Who'd a thunk it - Geo Metro an investment
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I need to start me a "fuel sipper-flipper" business. It can't be THAT hard to fix up one of these old Metros or a Festiva.
Originally Posted By: wavinwayne
I need to start me a "fuel sipper-flipper" business. It can't be THAT hard to fix up one of these old Metros or a Festiva.
You're right from what I hear on the hypermiler forums. They say that you practically don't even need a lift to get that little 3 cyl out.
I need to start me a "fuel sipper-flipper" business. It can't be THAT hard to fix up one of these old Metros or a Festiva.
You're right from what I hear on the hypermiler forums. They say that you practically don't even need a lift to get that little 3 cyl out.
They're good on gas but how safe/dangerous are these?
as safe/dangerous as the drivers, really...
Originally Posted By: Max_Wander
as safe/dangerous as the drivers, really...
Unfortunately you have to worry just as much about the other drivers as you do making sure you drive safe yourself. I have a friend that drove a small Mazda and always figured driving a car wouldn't kill him because he though he could avoid the other drivers. He found out differently one snowy day. The other car came across the centerline and hit him and he couldn't get out of the way. Luckily the injuries were mostly minor.
I once rode in the back seat of a 4 door Geo Metro back in the early 90's. All I remember is that the door didn't look any thicker than the thin dimension on a 2x4. That included all the interior trim and all. No thanks. I'm willing to move to a smaller car but those cars are not safe enough for me. I'll get a more modern safer small car when I'm ready to downsize.
as safe/dangerous as the drivers, really...
Unfortunately you have to worry just as much about the other drivers as you do making sure you drive safe yourself. I have a friend that drove a small Mazda and always figured driving a car wouldn't kill him because he though he could avoid the other drivers. He found out differently one snowy day. The other car came across the centerline and hit him and he couldn't get out of the way. Luckily the injuries were mostly minor.
I once rode in the back seat of a 4 door Geo Metro back in the early 90's. All I remember is that the door didn't look any thicker than the thin dimension on a 2x4. That included all the interior trim and all. No thanks. I'm willing to move to a smaller car but those cars are not safe enough for me. I'll get a more modern safer small car when I'm ready to downsize.
Kestas
Staff member
The article is about a gal spending (or as the article says, "investing") $7300 for a 40 mpg car to replace a 28 mpg car. If you do the math, she'll be seven years in the hole before her purchase starts to pay dividends... not what I call savings.
I'm sure there's other mitigating factors - both pro and con - to this purchase, but the point is that some of these purchases are more of an emotional knee-jerk reaction to gas prices than good solid judgement.
Always do the math.
I'm sure there's other mitigating factors - both pro and con - to this purchase, but the point is that some of these purchases are more of an emotional knee-jerk reaction to gas prices than good solid judgement.
Always do the math.
My Wife used to drive a `94 Suzuki Swift 4dr sedan...basically a Metro w/a 1.3ltr SOHC 4cyl and 13" wheels. It was a nice lil' car and she loved driving it. We traded it in for my current Volvo when we had our 1st daughter...in the interest of safety, of coarse. But, yes, I'd love to have that car back as a daily commuter.
Originally Posted By: Kestas
The article is about a gal spending (or as the article says, "investing") $7300 for a 40 mpg car to replace a 28 mpg car. If you do the math, she'll be seven years in the hole before her purchase starts to pay dividends... not what I call savings.
I'm sure there's other mitigating factors - both pro and con - to this purchase, but the point is that some of these purchases are more of an emotional knee-jerk reaction to gas prices than good solid judgement.
Always do the math.
Yes, but you're assuming gas prices are going to stay the same. Think of what gas prices were 7 years ago.
The article is about a gal spending (or as the article says, "investing") $7300 for a 40 mpg car to replace a 28 mpg car. If you do the math, she'll be seven years in the hole before her purchase starts to pay dividends... not what I call savings.
I'm sure there's other mitigating factors - both pro and con - to this purchase, but the point is that some of these purchases are more of an emotional knee-jerk reaction to gas prices than good solid judgement.
Always do the math.
Yes, but you're assuming gas prices are going to stay the same. Think of what gas prices were 7 years ago.
Originally Posted By: Kestas
The article is about a gal spending (or as the article says, "investing") $7300 for a 40 mpg car to replace a 28 mpg car. If you do the math, she'll be seven years in the hole before her purchase starts to pay dividends... not what I call savings.
I'm sure there's other mitigating factors - both pro and con - to this purchase, but the point is that some of these purchases are more of an emotional knee-jerk reaction to gas prices than good solid judgement.
Always do the math.
That is one of the most Intelligent statements that I have seen on this forum.
The article is about a gal spending (or as the article says, "investing") $7300 for a 40 mpg car to replace a 28 mpg car. If you do the math, she'll be seven years in the hole before her purchase starts to pay dividends... not what I call savings.
I'm sure there's other mitigating factors - both pro and con - to this purchase, but the point is that some of these purchases are more of an emotional knee-jerk reaction to gas prices than good solid judgement.
Always do the math.
That is one of the most Intelligent statements that I have seen on this forum.
It may seem like a good idea to flip some of these cars but you really have to see what they need. Surprisingly, some of these replacement parts for the Metro are fairly pricey. I work at an auto parts store and am reminded of this when someone is looking for a starter or an alternator for one of these cars.
Some guy came in with a 2001 Chevy Prism the other day and he had 140K on the odometer. He said he paid 3K and a rental lot for the car when it only had 250 miles on it. He's still getting 40 mpg. His only complaint is he wished it was the 3 cylinder version.
Some guy came in with a 2001 Chevy Prism the other day and he had 140K on the odometer. He said he paid 3K and a rental lot for the car when it only had 250 miles on it. He's still getting 40 mpg. His only complaint is he wished it was the 3 cylinder version.
Actually there is a card dealer here that has a 1993 Geo Metro on the front of their ad, and most of the 2005+'s on the next page. Metro's already are expensive now.
Originally Posted By: Kestas
The article is about a gal spending (or as the article says, "investing") $7300 for a 40 mpg car to replace a 28 mpg car. If you do the math, she'll be seven years in the hole before her purchase starts to pay dividends... not what I call savings.
I'm sure there's other mitigating factors - both pro and con - to this purchase, but the point is that some of these purchases are more of an emotional knee-jerk reaction to gas prices than good solid judgement.
Always do the math.
And for the price that she paid for that Metro, she could have bought a Corolla, Civic, Echo, or some other small car that is newer and could get that 40 mpg.
The article is about a gal spending (or as the article says, "investing") $7300 for a 40 mpg car to replace a 28 mpg car. If you do the math, she'll be seven years in the hole before her purchase starts to pay dividends... not what I call savings.
I'm sure there's other mitigating factors - both pro and con - to this purchase, but the point is that some of these purchases are more of an emotional knee-jerk reaction to gas prices than good solid judgement.
Always do the math.
And for the price that she paid for that Metro, she could have bought a Corolla, Civic, Echo, or some other small car that is newer and could get that 40 mpg.
Originally Posted By: asiancivicmaniac
They're good on gas but how safe/dangerous are these?
I've driven one for 7 years and haven't had any accidents other than a couple very minor fender bumps. But safety is something that people need to consider. The mileage is so good because it weighs very little. It weighs very little because it has very few features. No airbags, no nothing. If you hit an F-350 coming the other way, nice knowing you.
That said, they are indeed great for mileage and fairly cheap to maintain. I got 4 new tires plus installation for $250 last year. Though they're getting into the 10-15 year age range where more expensive repairs like timing belts are looming. I wouldn't pay $7k for one. I paid about $5k for mine 7 years ago and I can't see paying more than $3-4k today for one in good shape like mine. But power to them.
They're good on gas but how safe/dangerous are these?
I've driven one for 7 years and haven't had any accidents other than a couple very minor fender bumps. But safety is something that people need to consider. The mileage is so good because it weighs very little. It weighs very little because it has very few features. No airbags, no nothing. If you hit an F-350 coming the other way, nice knowing you.
That said, they are indeed great for mileage and fairly cheap to maintain. I got 4 new tires plus installation for $250 last year. Though they're getting into the 10-15 year age range where more expensive repairs like timing belts are looming. I wouldn't pay $7k for one. I paid about $5k for mine 7 years ago and I can't see paying more than $3-4k today for one in good shape like mine. But power to them.
Patman
Staff member
There is a Geo Metro in the Auto Trader here for $900, perhaps I should buy it and stick it in E-Bay! 
You can't buy the Metro in running condition, fix it up and make a profit. The initial price is too high.
I've already seen a 7 year old Metro on Ebay bring within a grand of what it was new.
I've already seen a 7 year old Metro on Ebay bring within a grand of what it was new.
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