1994 Geo Metro sedan review from North America

1 inch square MAP sensor at 70000 miles. This sensor mounts on passenger side firewall and is very easy to replace. However, the Chevrolet dealer wanted $500 to purchase and install. NOTE: I ran all over Washington State junkyards trying to find my split-year, short term part for this car. I could have purchased and installed the part for $15, had I located one!!! RRRG! Thanks a lot Chevy!

Despite years of mocking this little car I have just purchased my 3rd Geo Metro! (I only part with my well running 166K miles 1994 4-door because I just found another with 57K miles, and for $1900! Like I say...it's running great, but I see the warning on the wall (high miles). It wouldn't surprise me if this goes another 50K miles trouble free.. but why gamble and spend the grief for so little expense. I will sell the other for $1000-so for $900 I will probably save the grief. It honestly uses no oil, and I hear/ feel nothing that shows immediate consern!

So with both humility and pride I currently own a metro and my wife and I share the 1999 Plymoth minivan. Car's have become transportation, and houses have become iboth nvestments and a place to live. Extra money goes into 401K, with hopes again of getting a hotrod or something to tinker with in "later days."

A struggling family man, mortgage payment and kids (to come) I needed to cut financial corners. I didn't need another payment to trim my already tight budget, but our once reliable Honda was draining my maintenance budget. The engine blew, which I replaced... but those clogged up smog valves, etc continued to hit the budget. The future for this honda was not in my hands! The Volkswon beetles of the yesturday are now "collectors" and thus prices for parts are no longer a bargain.. I tried this.. only to find grief. So I needed options. I needed to look "outside the box." Thus, I "Gambled" on my first hint of Metro... a 1993 2 door, with very about 60000 miles. It got great mileage, wasn't made in Ukaslavia, and was pretty darn cheap! I paid around $2400.

We wieghed the legitmate safety conserns.. and I've always said that I both respect the consequences-if something should happen, and drive it like I would a motorcycle.

2 years after this purchase... and 55000 additional miles, my wife was pregnant and we couldn't see ourselves bending over to place a baby in the back seat.. we now needed 4 door. So we "upgraded" to a 4 door Metro.. again with around 70K miles.

During this time I had a MAP sensor go out, I changed the tires, brakes and regular maintenance such as oil changes and paid to have the timing belt replacement (about $110 total!)

The obvious drawbacks to this car include, but are not limited to: Loud road noise and tinny/cheap inside door handles, which shamely is too common with Chevy's in general. Not too bad, in m oppinion, for the 2+ Metro's I've owned, racking up nearly 175K!

I am mechanically inclined, but not educated with the "newer" cars... which means anything newer than 1972! Laugh. But I really like that I can struggle through a manual and see the parts inside this engine compartment. Should I need to, I think I could pull the head, engine, or tranny for that matter. If I can get it diagnosed... I can fix it. I can't say the same about most cars or trucks nowadays.

So all-in-all I have to bragg about these Metro's! I have placed around $175K miles and the only thing I have replaced outside of regular maintenance was that isolated MAP sensor on our first Metro. I now see that there was a bullitin that went out and perhaps.. there was just moisture/condensation in that vacume line, and may not have needed to be changed at all? I will give the dealer the benifit of doubt on it. Iether way... an outstanding record, I think.

One last thought... I just bought my first Automatic Transmission Metro (only because the mileage was so low). Still okay to drive, but the gearing is too low for common highway driving. I didn't hessitate to go 73MPH with the 5 speed. This one "feels" like it is wrapping out at 65MPM... Unfortunatly, I will drive it slower than that. whenever I can.