1998 Chevy Metro Review
1998 Chevy Metro Review
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Used Metro for sale
Appraise This CarChevrolet Metro model years
Chevrolet Metro types
- Hatchback
- Sedan
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Easy to park in urban areas, fantastic fuel economy with manual transmission
Cons
- Slow, ugly, and cheap. Need we say more?
What’s new
The Geo badge is replaced with a Chevy bowtie. Styling is updated front and rear. The LSi's four-cylinder engine gets four valves per cylinder for more power and better acceleration. Second-generation airbags are standard equipment. Wheel covers are revised, new radios, new interior fabrics and the addition of California Gold Metallic to the paint palette round out the changes.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1998 Chevrolet Metro LSi 2dr Hatchback and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.64 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$127/mo for Metro LSi
Metro LSi
vs
$183/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
General Motors calls the Metro "the small car with big ideas." Big dreams, more likely. What we have here is transportation in its most basic form. The Metro hatchback and sedan are bargains on the new car market from a financial perspective, but they don't offer much value in comparison to other vehicles in this price range.
What else is even in this price range? The Hyundai Accent is, and it offers consumers more for the money. True, Hyundai's reliability record is unimpressive, but current indicators point to improved build quality in the Accent and other recent Hyundai models. In contrast, the Metro comes across as an underdeveloped tin can. Even Ford's underwhelming Aspire seemed to be a better, though uglier, buy, until it expired last year. We'd also investigate the Kia Sephia, which feels more substantial than the Chevy.
Metro sports dual airbags, and in the way of standard equipment, the base hatchback comes with very little. LSi models add little more than a few convenience items, but this trim level is the ticket to many almost necessary accessories such as a rear wiper/washer, remote exterior mirrors and an automatic transmission. A wimpy 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine powers the base hatchback; LSi's get a 70-horsepower four-cylinder under the hood that has been improved for better acceleration for 1998 by the inclusion of two additional valves per cylinder. While more sprightly than last year, the Metro LSi is still no drag racer. The base hatchback is pathetically sluggish.
For 1998, the Metro is spruced up with a Chevrolet badge and revised styling. General Motors evidently feels that the Geo brand has run its course, and is grouping all of last year's Geo models under the Chevrolet banner at dealerships. Fascias front and rear are restyled, and so are the wheelcover selections. New radios, new interior fabrics and a hot new gold paint color finish of the improvements this year.
The revised engine in the LSi helps the value equation somewhat, but not enough to sway our opinion. Why? A fully loaded LSi sedan can top $13,000. That's Chevy Cavalier and Ford Escort territory, folks, and they are both in a different, and much better, league than the Metro. Our advice in this segment? Try an Accent or a Sephia. If a Korean-assembled car doesn't sit well with you, get a nice used car. Chances are you'll be happier with it.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1998 Chevrolet Metro.
5 star(59%)
4 star(41%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
22 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
3.75 out of 5 stars
What's not to like
boaw, 05/18/2008
1998 Chevrolet Metro 2dr Hatchback
Never breaks down. More comfortable on long trips than my Subaru Outback. Amazing MPG. Great snow car with proper tires. Fun to drive. You can speed without fear of getting a ticket as cops don't believe their radar. Cost $8,000 new
4.75 out of 5 stars
Metro tons of power for small dollars.
mvlion, 04/18/2003
1998 Chevrolet Metro LSi 2dr Hatchback
Metro's are excellent cars for the small
amount of money needed to buy one.
Always, make sure you get a 5 speed.
Never, buy this car in a power and
mileage robbing 3 speed automatic. This
is the reason that it so hard to find a
used low mileage stick and so easy to
find a low mileage automatic. Expect,
to get 40 mpg with a stick Metro with
pretty good comfort and … equipment
levels. 1998 and newer models had
Fuel Injection and are much quicker!
3.88 out of 5 stars
If you're cheap, you'll love it
Joe, 04/24/2006
1998 Chevrolet Metro 2dr Hatchback
Ok, I admit it; Im cheap. We bought the Metro in 1997 for under $8,000 (including taxes and license). With the wind, it gets around 50 mpg and has never done less than 35. If you are a cheapskate, don't believe the lies about the Metro. The professional review is really misleading and lacks historical perspective. Compared to my other car, a highly- rated 2002 Subaru Outback, it … was a heck of a buy. Oh yeah, more comfortable, reliable and fun to drive too.
4.25 out of 5 stars
It's been a good car for me
JS, 04/01/2006
1998 Chevrolet Metro LSi 4dr Sedan
I bought a new Chevy Metro back in 1998. It now has 160,000 miles and is still running fine. I have absolutely no complaints about my Metro. It has served me quite well as a dependable, economical commuter car. It is very fuel efficient and has been very reliable mechanically.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1998 Chevrolet Metro, so we've included reviews for other years of the Metro since its last redesign.
1998 Metro Highlights
Hatchback
LSi
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 35 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $127/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 8.4 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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