Anyone know anything about Geo Metros? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

iwrock · #1 09-22-2011, 07:25 PM

I am looking at one to get as a beater. I want to know if they really do get 50+ MPG, and if they are (somewhat) reliable.

Its being offered for $500, and think I can get it for $400.

HuskyMan · #2 09-22-2011, 07:29 PM

The Geo Metro was supposedly a joint effort between GM and Toyota. outside of that, I don't know much.

Solid Snake · #3 09-22-2011, 07:42 PM

They are capable of damn good mileage; some guy who my friends parents used to know had one and always, ALWAYS exclaimed his record mpg of 53 (granted, that may be the ONLY thing you can brag about with a Geo Metro).

My only question, and main concern... is how you'll handle going from the T124, to the C43, to C5.4, to E55 to Metro? I reckon the E55 has more than 8 times the horsepower?

But at 4-500, why the heck not?

layback40 · #4 09-22-2011, 07:57 PM

Will your next step be to a bike ?

veggihatetank · #5 09-22-2011, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuskyMan

The Geo Metro was supposedly a joint effort between GM and Toyota. outside of that, I don't know much.

I believe you're thinking of the Chevy Nova .The Geo Metro was actually a re-badged Suzuki and the Geo Storm was a re-badged Isuzu. I drove a Geo Metro rental car when it was new in 96 and it was a decent econo car. Five gallons would fill the tank and the 3 cyl /5 speed combination got great mileage.

Ara T. · #6 09-22-2011, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by veggihatetank

I believe you're thinking of the Chevy Nova .The Geo Metro was actually a re-badged Suzuki and the Geo Storm was a re-badged Isuzu. I drove a Geo Metro rental car when it was new in 96 and it was a decent econo car. Five gallons would fill the tank and the 3 cyl /5 speed combination got great mileage.

There are Metros that are rebranded Corollas. They, along with that generation of Corolla, are terrible cars.. though probably fine for a beater. They're noisy, burn oil, handle like crap, ride like crap, and the interiors fall apart if you look at them the wrong way, honestly something you would expect from the 80s on the eastern side of the Berlin wall. I dont think Justin is talking about those tho

BobK · #7 09-22-2011, 08:12 PM

Yeah, it is really a Suziki Swift. Not bad, they do get that good of mileage with the 3 Cyl. and 5spd. Buddy has had at least two and has one now.

elchivito · #8 09-22-2011, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulC

Suzuki.

Yup, it's a Zuki Swift. Grab it. I have a 97 4x4 Sidekick that I have done everything I can think of to kill and the damned thing just keeps on ticking. Old Suzukis are rattletraps and not much fun to drive but given their lousy resale value I don't think you can get much better beaters for the money.

SwampYankee · #9 09-22-2011, 08:15 PM

My uncle had a hatchback for 5 years and racked up 250,000 miles while driving himself and all his tools all over the country as a consultant/trouble shooter for Alstom Power. He averaged mid-40's while driving at speeds that you would.

Of course he maintained the mechanicals religiously, routinely changing fluids and doing preventative maintenance in Walmart parking lots along the way. It would get washed and vacuumed twice a year whether it needed it or not, though.

elchivito · #10 09-22-2011, 08:16 PM

The Geo Prizm was a rebranded Toyota Corolla, built in the same plant in CA that built the Pontiac version of the Toyota Matrix. The Prizm is another smokin' deal if you can find one, but it won't get the mpg the Metro does.

Dubyagee · #11 09-22-2011, 08:46 PM

I owned a 1992 Metro LSI auto and it was dismally slow. Great mileage though.

Mine was a four door and ran good. Ended up being killed by a bad temp sender and a teenagers attention to detail. I installed a new engine and sold it. It got about 42 miles to the gallon but was a buzzy little headache to live with.

The Clk Man · #12 09-22-2011, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwampYankee

My uncle had a hatchback for 5 years and racked up 250,000 miles while driving himself and all his tools all over the country as a consultant/trouble shooter for Alstom Power. He averaged mid-40's while driving at speeds that you would.

Of course he maintained the mechanicals religiously, routinely changing fluids and doing preventative maintenance in Walmart parking lots along the way. It would get washed and vacuumed twice a year whether it needed it or not, though.

Was that your really cool uncle that traveled the world on his own terms?

Ara T. · #13 09-22-2011, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elchivito

The Geo Prizm was a rebranded Toyota Corolla, built in the same plant in CA that built the Pontiac version of the Toyota Matrix. The Prizm is another smokin' deal if you can find one, but it won't get the mpg the Metro does.

Thats right, Prizm not Metro. My bad

hill · #14 09-22-2011, 09:04 PM

Are you not a young man with plenty of life ahead of you? Why drive a death trap? the sheet metal can be bent with hands, no bags and the whole car is the crumple zone.

LoosBenz · #15 09-22-2011, 09:28 PM

The biggest issue I know of regarding Metros/Swifts is that the front lower control arm mounts are notorious for rusting to the point of failure. One can imagine how exciting that would be on the road.

Rusted out Metro frame repair. - Suzuki Forums: Suzuki Forum Site

Make sure you look it over REALLY carefully.