1996 Geo Metro LSi review from North America

Steering has been a little loose (i.e. there's a bit more play in the steering wheel than I prefer)

The stereo/cigarette lighter circuit blows its fuse once every couple months for no good reason.

It's very hard to find someone who can describe a Geo Metro without eventually resorting to the word "cute." This is not a studly car; this is not the car you buy to impress the ladies.

This is the car you buy when you and your lady are on a tight budget, and just need to get to work and to the store.

The "Metro," as the name implies, is a great car for city driving. It's VERY nimble, and has remarkable acceleration, given its tiny (1.3L) engine. It can even get past 80mph with little difficulty (though going much faster is only really possible whilst going downhill, and it does shake a bit, as many smaller cars do when going so fast).

However, it's not the best for long trips. I drove this Metro 6000 miles in two weeks (long story, don't ask) ; while the car performed admirably, the same must also be said of my chiropractor, who had to undo the damage of that tiny cockpit and less-than-plush bucket seat. Trips of a few hours won't take a serious toll on the driver or passengers, fortunately.

Even with my heavy foot, automatic transmission, fondness for air conditioning, and everything I own piled into the back seat and boot, on that 6000-mile trip, I still managed almost 30 miles per gallon. Under more normal conditions, 31-33 mpg is typical for me.

In short: it's called "Metro" for a reason. It's a great city car, a perfect errand-runner or commuter car. Its somewhat limited power, design, and fuel efficiency are all tuned for that style of driving.