Retro Review: '91 Geo Metro Convertible

MotorWeek is made possible by tire.com rockauto.com and State Farm well hello and welcome again to MotorWeek 90 we're glad to have you with us this time of year a car buyer's fancy can turn to thoughts of convertibles problem is for the average car buyer most convertibles are kind of expensive they usually cost thousands more than the hardtop models on which they are based this geom Metro convertible is no different it cost a few thousand more than the Metro LSi hatchback but since the Metro hatchback only cost $7,495 to begin with that makes the Metro convertible one of the least expensive topless cars you can buy at $974 the geom Metro convertible is hardly what you could call an expensive drop top even with option our test car only comes to $1,866 but then the Metro is not a sports car like the Mazda Miata it's a simple commuter Runabout that offers the option of open air motoring it's also dare we say the cutest car we've seen in some time this tiny rag top elicited more questions and comments from strangers during its stay with us than the last Ferrari we tested but this is no Ferrari it's minuscule three-cylinder engine displaces only 1 L and produces just 55 horsepower and 58 lb feet of torque that's less than many current motorcycle engine and like a motorcycle the Metro convertible's lightweight allows it to deliver excellent fuel mileage the EPA estimates are 40 City 46 Highway we got 38 MP gon of course even lightweight isn't always enough to make 55 horsepower quick the car reaches 60 in 13.2 seconds it's 8 18.9 seconds before it crosses the4 mile Mark at 70 mph the power band is surprisingly flat for such a small motor though it frequently bogs down on launch so that fast starts take a bit of practice and engine vibration is quite severe even at idle but both the clutch and 5-speed manual shifter are light smooth and positive a rather odd contrast to the Buzzy motor braking also proves to be rather inconsistent distances are short averaging 100 13 ft from 60 MPH but poor brake pedal feel makes modulation difficult the front disc rear drum combination exhibits frequent lockup when cold with its short 89.2 in wheelbase and basic Econo box chassis the Metro is better suited to low to medium speed commuting than our usual sling through the cones front plow and body roll are in abundance and the rear end does the lombata without much encouragement from the driver the steering however is fairly slow a safety advantage with the short wheelbase and has plenty of feel high-speed Maneuvers require a firm hand on the wheel and smooth application of the throttle to maintain stability re life driving shows the Metro convertible in a much more positive light the ride is surprisingly comfortable for such a short wheel-based car easily soaking up railroad crossings and Rough Country Roads the interior is standard geom Metro the dash design is simple and uncluttered with large well-marked switch es gauges are basic and easy to read sufficient for a car of modest means and performance the seats are very firm cloth covered buckets that provide little support for the lower back and thighs but have good lateral support ventilation controls are simple well Mark and easy to reach in their center dash location as is the optional amfm cassette stereo its power is adequate for top down driving storage space is plentiful for such a small car with a large luggage Shelf behind the seats that opens into the trunk the trunk itself is quite roomy though the small opening and high liftover can hamper loading our car was one of the first handbuilt prototypes and not all of the top mechanism seen here was finalized for production first the multi-piece plastic cover is removed then the top goes up manually with little effort there is a single latch at the windshield and velcro straps for added support at the rear while raising the the top is more complex than the Mazda Miata or Mercury Capri the end result is a shape that matches the Metro's cute lines the geom Metro convertibles hits start with its price it's the cheapest convertible available we also like its Econo cute styling generous luggage space efficient Dash design smooth shifter and good steering feel misses are the uneven handling and poor brake feel we'd also like a simpler convertible top more seat comfort and less engine vibration in our safety check the Metro passes with a driver side airbag but it lacks a passenger airbag and like all Econo cars anti-lock brakes rear shoulder belts are a moot point in a two-seater so the Mazda Miata has a much more efficient top mechanism as well as significantly better performance but it also costs more and has a good deal less luggage space but offers an optional detachable hardtop Mercury's Capri will also outdo the metro in both performance and top operation it also costs more but has a rear seat and its own optional hard top if you're getting interested in having one of these compact rag tops it might be a good idea to warn you that it will only be initially available in 10 states and only about 3,000 will be made for the 91 model year if you're one of the 3,000 folks who can find one consider yourself fortunate sure it's no Mazda Miata but the geom Metro convertible will still deliver the best feature of of its more sophisticated competitors for a lot less [Music] money

Channel: MotorWeek

Views: 123,279

Keywords: MotorWeek, Geo, Metro, motor trend, retro review, old school, car

Id: 8k3bUrLW52k

Length: 6min 36sec (396 seconds)

Published: Thu Feb 23 2017