# I drive a Geo Metro: Don't you realize that makes me a badass? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 25, 2002, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-drive-a-geo-metro-dont-you-realize-that-makes-me-a-badass/125534 "2002-08-25T23:19:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Linus\_Van\_Pelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@Linus\_Van\_Pelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linus_Van_Pelt)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-drive-a-geo-metro-dont-you-realize-that-makes-me-a-badass/125534/41 "2002-08-27T07:00:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Doc Nickel \* > \*\* > > -I take it you missed the April 2001 issue of _Hot Rod Magazine_ wherein they transplanted a Cadillac 500-inch V8 into a Chevette? > > As I recall, they ditched nearly everything (most of the firewall, the seats, using a fiberglass race bucket, carpets, padding, etc) and got the power-to-weight ratio to nearly that of a hot motorcycle. > > \*\* No, I didn’t see that one. (I’m not really a car nut, although I do enjoy looking at some of the classics). It must have been awfully strange looking. But the way I understand it from talking to a co-worker who races, part of the goal is making a fast car out of one that doesn’t _look_ fast. From that standpoint, a 6 banger is probably the largest that you could put into a Metro without major modifications. ---
**Author:** ![Kegg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Kegg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kegg)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-drive-a-geo-metro-dont-you-realize-that-makes-me-a-badass/125534/42 "2002-08-27T12:49:37Z")
I owned a Subru 360. A two cylinder two stroke engine. A foour whiled motorcycle. I loved that car. It had wind up key on top. (my addition) and got 60 MPG. It looked like a very slmall VW Bug. ---
**Author:** ![Kegg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Kegg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kegg)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-drive-a-geo-metro-dont-you-realize-that-makes-me-a-badass/125534/43 "2002-08-27T12:51:52Z")
I now own a 94 Geo Metro !!! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-drive-a-geo-metro-dont-you-realize-that-makes-me-a-badass/125534/44 "2002-08-27T13:07:21Z")
> [@](#): > > I eventually settled on North Edwards, CA as my place of residence, a God-forsaken rathole shantytown of a city We used to go to lunch at Bubie North. (I think Bubie Trap was in Lancaster.) It burned or was otherwise closed, so we used to go to The Office, out the south gate. Two hour lunches drinking pitchers of beer made for very interesting Friday afternoons a couple of times per month. Although most people didn’t over-indulge, I do remember one guy taking the entire very-wide hall at Ridley MCC to get back to the office. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-drive-a-geo-metro-dont-you-realize-that-makes-me-a-badass/125534/45 "2002-08-27T14:10:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Doc Nickel \* > \*\*And the third brand, I think, was the Daihatsu Charade. I’m not positive about that, but I worked in an oil-change place when the guy drove it in… had this _tiny_ three-cylinder and an oil filter the size of an 8-oz juice can. We could have parked three of them over the workbay slot in the floor, and worked on all of them, both ends, at the same time. \*\* While the Charade fits the profile of a small three-cylinder, it is not the next sister-car to the Swift/Geo and Justy. Different model. [Various Charade models throughout the years](http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22daihatsu+charade%22&sa=N&tab=wi), none of them like the Metro. Oh, and the Geo Tracker mentioned above is sold in Europe as the [Suzuki Vitara](http://www.greekhotel.com/crete/heraklion/mission/vitara.jpg), although I seem to recall seeing Vitaras in the US as well. ---
**Author:** ![Macro\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Macro\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Macro_Man)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-drive-a-geo-metro-dont-you-realize-that-makes-me-a-badass/125534/46 "2002-08-27T14:26:58Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Beagle \* > \*\* I think (almost positive, or one just like you described) I just saw it in a car magazine. That is where I got my idea for the compact car armor with titanium spikes I posted on Scylla’s thread. I like to tweak a good_ idea into something a little twisted. > \*or insane, your call \*\* I wouldn’t be suprised, because, as exterior rollcages for Geo Metros go, someone put alot of effort into it. Seriously, the welding appeared top-notch. Please, for the love of all that is Holy, figure out where you saw it. I have to prove to my coworkers it exists. The probable reason it was only going forty was that it was burdened with 1000lbs of extra steel. I can only imagine the poor little brakes on this thing. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-drive-a-geo-metro-dont-you-realize-that-makes-me-a-badass/125534/47 "2002-08-27T15:19:15Z")
My ex’s sister borrowed his 99 Geo Metro 2-door, and was in an accident with it. A bad, three-car, one-fatality (not at fault) accident. Say what you will about it being a tin can, but she lived when she shouldn’t have. She sustained only mild stiffness and back pain. Looking at the car, you could only tell it had been a car by the four tires and steering wheel. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-drive-a-geo-metro-dont-you-realize-that-makes-me-a-badass/125534/48 "2002-08-27T16:27:49Z")
> [@](#): > > **Linus Van Pelt** : …the way I understand it from talking to a co-worker who races, part of the goal is making a fast car out of one that doesn’t _look_ fast. This reminds me of a bit of legend from my teen years. Apparently, someone in the most insane circle of my circle of friends (ie; the circle comprised of UBC engineers,) had Frankensteined a V8 into a VW bug. The result was reportedly undriveable – too “back-heavy”-- stepping on the accelerator made the little bugger pop a wheelie. (Also the heat and noise from the engine, which occupied the back seat area, was unbearable.) I didn’t see this with my own eyes, and it typically was only mentioned after a substantial number of beers, so I’m undecided as to whether or not it’s true, exaggerated, or simply run-of-the-mill FOAF hooey. Like, where would the radiator go? ---
**Author:** ![Spit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/76d3ee/32.png) [@Spit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spit)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-drive-a-geo-metro-dont-you-realize-that-makes-me-a-badass/125534/49 "2002-08-27T17:18:28Z")
I drove a Metro once. [sub]Wait…A little background on me: I drive a Nissan Pick-up, (not a powerhouse by any stretch, but it gets me places fast) and I live in a rural area.[/sub] So my first experience with the Metro was a rental that I used to get from an airport, to a job interview. The airport? LAX. The interview? Ventura California. Driving 80 miles through LA traffic in a car made of Reynold’s wrap is NOT an experience I hope to have again anytime soon. ---
**Author:** ![Macro\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Macro\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Macro_Man)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-drive-a-geo-metro-dont-you-realize-that-makes-me-a-badass/125534/50 "2002-08-27T17:39:36Z")
Talk about Frankenstein vehicles. There is (was, it went out of business) a store here in Dallas with motorcycles with 350 Chevys on 'em. Yikes! [http://adcache.cycletrader.com/5/0/0/28160100.htm](http://adcache.cycletrader.com/5/0/0/28160100.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-drive-a-geo-metro-dont-you-realize-that-makes-me-a-badass/125534/51 "2002-08-27T18:24:25Z")
Ah, the Boss Hoss. Ridiculous machines for those with suicidal tendencies, and easily outrun by any 600cc sports bike on a twisty road. No, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Harp\_and\_Sword](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/9de053/32.png) [@Harp\_and\_Sword](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harp_and_Sword)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-drive-a-geo-metro-dont-you-realize-that-makes-me-a-badass/125534/52 "2002-08-27T18:59:24Z")
\*\*Wabbit, you’ve only got half the True Metro Experience. My first car was a Geo Metro convertible! Gas? What’s that? I also found out that, yes, the American dream is going down the highway with the top down and rock and roll on the stereo! She had over 100,000 miles on her when she died last October, and I miss her still, but like a great old love, it was wonderful while it lasted. Besides, with the top down, I could drive under 18 wheelers, and I did 70 mph in the mountains of West Virginia without batting an eye. \*\* CJ ``` I remember that car! Didn't I accidentally take it home in my fencing bag once? ``` 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Syzygy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Syzygy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syzygy)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-drive-a-geo-metro-dont-you-realize-that-makes-me-a-badass/125534/53 "2002-08-27T20:07:53Z")
Geos _must_ kick ass - I mean, even [cornering](http://www.sportbikes.dhs.org/Pictures20/img%5F4376%2Ejpg) looks like an adventure! ---
**Author:** ![Wabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba9def/32.png) [@Wabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wabbit)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-drive-a-geo-metro-dont-you-realize-that-makes-me-a-badass/125534/54 "2002-08-27T23:37:53Z")
Man, what wuss would drive a Geo with a helmet fer chrissake! 😉 And I never showed the seamonkeys the Geo–it would have corrupted their lil minds. Poor buggers… ---
**Author:** ![Feynn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@Feynn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feynn)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-drive-a-geo-metro-dont-you-realize-that-makes-me-a-badass/125534/55 "2002-08-28T16:15:07Z")
Wrap your heads around this… VW Beetle… 700hp F1 engine. ---
**Author:** ![coosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@coosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coosa)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-drive-a-geo-metro-dont-you-realize-that-makes-me-a-badass/125534/56 "2002-08-29T10:01:12Z")
I’ve always thought the Metro (and others like it) would be the perfect car for zooming around town - easy to handle, easy to park, fuel efficient - and if parking is _that_ bad, you can just stick it in your pocket and take it with you. 🙂 But take one out on the interstate? ::shudder:: No way! You’re a braver soul than I, Wascally Wabbit. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-drive-a-geo-metro-dont-you-realize-that-makes-me-a-badass/125534.md?page=2)