1993 Geo Metro Hatchback review from North America

The road noise is high on this car, but it's like a little go-cart. Really fun to drive! One problem was the driver's side front wheel bearings were bad, but one hour of labor, and parts, and my mechanic checked the timing belt and changed the spark plugs for $119.00.

Then I went to U-Pull wrecking yard, it and found some inside plastic panels as it didn't come with those, and a friend helped me glue down some insulation before putting that on. That was $24. Still looking for some hubcaps.

Oil changes are so easy. It's using some oil, but I read where I should probably clean the ERG? valve, so I will before I burn the valves. (I don't speak the language of a mechanic, really. Ask me about nutrition or cleaning products, but I learn quickly.)

My Pontiac has 204,000? on it, and gets 20-23 mpg. This little disposable Geo had 171,000 on it when I bought it, and had been a smoker's car (I'm very allergic to smoke), but I picked it up for $550, figuring with gas prices that it would pay for itself in 3-6 months. With $50 for registration, and $120 for basic repairs, $24 for some noise control, the 38-39 mpg (it's automatic and I haven't tested the mpg on a long freeway trip yet) I'm happy. I fill up with $20-27 depending on gas prices, which is half of what I had been spending.

The safety factor makes me feel like I'm a scurrying mouse on the highways, and I'm cautious. I find that I brake later than with my large, heavy old Pontiac 6000 which can get me rear-ended if I'm not more careful. Overall, a great money saver and experiment.

The cigarette. smoke is gone after wiping it down inside and shampooing, and then using an Air Source air purifier inside for a couple of days to kill odor, mold, pet dander, etc. Great little go-cart. My next one will be a mint green classic Mercedes convertible. Looking. leangreencafe@yahoo.com