buying a geo metro?!?!

[whitey]

Possibly looking to buy one of these little shat boxes to save on gas and extra mileage on the marauder. Anybody know any known failures, other than the fact its a geo? It has a 1.0l 3 cylinder motor, with 70k on it supposedly but the title is saying 170k, the guy told me over the phone. Price is 2350, but aint no way im paying over 2k for it. Yay or nay guys? Keep in mind it will be a beater.

[Mebot]

What year?

[whitey]

92 convertable 5 speed manual

[Mebot]

Haha awesome. I regret I don't know anything about Geo Metro's but thought it might be good to put the year so people who know will be able to chime in. Good luck!

[sflrainmaker01]

Sounds a little pricey too me. But, if it is in really nice condition, maybe. I would prefer something like an old (mid-nineties) escort with a manual trans for good gas mileage and not much out of pocket dough. I see them around here all day long between $1000-2000.

[Mr. Man]

Haha awesome. I regret I don't know anything about Geo Metro's but thought it might be good to put the year so people who know will be able to chime in. Good luck!They came with factory funeral wreathes strapped to the roof in case you got into an accident.

[RoyLPita]

The top costs more than what the car is worth.

[RichardP]

If you get it..think I could practice my standard driving on it?

[Bluerauder]

From an article titled "Why You Shouldn't Buy a Geo Metro to Save on Gas", US News & World Report, 21 May 2008 .......

"So let's look at the mileage of that 1992 Geo Metro. According to the old formula it should have managed a combined mileage rating of 38 mpg. That's not far below the 46 mpg of the current Toyota Prius, just like the Mercury-News claims. According to the revised formula, however, that 1992 Metro should actually manage only 33 mpg -- 13 below the Prius. That's not nearly as impressive. In fact, it's nearly the same rating as many current small cars. Considering that the 1992 Metro features only one airbag and earned a "safety concern" from the federal government even by the standards of sixteen years ago, you should probably think long and hard before paying thousands of dollars for one."

KBB only lists prices back to 1994. A 1994 Geo Metro in "GOOD" condition is about $1000. Your car is 2 years older than that. It is probably worth about $750 max. Don't let them push off the 70K mileage on you 'cause the 170K is more realistic. It's already rolled-over once (at least).

I would be more concerned with safety if you are gonna drive it on any roads that have other cars on it. Frontal crash rating was 3 of 5. Side crash wasn't even rated. ;) Personally, I wouldn't trade safety for a few MPG.

On the other hand, there are 19 ratings on Edmunds.com that give this car an average of 4.5 stars out of 5. Their owners seem to love the car and several are well into the 200K mile range or higher.

BOTTOMLINE: $2,350 is way too much. Gas mileage may not be what you hoped for as this car ages more. Safety should be factored into your decision. Despite all this, current and former owners seem to like the car as "fun and cute".

YOU GOTTA ASK YOURSELF ONE QUESTION, PUNK ...... Can you handle 49 HP at 4,700 RPMs ??

[whitey]

From an article titled "Why You Shouldn't Buy a Geo Metro to Save on Gas", US News & World Report, 21 May 2008 .......

"So let's look at the mileage of that 1992 Geo Metro. According to the old formula it should have managed a combined mileage rating of 38 mpg. That's not far below the 46 mpg of the current Toyota Prius, just like the Mercury-News claims. According to the revised formula, however, that 1992 Metro should actually manage only 33 mpg -- 13 below the Prius. That's not nearly as impressive. In fact, it's nearly the same rating as many current small cars. Considering that the 1992 Metro features only one airbag and earned a "safety concern" from the federal government even by the standards of sixteen years ago, you should probably think long and hard before paying thousands of dollars for one."

KBB only lists prices back to 1994. A 1994 Geo Metro in "GOOD" condition is about $1000. Your car is 2 years older than that. It is probably worth about $750 max. Don't let them push off the 70K mileage on you 'cause the 170K is more realistic. It's already rolled-over once (at least).

I would be more concerned with safety if you are gonna drive it on any roads that have other cars on it. Frontal crash rating was 3 of 5. Side crash wasn't even rated. ;) Personally, I wouldn't trade safety for a few MPG.

On the other hand, there are 19 ratings on Edmunds.com that give this car an average of 4.5 stars out of 5. Their owners seem to love the car and several are well into the 200K mile range or higher.

BOTTOMLINE: $2,350 is way too much. Gas mileage may not be what you hoped for as this car ages more. Safety should be factored into your decision. Despite all this, current and former owners seem to like the car as "fun and cute".

YOU GOTTA ASK YOURSELF ONE QUESTION, PUNK ...... Can you handle 49 HP at 4,700 RPMs ??

Holy moly!, i can wait to burn out!.........on ice.

[dohc324ci]

My brother in law had one....there are better options for that price. I say keep looking. Civic hatch could be had for that.

[Motorhead350]

Problems?

Driver fatalities.

[slickster]

I had a 91 4door hatch at ac got over 40mpg sold it for 1500 150k miles wish I still had it

[Jeffonebuck]

At least you will have access to the latest Mod info,,,,,http://geometroforum.com/search/?c=5.


Sent from my Tapatalk using Morris Code

[RichardP]

Ha Whiteyyyy don't buy this deathbox.. Go the high mi civic route!

[Motorhead350]

If you wanna save money and your life, eat at home and keep driving the Marauder.

[whitey]

Deathtrap, lol. Heres an update: just test drove it, runs alright but idles at 2100rpm, then after about 10 seconds it fluctuates between 1500 and 2100rpm. Shifts smooth, interior looks like it has 77k, not 177k. New top, new tires, brakes didnt pulse or vibrate. Drove straight from what i could tell in a parking lot(doesn't have tags). Guy doesn't want anything less than $2200, i only want to pay $1800, due to what i expect is a vacuum leak that causes the idle to surge/fluctuate. So far im on the fence, but im not paying a dime over $2000...and thats only if he fixes the vacuum leak.

[Motorhead350]

Dude, go away from this car. I think you know better. $2,000 with a vacuum leak? Really?

[slickster]

98 and up corolla timing chain 35mpg. I got a 03 s for a dd

[RichardP]

Whats the story man?

[guspech750]

Must kill Geo's with fire. All Geo's.

Man, at least buy a use Ford Escort or something similar.


Sent from The White House on taxpayers dimes.

DTR + 4.10's + Eaton swap = Wreeeeeeeeeeeeeeedom

[Melon]

I'm not sure what the used car market is like in your neck of the woods, but I'd like to think you can do better than a tuna can on wheels. Especially for 2 grand. Ask yourself this - will the cost for insurance and maintenance of that car make up on the fuel savings? I understand not wanting to put the miles on though :)

[Bluerauder]

Guy doesn't want anything less than $2200, i only want to pay $1800.

Sounds like he is not going to budge on price and you are on the verge of paying twice what it is worth. Expect your insurance premiums to jump to retain the same bodily injury coverage. I'd walk away and consider some other options that have been mentioned here.

[sflrainmaker01]

Must kill Geo's with fire. All Geo's.

Man, at least buy a use Ford Escort or something similar.


Sent from The White House on taxpayers dimes.

DTR + 4.10's + Eaton swap = Wreeeeeeeeeeeeeeedom

That's what I said in an earlier post! ;) For that matter and $2,000, I'd buy a stock foxbody 5.0, 5spd with the 2.73 or 3.08 gears. Not some modded up car, but stock (maybe with some flowmasters). That should get you between 25-27mpg on the highway and it's a way cooler car. I've had enough of those know. Some friends said their Escort's got about 30 mpg. The couple extra mpg wasn't worth me buying an Escort over a Mustang. :P

[L.Mark]

My wife had one when we first started dating, it was a 93 conv 5 speed...AWESOME on gas, had over 150,000 miles when then. She kinda bump a car in front of her one time and I bought a headlight and marker light. The little bump had bent the radiator support and headlight housing. When I tried to install it wouldn't fit so I pulled the support nearly straight by hand. I put the parts back in my car and told her she was getting rid of the car...would not survive a collision...

[RoyLPita]

You could get a 1987-1993 mustang 4cyl for a cheap price. A bigger stretch is a 1988-1992 Mark VII Bill Blass with 3.08s. I've read that highway mileage is in the high 20s to near 30.

[sflrainmaker01]

You could get a 1987-1993 mustang 4cyl for a cheap price. A bigger stretch is a 1988-1992 Mark VII Bill Blass with 3.08s. I've read that highway mileage is in the high 20s to near 30.

4cyl Mustang's will be a bit better in the city and highway than a stock geared 5 spd 5.0. My son's each owned a 4cyl automatic mustang.

The Mark's, will be tough breaking 25. I had a few of those too. The best I saw in my 91 LSC with 3.08's (mostly highway part city) was 23mpg according to the on board computer (which was pretty accurate). I added a custom Dynomax 2.25" exhaust and Ford Racing shorty headers and it went up to 24. Added 3.73 limited slip and some other performance goodies and back down to 21-22 it went. :P

[fastblackmerc]

Wouldn't be caught dead in a Geo Metro.... which you might if you buy it and get into an accident........ just sayin'

[Motorhead350]

I know someone selling a 93 for $500. It's in Chicago though. Runs. Looks like a Carolla.

[Bigdogjim]

I like to help but, I really don't know much about car's I can not even get into :lol:

[L.Mark]

You could get a 1987-1993 mustang 4cyl for a cheap price. A bigger stretch is a 1988-1992 Mark VII Bill Blass with 3.08s. I've read that highway mileage is in the high 20s to near 30.
Gotta watch these as they can be pigs in the city...my Marauder gets better fuel econmy that my MArk VII hands down...still would be better than the Geo skateboard...I mean Metro...

[IwantmyMMnow!]

Get a bicycle....NO gas and lose weight...WIN/WIN. ;)

Is a moped or a motorcycle an option for you?

I'd buy a geo for $2, not $2000....then take it to the junk yard....

I actually sat down and crunched numbers last summer to see how much less $$$ I would spend on gas if I bought a second car with a 35mpg rating (double the MM's mpg)....came out to ~$1200 a year, based on my driving needs/habits. (I would use ~350 gallons less than driving the MM; at the time I did these calculations, 87 octane was $3.45/gal in my area)

Then factor in I would have to put x amount $$$ up front to buy the car, then another $400/yr for plates/insurance/inspections and figured another $400/yr for maintenance. I'd be saving about $400/yr, so if I paid $2000 for a second car, I'd have to drive it for 5 years before I would realize any 'savings'....meanwhile, I'd still be driving the MM on long distance trips.

[L.Mark]

Get a bicycle....NO gas and lose weight...WIN/WIN. ;)

Is a moped or a motorcycle an option for you?

I'd buy a geo for $2, not $2000....then take it to the junk yard....

I actually sat down and crunched numbers last summer to see how much less $$$ I would spend on gas if I bought a second car with a 35mpg rating (double the MM's mpg)....came out to ~$1200 a year, based on my driving needs/habits. (I would use ~350 gallons less than driving the MM; at the time I did these calculations, 87 octane was $3.45/gal in my area)

Then factor in I would have to put x amount $$$ up front to buy the car, then another $400/yr for plates/insurance/inspections and figured another $400/yr for maintenance. I'd be saving about $400/yr, so if I paid $2000 for a second car, I'd have to drive it for 5 years before I would realize any 'savings'....meanwhile, I'd still be driving the MM on long distance trips.


Yup...being comfortable and having peice of mind your in a safe car is worth what little you would save...:banana::banana:not to even mention the possible loss of the Fun Factor...

[whitey]

I already have a scooter, but that thing now needs tags and insurance too and its too much of a damned hassel to get that thing processed through the DMV. I got pulled over doing 39 in a 35....reason: going over 30 mph on a scooter, and not riding on the shoulder....where the road debris is.....what sense does that make? Hit a rock or screw with 10" tires and id be looking like ground beef.

[ctrlraven]

Get yourself a Honda, didn't you play with them back in the day?

[whitey]

Get yourself a Honda, didn't you play with them back in the day?

Yes i did, but to be honest, Hondas are pricey, and ones that are cheap have had every 16yo punk on the block stick their fingers in it.

[MMBLUE]

I've got a DD FS on the cheap.. Send me a PM if interested. It's a Bug diesel 42 avg MPG no matter how hard or easy your drive it.

[whitey]

I've got a DD FS on the cheap.. Send me a PM if interested. It's a Bug diesel 42 avg MPG no matter how hard or easy your drive it.

Thanks for the offer, but i dont know the first thing about diesel, and im still trying to master a gasoline motor.:beer:

[soultosoul13]

i think they are asking too much for the geo. best case, thats a $1500 car.
however, i would drive one, if the price was right.

get all over that diesel bug!!!

[Joe Walsh]

They came with factory funeral wreathes strapped to the roof in case you got into an accident.


Problems?

Driver fatalities.


Wouldn't be caught dead in a Geo Metro.... which you might if you buy it and get into an accident........ just sayin'

Yep.....a few extra mpg is not worth my life.
Stay away from that 4 wheeled Coors can that makes a Smart Car look safe!!
The seller won't budge on the price unless you sign a waiver of liability and present a certificate stating that you are in full possession of your mental faculties at the time of sale.

[Joe Walsh]

BTW:
You must 'check your ego AND testicles at the door' when you get in to drive a Geo!

LOL

[wickedmerc]

They came with factory funeral wreathes strapped to the roof in case you got into an accident.

WOW....THAT's funny!!! :rofl:

Seriously Whitey, nevermind the price, that car just sounds dangerous. I would stay away.....far away!

Found this little gem on CL.....giving Oldsmobile some love:

http://annapolis.craigslist.org/cto/4305331937.html

Or maybe this 1 although I don't know much about Kia...

http://annapolis.craigslist.org/cto/4292341803.html

[whitey]

BTW:
You must 'check your ego AND testicles at the door' when you get in to drive a Geo!

LOL

Lol im not going to lie, i was embarrassed while looking and test driving it.

[whitey]

WOW....THAT's funny!!! :rofl:

Seriously Whitey, nevermind the price, that car just sounds dangerous. I would stay away.....far away!

Found this little gem on CL.....giving Oldsmobile some love:

http://annapolis.craigslist.org/cto/4305331937.html

Or maybe this 1 although I don't know much about Kia...

http://annapolis.craigslist.org/cto/4292341803.html

Thanks but im looking for something atleast 20 years old, that way i could put historic tags on it and not have to worry about inspection or pricey insurance. Also something with ~30mpg. The geo is a no go btw.

[Joe Walsh]

Thanks but im looking for something atleast 20 years old, that way i could put historic tags on it and not have to worry about inspection or pricey insurance. Also something with ~30mpg. The geo is a no go btw.

AHHHHH....I DO love MVA's 'Historic' tags.
I've got those on the '84 GT and the '89 CV!!

Glad to hear that the Coors can sale fell apart.....errrrr.....no pun intended!

How about an older VW golf or a...... dare I say it; dime-a-dozen Corolla?

[whitey]

No vw, and i dislike Toyota in general, maybe an old escort. I just want something easy to work/ do maintenance on, that geo i crap you not i couldve pulled the motor with just my hands...it was that small lol. Im not exactly looking for another car right now, i just try to keep my eyes open for a good deal.