New to board, question about Geo Metro

[bigrobrn]

Hello one and all. Greetings from Baton Rouge! I am new to the board and this is my 1st post.
A fellow firefighter of mine is selling a Geo Metro. It possibly needs a new motor. I will get the details tonight as regards to what exact year, engine, etc.
I know its blue, a 4 door version, and I guess its 97 or older. He bought it when he was commuting back and forth from Osyka, MS to Baton Rouge, LA. He said it averaged 40mpg or better.

He will let it go for $200. Even if it needs a new motor, would it be worth the investment return?

It has no body damage and obviously needs a good bath and wax job.

I would change the battery, brakes, all fluids, etc. But is a new motor, or re-built motor hard to find?

Thanks for any advice and I look forward to soaking up some knowledge.
I, like most people, am fed up with the RIDICULOUS gas prices and our INEPT government.

R.L.
Baton Rouge, LA
IAFF Local 557

[QDM]

$200 would be a great deal as long as there is no rust, particularly on the front A arms. There are many good resources on the web for Metros. Google teamswift for a good forum. There is also a great Metro Yahoo group.

Q

[opelgt73]

It probably is a decent investment. I don't know how adept you are at rebuilding motors but I think the 3cly engine is almost light enough to lift out by hand!

[bigrobrn]

Its a 1996 Geo Metro. It has a newly re-built top end. He said it has a "knock" and he knew to turn it off and leave it be until he fixed it or sold it. He did all the repairs himself and he is a good mechanic. He bought the repair book and he said it explained how to do everything in detail.

I was told to drop the pan and to replace the 4 rods and rod bearings.

It has approx 115,000 miles. Its the 1.3L 4cyl engine.

I'm seriously considering this investment.

Rob

[bkrell]

Lol, if not, send it up here to Shreveport!!!

[Ryland]

Buy it!
Worst case you have to get a whole used engine for up to $600 (car-part.com has some for as little as $150) and pay $300-$400 to have someone else install it, at that point you have up to $1,200 invested in the car, if you don't like it then sell it for $2,500

[Reishi]

I just started grinning from ear to ear when I read the send it up to Shreveport comment. It is good to know that there are at least 2 people in Shreveport who care about getting good mileage

I would definitely get the Metro. Just figure up the mileage that you get in your current ride, then calculate the difference in mileage between it and the Metro and figure up how many miles it will take for your fuel savings to eclipse the cost of the Metro plus repairs. I just went to the Dallas area and picked up a Geo Storm. Looked everywhere for a Metro but could not find one. At any rate, by parking the truck and using the Storm I will be even at 3500 miles. Everything after that is pure savings in the bank.

[fumesucker]

I had the 1.3 in a '93 Suzuki Swift GT 1.3.. Very much a fun little car and got very good mileage too.

I would say go for it..

[Spule 4]

You can get a G10 crate motor from Japan. Sold our metro we had since new two years ago, wish we had kept it just for fun now.

[bkrell]

Originally Posted by Reishi

I just started grinning from ear to ear when I read the send it up to Shreveport comment. It is good to know that there are at least 2 people in Shreveport who care about getting good mileage

Well, I commute to Homer everyday so I need all the gas savings I can get. Bad thing is I watched a metro sedan sit on a lot outside Minden for sale for a year for $2500. Now I feel like an idiot that it's gone. I let a co-worker convince me I'd "lose cool points" if I drove it. Now he's drving a 92 Sentra 5 speed.

[JoeBob]

Originally Posted by bkrell

Well, I commute to Homer everyday so I need all the gas savings I can get. Bad thing is I watched a metro sedan sit on a lot outside Minden for sale for a year for $2500. Now I feel like an idiot that it's gone. I let a co-worker convince me I'd "lose cool points" if I drove it. Now he's drving a 92 Sentra 5 speed.

That'll teach ya! Don't let anyone (even me!) talk you out of something (or someone, for that matter) it that's what you really want.

[bkrell]

No kidding! I wasn't too fond of the sedan style but it was a nice forest green color. Woulda gone great with my whole workin for the forest service thing....

[bigrobrn]

I'm taking the plunge!!! I went and got it and drove it to my house. The engine is making one HELL of a knocking sound and smoking so I'm gonna trash it. I found a used engine in great shape in for $450 cash. Its got 85K miles on it. I'm dropping this one and will have as back up for parts.
Got a fellow mechanic here locally who will do a replace and swap for 400 dollars. While the new motor is out, I will replace the water pump, all major seals and gaskets, timing belt and tensioner, and the clutch.
I'm hoping labor all together doesn't run me but about $1000. I will myself replace the spark plugs, fuel filter, pcv valve, brakes, and flush the engine about 4 times with cheapo oil and then probably run Valvoline Maxlife and use only Napa Gold or Pureone filters. I like the ring and seal conditioners in it.
I will only have a serpentine belt big enough to run the AC and the alternator. Forget the power steering and any other luxury items. I'll take out anything not being used to free up weight and room.
When I washed to little booger, I couldn't believe my eyes. The body is near flawless. Only one golfball sized ding on the drivers door. Paint is ok. Interior needs some TLC and some Febreeze.
I have to admit, I'm fairly excited. I hope it all works out. Then I'll drive it till it breaks and fix it again. I'll be smiling when that Ford Excursion drives by me as I'm getting hopefully 35-40mpg in the 96 Metro 5spd.

Rob

[bkrell]

You think it's wise to spend the money on a Wix filter for that? The Maxlife may actually bog it down a bit. I'd run the lightest oil I could like M1 0W20 or at least 0W30. Just my opinion, though!

Good find, man!

[Reishi]

Congrats man. I think you made the right decision. I don't know what you are averaging in Baton Rouge but it is getting close to 3.75 per gallon up here in Shreveport/Bossier.

Even if you end up spending 1000 on the repairs, you will still have one hell of an efficient car on your hands and will recoup your initial investment within the year.

[bigrobrn]

Updated recent exciting news!
I called a company here in Baton Rouge that specializes in engine swaps. I called them on a whim.
The owner informed me he can get me basically a brand new 1.3L 4cyl from Japan. He said at most it would have 20K miles on it.

He would do the complete swap, any necessary repairs (seals, gaskets, water pump, timing belt and tensioner) and the clutch for approx $1850.
It would come with a 12 year, 12K mile warranty which includes labor.

How can I go wrong with that?
Wix filters for the new motor? Absolutely! I can get a 6 pack wholesale for dirt cheap.
5w-30 bog it down? Possibly. The ragged out motor that's in it now has been seeing 10w-40 for the last who knows years! The owners manual specifically calls for 5w-30. Some people just don't have a clue about engine maintenance!
Yes, I would consider lighter/thinner oil such as 0w-30 or even 0w-20, but I am a stickler for using what the manual calls for. Whatever the new engine from Japan calls for is most likely what I'll end up using.

[bkrell]

Good deal man. Regarding the oil, I don't mean any 30 weight will bog it down. I'm referring to Maxlife, which is on the high end of the SAE 30 viscosity range. If the manual calls for 5W30, using 0W30 isn't going to do anything bad. It'll be a little less thick at startup, which is a good thing, and will decrease the time the oil takes to get up to temp. As for the Wix filters, hey, if you can get them cheap that's cool! Wish I could! I only by Supertechs. Great filters at a good price.

[nlife]

Originally Posted by opelgt73

It probably is a decent investment. I don't know how adept you are at rebuilding motors but I think the 3cly engine is almost light enough to lift out by hand!

Yep, did one in my '89 chev sprint. Same motor same body everything. In fact, when I picked it up, I nearly knocked my teeth out because I was expecting something heavier

N