Why Not Buy A Geo Metro Or 1st Gen Insight?

[Brian1362]

I owned a 92 Geo Metro convertible, It averaged 50 mpg , never had mechanical problems and it cost back then 8 or 9 thousand.. They were good reliable cars,, Chev dumped them and Suzuki stopped making the motor..Now Suzuki does not sell cars in the US period.. It would be nice if Elio could have bought or made a deal with whomever to produce that motor, it was a 1ltr with 50 hp and so easy do all maintenance myself..I drove it over 130,000 miles, only cost were, a battery, muffler and tires..I did not take it back to a dealer for any problems..So, yes I'd prefer it in my Elio over an un-tested / tried IAV.. That was over 20 years ago. The Elio concept is much more appealing..However as previousky stated, I'm not convinced any of us will get one, and if we do will be enjoy driving it,, Ain't it normal for a person to test drive an automobile before forking over a deposit / down payment ?

I can't justify spending the money on it now. I bought mine for $250, had the head reworked (parts and labor were $250, re-rung (geo had a problem with rings in one cylinder lining up) $250, and wheel cylinders/brake pads replaced in the rear, $50. Was by far the best, most economical car I have EVER owned since getting married, and when the kids were small (ages 10, 4 and 3) I could go anywhere. The WORST gas mileage I ever got was 23 in town. Oddly enough, a solider in my unit totaled it out for me, and I let it go. Try to find one today, for less than $2G. I have ridden in the SMART car, as well. Sorry, I would rather have had my Geo Metro.

When I was single, I had a 1983 Dodge Colt, 1.6L, and in town, once again, worst mileage was 23, best was 37 on the highway. It was totaled by my best friend in college, he hit me with his Ford Escort. Same for my Dodge colt, as I would rather have it, than a SMART car.

Yes, I miss both my old cars, and no, you can't find them for less than $2G, anywhere. Believe me, I have tried.

 

[Tomg3rd]

Wow- what a thread! ;-)

 

[Chris F]

For years, I drove a late 80's Chevy Sprint, which became the GEO Metro. It was very reliable and got about 50MPG on the highway. It was, for me, the right car at that time. I put over 120K miles on it before it had too many problems to fix and in 1998, I traded up to a GEO Prizm. Like the Elio as proposed, the Sprint (Metro) it was a great little commuter car. However, compared to any contemporary vehicle, it was a death-trap. No air-bags, no stability control, no ABS, no any-star crash test rating. The exhaust system in particular rusted out on a regular basis. It was loud and the only way to deal with the road noise was to crank up the radio. Now that my Prizm is up to almost 200K miles, I actually looked into a used Metro. Just too dangerous. I'm not the best driver in the world, but I've been rear-ended and t-boned enough times to want a vehicle that meets modern safety standards. Man, these people in PA drive like NUTS.

So, I've answered your screed in a reasonable and polite way. Let's keep the discussion that way.

Chris F

 

[Brian1362]

For years, I drove a late 80's Chevy Sprint, which became the GEO Metro. It was very reliable and got about 50MPG on the highway. It was, for me, the right car at that time. I put over 120K miles on it before it had too many problems to fix and in 1998, I traded up to a GEO Prizm. Like the Elio as proposed, the Sprint (Metro) it was a great little commuter car. However, compared to any contemporary vehicle, it was a death-trap. No air-bags, no stability control, no ABS, no any-star crash test rating. The exhaust system in particular rusted out on a regular basis. It was loud and the only way to deal with the road noise was to crank up the radio. Now that my Prizm is up to almost 200K miles, I actually looked into a used Metro. Just too dangerous. I'm not the best driver in the world, but I've been rear-ended and t-boned enough times to want a vehicle that meets modern safety standards. Man, these people in PA drive like NUTS.

So, I've answered your screed in a reasonable and polite way. Let's keep the discussion that way.

Chris F

A friend of mine test drove a Chevy Sprint, and his exact quote "like driving a cardboard box with wheels." I never drove the Prizm, but knew people who did.

 

[Chris F]

A friend of mine test drove a Chevy Sprint, and his exact quote "like driving a cardboard box with wheels." I never drove the Prizm, but knew people who did.

The Sprint was a very basic car. It had the 3 cylinder Suzuki engine and was sold as the "Swift" by Suzuki in the US. The best way to get to highway speed was to find a long downhill stretch. I think it was made overseas by Suzuki, but badged as a Chevy, but I'm not absolutely sure. The Prizm was a sister to the Corolla made by a joint venture between GM and Toyoda in California that produced both Prizms and Corollas. Mostly Toyoda parts. Its a good car, but at almost 20 yrs old and driven daily, its got a lot of wear and tear. Just trying to hold out another year-18 months.

 

[GeoStalker]

That's funny....my buddy is a retired engineer with MILLIONS!! He works on cars at a 5 acre spot near his house. Why did he build the Bogetro.......because he COULD! Why did Elio build the Elio? Because HE could. So settle down, my friend.

You still haven't answered the question.....who will drive the Elio....you, or your girlfriend?

 

[dunkybones]

First off, I really hope I am wrong, but there is no way Elio takes off.

Everyone here says "can't wait to see those MPGs"....So why do you guys and gals wait?

Many people with first generation Insights claim 60 to 70 highway mpgs.

I currently drive a 96 geo metro and fixing a 93 geo metro xfi. For the ones who don't know, the xfi got the best gas mileage and iirc it got 57 highway.

So why put $1000 on a car that may not be built when you could put $1000-$3000 on a nice geo metro?

You're getting some flames from this post, but I think your point is valid. I own a 1st gen Insight, and while I enjoy getting 60+ on the highway, it is not a very fun car to drive. I've replaced the battery twice, as the NiMh batteries proved unreliable and Honda has finally dumped them for LIon. The 1st gen Insight only sold 17,000 units during it's 8? year run.

The Elio is entirely unproven, and it may turn out to be an under-powered rattletrap. If so, it will eventually be derided as junk, like most economy cars are. If Elio makes a car that is both reliable and fun, it will still be a niche vehicle, and sell accordingly. They are promoting it as a 2nd vehicle, but you still have to have somewhere to park it, and the Elio is narrow, but it isn't particularly small. I'm hoping they eventually make the car, and I think they have a good shot at it, but I seriously doubt they will ever sell 250,000 units a year.

 

[Snick]

I've owned a 1990 Geo Metro 2 door hatch. It was my second car and my first new car. Paid $5,600 out the door and paid if off early. It averaged 46 mpg in the first 40k miles, and 42 mpg over the lifetime (had it for 80K miles, sold in 1996). The engines may have been 'bulletproof' in terms of not needing much beyond oil and plugs, but the rings and valves wore out pretty fast once past 40k miles.

They had very poor cross-wind stability and were LOUD inside. And zero power. To pass someone going 55 in a 65, it took planning, and stalking them, then POUNCE on the accelerator and wait 2 minutes for power to build!

I used to joke that the way you drove a Metro was to 'conserve momentum like a squirrel hoards nuts', and that's pretty accurate.

As far as the Elio goes, I really want one, and I secretly wish they would offer a kit option. I have the garage space and basic tools to assemble one. Could even do a little welding.

In fact, ELIO, please just send me the body, instrumentation, dash, and interior. I'll put a motor in it. I'll pay extra for the aluminum-framed version

 

[Trimotor]

I am wondering one thing though, how do you folks justify in your minds that the Elio will be any safer than a Metro?? Really? so you think an air bag is going to protect you from a F-250 head on or even a Mini Cooper T-Bone? granted it is a nice design, but a least use some common sense with your points...What I like about the Elio is the design and the use of tried and proven mechanicals from the long lasting and dependable Suzuki/Metro designations, but thats about where one can draw the line, the not so good, no luggage space whats-so-ever, no proven fuel economy, no proven safety test results, no real repair/warranty facilities (I mean Pep Boys, really?), and the biggest worry is why one would even consider putting money down on something without merit...I personally don't like throwing money at a "could happen", I can wait till they are an actual production item...here is a Smart Car which has the highest crash test rating in a long time...I mean if your going to use a picture of a Metro which others say has no rating...

 

[KN16]

From now on I am only leaving the house dressed like this, anything else would be too risky....