1995 Geo Metro hatchback review from North America

One rear wheel bearing at 100,000

muffler at 120,000

Front brake pads at 120,000

oil changes every 5,000

some regular service such as automatic transmission fluid change and timing belt

hubcaps hit curbs and so those were chucked at 130,000 (who needs em?)

The dash paint is eroding from sun damage

stereo got stolen!

This is my second 95 Geo metro hatchback.

The first one was a rebuild from eastern Canada and was rusty, abused and was pretty much of a lemon. I needed to replace the turn signal cluster, the transmission, and many other parts. That said it had the 1.0 engine and a standard and got terrific fuel economy (only tested it once and got 48MPG on the freeway through Washington and over the cascade mountains in Oregon.

This 1.3 liter 4 cyl engine is a lot less thrashy sounding, and the car was not thrashed by previous owners. Speaking as a former mechanic, probably the best thing one can do when they buy any new car is to make sure that the car has been well serviced and well cared for (which I learned the hard way with my previous metro).

The 3 speed transmission pretty much kills any real performance and fuel economy --I get about 30mpg on the Interstate, and about 35 if I keep it about 55 mph (even though I'm Canadian, I think in mpg). The engine revs pretty high at highways speed, and at interstate speeds is really over the top. That said it is a really good city car, and I have taken it on many highway trips and just put up with the high revs. But I would love to have a 5 speed like in my last metro.

I live in Canada. These little cars are absolutely terrific in snow as long as they have good tires. With cheap tires they tend to hydroplane even on wet roads, but good sticky all seasons can get up the ski hills and back, and pass many heavier cars (such as Camry's) that can't get enough traction to pull their weight uphill in snow. I have literally driven though a blizzard.

I have doubled the kilometers in two years and tend to drive hard and service regularly. Changing the air filter on these little high revving engines regularly really helps the fuel economy, and regular oil changes with a premium filter is a necessity. But other than that, it really very little. The rear wheel bearings are a real weak point, but they start to howl and give lots of warning that then need replacing. And everything is really easy to work on and parts are plentiful and cheap at auto wreckers (the wheel bearing I replaced was used and got it for $20 along with the rear brake drum).

The reason I got two metros over a Honda civicsis not only because of price, but clearance. I have a property that takes a few hours on dirt roads, a nd the last few miles on really bad, nearly 4x4 roads. With this little car I can pick my way through, and gets me out of needing a fuel guzzling 4x4.

It holds 4 people pretty comfortably especially with its high roof. I have a friend who is about 6'4" who fits easily. The front seats can be pushed back and still leave enough room for people in the back seat. The back seat folds down to give a lot of room for camping gear--I have transported an apartment sized stove in it.

This car is decidedly non-sexy. Nobody will steal it. For some reason my wife thinks its cute. But for a dependable, cheap to run, no frills vehicle it is the best I have owned (after about 20 cars and trucks). I guess there is a reason why so many delivery drivers use them.