1. Home
  2. Chevrolet
  3. Chevrolet Metro
  4. Used 1998 Chevrolet Metro
  5. Review

1998 Chevrolet Metro Review

4.6 out of 5 stars(22)
1998 Chevrolet Metro 2 Dr LSi Hatchback
Used Metro for sale
List Price Estimate:$364 - $866
See All Cars For Sale
Appraise This Car
Chevrolet Metro model years
cash graphic with confetti

Get More For Your Trade-In

1998 Chevrolet Metro appraisal values can range from $117 - $636.
Find out what your car is really worth in minutes.
See your car's value

Edmunds' Expert Review

  • Easy to park in urban areas, fantastic fuel economy with manual transmission
  • Slow, ugly, and cheap. Need we say more?

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.

1998 Highlights

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.

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 1998 Chevrolet Metro.

5(59%)
4(41%)
3(0%)
2(0%)
1(0%)
4.6 out of 5 stars
22 reviews
Write a reviewSee all 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
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
I'm a Metro Maniac and proud of it!
tishpit1,01/22/2013
LSi 4dr Sedan
LOVE this little bugger! It is an automatic and has enough pep to move out when needed, though no pocket rocket. Mileage averages in the mid-30 MPG range... on par with many new small cars. Could use an overdrive gear, but hey, for $3500 with 50,000 original well-cared-for miles... I'm thrilled! No car payments... easy to work on... fun to drive... great fuel economy... and lots of room. Wish they still made these! Wouldn't trade it for a new Fiesta, Mazda 2, Smart, IQ, or Spark or anything else I can think of. C'mon GM... bring back the METRO!!!!
3.88 out of 5 stars
If you're cheap, you'll love it
Joe,04/24/2006
2dr Hatchback
Ok, I admit it; I’m 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.
4.38 out of 5 stars
My Metro
metroman,12/31/2002
2dr Hatchback
I bought My Metro new (1998 model) and drove it 130,000 miles until I ran into a parked SUV. The airbag worked great and I got only a scratch. The car was 100% reliable - it always started and ran good. It gave 40+ miles per gallon. With the rear seat down, the hatch could carry very large items. I'll miss that car, wish they were still building them, I'd buy another. Now that I think about it, the only problem was an oil leak, at about 85,000 miles. Good car!
See all 22 reviews of the Used 1998 Chevrolet Metro
Write a review

Features & Specs

See all Used 1998 Chevrolet Metro specs & features 

Safety

IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
  • Side Impact Test
    Not Tested
  • Roof Strength Test
    Not Tested
  • Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
    Not Tested
  • IIHS Small Overlap Front Test
    Not Tested
  • Moderate Overlap Front Test
    0
More about the 1998 Chevrolet Metro

Used 1998 Chevrolet Metro Overview

The Used 1998 Chevrolet Metro is offered in the following submodels: Metro Hatchback, Metro Sedan. Available styles include 2dr Hatchback, LSi 4dr Sedan, and LSi 2dr Hatchback. Pre-owned Chevrolet Metro models are available with a 1.0 L-liter gas engine or a 1.3 L-liter gas engine, with output up to 79 hp, depending on engine type. The Used 1998 Chevrolet Metro comes with front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 5-speed manual.

What's a good price on a Used 1998 Chevrolet Metro?

Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, VA. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.

Which used 1998 Chevrolet Metros are available in my area?

Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 1998 Chevrolet Metro for sale near. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a used car from our massive database to find cheap prew-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the Used 1998 Chevrolet Metro.

Can't find a used 1998 Chevrolet Metros you want in your area? Consider a broader search.

Find a used Chevrolet Metro for sale - 11 great deals out of 14 listings starting at $14,613.

Find a used Chevrolet for sale - 9 great deals out of 10 listings starting at $12,292.

Find a used certified pre-owned Chevrolet Metro for sale - 9 great deals out of 18 listings starting at $15,886.

Find a used certified pre-owned Chevrolet for sale - 9 great deals out of 15 listings starting at $18,399.

Should I lease or buy a 1998 Chevrolet Metro?

Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.

Check out Chevrolet lease specials
Check out Chevrolet Metro lease specials

Related Used 1998 Chevrolet Metro info

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Other models to consider

Research similar vehicles

Recommended

Other models