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Comments
I put another $400.00 into it (tires, brakes, struts, timing belt) but it runs and drives great! I have a huge commute 121 miles a day so now I have about 150K but absolutely trouble free.
These cars are the best kept secret. I wouldn't buy one with a automatic (mileage and performance suffer greatly). But start looking around, try looking at some classifieds on line or a dedicated site like autotrader.
http://traderonline.com
Good luck and happy hunting!
My Metro has 1000 miles on it and sometimes it stalls after it sets awhile and is cold, It starts OK and I make it to the first stop sign then when I pull out it dies, and it takes a few minutes to start it again. Has anyone else had this problem. When I explain it to the dealer I would like to get it fixed right the first time.
Thanks
Al
I plan to keep my Metro as long as possible, does anybody recommend rustproofing and if so which rustproofing company has the best products. Do the Metros hold up over a long period of time and high milage and what maintenance will keep it in good condition.
Thanks
Al
No. You cannot adjust your valve by pouring STP in your tank. You have to remove the valve cover and adjust the valve lash by hand using a torque wrench and a feeler gauge. Or if the engine in your Metro is a zero lash, just the torque wrench. $160 sounds good for a tune-up AND a valve adjustment, I would do the work myself personally, but that is a good price and he is not trying to rip you off. Japanese vehicles need periodic valve adjustments, no one does them until it's either too late or it gets really noisy. I would get it done before you snap a valve stem and your engine swallows a valve.
An exaust leak in the exaust system ......
So if I run my geo 3 cyl,straight pipe my valves will burn....
Maybe I missing something here (Frenchman!!! )please explain...
Thanks
Richard
Is the 1 .0 L 3-cylinder engine adequate, or is the 1.3 L engine a good idea? Is one more reliable(i.e., lasts longer) than the other? I live in Santa Cruz, CA, and it's very hilly here. Also I wonder if anyone out there has an opinion on whether the ABS brakes are worth getting. About pricing, I read the previous posts on pricing, and I'm not clear on how much dealers are willing to negotiate on new cars (never bought a new car before), but I was quoted $8900 (after taxes and rebates, including an approx. 9% discount due to my dad being a (retired) GM employee), for the basic Coupe (1.0 L). About $500 of this was for the radio and cassette player, I have trouble understanding why that is so expensive. If anyone has info or opinions to offer, it is much appreciated! Thanks in advance - David
I just bought a 1999 Metro and have over 1000 miles on it, It is 3 cyl. 1.0L 5 speed manual trans. The only options it came with are A.C. and radio with digital clock. I live in Pittsburgh,Pa and I go up and down hills everywhere I go. It stops OK without ABS brakes and is zippy and fun to drive. The radio dosen't play very well and I wouldn't buy a radio from GM again. Find out what the invoice price for a 2000 is and deal with the salesman at that price, also refuse all extended warrantys and undercoating.
Al
Another idea is to try an auto buying service. They will get you your Metro for $50-$250 over cost less rebate, and they can either deliver it to you or let you pick it up. They order the EXACT car you want. Edmund's has this service, go to the Edmunds.com home page and you'll see it!
P.S. Don't buy a tape deck from the dealer, because (1) it gets installed by a 3rd party; and (2) the speakers that get installed are so inferior that they will bottom out when you listen to the voice of a newsman on an AM station. Save your money and get one installed which will do the car justice.
The factory speakers are easily junk, mine were blown when I bought the car and I just turn down the bass and live with it.
For 1999 models, radio prep is $89 invoice and $100 retail. Radio prep is a no-credit option on 2000's. Remember even if you want that Delco stereo, don't bite the $450 bullet, just go to the boneyard and get one for about $75. I got mine on eBay for $40 and all it needed was a volume knob.
I still love this Metro in the snow. Since my Dynasty is down needing brakes (thanks New York City!), I have been driving it constantly since I got my driving privleges reinstated and I went back to work. The wider 175/70R13's should be hurting me but the car handles wonderfully.
Don't get ABS if you live in snow climates, you can't stop the car because the ABS keeps taking it's little electronic foot off the brake. My mother had me pull her ABS fuse (under the hood, in the little black box) and she is so relieved to be able to lock her tires and slide to a stop again.
It's the guy from GM Repurchase Department, back again...the "Metro Gnome". I'm afraid I have some terrible news. My baby...the apple of my eye...my '99 LSi Hatchback gave its life to save me from injury.
An elderly lady pulled -directly- out in front of me, from a blind entrance to a parking lot. I hit her going near 40 mph. She got the ticket, and I got a totalled car. My passenger and I were fine. Even the front doors still opened perfectly on my car. The front "crumple-zone" and the passenger "roll cage" construction kept us both safe.
I've come to find out that a couple Tampa police officers bought Metros last year, after seeing people emerge unhurt from accidents that "should have killed or seriously injured them". Well, I'm living proof of how safe they are. I'm sending a thank-you note to the factory in Canada, with a set of pictures. The pictures are posted here:
http://www3.cybercities.com/q/qorogh/car1.jpg
http://www3.cybercities.com/q/qorogh/car2.jpg
http://www3.cybercities.com/q/qorogh/car3.jpg
http://www3.cybercities.com/q/qorogh/car4.jpg
http://www3.cybercities.com/q/qorogh/car5.jpg
http://www3.cybercities.com/q/qorogh/car6.jpg
As soon as the insurance check comes in, I'm getting another Metro LSi hatchback...a 2000 this time. R.I.P. my little green '99 Metro. I'm really going to miss you. *sigh*
Pat Peters
pat56@freenet.tlh.fl.us
carlady/host
Thanks...
Pat Peters
pat56@freenet.tlh.fl.us
Time to buy another one, eh? Byers Downtown Chevrolet in Columbusohio has a 1999 base Metro, 5-speed, no air, with radio prep, no defroster, no nothing, and they're offering it after rebate and loyalty credit for $7739 plus taxes and red tape!
Of course adding air, the service manager said he would add the air for $1050. So that's $8789 total which is not too bad, I don't think. The factory price for air is what, $845?
You might be using Option 1 anyway, so you may already know what you want and how much it costs.
If this doesn't fix your problem then the resistors inside your blower motor have gone bad. That requires blower motor replacement. It isn't as likely though. The highest speed of the blower motor has no resistors to control electricity to the motor. The lower setting use resistors to reduce the energy level and thus slow the motor from full tilt.
One of those repo auction cars had a blower that would only run on high, but the fan switch felt loose so I figured that one needed a switch. If you wiggle the switch around, can you get the blower to change speed?
Metros are no neccessarily lemons. It matters how you take care of it. If you get in and drive around everyday and pay little attention to how the car reacts to you, you will not notice problems until they become big ones. The heater probably stopped working on one setting, then two, then when all she had was high, she complained. Sounds like a lot of people, I would have noticed right away though. I replaced mine as soon as possble after it loosened up and by the time I got it replaced, the check ball had fallen out and I had no fan at all.
Fuses: the fusebox is right next to the steering column under the dash. There is a fuse for the heater blower motor, I believe 25amps. If the fuse was blown, you would have NO heater at all. There is no heater fuse uner the hood. Underhood fuses are for the radiator and A/C condenser fans, starter, alternator, ABS, etc...
Any other questions ask away I'm happy to help!
If the radio is the factory GM radio and you want to get another, try looking on eBay under Geo and radio and you should find at least a half a dozen factory radios. I got mine on eBay after I pulled the Sony CD player that was in it for only $40 plus shipping. It works great and has a lot of features but I wonder how long it will be good. You could get one without a tape or CD for about $20 on eBay or from a local junkyard.
Anyone happens to know what just happened? Do I need to go have my car checked? Any advice will be appreciated.
I appreciate any replies.
P.S. I have also replaced the fan control switch, two sets of tires and still love the little car. 85,000 miles and counting
If you have never replaced your oxygen sensor, do that. Most people never replace them, and they should be replaced every 80-100K at a minimum. The Metro's sensor is expensive (many oxygens sensors are), I have heard it is $115 from NAPA. I simply found one in a junkyard Metro with 28K. I paid $10 for it and have had no problems. Most cars for about thirty seconds will put out a bit of gray smoke when icy cold.
Make sure your coolant is full and planty green, too, we don't want you to get a cracked engine block.
One more thing you might try is checking any "check engine codes". I forget how to do this on a Metro, I know how on most GMs and most Chryslers. The Metro might not be GM enough, since Suzuki makes it, to have that computer connector under the dash. If it has one, just put one end of a paper clip in the upper right hand corner hole and the other end in the hole just to its left. It might be two other holes, but there's no reason to spend $10 on a "code reader" just to connect that. Turn your key on and count the number of times your "check engine" light flashes. They are two-digit codes. I forget what they mean, but I can look them up. That will tell you if your oxygen sensor is bad, or whatever else is wrong.
I'm betting on the sensor, especially if you're near or past 80K.
IF (and that's a big if) it was maintained well, with regular oil changes, there's no reason a Metro can't get to well over 100K.
Dave
Now for the other headache. No Suzuki dealer in Ohio carries Swifts in stock. They are special order only. That means they are less likely to deal down to invoice, but if you explain to them it is a thirty-minute deal, and you're willing to prepay, then they will order your Swift. I think the engine oil cooler, tachometer, and standard wiper and defroster are worth the hassle.
They are stilling new 1999 1.6 litre models with AT/AC/PS,Casette Stereo for $9995. Not a bad way to go either.
I hope you get the car, the Metro is a great car and is enough car for me, there really is little short of towing or stump pulling that this car can't do.
Some problems these cars have are mostly due to abuse. If you are rough with the controls, they will break. If you don't do scheduled maintenance, they will break. If you never keep it clean, it will start looking bad. Take care of your Metro, and it will take care of you. That goes for any car except Ford Windstar minivans. Ask Sir Fezo about that one.
The Esteem is basically a big Swift. It is the four-door sedan and wagon that is not available in the Swift line. It also has either a 1.6 or 1.8 liter engine and gets about the same mileage. Personally, I prefer the two-door hatchback because the doors are larger and that allows me to load larger cargo and people in the side door. I treat my Metro like a microvan, took the extra seats out, I use it for courier work and it does that very well.
I have two questions. First the biggie. I've heard that the 2000 model year for the Chevy Metro will be it's last. Go to the following site:
http://www.rideanddrive.com/GM-pipeline.html
Also, it is in:
http://motortrend.com/future/index.html
Scroll down to 2001 and "click". See Chevrolet Metro.
I've heard Suzuki is discontinuing it's Swift and with that follows the Pontiac Canadian Firefly too.
Suzuki only says, "American Suzuki Motor Corporation does not have information regarding future product line." Hmmmm,... if they did, would they tell anyways?
It's been 5 years since the last body change on the Swift/Metro (1995). Before that, another 5 years (1989-1994). Could we be due for a new replacement?
Enter the Suzuki Baleno!
http://www.suzuki.co.jp/ovs4/auto/products/baleno_h/index.htm
Although this car has been introduced in Japan a few years ago, maybe this will replace the aging Swift/Metro?
Does anyone have any information on this? Inquiring minds want to know!
2nd Question:
I just bought a 2000 Metro LSi Hatchback. I've had a 1991 Metro hatchback and a 1994 Metro hatchback. Looks like GM is getting skimpy on their options. What every happened to the remote rear hatch release? It's not even offered as an option for the 2000 model! From what I understand, it was discontinued in the 1995 model year and is only available on the sedan.
So I was going to take the remote rear hatch release cable assembly and striker plate (it has the release linkage), from my 1991 and transfer it to the 2000 Metro. But on a closer look, the 2000 Metro's latch system is turned around. The release used to be on the right side (from 1989 - 1994), and now it's on the left side (1995? - 2000). I understand a remote rear hatch release is available in Japan, but when inquiring Suzuki, they said I'd have to go through Chevrolet (??). Maybe I need to contact CAMI?
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Sincerely,
Tom Lorbeer
Checked out the site for the Baleno. Lose the name...it will be denoted the Baloney car. But an Esteem hatchback would be a great idea...and the 1.3 liter versions of it confirm an old suspicion of mine. The 1.3 liter engine in the Metro MUST be interchangable with the 1.6 liter engine in the Esteem. That means when this 1.3 in my 1995 LSi goes south (maybe around 200K) I can use the Esteem's powertrain and computer.
Two...if you get information on how to contact engineers at CAMI I'd like to speak with them.
Three...notice how your car revs so high at highway speeds...the automatic's final drive is a whopping 3.61:1. You would think in an economy car they could either give a lower ratio or a fourth gear or maybe even a lockup converter?
and power windows, locks and mirrors...standard...sounds like the equipment levels of Daewoo...
it has the tachometer, and airbag models get a tilt wheel, Civics have tilt wheels...
back door/boot lid opener sounds like a remote hatch release to me...
also has the wiper and defroster (demister) standard...
Sounds like Suzuki made a great small car, 1.3 and 1.6 engines are fine, it has room, it has features, and it has the little things that make it worth having...wonder what it would take to get this car here? I'm writing Suzuki in the morning...
Wouldn't you know Suzuki kept the GOOD stuff at home! (ha,ha)
All those wonderful options... gee guys, don't cha want to share it with the USofA?
Guess not.
As for the "dog"-a-matic, it does rev, but it seems like power-to-weight ratio (gears and rear end), are matched. Yet, it does buzz on the freeways. Gas mileage suffers. I've been waiting for Suzuki to come out with a 4-speed auto (and waiting, and waiting).
The Baleno has been out since '95. If GM decides to have CAMI build it here (Canada), you can bet the name will change.
I'm not 100% sure GM will let the Metro go. It does have the CAFE standard to deal with. Also, gas prices are on the rise again. Maybe a model change (??)
I think one sure sign of worry is when the options GM (Chevrolet), use to offer have been dropped.
I didn't care for the model change over in '95.
Why,? Cause you can't open up the back side windows! AAuugghhh! They're sealed! At least they gave us 13" wheels.
What about the split rear seat? Gone!
Scotchguard? Gone!
Those "packaged" options that would save you money (ie: a/c, radio/tape player, rear deck packages) Gone!
And my favorite, the rear hatch cable release? Gone!
Suzuki dropped the sporty Swift (GT?), I bought the fog light accessory from them and mounted it to my 1991 Geo Metro (even the switch mounted on the dash) Gone!
For 2000, the only difference from the 1999 is 2 new colors!
We did get airbags (ok, so it became law), a 4 cylinder engine (we needed that), but why, why, why, take away the rear hatchback release lever?? That just didn't make sense! Not even offering it as an option.
Well, they DO offer it in Japan! Suzuki kept the "good" stuff for home. If I could find a point of contact over there, they could ship it to me! Hummm.......
I asked Suzuki of America (Brea, California).
Their response was, "You'll have to direct your questions to Chevrolet..."
Give me a break!
Oh, well- if the 2000 model is indeed the last one, I'll have a classic.
The Suzuki Swift, GM (Chevrolet Metro, Pontiac Firefly), reminds me of the original VW Beetle.
A "peoples car" that is inexpensive and can take you from point "A" to point "B". I haven't read one article from an auto magazine that praised the little car (but back in the '50s neither did the VW!). It's small, noisey, get's great gas mileage (sound familiar?).
Maybe history will change all that.
The relationship between the Baleno/Esteem/Cultus and the Metro/Swift is also interesting. In North America, we have the "third generation" Swift (aka Metro). The B/E/C is a derivative of that design, and a lot of the parts are identical. So the person who spoke about putting a 1.6 B/E/C engine into a Swift may be perfectly correct. In Japan, meanwhile, the Swift is what we would recognize as the second generation Metro.
All very complicated.
On another point, I certainly agree that Suzuki and GM do a terrible job promoting the Swift/Metro. I own an Esteem (a Baleno or a Cultus, if you prefer), and whenever I visit the dealer I look affectionately at the Swift. Some imaginative marketing could have done a lot for that car.
I have enjoyed reading all the posting about the metro. I am a new metro owner, 98 Lsi coupe. I bought the car used w/11k miles, auto & air for $5800.00, this is slightly below whsl I believe?? I am very happy with it so far, I drive about 60 miles RT/day all freeway. At first the high revs at 65 mph was annoying but now I'm getting used to it. This seem like the perfect commuter car (my first car was a '63 vw) and drives/handles well. I'm encouraged to hear that with regular maintenance I should expect many years of service. Does anyone have a line on aftermarket AM/FM/CASS for the metro, I would like one as close to factory as possible. The dealer wanted $350 for one!!! Also looking for a rear shelf (grey interior), again dealer = $240.
I am sad to hear that GM plans to drop the metro, how will this affect replacement/repair parts? I do plan to keep this car and hope it doesn't become another Ugo. Looking forward to reading your replys.
Regards
Dan
Glad you chose well, and you can row he slushbox manually and hold first to about 40mph, second to about 65mph, and you can keep up with larger cars. Otherwise I think it shifts too early. In town I hold first to 15mph, second to 25-30mph, to keep it smooth. You'll notice Honda automatics last forever and they don't shift early.
www.suzuki.co.jp
www.cami.ca/start/htm
It's a nice site, and they offer a feedback form which I filled out completely. That is a great facility, reminds me of when I worked at the Honda Civic plant in East Liberty, Ohio.
It seems to me Suzuki would be smart to transfer left-hand-drive Esteem production (including hatchbacks, please!) to CAMI, then produce all right-hand drive models in Japan and elsewhere. Most LHD models stay here anyway.
The 1.3 liter hatchbackss have a choice of 5-speeds and 3-speed automatics. 1.6 liter hatchbacks have the same choices. Only the Australian-spec hatchbacks and all sedans and wagons have four-speed automatics from what I see.
Makes me think the 1.8L/4SA combo from an Esteem will fit my Metro. I'll have to pull out the tape measure and figure it out. If not I wonder if I can just swap whole front clips. Means I have to wreck mine...and then find a shop willing to cut and paste.
Too bad the hatchback isn't available in Canada...I would move there to get it. I might move to Australia, those 1.8 GTi's look like fun!