View Poll Results: Would you sell your bikes to buy a Geo Metro?
Yes
7
5.22%
No
115
85.82%
Maybe
12
8.96%
Voters: 134. You may not vote on this poll
Would you sell all your bikes to buy a Geo Metro
09-18-07, 06:23 AM
#27
.....
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Alternatively, something like this ('97 civic), for $3500 would have you rolling for 6 years, no problem:
https://austin.craigslist.org/car/425224773.html
https://austin.craigslist.org/car/425224773.html
Yea something like that civic looks great. Also dont be worried about to high of mileage. I have owned a 91 honda crx I sold with 216,000 miles and it ran great. I currently have another 91 honda crx with 205,000 miles and a 99 civic si with 112,000 miles.
09-18-07, 06:27 AM
#28
Code Warrior
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I would reccomend a GM like an older buick. They've depreciated a ton, have an engine that will run forever (3800/3600/3100), are cheap to fix, and actually get decent mileage on the highway. Sure, they're boats, but that pushrod v6 is a super durable engine thats been around forever.
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09-18-07, 06:29 AM
#29
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Should be able to find an older Corolla, Civic, Accord or Camry... A buddy of mine bought a new Metro 15 years ago. Someone rear-ended him going about 15mph and totaled out the car. Metro's aren't exactly bullet proof mechanically either. I'd look elsewhere as well. Good luck...
09-18-07, 06:49 AM
#30
Making a kilometer blurry
dude. worst idea ever. recommending an older euro to someone whos broke is a way to make them even more broke.
I would reccomend a GM like an older buick. They've depreciated a ton, have an engine that will run forever (3800/3600/3100), are cheap to fix, and actually get decent mileage on the highway. Sure, they're boats, but that pushrod v6 is a super durable engine thats been around forever.
I would reccomend a GM like an older buick. They've depreciated a ton, have an engine that will run forever (3800/3600/3100), are cheap to fix, and actually get decent mileage on the highway. Sure, they're boats, but that pushrod v6 is a super durable engine thats been around forever.
When I bought my TSX, one of the big deciding factors is that they are actually still built in Japan (Accord and Camry are built here now). I have too many friends, relatives, and neighbors with domestic cars and problems that I've never had to deal with.
My last vehicle was a '97 4Runner. I sold it with 100,000 miles on it, and it still ran, drove, and sounded new. Not one problem anywhere on it.
09-18-07, 07:46 AM
#32
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I have a 94 Toyota Corolla with 177,000 miles on it. Just replaced radiator. Other than that the car has been basically bulletproof, other than simple maintenance. My wife and I hope get to the 350,000 mile mark with it before we need to replace it.
Toyota and Honda are excellent choices. I would avoid Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, BMW, VW, etc. Too many problems for long term use.
Toyota and Honda are excellent choices. I would avoid Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, BMW, VW, etc. Too many problems for long term use.
09-18-07, 08:15 AM
#34
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+1 to old Toyotas. Those things last forever. I had 247k miles on my 86 Tercel before I bought my new Yaris. It was worth every penny of the $400 I spent on it.
09-18-07, 08:18 AM
#35
I'm fine.
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09-18-07, 08:27 AM
#37
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09-18-07, 08:43 AM
#38
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I'm hoping this thread is a joke. There are TONS of cars out there for $4k or under. I'd personally look for a Jeep Wrangler.
I don't think the ladies will mind.
Get a rack for the back for your bikes.
Jeep engines last FOREVER (IMO).
Much more fun to drive than an early 90s Toyota or Honda.
When you are older and married, you'll wish you had. . .
$3750:
$2950:
$3750
09-18-07, 08:49 AM
#39
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09-18-07, 08:50 AM
#40
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Don't buy a Geo Metro. Especially for $4000.
Follow the advice of all the people who said to buy a used Toyota or Honda. A Civic or Corolla will be much more reliable than the metro.
Follow the advice of all the people who said to buy a used Toyota or Honda. A Civic or Corolla will be much more reliable than the metro.
09-18-07, 09:12 AM
#41
guppy
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dude, i am getting a 2000 jeep with under 90K for only 2000. you can easily find a reliable car/truck for that kind of cash. i feel you on the grad thing, a car is nice, especially getting to and from races
09-18-07, 09:32 AM
#42
Portland Fred
I moved in new housing, where I am provided with a full kitchen with big fridge, but I don't have a chef cooking for me. That means I would need to buy food home to cook or need to go out and dine, both of which cannot be done without a car.
"desperately need" = "starving and about to die"
"desperately need" = "starving and about to die"
You needed a "hell no" option on the poll.
What's it like where you live? Part of the time when I lived in Urbana, IL (hot summers, cold winters) and was miles away from the nearest grocery store, I had no car and didn't miss it (or paying for insurance, gas, maintenance, etc). I used baskets back then, but they have great panniers now.
If you're in debt, you should try to figure out how to make things worth without a car. Life is 10 times easier when a huge chunk of what you make gets evaporated before you even see it.
4g's can buy a decent car. I wouldn't get a metro though. An old corolla or honda civic would probably be more reliable.
09-18-07, 09:37 AM
#43
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If I just take the question at face value, the answer is not only "no", but I wouldn't take a Geo Metro for free with purchase of a new bike. I've driven one of those death traps for about 100 feet before.
09-18-07, 09:41 AM
#44
cycle-dog spot
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I wouldn't sell all my bikes for a Porsche. A good one, I don't just mean the crappy 924's and 944's.
Speaking from experience, it is VERY possible to get through college without a car.
-Z
Speaking from experience, it is VERY possible to get through college without a car.
-Z
09-18-07, 09:41 AM
#45
Burning Matches.
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Be careful - that Geo Metro IS Japanese, but it's a Suzuki.
Suzuki/Isuzu were bottom of the barrel. Nissan/Mazda were spotty. Toyota historically always killed Honda in actual measures of quality, but people always seem to group them together.
Suzuki/Isuzu were bottom of the barrel. Nissan/Mazda were spotty. Toyota historically always killed Honda in actual measures of quality, but people always seem to group them together.
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09-18-07, 09:45 AM
#46
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09-18-07, 10:02 AM
#47
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I so wanted the mazdaspeed....uuuuuuuuughhhhhhhh dumb me.
09-18-07, 10:11 AM
#48
The Improbable Bulk
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Don't trash the Metro. I had a Chevy Sprint (the same car before they split from Chevrolet) and it had many miles on it when I got it, and it ran great and used almost no gas. It wouldn't win any races, but I bought it to get from place to place.
However, if on a budget, I wouldn't buy new...
The Metro level cars are meant to be driven for a certain distance and have no resale value once used up, but for local driving, drive it into the ground, and then throw it away.
Toward the end, my Sprint was still giving me 50 miles per 1 gallon of gas and 1 quart of oil, and I looked like 007 with a smoke screen driving down the road, but I could go forever on a tank of gas, and had no significant loss of power (not that it was a powerhouse to begin with).
Buy a $2,000 car that runs well, with good mileage and save the other $2,000 for a replacement if you need it... There are also the hidden costs regardless of car... fuel, maintenance (tune-ups, oil changes, the unexpected issues), also insurance, etc...
One trick I learned from a mechanic friend... If something sounds funny, get it looked at, because if the sound changes again, it only costs more.
However, if on a budget, I wouldn't buy new...
The Metro level cars are meant to be driven for a certain distance and have no resale value once used up, but for local driving, drive it into the ground, and then throw it away.
Toward the end, my Sprint was still giving me 50 miles per 1 gallon of gas and 1 quart of oil, and I looked like 007 with a smoke screen driving down the road, but I could go forever on a tank of gas, and had no significant loss of power (not that it was a powerhouse to begin with).
Buy a $2,000 car that runs well, with good mileage and save the other $2,000 for a replacement if you need it... There are also the hidden costs regardless of car... fuel, maintenance (tune-ups, oil changes, the unexpected issues), also insurance, etc...
One trick I learned from a mechanic friend... If something sounds funny, get it looked at, because if the sound changes again, it only costs more.
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09-18-07, 10:12 AM
#49
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I love the bikes but I need the cash. I am already steeped in debt so sadly I can't afford to take out any more loans for a car. Realistically, can I get a Honda Civic for around 4 grands? If so, what year? Also, I'm doing research as we speak, so do you have any auto forum recommendation for these types of questions?
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/car/425009460.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/car/424951731.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/car/424769019.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/car/424371139.html
09-18-07, 10:12 AM
#50
Twincities MN
I would not take the "engines last forever" endorsements at face value. There are other parts to the engine and over the life of a car you're likely to replace the battery, spark plugs, ignition coil, timing chain, or any one of the many parts that keep your engine turning. These days most non-turbo and non-supercharged cars (except for Toyota beacuse of the engine sludge problem) have pretty reliable bottom ends. Those days where you could bolt on a replacement carb, file the points, or blow off the sparkplugs, are gone.
Also consider that with a used car, you are almost always going to have to replace the battery, if not just that, the alternator. Tires are a huge expense, $400 every 3-4 years, and brake pads too, not to mention rotors.
So although character building, buying an older car is not IMO a good choice. My advice for every college student is to go out and lease a car like a Ford Focus or a Kia Spectra. This way at 36,000 miles when the brake pads and tires need replacement you can just return the car. You also get roadside assistance, and a warranty. What more can you ask for? Convenience for a 150-200 bucks a month? That's a good 6 hour a week job. I'd take that over gtting stuck with shadetree mechanics or your boyfriend's friend's friend who knows how to do brakes.
Also consider that with a used car, you are almost always going to have to replace the battery, if not just that, the alternator. Tires are a huge expense, $400 every 3-4 years, and brake pads too, not to mention rotors.
So although character building, buying an older car is not IMO a good choice. My advice for every college student is to go out and lease a car like a Ford Focus or a Kia Spectra. This way at 36,000 miles when the brake pads and tires need replacement you can just return the car. You also get roadside assistance, and a warranty. What more can you ask for? Convenience for a 150-200 bucks a month? That's a good 6 hour a week job. I'd take that over gtting stuck with shadetree mechanics or your boyfriend's friend's friend who knows how to do brakes.
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