1996 Geo Metro review from North America
"Many USEFULL mods, for cheap"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
The front CV joints replaced @ 100,000
Antenna) broke off.
Alternator belt hard to tighten*
Hatchback extension cylinders
Rattles in gravel, no idea why.
Never shows full GRRR.
General comments?
Great car, but not 'perfect'.
The alternator is used to tighten the belt, the only way to do it is to snug it up, beat it with a bar/hammer combination and snug some more until it is tight.
Ignorant location for antennae, but an easy fix, $25, screwdriver, snips and maybe an hour.
Ignorant cigarette lighter, un-powered when key is off and very temper-mental. I ended up buying an inverter, which required a plasma cutter to properly fit, but it looks ShArP.
I nearly went insane everytime I stuck the key in from the instant BEEP BEEP BEEP (buckle your seatbelt tone). There are two wires entering the clasp which when ccrossed fool the car into thinking your buckle is on. (Car still beeps for usefull things i.e. headlights, keys in ignition, etc)
The metro uses way too many plastic clips. Every used metro has zipstrips, wire, glue, or nothing at all holding plastic guards up. I use self threading machine screws to pin the plastic to the nearest metal object. :D.
Hatchbacks are great, but mine doesn't have a light. Definatly going to install something, but I don't know if it will be ac or dc..
FOR the future... I want a tiny tach, probably going to install one of those 'performance chips' with an on/off switch in the cab. thinking about an electric turbo. I see this stuff on ebay for very reasonable prices... also I hear that hollowing the Cat, and/or putting larger exhaust pipe will increase economy/performance.
Hoping to have comments on that...
Seankubin@gmail.com.
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![]() ![]() | It's called METRO for a reason |
![]() ![]() | Simple, Fun, Efficient Transportation |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Don't Know |
| Model Year | 1996 |
| First year of ownership | 2005 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2005 |
| Engine and transmission | 3 cylinder Manual |
| Performance marks | 7/10 |
| Reliability marks | 10/10 |
| Comfort marks | 9/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 10/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 108000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 110000 miles |
| Previous car | Geo Metro |
| Date of Entry | 28th September, 2005 |

