The Geo Metro Convertible Was a Hilariously Basic Roadster

by Gabrielle DeSantis

With the possible exception of the Mirage, even inexpensive modern hatchbacks offer things that just a few years ago were solely for luxury cars. But once upon a time, that wasn’t the case. Such cars were often called ‘econoboxes,’ because, apart from fuel efficiency, they didn’t offer much. And admittedly, there’s something refreshingly honest about that—sometimes. But as Doug DeMuro explains in his latest video, the Geo Metro Convertible isn’t one of those times.

The Geo Metro “was perhaps the stereotypical budget hatchback of the 1990s,” Autoweek says

Modified 1990 Geo Metro | Bring a Trailer

It’s not around anymore, but Geo was a General Motors brand—kind of. Geo is the result of a joint venture between GM and several Asian automakers that saw the former bring in badge-engineered versions of foreign cars, CarThrottle and US News explain. It let brands like Isuzu and Suzuki sell more cars, and it meant GM got cheap, fuel-efficient vehicles without significant investment. And one of those vehicles was the Geo Metro.

The Geo Metro, later sold as the Chevrolet Metro, is based on the second-generation Suzuki Cultus, Hagerty and Autoweek report. Interestingly, Suzuki also sold the Cultus here briefly as the Swift, which survives in non-US markets.

Regardless, the Geo Metro was indeed very cheap. In 1993, a base-model XFi started at $6795, Automobile reports. That’s about $12,556 in today’s money, or about $2000 less than a new Mirage. And the Metro is indeed fuel-efficient, thanks to its low curb weight,1.0-liter three-cylinder engine, and five-speed manual transmission. Car and Driver saw a 1998 example return 42 mpg, tying a 2010 Toyota Prius.

However, as Doug DeMuro explains below, while the Geo Metro was cheap, it’s not exactly cheerful to drive. Or well equipped.

Even the Geo Metro Convertible is “hilariously pathetic,” Doug DeMuro describes

GM produced the Geo/Chevrolet Metro from 1989 until 2001, MotorTrend reports. The Geo Metro Convertible, though, had a significantly briefer run, lasting from 1990 until 1993. And at the time, it was the most expensive model in the Metro lineup. However, that didn’t stop it from being “capital-C cheap,” MT says, though not quite Yugo-level cheap.

For one, the Geo Metro Convertible has the same 55-hp 1.0-liter engine as the rest of the first-gen Metro models. It may be efficient, but it means 0-60 mph takes about 20 seconds, Car and Driver reports. DeMuro describes it as “dog slow.” Though admittedly, the efficiency-focused gear ratios in the XFi model meant it had even less power: 49 hp, Autoweek reports.

The rear 3/4 view of a blue 1992 Geo Metro LSi Convertible parked by a brick building
1992 Geo Metro LSi Convertible rear 3/4 | Cars and Bids

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On the plus side, the Geo Metro Convertible was the only first-gen Metro with an airbag, CarThrottle points out. Note the singular term, though. And like many classic cars, it has little-to-no crash protection, making for excellent visibility and again, low curb weight. Plus, just like on my Miata, the soft-top is manually operated, meaning you can put it up or down at a stoplight.

However, unlike my Miata, the top storage area is covered by a cheap plastic panel that DeMuro notes “seems pretty flimsy.” And there’s no trunk-release button or switch in the cabin. If you want to get into the trunk, you have to get out and unlock it manually.

The gray interior of a blue 1992 Geo Metro LSi Convertible
1992 Geo Metro LSi Convertible interior | Cars and Bids

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Speaking of the trunk, the Geo Metro Convertible has a trunk pass-through. But it’s not a removable seat or armrest panel. Instead, it’s comprised of two Velcro-ed ‘flaps.’ Doug DeMuro describes them as “vinyl curtains.” And while the roadster in the video has a luggage rack, that was an optional extra.

Inside, the Geo Metro Convertible demonstrates more of its cost-cutting origins. It doesn’t have a real center console and the seats aren’t supportive or comfortable. The side mirrors are manually adjustable, which was fairly common at the time. However, while the driver-side one has a proper adjustment ‘stick,’ the passenger-side mirror doesn’t. But, somewhat unusually, the roadster has A/C and a tachometer; my sister’s 2002 Focus lacked both.

It’s an “unlikely icon,” U.S. News says, and surprisingly not dirt cheap

Interestingly, as DeMuro notes in his video, there are still plenty of Geo Metro fans out there. And as interest in saving fuel as well as Radwood-era cars grows, the Metro is enjoying a bit of a comeback.

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As of this writing, the 1992 Geo Metro LSi Convertible in the video is listed on Cars and Bids at $5300 with four days left in the auction. And RM Sotheby’s recently sold a similarly-equipped 1992 Convertible for $4400. Plus, while both these Metros are essentially pristine, even high-mileage $1000 examples are surprisingly durable, Car and Driver reports.

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What Is the Point of Car Alarms?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Sometimes if you hear something frequently enough, you start to tune it out. Unfortunately, that includes car alarms going off. Car alarms have a reputation for starting their annoying blaring when trucks drive past or a kid’s ball or bike bumps the car. So what is the point of car alarms and do they improve car safety?

The purpose of car alarms

Car alarms were designed to prevent car robberies. First invented about a hundred years ago, they grew in popularity between the 1960s and 1990s. But, they turned out not to be too effective. 

When car alarms were a newly popular feature, people were more likely to check on the cause of the sound, says CarLock. It’s very easy to have a lot of false alarms, though, which has encouraged people to ignore the sounds going off.

People often disregard the alarm, assuming that it went off because it was too sensitive or was set off by mistake by the car’s owner. The Atlantic points to a study from the 1990s that found that 95 percent to 99 percent of the time when a car’s horn goes off that it’s a false alarm.

A study from 1997 cited by The Atlantic showed that cars that have car alarms “show no overall reduction in theft losses.” Dr. Peter Frise, the director of AUTO21, a Canadian government-funded research group on the auto industry, said to The Atlantic.

“Frankly, I think they’re a waste of money.”

On top of that, car alarms also wake people up and make a stressful and annoying sound.

Are car alarms effective?

The key fob of a Toyota Corolla | George Frey/Bloomberg via Getty Images

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The car alarm doesn’t end up deterring thieves. While some thieves might skip a car that has a car alarm, many assume that no one will respond to the sound anyway, giving them time to go ahead and steal the car even while the warning sounds are going off.

In addition, today’s thieves also have high-tech ways to avoid setting off the alarm. CarLock explains that thieves can “clone the keys or use transmitters and relays to mimic the signal of the car’s keys.” They’re then able to get into the car and start it up without setting off the alarm at all. The necessary high-tech devices aren’t that hard to get either.

Other ways to prevent cars from being broken into

Not that many cars manufactured today include a warning system, although drivers still have aftermarket car alarms added. Since they’re $20 or $30 (and up to several hundred), they are an affordable option for drivers hoping to add security.

There are other options that car owners can use to decrease the risk of a break-in or at least help get their car back. There are silent alarms that send a car’s GPS location to the owner without alerting thieves, helping owners locate their cars after a theft.

CarLock is one of these options. With this small device installed in a car, the driver is able to monitor the car remotely. Notification alerts will be sent to a phone app. A notification is sent if the engine is started, and the owner can track the car as it moves.

There are other alerts as well for speeding, harsh driving, and low battery, among others. The device is about $50 plus a monthly subscription.

Immobilization systems that can be built into cars cost about $500, but they come standard in many new cars. They require the car key (which has a digital chip) to be inserted or the engine won’t start. There are also ways to install a kill switch to disable parts of the car. And, there’s still the affordable option of the steering wheel lock or the tire lock.

It seems that there isn’t much point these days in having an alarm in your vehicle. Buyers also can’t assume that their new car will automatically come with a car alarm installed. But there are other options to consider for drivers who are worried about break-ins or car theft.

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How Many Miles Is Too High For a Used Car?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Buying brand-new can run you twice as much as a used car would. Pre-owned vehicles will save you more money in the long run, especially since you won’t be paying as much interest when you finance them. But, when going used, what should you look for in your car buying experience?

Auto City’s website talks about buying used cars and how much mileage is too much for a vehicle to have. It explains all the factors to consider when determining whether a car is worth buying or not. 

What factors should you look for in a used car?

No one wants to get stuck with a lemon that causes you to put more money into a vehicle you weren’t prepared to deal with. While there are several things you could look out for, there are a few important ones to keep in mind. 

One thing you should do is check a vehicle history report. This will inform you if the vehicle has been in an accident, and what the title status is. If you notice that it had an accident previously, that could mean that you could run into issues with parts breaking down prematurely. 

Another thing you should look for is problem areas in the exterior. Look for dents, scratches, and rust. While rust and scratches aren’t necessarily a sign of anything bad, dents could be an indication of serious trouble down the road, depending on where the dent is located, and how bad it is. Have a trusted mechanic check it over to see if any of these could be a concern for you.

How much mileage is too high for a used car to have?

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There are many factors that go into determining how many miles is too much for a vehicle to have when buying a used car. One is its history. How many owners has it had and how well have they taken care of it (if the information is available). 

A one-owner car that a granny drove could be great on mileage, but you might be looking at internal issues from the vehicle not getting driven enough. On the flip side, the vehicle may have quite a few miles on it, but you have the maintenance records to show that it was well taken care of. 

Of course, everyone’s situation is different, but on average a vehicle can put on approximately 12,000 miles a year. So, if you’re looking at a car with an odometer that says 86,000 miles and the car is eight years old, you’re well within that average range, which would be 96,000 miles in this case. 

What are some issues to look for to avoid buying a lemon?

As a car ages, you can expect some parts to wear out and break down. The thing you don’t want is for those parts to die right after you buy the vehicle. But, you won’t always know when they’re getting ready to go. Some will, however, give you clues to their demise, so you can pass on buying it and look for something else.   

One of the most common parts that wear out is the alternator. This device powers many of the car’s parts, like the battery, dash, and air conditioning. When it goes, the other items aren’t going to work either.

One way to determine whether it’s still going strong or about to die is by checking the brightness of the lights on the dash and the headlights. If they seem weak, it’s more than likely going to need replacing real soon.

Air conditioning can be very important to your car, depending on where you live. If you live in a hot area, the last thing you want is to be stuck without cool air while you drive in a hot car.

The first indication that it may be on its way out is when you notice the air blowing through it is cold but not as cold as it should be. A lot of things you can find when test-driving a vehicle you’re interested in. 

Cars, nowadays, come with many sensors throughout the vehicle. Each one collects data, so another device can perform its ultimate function. If a sensor is going bad, other parts can’t work properly.

The best way to tell if a sensor is going bad is to pay attention to each feature the used car comes with. If you notice it isn’t working quite like it should, more than likely the sensor for it is going bad. 

While you might see a vehicle with a high number of miles on it, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Many vehicles have gone upwards of 500,000 miles from owners that took very good care of their vehicles. Don’t be driven to find a used car with the lowest amount of miles; instead, make sure it’s been taken care of and doesn’t show signs of parts wearing out. 

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The Top-Rated 2021 Pickup Truck According to Edmunds Won’t Surprise You

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Sometimes the vehicles selected as best in their class can surprise us, but that isn’t the case with the large pickup truck for Edmunds. In fact, you could probably guess what they chose and get the answer correct within a few guesses. For Edmunds, there were a lot of great options for large pickup trucks, but their top-rated choice was still the 2021 Ford F-150.

A Ford F-150 | Scott Olson, Getty Images

The 2021 Ford F-150 is top-rated by Edmunds

The Ford F-150 isn’t just highly scored on the Edmunds rankings, it also received the badge for being top-rated among large pickup trucks. The redesigned 2021 Ford F-150 pickup truck takes into account all of the owner complaints of previous model years and works to provide buyers with an even better version of the already best-selling pickup truck.

The vehicle is highlighted for so many reasons, with an overall scoring of 8.5, giving it an average that depicts great rankings across the board for all of the many categories Edmunds takes into account with their extensive road testing and reviews.

Ford F-150 Pickup Trucks
Ford F-150 | Scott Olson, Getty Images

A range of trim levels, versatility, and options

What makes the 2021 Ford F-150 such a great pickup truck are the same things that have made it so great in the past. It starts at an affordable price but works its way up to higher sticker prices with additional options and features that might appeal to some buyers, but not all. Its history of reliability and safety options only works in its favor, too.

Among the variations in cab sizes, drivetrains, and trim levels, the 2021 Ford F-150 overall offers drivers a great handling and driving experience, passengers with plenty of space and comfort with minimal road noise compared to other similarly-priced vehicles, and enough modern technology and driving aids to make this model year worth picking over an older, used model.

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A new F-150 on the horizon

In the past several weeks, Ford has hinted at a new, major change for the popular pickup truck. The new Ford F-150 Lightning, which is just days from an official debut, is the next generation for the popular pickup truck, aiming to stretch the car’s history into the next generation of vehicles. While it may be controversial to some truck enthusiasts, Ford has hinted that the new Ford F-150 Lightning will be a completely electric model, which will be a huge step for the automotive industry as a whole.

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The heritage of the Ford F-150 is part of what buyers love about the pickup truck, and as it continues to grow and adapt with the changing market, it will make many Ford enthusiasts and fans proud to see the F-150 doing so well with a new redesign, with a major game-changing upgrade just ahead on the horizon.

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