2000 Chevy Metro 1L - any good?
 

There's a 2000 Chevy Metro with the 3 cylinder 1 liter engine with manual transmission for sale locally with 126K miles. The dealer is asking $2300 for it . Assuming the car is in decent shape, is it worth that much. What sort of repairs is it likely to require after 125K miles?

Well, the search goes on (and on).

Went to see the 2000 Metro. Was disappointed.

Windshield was cracked. I don't understand how a dealer can resell a car with a cracked windshield if there's any chance a cop will write a ticket once you drive off the lot. There should be a law if there's not one already in Michigan.

No air conditioning even though they said it had it. I won't be without A/C.

Uneven tire wear that indicated bad alignment or worse.

Proof again that you can't buy a car without looking at it with your own eyes.

about the A/C thing. three cylinders and a/c don't really go together that nicely.

63 hp if it is the same as the '93. I had one of those.

Yeah, I know that A/C robs you of power. However, the 3 cylinder Smart car has A/C and even the very humble Tato Nano has an A/C option. A small engine can run a compressor just like it runs the camshaft, alternator, etc.

I choose comfort (sorry hypermilers) over mpg or performance. That's why I was not going to buy that Metro even if it was otherwise perfect.

The tire wear pattern on the left rear was really interesting too. The tire was bald on the outer third of the tread with about 30% remaining tread on the inner two thirds. Not your typical drive around corners too fast pattern. More like a outrageous toe in problem. Who knows what caused that. I've heard that Metro's have a problem with suspension rust that kills them.

my sister had a metro with a/c and the 1.3 liter 4 cylinder. the a/c button was like a reverse turbo button. if you pushed the button in while you are riding down the road, it feels like someone grabbed your rear bumper and gave it a yank. I think hers was 85 hp or there abouts.

as far as having to have a/c and other comforts, if you don't enjoy driving the car, what's the point. the goal here is to save money while driving what you want. (well it is for me anyway) one thing I am not sure if I am going to be able to live without from here on out is cruise control. I never had it until this car and it does make a big difference.

get something you like...and hypermile the crap out of it.