1996 Geo Metro Review
1996 Geo Metro Review
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Used Metro for sale
Appraise This CarGeo Metro types
- Hatchback
- Sedan
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
A zoned rear window defroster clears the center of the Metro's tiny rear backlight first, base coupes get dual exterior mirrors and LSi coupes get hubcaps and body-color bumpers.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1996 Geo 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
$113/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 if early indications are correct, it offers consumers much more for the money. True, Hyundai's aren't notoriously reliable, but the Accent benefits from a new engine and technologies that have often been reserved for higher echelon automobiles. In contrast, the Metro comes across as an underdeveloped tin can. Even Ford's underwhelming Aspire seems to be a better, though uglier, buy.
Metro sports dual airbags, and in the way of standard equipment, the hatchback comes with very little. The base sedan is better appointed, and LSi models add little more than a few convenience items. A wimpy 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine powers the hatchback; other Metros get a 70-horsepower four cylinder as an upgrade. While more sprightly than a comparably equipped Ford Aspire, the Metro LSi is still no drag racer. The base hatchback is even more sluggish.
For 1996, the Metro is spruced up with four new exterior colors and added equipment content for all models. This helps the value equation somewhat, but not enough to sway our opinion. LSi coupes benefit from this strategy the most, getting body color bumpers and standard 7-spoke wheel covers, as well as remote outside mirrors and a map pocket on the front passenger seat. It looks better, that's for sure. Also new is a "zoned" rear window defogger that clears the center of the glass first.
A fully loaded LSi sedan can top $13,000. That's Geo Prizm territory, folks, and the Prizm is in a different league than the Metro. Our advice in this segment? Try an Accent. If a Hyundai 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 1996 Geo Metro.
5 star(36%)
4 star(55%)
3 star(9%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
33 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
best little car ever built! mine is an automatic..
Brenda Cea-Collazo, 02/21/2015
1996 Geo Metro LSi 2dr Hatchback
I've owned my geo since 2006 (I'm the 3rd owner) n love every minute of her , nicknamed her ladybug, since she's red....only have done the basic maintenance, except recently had to get brake work, and radiator hoses replaced plus the timing belt n water pump replaced...since I drive in town n not much on the highway I know that does a lot of wear n tear on a car n in our desert it is … even more brutal...I got the car at 154,000 it is now close to 204,000....UPDATED 2/23/17 still own my little red car, mileage a little over 225,000!! still running good!..................UPDATE....2/25/18 still own this gem n its over 236,000 miles! still runs great....:) ****9/11/2018 just a bit over 243,000...runs good still....**** :( in 7/2019 my lady bug went to car heaven after I was struggling with work n trying keep up with maintenance n let an important repair not get done...I was on the freeway n it sputtered n I pulled over n it died forever (254,000 + miles)...she was a good little car!! r.i.p. lady bug <3
3.75 out of 5 stars
?
Marvelous Marv, 10/13/2010
1996 Geo Metro LSi 4dr Sedan
I drive to work, all freeway speeds and on the "flat". ONE WAY, BUMPER TO BUMPER. No need to pass. Zero acceleration at this speed, but more than need acceleration in town.Have air conditioning, is adequate with tinted windows to keep comfortable at 100 degrees after 10-15 minutes of cooling. Will not stay cool at idling--needs 1500-200 rpm to cool. Adequately. Added cruise control-- … millage increased from 42 mpg to 45.6 mpg at 50-60 mph with this change. Nothing breaks, excellent car but VERY NOISY--have double insulated doors with Dynomat sound insulation, it helped ---now I can tell the noise is coming from the floor-- 95-98 db--OSHA action time for this amount of noise is 15 minutes.
3.63 out of 5 stars
duck on a junebug
michael, 09/12/2009
1996 Geo Metro 2dr Hatchback
I love this car. I purchased my 96 metro 5 speed for only 800.00. At first (being a bigger guy) I was actually embarrassed to be seen in it, then as I would drive by the fuel pumps, and see people standing at the pumps looking all depressed, I learned to smile as I drove past them. As far as acceleration... Don't need it. I just leave a little earlier going somewhere and as people pass … me I just think"go ahead, burn all your gas up... Don't care."as far as parking, it's like parking a go-cart.......... Bottom line........... I love this car!
3.5 out of 5 stars
Gets the job done cheaply
Rich, 07/29/2010
1996 Geo Metro LSi 2dr Hatchback
Bought it in November 08 after going bankrupt, needed a cheap car that got great mileage to drive my 120 mile round trip to work 5-6 days a week. Paid $600 with 110k miles on it, wasn't running at the time. Previous owner was a kid who destroyed a new clutch he put in. I put in a new clutch, starter, left axle, and plugs/wires and drove it to 140k without any problems. Replaced … timing belt/water pump and it now has 173k. Cost $19 to fill up for 300 miles. Been in a minor fender bender and keeps running. Can't complain for the price I paid and cost of ownership, I'd get another! It won't win any races or win any awards for looks or comfort, but it goes from A to B.
1996 Metro Highlights
Hatchback
LSi
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 40 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $113/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 8.4 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
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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