1999 Chevy Metro Review
1999 Chevy Metro Review
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Used Metro for sale
Appraise This CarChevrolet Metro model years
Chevrolet Metro types
- Sedan
- Hatchback
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Inexpensive, great gas mileage, large dealer network.
Cons
- Inexpensive looking, buzzy base motor, base model too base.
What’s new
After getting a makeover last year to mark its move from the old Geo nameplate to the Chevrolet model family, the Metro is a carryover product for 1999, save for the addition of two new exterior colors: Dark Green Metallic and Silver Metallic.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1999 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 $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$123/mo for Metro LSi
Metro LSi
vs
$179/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
General Motors calls the 1999 Metro "the fun, economical compact car with a high gas mileage rating and low purchase price." Fair enough, being that most compact cars are economical and get good gas mileage. But what we have here is automotive transportation in its most basic form. The Metro hatchback coupe and sedan are actually subcompacts, and as entry-level products in the Chevy lineup they carry the lowest sticker prices, especially in base form. But as any good comparison shopper will tell you, a bargain is only a bargain in comparison to what else is available for the same price.
So what other vehicles are even available in this class? Chevy lists only two direct competitors for the Metro, both of them imports: the Hyundai Accent and the Kia Sephia. True, Hyundai's reliability record is unimpressive, but recent indicators point to improved build quality in the Accent, which has a longer list of standard equipment than the little Chevy. And for our money, Kia's Sephia feels more substantial than the Canadian-built Metro. In contrast, the Metro comes across as a tinny, bare bones econocar.
Metro does feature dual depowered airbags, but in the way of standard equipment the base hatchback comes with little else. LSi models add a few convenience items, but this trim level is the ticket to many much-desired accessories such as remote exterior mirrors, a rear wiper/washer and an automatic transmission. A tiny, 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine attempts to motivate the base Metro coupe with its 55 horsepower, but we know of some personal watercraft with more oomph. The LSi coupe and sedan get a 79-horsepower four-cylinder that was improved last year with the inclusion of two additional valves per cylinder. Still, the Metro LSi is no stoplight sprinter, and the base hatchback is pathetically sluggish.
For '99, General Motors was content to ride out the Metro's year-old freshening, which had included redesigned front and rear facias, restyled wheelcovers, new radios and interior fabrics, as well as new badging, courtesy of the Geo brand being replaced by Chevrolet's familiar bow tie.If a revised engine and exterior window dressing couldn't sway us last year, then obviously the new paint colors for 1999 aren't going to do much to change our opinion of the baby Chevy. Why not? Because a fully loaded LSi sedan can still top $13,000. That's Chevy Cavalier and Ford Escort territory, folks, and they are both in a different and, let's face it, a much better league than the Metro. Our advice in this segment remains to try the Accent or a Sephia. If a Korean-assembled car doesn't sit well with you, get a nice used car. You might be happier with it.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1999 Chevrolet Metro.
5 star(59%)
4 star(38%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(3%)
1 star(0%)
34 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 1999 Chevrolet Metro, so we've included reviews for other years of the Metro since its last redesign.
1999 Metro Highlights
Sedan
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 35 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $123/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 10.3 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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