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| Is It Worth It?; keep it or scrap it | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Oct 25 2016, 05:45 AM (1,579 Views) | |
| MichaelSAlford | Oct 25 2016, 05:45 AM Post #1 |
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Advanced Member
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I need to make a decision about my little green Metro. A while back, the engine blew and it just sat in the yard until somebody gave me a Metro that had other problems , but a good engine. We swapped the engine out, running into various other issues along the way (cv axle problems, compatibility issues, control arm issues, wear and tear), but finally got it back on the road. I drove it for less than a week and it started to shudder and not want to go into gear. Also the 'new' engine smokes like a chimney. Occasionally it lets out vast plumes of white/blue smoke that looks like James Bond trying to make a getaway. I assume oil is getting past the rings and accumulating until it burns off in a plume. No oil in the coolant. But back to the shuddering. We pulled the tranny and you can barely turn it by hand. Not sure what happened, but it makes lots of interesting grinding and clunking noises as you turn it. The people who have been helping me with this project have always considered it a throw-away car, and they have expressed their opinion at length, especially in light of this new development. They are befuddled by my fondness for this car. I could shop around and get another tranny. I mean, that's possible. People do it every day. But while I'm at it, I might want to get the engine rebuilt to deal with the smoking problem. With a new tranny and a rebuilt engine who knows how much longer she could stay on the road? Truth be told, if I scrapped her, I would probably start shopping around for another one. It might be cheaper to rebuild this one than to find another one. Or it might just be a black hole of money. It is sitting in somebodys elses garage at the moment, and they want me to make a decision. What do you think? |
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| ptcapboy | Oct 25 2016, 06:04 AM Post #2 |
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I think you should keep it-especially if the transmission is already out-I also have a 95 green metro and in 2010 it needed a new tranny after running 80w in it for awhile-I purchased a used 92 metro 5 speed transmission for about 260 dollars on ebay which included the shipping-I also replaced the clutch since it was apart-I had never attempted a job like that before but it went pretty good and I learned some things which I applied to swapping out the auto tranny on my 96 1.3-I have over 100.000 miles on that tranny and it hasn't given me a lick of problems-best 260 bucks I spent-if it were me I would just fix the tranny for now and then get it away from the naysayers-you could look at the engine on your own turf maybe it is something simple like a clogged PCV system- |
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| monzanut | Oct 25 2016, 08:51 AM Post #3 |
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Drip under Pressure
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With what the Metro gets for gas mileage, there is no way I have been able to make a clean break from metros over the last 7 years since I've been introduced to them. I always have one hanging around in need of some repair and may not have a driving one at all times, but only takes a year or two of my gas guzzling v-8's to get me another metro, preferably one that has interchangeable parts with the stuff I started collecting. Even with my latest one, seemed to run good and looked alot nicer than any I had got before, I still dump money into it because I can't stand leaving something in half assed condition. It's an addiction and a curse, run while you still can, lol.
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| MarkZ28 | Oct 25 2016, 09:27 AM Post #4 |
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You probably have the oil fart thats common with Metros. Replace the pcv valve in the intake, and if that doesnt help remove the valve cover and see if sludge has built up and plugged the oil drain holes. Stuck or broken rings will smoke all the time, not be ok and then smoke like hell all of a sudden. Engine is fine, its the oil not draining fast enough to the oil pan. |
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| evintho | Oct 25 2016, 12:09 PM Post #5 |
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If it's sitting in someone elses garage, you obviously don't have a place to store or work on it.......and it needs some work! My advice would be to sell it cheap, and wait until you have (pick one) tools/money/time/space to work on a Geo. Nothing more frustrating than laying in the mud in someone else's driveway, working on your car with the wrong tools while the owner is screaming 'get that piece of junk outta here'! Once you're established, buy another Metro. They're all over at bargain prices. Then, you can enjoy wrenching on it on your own terms. The motors are simple to rebuild. I rebuilt my last one for $700 with all of GeoGlenns recommended parts, including machine work. And those are at California Bay Area inflated prices! BTW...trannys are $100 at Pick-N-Pull. Take your time and learn as you go...........and stay away from those negative people! http://atlanta.craigslist.org/search/cto?auto_make_model=geo+metro |
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| MichaelSAlford | Oct 25 2016, 12:37 PM Post #6 |
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Advanced Member
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Just to clarify, most of the work was done on my property (lying in the mud true) and it was only after the tranny issue that it wound up in a relatives garage. This relative has every tool under the sun and a concrete floor, so that helped, but he wants the space back so he can store his Mustang in it. |
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| snowfish | Oct 25 2016, 12:46 PM Post #7 |
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Basic GearHead
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Only you can answer the "is it worth it" question. I can see $1200.00 leaving your pockets really quickly. If the body is in great shape, I'd have no problem investing $3500+ to make it safe dependable car. But, you will need skills. Making it pretty will take a few more Benjamin's on top of everything else.
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| suzukitom | Oct 25 2016, 01:03 PM Post #8 |
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Tom
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The answer is found within your question.
If you like the car and you can afford the time, expense to fix it or have it fixed to your expectations..keep it. Otherwise let someone else enjoy those challenges.. and get the best metro you can afford. There are many car enthusiasts that have invested thousands of dollars in hundred dollar cars.. is it a lesson? nope.
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| MichaelSAlford | Oct 25 2016, 02:06 PM Post #9 |
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Advanced Member
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I've been that guy. |
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| t3ragtop | Oct 25 2016, 05:02 PM Post #10 |
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Turbo3 and Twincam Tweaker
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i am that guy.
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| Prairie to pine | Oct 25 2016, 08:37 PM Post #11 |
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Let me give you a one size fits all," no emotion" formula that has stood me in good stead for nearly 40 years. I have used it with hundreds of customers. (and in many I've cases talked myself out of an otherwise fairly easy sale, when the customer was frustrated to a point where they would be glad to trade ,with just a little push.) The key is 10 cents per mile........... I'll explain My goal when I drive, is to drive for ten cents per mile. This cost does NOT.... Repeat Not include the following, Gas. Insurence, Tabs,. Everything else counts. So its simple , A $2000.00 car owes me 20.000 miles trouble free. a Hundred dollar battery means the car owes me another thousand miles. $500.00 in tires means what class? right. 5000 more miles.(in our case its more like $200.00, But I digress) So friend do your own math. If its going to cost you another $1500.00 to be safely back on the road, and you can reasonably expect another years driving using a low average of 15000 miles, then I would say fix it. If its not likely then its time to say adios... As many of you astute readers will already see, This eleminates most vehicle purchases above 10 grand . I say Most people who spend more then that aren't buying transportation, they are buying a "fashion statement". an expression of who they are and the Image they want to present. No different then the fashionista with her nail extentions "Coach" purse,and Jimmy Cho shoes. Let the hate mail begin I really hope this helps, best wishes Jonathan |
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| WiscoMetro | Oct 25 2016, 09:41 PM Post #12 |
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Seeking the Science of MPG
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I've kept a financial records spreadsheet for my car. By your definition it is hemorrhaging money. In 12,642 miles my price is 37 ¢/m, or 55 ¢/m including gas, insurance, and registration. These figures however include parts I have bought and not yet used, and tools I wouldn't have otherwise bought however. Good way to value it though. |
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| MichaelSAlford | Oct 26 2016, 01:25 PM Post #13 |
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Advanced Member
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Now that's thought-provoking. By that math, if I put, lets say 1200 more greenbacks into my Geo, I should get 12,000 miles out of it trouble free. If I don't get that, then it's not worth it. When my Geo is up and running, I'm putting easily around 500 miles a week on her. Easily. In fact, its probably more. My house, job and ministry are all in separate counties from each other. I would only need another 6 or 8 months out of it to make it worth it. If she made it a year she'd be ahead of the curve. |
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| Prairie to pine | Oct 26 2016, 01:35 PM Post #14 |
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Mike you have a PM |
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| Prairie to pine | Oct 26 2016, 06:35 PM Post #15 |
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R.E. 10 Cents per mile formula; wiscmetro, let me offer a little additional info, (Possibly some comfort) I didn't mention the following becuase I didn't waqnt to get to "windy" but... If you have a $5000.00 car and have driven it only 35000 miles. By my formula, it still owes you 15000 miles .Right????. but if your neighbour offers you that said $1500.00 for it. You've made it. . Bingo your at 10 cents a mile. you.have won. So back and refigure. Subtract what your cars ACV (Actual Cash Value) is from your total. Be honest with yourself. what is that car really really worth. then re-evaluate. You might like that number a whole lot better. This formula really does work great. At the very least it gives you an aggressive target to hit... Best wishes Jonathan
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Even with my latest one, seemed to run good and looked alot nicer than any I had got before, I still dump money into it because I can't stand leaving something in half assed condition. It's an addiction and a curse, run while you still can, lol.

But, you will need skills.

9:28 AM Jul 11