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A new car is rising
Topic Started: Jun 25 2015, 08:08 AM (3,168 Views)
aaronvincent
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Mr Mojo Risin'

It's okay Turbo, I know how you feel. I finally sold my 2000 Swift a few weeks ago due to it having one too many problems. The valve seals got REALLY bad to where it would smoke like a chimney for the first 5 minutes I drove it so I finally got fed up enough and said "fuck it". Not only did it smoke but the brakes started having issues, it started idling funny, it had excessive engine clatter, the AC started to suck and that was the last straw. Don't miss it even slightly, bought a Toyota Corolla.

Life is short, but AC makes it bearable :lol Being able to go faster than 55mph without the car rattling itself apart is also nice :D
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Cobrajet25
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aaronvincent
Jul 12 2015, 01:18 AM
It's okay Turbo, I know how you feel. I finally sold my 2000 Swift a few weeks ago due to it having one too many problems. The valve seals got REALLY bad to where it would smoke like a chimney for the first 5 minutes I drove it so I finally got fed up enough and said "fuck it". Not only did it smoke but the brakes started having issues, it started idling funny, it had excessive engine clatter, the AC started to suck and that was the last straw. Don't miss it even slightly, bought a Toyota Corolla.

Life is short, but AC makes it bearable :lol Being able to go faster than 55mph without the car rattling itself apart is also nice :D
:gp :cheers I punted my '97 Metro 3/5 when it burned an exhaust valve....

AGAIN! :doh :doh :doh :doh
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Stubby79
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:O Blasphemers!


:P
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Horn


Wait, did I not get the memo? We don't work on geos anymore if there is a small issue with them? :dunno

I'm just busting your guys' balls. My newer metro has leaking valve seals and I haven't brought myself to fix it yet.
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Freeman
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The Family Man

Horn
Jul 12 2015, 10:22 PM
Wait, did I not get the memo? We don't work on geos anymore if there is a small issue with them? :dunno

I'm just busting your guys' balls. My newer metro has leaking valve seals and I haven't brought myself to fix it yet.
:D Just the valve seals and AC are beyond my weekend mechanic skills.
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Cobrajet25
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Horn
Jul 12 2015, 10:22 PM
Wait, did I not get the memo? We don't work on geos anymore if there is a small issue with them? :dunno

I'm just busting your guys' balls. My newer metro has leaking valve seals and I haven't brought myself to fix it yet.
In my case, and I'd expect in most cases where Metros are sent down the road by folks here, it is a 'straw that broke the camel's back' sort of situation.
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Freeman
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The Family Man

Cobrajet25
Jul 13 2015, 07:15 AM
Horn
Jul 12 2015, 10:22 PM
Wait, did I not get the memo? We don't work on geos anymore if there is a small issue with them? :dunno

I'm just busting your guys' balls. My newer metro has leaking valve seals and I haven't brought myself to fix it yet.
In my case, and I'd expect in most cases where Metros are sent down the road by folks here, it is a 'straw that broke the camel's back' sort of situation.
Definitely. Prior to this I have replaced sheered lug nuts, brakes, sensor this, coil plug that, window regulator, etc etc. But the AC system was going to be an expensive fix at best and I'm just not comfortable doing it myself. Then there was the tranny issue. The 3 speed autos aren't...good? I don't know, it just felt weak and I could tell the transmission was nearing the end. My wife is still driving the Metro though. And when it dies, it dies. No harm, no foul, we will just get a different car. For $1200 (or whatever it was) I can't complain. It has done it's job and then some already. We may be able to get another year out of it, maybe more. And then I'll be picking up something else.

I actually did a few things to the Fit this weekend. You can't tell, but the other side of the shift boot is ripped. The rubber doesn't last forever in the sun. You can definitely see the lack of a center arm rest though.

Posted Image

And tadah! A new fabric shift boot that won't rip in the same manor and an arm rest. It is an aftermarket OE knock off that fits in the cup holder. It is pretty amazing. It is a little loose and wiggles some when you pull yourself in, but for $30 I can't even begin to complain!

Posted Image

Next was the factory radio. No auxiliary port was a deal breaker! That and I have a spare 'good' radio lying around in the garage.

Posted Image

The Valor 900w has a flip up touch screen display. I was really into that sort of thing about 3-4 years ago when I bought the radio and it still works, so I used it! I will say replacing the bezel on these cars is a crazy pain! The climate controls are screwed into the back of the dash and it is quite the task replacing it.

Posted Image

The passenger side of the bezel is unclipped in that picture, just needed some extra oomph to get it into place. I also put a steering wheel wrap on to protect the still mint steering wheel!

I did get some mileage numbers. My first tank of gas yielded me 30 MPG around town, with the AC on, remembering how to drive a stick. It is pretty on par with the auto Metro, so I'm happy I didn't lose anything. Next tank of gas was about 75% highway and I got 35-36 MPG with the AC on and cruising at 75-80 mph. I even followed a nice new Ferrari for a few miles which I'm sure wasn't helping my average MPG (~100 mph). I was just interested in how the car would handle triple digits too. I then did some regular highway cruising (55-65 mph) and averaged closer to 40 MPG on that stretch. So I'd say 30 mpg city, 40 mpg highway is easily obtainable. I was shifting around 3,000 RPM most of the time and I was always running the AC.

I'm pretty pleased with that. Is it amazing? No, not really. But having 4 doors, AC, and being comfortable is worth it. For a $3,500 craigslist find, I can't complain yet. Well, unless you want to talk about the most lack luster VTEC experience of my life. The car does start to pep up around 3,500 RPM, but I rarely find myself up there.
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Cobrajet25
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TurboEF
Jul 13 2015, 07:41 AM
Cobrajet25
Jul 13 2015, 07:15 AM
Horn
Jul 12 2015, 10:22 PM
Wait, did I not get the memo? We don't work on geos anymore if there is a small issue with them? :dunno

I'm just busting your guys' balls. My newer metro has leaking valve seals and I haven't brought myself to fix it yet.
In my case, and I'd expect in most cases where Metros are sent down the road by folks here, it is a 'straw that broke the camel's back' sort of situation.
Definitely. Prior to this I have replaced sheered lug nuts, brakes, sensor this, coil plug that, window regulator, etc etc. But the AC system was going to be an expensive fix at best and I'm just not comfortable doing it myself. Then there was the tranny issue. The 3 speed autos aren't...good? I don't know, it just felt weak and I could tell the transmission was nearing the end. My wife is still driving the Metro though. And when it dies, it dies. No harm, no foul, we will just get a different car. For $1200 (or whatever it was) I can't complain. It has done it's job and then some already. We may be able to get another year out of it, maybe more. And then I'll be picking up something else.

I actually did a few things to the Fit this weekend. You can't tell, but the other side of the shift boot is ripped. The rubber doesn't last forever in the sun. You can definitely see the lack of a center arm rest though.

Posted Image

And tadah! A new fabric shift boot that won't rip in the same manor and an arm rest. It is an aftermarket OE knock off that fits in the cup holder. It is pretty amazing. It is a little loose and wiggles some when you pull yourself in, but for $30 I can't even begin to complain!

Posted Image

Next was the factory radio. No auxiliary port was a deal breaker! That and I have a spare 'good' radio lying around in the garage.

Posted Image

The Valor 900w has a flip up touch screen display. I was really into that sort of thing about 3-4 years ago when I bought the radio and it still works, so I used it! I will say replacing the bezel on these cars is a crazy pain! The climate controls are screwed into the back of the dash and it is quite the task replacing it.

Posted Image

The passenger side of the bezel is unclipped in that picture, just needed some extra oomph to get it into place. I also put a steering wheel wrap on to protect the still mint steering wheel!

I did get some mileage numbers. My first tank of gas yielded me 30 MPG around town, with the AC on, remembering how to drive a stick. It is pretty on par with the auto Metro, so I'm happy I didn't lose anything. Next tank of gas was about 75% highway and I got 35-36 MPG with the AC on and cruising at 75-80 mph. I even followed a nice new Ferrari for a few miles which I'm sure wasn't helping my average MPG (~100 mph). I was just interested in how the car would handle triple digits too. I then did some regular highway cruising (55-65 mph) and averaged closer to 40 MPG on that stretch. So I'd say 30 mpg city, 40 mpg highway is easily obtainable. I was shifting around 3,000 RPM most of the time and I was always running the AC.

I'm pretty pleased with that. Is it amazing? No, not really. But having 4 doors, AC, and being comfortable is worth it. For a $3,500 craigslist find, I can't complain yet. Well, unless you want to talk about the most lack luster VTEC experience of my life. The car does start to pep up around 3,500 RPM, but I rarely find myself up there.
Congrats on the new ride. People seem to LOVE older incarnations of the Fit...more so than the newer ones.
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Freeman
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The Family Man

There are noticeable differences between the generations. The big thing for me is the mileage on this car is top notch. 68,000 for a nearly 9 year old vehicle is very good. There are certain things about the newer Fit that I do like, although I don't remember them off hand. The car is quite spacey for being as compact as it is. I've gotten some compliments on the front passenger space and I've been able to fit a full 5 passengers (one being a car seat) without major complaints.
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Stubby79
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Cobrajet25
Jul 13 2015, 07:15 AM
In my case, and I'd expect in most cases where Metros are sent down the road by folks here, it is a 'straw that broke the camel's back' sort of situation.
Rusted out floor pan did it for me!
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Freeman
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The Family Man

Stubby79
Jul 13 2015, 10:44 AM
Cobrajet25
Jul 13 2015, 07:15 AM
In my case, and I'd expect in most cases where Metros are sent down the road by folks here, it is a 'straw that broke the camel's back' sort of situation.
Rusted out floor pan did it for me!
:shake Weak! Replacing those on my bug before too long. A plasma cutter, angle grinder, mig welder and a day!
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Freeman
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The Family Man

I believe the car needs a new throw out bearing and I was going to replace the clutch while I'm at it. I called the Honda dealership for a quote, $1,876.25 out the door. "Would you like to schedule an appointment now?" Heck no! The clutch kit is $130 from Exedy, I think I'll take my $1,700 and take 3 weeks off work and do it myself.

I also put in a call to a local mechanic who has been fair to me. He hasn't called me back, but I know he is busy.
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Tim Keith


Fishy Investors, New Tenants Bad News for Elio Motors
http://gas2.org/2015/07/15/fishy-investors-new-tenants-bad-news-for-elio-motors/
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Freeman
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The Family Man

I feel like that post was off topic, but this is a good time to say that my local mechanic quoted me $400 for the clutch so I am taking it to him. Replacing the clutch is actually a head ache on this car due to the handful of trans mounts and all the equipment attached to the trans. Not to mention, according to the service manual, you need to drop the whole front cross member to remove the trans.
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