When to call it quits with a Metro.

[dwendt1978]

My Metro cost me 400.00 4 months ago.

So far I've bought new tires, $220.00
New alternator $120.00
Gonna have to do brakes real soon, maybe $60.00?
Need to new control arms, $200.00
Probably this summer a radiator, (off ebay) about $90.00
Eventually New exhaust manifold, $70.00

Question is when do I say this car is a lemon?!?!?
One thing that drives me is with the car being paid off, if it cost me 400.00 a month in repairs, in 4 months the car should be brand new. I've said this in a previous post, am I right for saying such a thing?

[mtran2000]

I think the key to it is if the body and under body are in good condition then it is worth it to keep fixing a metro up. I have 1995 Metro that I am taking 3 prong fix it up schedule. Might be one thing a year but below I have them listed with #1 being priority.

1) Rebuild engine. Runs fine but uses some oil.

2) Have some body work done and painting. Overall in decent shape for a Midwest car just needs some rocker panel work done and a few areas touched up. A Arms look fine.

3) Headliner fixed, starting to droop. Tacked it up but eventually need permanent fix.

Since I store car in the winter, I don't feel that body will rust out which adds longevity to the car and worth it to me to stick some money into it and hopefully get it looking like a new one


Mark

Originally Posted by dwendt1978

My Metro cost me 400.00 4 months ago.

So far I've bought new tires, $220.00
New alternator $120.00
Gonna have to do brakes real soon, maybe $60.00?
Need to new control arms, $200.00
Probably this summer a radiator, (off ebay) about $90.00
Eventually New exhaust manifold, $70.00

Question is when do I say this car is a lemon?!?!?
One thing that drives me is with the car being paid off, if it cost me 400.00 a month in repairs, in 4 months the car should be brand new. I've said this in a previous post, am I right for saying such a thing?

[dwendt1978]

I do drive it in the winter. But I keep it clean. The A arms are in excellent condition which is one reason I think I should keep it. I try not to drive my 2001 Z-71 in the winter so I can keep it as nice as possible for as long as possible.

[mtran2000]

Originally Posted by dwendt1978

I do drive it in the winter. But I keep it clean. The A arms are in excellent condition which is one reason I think I should keep it. I try not to drive my 2001 Z-71 in the winter so I can keep it as nice as possible for as long as possible.

I would keep it and fix it up. Look at it this way, once you have it fixed up you will have a nice looking car that gets great gas mileage for not that much money invested. Start with getting car mechanically sound and go from there on cosmetic improvements.

look at E-Bay and see what Metros are going for. I think prices have doubled in last few months. Metros are a highly sought after car.


Mark

[GM Line Rat]

Originally Posted by mtran2000

I would keep it and fix it up. Look at it this way, once you have it fixed up you will have a nice looking car that gets great gas mileage for not that much money invested. Start with getting car mechanically sound and go from there on cosmetic improvements.

look at E-Bay and see what Metros are going for. I think prices have doubled in last few months. Metros are a highly sought after car.


Mark

+1.......They are now! Guys I work with a my GM Plant used to mess with me about my 1st 94 Metro, then when gas prices went thru the roof......Now they want to buy my current 94 Metro from me! Which would you rather have?

1. A new (Newer) car that gets between 20-30 MPG, and a Car Payment to go along with it..........OR

2. Your Current Metro that's clean, gets 40+ MPG and you've invested $1000.00 or so into???

My 94 4 Dr Metro is Clean (No Road Salt in the South).....It had a bad Engine in it when I got it FREE (Low Compression in ALL Cylinders).........a JDM Engine Swap fixed that, I've put approx over another $1000.00 In it since I've had the car in maintainence stuff (4 Years).......But the car has paid for itself in fuel savings and ZERO Car Payment......Keep your Metro as long as the Body and Frame are Sound and clean!

[tmax-metro]

Yup - if it hasn't been taken by rust, a Metro is always worth repairing. Low priced JDM engines, the durability/reliability, the amazing fuel efficiency with gas prices climbing, affordable and available parts, easy to work on - how can you go wrong! $1500 invested into a solid Metro with all those new parts is money well spent.

.

[brivers]

Unless you buy a new car, you would spend money on any car, tires, brakes, etc. On many cars you would have spent twice as much or more for the same repairs. At least you get good mileage out of a gallon of gas.

[Mike_Van]

I'd agree with those who say fix it until a structural rust issue makes it unsafe.