thoughts on these cars. From what I read, they seem pretty reliable. Would it be able to make multiple 450 mile trips? I would be taking a gamble on the car, since the tow yard really knows nothing about it. It was towed, and the owner never picked it up after 45 days. So now the yard is selling it. It looks like it will need new tires, head liner, A/C recharge or condensor, and a tune-up. I figure since it's smogged and registered, it was driven pretty normally.

Do you guys really get 44 mpg on these things? Are the parts as cheap as they say? Would it be able to make the road trips? Thoughts?

Posted Image

Posted Image

Posted Image

Posted Image

Posted Image

Posted Image


Thanks,

Danny

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
GeoStalker
Member Avatar
"Chicks dig me and guys think I'm cool."

Read this thread and my comments for some examples.

mileage differentials
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
dtricks
New Member
[ *  * ]
Thanks for the quick reply! I've ran the numbers, comparing my trips I'm planning for the next year, plus 1500 mile a month that I'm driving on average, plus insurance, and initial payment, An I'd pay for the car in about 6 months (in gas savings).

But I guess my main concern is what to look for when buying these cars. Since can't test drive the car on the streets, do they get crazy at high speeds? The motor seems like it's ok, from listening to other engines on youtube, it sounds about the same, and shakes the same. Can these motors run for 6 hours straight without any issues? I don't mind doing maintenance and upgrades, but I do mind being stranded on the 5 freeway in the middle of nowhere.

Another red flag, is that the car currently does not have license plates (reason why they wouldn't let me drive down the road). If it's registered until 2013, shouldn't it have license plates? He said it's not licensed, but it's registered? how's that possible. It is a tow yard, so maybe they have some different licensing regulations?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Murf 59
Member Avatar


Our engines will run how ever many hrs they need to. Period. The car is a little beat up. But should give you good service. Do they have a title on it? Not a salvage title. And you are interested in the compression #s. Some of our members are getting well over 50mph no problem. Alot depends on what mods you do, and how you drive it. One question I do have is why is it sitting in a tow yard? And do they have the legal right to sell it? A decent Metro for about $1000 any more is a good deal. You might have to do some maint. But with feul getting more expensive. The value of these cars is increasing. How many sub compacts can say that?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Woodie
Member Avatar


The most important question is: manual or automatic? If it's an automatic, don't bother. Manual will get 45 mpg, automatic will get 35 mpg.

At 184K miles, it most likely is due for a rebuild.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Car Nut
Member Avatar


Exactly what Woodie said. If it's a 3 cyl, then you may be able to just add some Marvel Mystery Oil & drive it to help cure the ticking noise. If it's a 4 cyl then you may be looking at rocker arm/head issues that can't be cured with oil additives. Make sure you read the Metro buyers guide on the home page.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
idmetro
Member Avatar


The buyers guide is here: http://geometroforum.com/topic/1666576/1/ Rust is your enemy, check carefully, it can be repaired but it is a lot more effort.

If you can compression test it so much the better, that mileage is typically about the time a rebuild is needed on a car that has received so -so maintenance during its life. Many members have more but they have taken care of their cars. http://geometroforum.com/topic/2574993/1/ Factory fresh is 199psi, factory minimum is 156psi, the car will run well below the factory minimum but "performance" will be less.

As far as running for hours on end a Metro will run much longer than you can without an issue. High speed is a relative thing... Best fuel mileage typically comes in the 50-55 mph range, a stock 3 cyl/5 speed with a healthy engine will go 85 ish or perhaps a bit more but mileage will suffer badly. 60-65 is a reasonable compromise that is where I run and with about 50k miles on my rebuild I average 49 mpg. Running A/C continously will drop mileage 5-7 mpg.

As mentioned if mileage is your goal then the 5 speed 3 cylinder version will return the best numbers, the 5 speed with a 4 cylinder will give a few mpg less and any version of the automatic will come in dissapointing low compared to the manuals.

If you are able to do your own work then a Metro can be a very good deal for you. If you are paying someone else to do the work it can get expensive.

Good Luck!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Murf 59
Member Avatar


As far as running for hours on end a Metro will run much longer than you can without an issue. I bet you will have to get out of your Metro and take a leak before it runs out of fuel. Great point Woodie. :thumb
Edited by Murf 59, Nov 3 2012, 07:05 AM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
dtricks
New Member
[ *  * ]
You guys are great! Yea it's a 3 cyl, manual. I wouldn't be interested in an automatic. I'll definitely check out the buyer's guide. So if it runs fine at 20mph, it should run fine at 65?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
snowfish
Member Avatar
Basic GearHead

dtricks
Nov 3 2012, 10:29 AM
if it runs fine at 20mph, it should run fine at 65?
Not necessarily. :hmm I would not expect Any $1000 car to be a "turn the key and drive" vehicle. :shake

However, for less than another $1,000, you'll have a mechanically brand new car! ^o)

:hmm $2,000 for a car than you can take to Baltimore, and back, without problems, gets 40mpg++ no matter how you drive, and does nothing but provide smiles for many miles. :hmm I'll take it! :thumb
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
heckling7


I'd pull out 7 Benjamins and tell them thats it :deal I was lucky 6 years ago to get mine for $300 as it's been the best buy I could ever imagine. My compression is/was 180 on all three cylinders so thats half way worn from factory 200 to 156 minimum. I can get 55 mpg when conditions are right, but typically 45 all around. The reason I got it so cheap was the previous owner hit a parked car and dented the passenger side front panel. They felt the repair cost didnt justify the value of the car. Boy, were they wrong! :rocker Fortunately, I'm not a superficial shallow person concerned with outward appearance. Well, I did take a shower, put on clothes and comb my hair today, so I'm a little vain:smackface Anyway, its a great tool that doesnt drain the check book ^o)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
nerys
Member Avatar
Grr

rust? check for rust. if no rust issues and it runs good YES you can get over 40mpg with it driven right and yes its worth $1000 if you can afford it. if you can "DIY" your own maintenance its a VERY affordable car to own. there is pretty much nothing you can't fix your self with basic tools.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Nyquil-Junkie
Member Avatar


Buy it, plan on another 1000 to bring it up to daily driver condition and if you spend less, you're ahead of the game.

If it's not rusted in the bad places... there isnt much 1000 bucks wont cure on it.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Woodie
Member Avatar


heckling7
Nov 3 2012, 11:48 AM
Well, I did take a shower, put on clothes and comb my hair today, so I'm a little vain:smackface
On a Saturday? Slow down there sport, you some sort of fancy lad?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
dtricks
New Member
[ *  * ]
Bought it!!! Well I'm now a proud owner of a 1996 Geo Metro, Base Model, 3 cyl, Stick shift. It has a radio! but no A/C...

Thanks guys, and I'll probably need your support soon!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Engine Tech & Diagnostics · Next Topic »
Add Reply