Need some advice

[meemooer]

Alright heres the low down. Last year i was offroading, and sucked some water up. Bad, very bad. On top of that kept overheating. So it's been a year and almost a month since, and about 16K mi's. I really need to put an engine in my truck. I have to add at least 5 qt's of oil a week. I get 16~18mpg with a 80mi round trip to work.I owe 10 grand on it, and i need a truck quite often, so selling/trading in is not an option.
Now i found 2 engines for a reasonable amount one for $600 that is local with "8000 mi" and one 2-3 hours away for $800, with 38K but it's someone on a forum that i've spoken with many times.
Here's the dilemma, i found a '94 Geo Metro for sale on ebay for cheap [right now] but it's in town. So i'm stumped. Should i take the gamble on a potential very high FE car, or ignore it and fix what i got.
I should mention that saving is hard for me right now, trying to climb out of some bad debt and i spend 130-170 a week on gas, and barely make 500 before tax.
I'm going to call the place tomorrow and go take a look. I can get a jumper pack to test it, plus i have fuses with me. I know i should check where the lower arms meet on the frame.
So what do you all think?

[bhazard]

The metro is the obvious choice as long as it runs and drives okay. Youll spend less than half of what you spend now in gas, maybe even a third. So youll be saving a lot more money and the car will pay for itself in no time.

[SVOboy]

Go for the metro! Let us know if it checks out alright.

[MetroMPG]

Do the math - if it's a 5-speed 3-cyl in passable mechanical condition, the Metro will get you 40-45 mpg in mixed driving without even trying. Add free/cheap mods and a moderate effort at driving technique and 50-55 is easily within reach.

Depending on insurance, you might even save enough cash to pay for part of your truck's engine replacement.

[meemooer]

ok, i think i will go with the metro. I'm going to bid tonight, and when i call them to go see it tomorrow offer to buy it cash. Anyone have carfax to run the vin for me? couple questions on these though. I carry fuses in the truck, but do metros use the regular ATA[i think thats what they are] or the mini ATA fuses, the blade kind, big or small? what else should i check out specifically? I used to help appraise used cars, and know my way around them well, so the obvious is covered.

[MetroMPG]

Not sure about the fuses, but as for what to look for in a used Metro, see post #4 here - http://forum.ecomodder.com/showthrea...975.html?t=975

[ebacherville]

Yeah id go for the metro too.. you'll save some cash in a short time to get a new motor for the truck.. I totally under stand the need for a truck, however i only drive mine when i need a truck.. and my truck is a mid size and gets 25mpg..

[meemooer]

well i went a check the Geo out this morning. Not too bad, but i couldn't get it running.
First off, hood was propped against front bumper, drivers side was soaked and the car smelled[no big deal, i'm a detailer] the window was there, but the front of it was dropped into the door. So i pull the plugs, not too bad, black, some brown in a spot on each, and white on top half. So i spray them off with brake cleaner, put them back in, check the radiator and it's empty. squeeze both hoses and i can hear air somewhere. Not good.
Hook up a battery jumper and it cranks away, sounds like it's trying to hit, but either some blow by on a cylinder or a head gasket. Look under the car, and the floorboards are fine, the front where the control arms are... i don't know what they are supposed to look like but if these are good, then those are scary.
Checked the auction and it's a bit higher now then previously and i'm thinking i'm going to pass on this one. I don't know how much it would take to get this going reliably.
But thanks for the help all, I guess i will continue trying to get better mileage out of my Ranger.

[MetroMPG]

... while continuing to look for a more efficient beater?

Too bad this one was a dud.

The window lift mechanism is not an uncommon problem. In the winter, the glass freezes to the seals, and people torque the works by trying too hard to open it with the crank. (That's my theory and I'm sticking to it.)