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Comments
Regarding wheels, '95's and up all have 13" wheels, and didn't the convertibles come with them also? All Metro's and Swifts have the 4-1/2" bolt circle. Any other FWD offset wheel, 5" to 6" width with the 4-1/2" bolt circle will probably fit.
I bought some 13" mags off ebay and put Sears Michelin 165-70/13 tires on. They are of a 5-1/2" width and that in addition to the wider, lower profile tires improves the handling, gives it a bit of a gearing edge with the smaller tire, and wet grip is phenominal. It goes around corners at 50 MPH that would have had the '91 heeling over like a sailboat at 40.
This makes (2) different vehicles I have owned with Michelins with good results. And the wider tires and wheels make it look less like a Rollerskate and more like a 'real' car!
Anyway, nice to see some activity at this site; it was a little dead for a while. There are some other Metro sites at the Yahoo! clubs/groups area, you might want to do a search and check them out. A few are quite active with a lot of good technical advice.
I'm just not sure that the cosmetic design changes in the post-1995-Metro also included power train changes as well. The engine suppliers claim that they are compatible.
beneb
Anyone need an official '95 Metro service manual? Anyone need grape touch-up paint? If so, let me know at hpulley4@yahoo.com.
Revka
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Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
With a car payment less than half of my friend's payment, and fuel economy double theirs, I love my little Metro.
Has anyone had/have a similar problem? Were you able to repair it? Your comments and suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
Btw, some people here may not be aware that the Pontiac Firefly is the Canadian version of the Chevy/Geo Metro, so I've gone ahead and added that name to the title here. Hope this is helpful.
Good luck, and please return here to keep us posted on your situation.
Revka
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Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
I was searching autotrader.com and found a 1997 Geo Metro with 45,000 orig miles, air/ pwr steering/ for $ 2995.00 at a name brand dealer. Is this a good price? It seemed great to me...
I know they have a lack of power, but are they really reliable? I am looking to save money towards a house/ hence the Metro route over buying my lease (which would cost me $7500.00. How do they compare to the Lano's, Accent? Are those bad cars in terms of relibility? Also, in terms of crash protection, is there any with the metro? Any info is appreciated...
First of all I would make sure it was 49K and not 149K. 1992's only had 5 digit odometers so I would have him show me all of the service records.
If you are just going to stay within LA and drive in a lot of heavy traffic and never wander too far on the open highway then I guess you could get by with a automatic but you will suffer with substantially lower fuel mileage (low-mid 30's) and a drastic reduction in acceleration (not that there was all that much to begin with!).
Before you consider buying this car make sure you run it long enough so that it gets warm and then check the automatic transmission fluid. The fluid should be pink and should not be dark red or smell burnt. If it smells burnt or the fluid is a very dark color then do not even consider buying the car, the tranny is on it's last legs.
And finally if after all of this you still think you want to buy the car, the price is too high. Offer them $750.00 and see what happens. Explain it's a orphaned model (no longer manufactured) and it's 10 years old and the car doesn't have air conditioning in a city where the average summer temperature is about 20 degrees lower than the surface of the sun. Don't pay more than $1000.00.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Have you tried plugging this vehicle into Edmunds' Used Vehicle Appraiser? This will give you the average price others are paying in your region. Good luck, and please keep us posted on your decision. ;-)
Revka
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Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
Any services I should do to it? If so, please let me know.
-Tim
Actually look for defective, rad,front brake and exaust system .I have a 97 3 cyl with 75000 miles, and the car is still running like a sewing machine , no major problem to report.
In addition to the feedback here, you can check in Edmunds' Maintenance Guide for recalls, TSBs (technical service bulletins), and manufacturer recommended service schedules. We look forward to hearing more about your Chevy Metro experience. Happy motoring!
Revka
Hatchbacks & Wagons Host
I guess I should also be more specific and say that the one I got is the standard 3-cyl hatchback with manual transmission which is what
I wanted.
My name has to do with the
fact that I also have a '96 Impala SS which is pretty much the Metro's diametric opposite (among cars anyway, if you include SUV's the Excursion would make an even nicer contrast ). There's just something about the Metro that always intrigued me and I finally got one.
I've heard from several different sources (i.e. previous or current owners) that their Metros just
refuse(d) to die. That made me feel good.
Just filled up my first gas tank and I got 41.4 mpg with a heck-of-a-lot of stop-n-go driving. That's with the 2-door hatch-back with 1.0L 3-cyl and 5-spd.
Did GM (or Suzuki) offer the 2-door hatch-back with 1.3L AND 5-spd. That's would have been the one I really wanted, but every time I found one with the 1.3L it had the auto tranny.
-Tim
.
I would like to find a 4-cyl, LSI, 5-speed Metro, with the tach; 70 HP would be sweet, and probably could increase HP with a header and low restriction exhaust system such that the MPG in town would be about the same as a 3-cyl. The extra torque and smoothness would be nice.
I think the 3-cyl will typically have the MPG edge though on long hiway trips; once you get them rolling along they go pretty well. Stop-and-go with the little motor is a killer and takes quite a toll on MPG.
I can tell a diff on mixed driving between going one way with lots of lites/stops, and going another way with less traffic and lites. About 2-3 MPG more on the lesser-traveled road.
My old '91 3-cyl got better MPG than the '95 3-banger but the newer one handles better, rides better, is quieter, and more solid feeling. Guess it's worth a few MPG for those qualities.
But I've been thinking about a 4-cyl and if the right one comes along will probably snatch it up! Check out the Auto Trader online, www.autotrader.com as you'll probably find many to choose from.
Anybody out there with 4-cyl 5-speed Swifts/Metro 2-doors care to post their city and hiway MPG???
Keep On (Roller)Skatin'...........ed
I would have thought that would have been the MOST popular combination.
I used autotrader.com to find my current Metro and maybe it's just the area I'm in, but all the 4-cyl's were auto. Oh well, the 3-cyl's gas mileage is hard to beat...but it could sure use that extra cylinder when it comes time to climb a hill.
-Tim
Mike
Auto tranny, so no pickup but my wife did average around 37 mpg or so in it, and that was sure nice.
My '95 factory manual says inspect the belt at 60,000 mile intervals and change at 100,000 miles intervals. I guess I'm a bit overdue on my '95, it has 118K on it and I expect that's on the original belt.
Had similar problem as your A/C controls except with the fan speed switch, lost the first speed setting and from what I read at other Metro forums, these switches are weak. No wonder there's none left at the junkyards!
My '95 is riding on Sears Michelin tires, they are pretty quiet, have excellent wet traction and handle great. Definitely a plus here in the Pacific NW!!
I'm coming upon new_engine_time for my 1997 Metro, thought it might be worth the effort to upgrade the motor if the pain was not too bad.
The assumption is that I have found a 1.3L motor with computer, wire harness, and California smog.
I just bought this car with 123,000 miles on it and it is in perfect condition. Other than the mileage it looks as though it was never used. Never been wrecked. It is the best little car I have ever owned so far. Mileage(I commute 110 miles per day) is 36MPG at 75 MPH. doesn't seem to improve at 55 or 65MPH. I think it is comfortable quiet and handles very well. The sound system(stock GEO)CD player,etc is excellent. For $2K I think it is a great deal.
Now I want to get a Geo convertible for an in town toy. I have 3 thousand miles on the car, use 5-30 Castrol oil and the oil is still clean and hasn't used a drop of oil.
Terrific.
Not bad at all. I'll be in the summer I'll top 50..
I was just musing in the last email about upgrading the motor, since I have stumbled upon rave reviews of the 1.3L/5spd combination in user group discussions lately.
Great gas mileage, so far since 5 years I've done a brake job at the front, change the exaust system, and the rad. The later disapointed me a little, the rad was only 3 years old and was falling apart,oh well...
Remember? 20 years ago we were happy to make 100000 miles with a big Chevy or a Plymouth...the cars are so much better today and so reliable, I plan to keep my little sewing machine for another 5 years !
Good luck with yours !
That's great that you've been able to do all your own work. We appreciate having someone with your kind of knowledge around here...., and look forward to your future posts. Happy motoring!
Revka
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Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
How are these cars for highway commuting? I know it won't win any speed races, but as long as it sips fuel and runs for a year or so (plus lets me learn how to drive stick shift), I will be happy.
Thanks!
several 1995-1997 Metros have sold recently on eBay for well under $1000...
I was able to move all of the listed parts from my blown 1997 motor to a used Japanese G-10L long block, and it worked! So if you need to overhaul a 1995 to 2001 Metro or Swift 1.0L, it can be done with a G-10L. For some reason 1.0L motors with the crank angle sensor are not available from the used Japanese engine suppliers.
Cheers!
It is a 1.0 with auto and working air. 134,000 mile. I paid $500 for it. It is well maintained and needed nothing other than some fluid changes.
Question. Are there any geo metro forums out there beside edmunds?
Any input on where to get parts and what to look out for would be helpfull.
Thanks!!