Tuesday, April 23, 2019

each time gas prices spike, there’s renewed interest in the Geo Metro... why? With no tech, it was rated 43 mpg city, 52 freeway...


when GM was loathe to slap a Chevy badge on anything imported or created from a joint venture with a foreign automaker, they formed the Geo brand and used it to sell several vehicles, mainly through Chevrolet dealers.

The Geo Prizm came from a joint venture with Toyota and shared its platform with the era’s Toyota Corolla.

the fuel-efficient Geo Metro was available from 1989 through 1997 under the Geo brand and for a few more years as the Chevrolet Metro. Based on the second-generation Japanese-market Suzuki Cultus, the Geo Metro was very similar to the the Suzuki Swift.

At the time, it was the least expensive convertible you could buy in America.

While all Metros were pretty Spartan affairs, the Metro XFi was introduced in 1990, and the EPA rated it at 43 mpg in the city and 52 mpg on the highway.

The XFi model went away when the Metro was refreshed in 1995. It was the last subcompact no-frills econobox.


1.0-liter three-cylinder engine that produced a grand total of 55 horsepower, and ran on small skinny, hard tires. No electrical convienences, no power switchy stuff.

It did have one airbag, and air conditioning, no anti lock brakes until after the 1995 change up

It was a high mileage commuter, and that is it. No fun, but, also, dirt cheap, and high mileage. I still see at least one a day.

Hyper milers have further lightened the 1600 pounds, and get as much as 75 mpg.

Enthusiasm for the Metro grew to almost cult-like status during a 2008 run-up in fuel costs, with Metro XFi models commanding prices near their original sticker prices. Car and Driver even used a 1998 Chevrolet Metro in a fuel mileage comparison with the 2010 Honda Insight and 2010 Toyota Prius. The Metro beat the hybrids.

Should you consider getting one? Hell no. If you were ever in a collision, you'd die. You'll never get one to pass smog, and getting parts? Forget it.

https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/geo-metro?src=usn_tw

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