Things to look at when buying a Geo Metro
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryland
I'm going to look at a 2000 Geo metro with 80,000 miles, they guy is asking $2000 for it, but I know who he got it from,and a year ago he paid $1,200 for it, any idea what I should check on it? or what it's worth?


Check: transmission - the syncros are the biggest problem on these cars, lower gears (2nd particularly). They're kind of weak, and may wear prematurely, especially if the owner was agressive. Crunchy shifting.

Rust: probably not an issue on a 2000, but the areas that go are: the rockers (underneath, where it meets the floor pan), and most importantly the lower front suspension mount points (where the control arm bolts on).

What its worth - 1200 is a great price for a 2000 if it's in good shape. I paid 1500 CDN for my first one ('98), and it needed $400 in parts to get it certified, so 1900 on the road, with a bit fewer miles (70 K miles).

good luck.

Darin

I bet JanGeo will also have some more to add.

One more thing: on the pre-1989 models, the EGR clogging up (plumbing, not the valve itself) is a common complaint and can cause all sorts of problems, leading in the worst case to burnt exhaust valves (since EGR helps to control - ie. lower - combustion temps).

Is it a 4-cyl sedan? I'm trying to remember if the 3-cyl HB was still offered in 2000.

The h-back 3-cyl was still offered in 2000.

it's a 3 cylender hatch back, I don't think I could bring my self to buying a sedan, so much wasted space, such poor mileage, I don't understand why they still make sedans.

A 2000, 3cyl, HB for cheap? Get it, man! Get it!

My observation: US prices for these cars are far less than in Canada. Cultural differences. :) Demand for sub-compacts has been higher here for a long time, and it shows up in the asking prices for small used cars.

FWIW, Ryland, I sold my 1998 Firefly#1 for $3200 CDN last November, uncertified (though it would have passed with no repairs). I put a couple hundred more into it after I got it on the road @1900, but made a few bucks on it (not counting time invested of course).

Maybe we need to set up a business arrangment: a supply chain of used Metros to north of the border...

Perhaps get a few XFis shipped up from the southern states? :D

Watch out for:
Rusty Rotors
Emergency brake handle takes too many clicks to lock the rear wheels
Loose shifter - should be really tight
Sticky shifter - will not move forward and backwards easily - bad boot
CV boots ripped noise
Lots of brake dust on the front wheels
Play in the steering
Unusal wear on the tires
Rusty leaking exhost - block the tail pipe with your hand or smooth sole shoe it should stall the engine and build up pressure
Smell the exhost - should not smell oily or smoky
Check for tail pipe soot
Rust around windows lower panels of doors rear bottom of front fenders

Other Metro-specific problems I remembered (thanks to XFi's eBay ad):

- broken door handles (int & ext), mostly on the 89-94 cars
- bent/broken window lift mechanisms

$2,000 is an incredible price for a '00 model. I'd say if it drives and looks fine buy it!

I had to beg to get my '97 Geo for $2,300 (owner originally wanted $2,950) and it had 130,000+ miles on it. There's a '99 sedan for sale at a car lot and they want $4,900 for the thing. I also test drove a completely shot '93 model last summer where the owner wanted $1,200 for it.

Maybe I should go car shopping in the U.S.A.! What's up with the cheaper prices down there?!?

well, most people down here in Minnesota want to drive 4x4 trucks and huge SUVs. Then they proceed to stick 20" (and bigger!) rims that weigh about 30 lbs each on their vehicles. Plus they love to floor it to get around you and beat you to the nearest red light. After that they keep stuttering forward at that red light thinking it will change sooner if they do so. Finally when the light turns green the whole process starts over and they race to be the first one at the next red light.

Oh, to get to the point... the general American population sees Geos and most other hatchback compact and subcompact cars that get anything above 30mpg EPA as a waste of time, metal, and effort since they can't beat SUVs and large trucks to red lights. Therefore they have no value in the United states and must be immediately replaced with a larger, less fuel efficient version of said car.

Jeesh, sorry for that... I guess I was sort of venting. but that pretty much sums up the General American opinion of compact and subcompact cars (with the exception of present company of course ;) )

Here in PA too. I live in hillbilly land where everybody has a truck. When I had my CRX my truck driving neighbors used to call it "the speed bump" cuz hittin that wont even slow me down. I tried to show them that unless they are hauling lumber or something 50mpg is better than 14mpg but it is hard to have a battle of wits with a defenceless person.

It is kind of funny over the last 2 years quite a few trucks have disappeared and been replaced with Subaru wagons.

I'm telling you, we could probably set up a business buying American Suzukiclones and reselling them in Canada.

I live in Maine where there are lots of big trucks and SUVs.

Just tonight I was pulling out of the grocery store and saw a HUGE Ford F-250 that was jacked up. The front bumper was just about even with my roofline. I can't imagine getting slammed by one of those things.....

Though if I did just duck it would probably tear right over me and I would have a nice little open air CRX.

About the Metro, I would say get it as long as it looks solid and feels solid. With it having 80k on it the time to do some fairly big preventive maintenence jobs might be coming right up unless they were already done.

That is excellent what you wrote !!!!
I too hate Large SUV's and Large Trucks, and the way they drive. :(

I think you probably summed up a state of the nation, here, for the U.S. I know here in CA, what you wrote up is a lot more true than not. What really messes with my mind is people like my sister who doesn't have a pot to piss into and yet she drives a 98 Suburban on monster truck wheels and tires. She just looks at me like I'm daft when I talk to her about getting something that it doesn't totally bleed you, to drive. Well Spoken!

Sorry, got way off target. It sounds like you ought to buy the car!

Agreed!! I'm sorry for venting.

I'm no Metro expert but it does sound like this car is a good deal, even if you have to put some elbow grease into it.