[Cardinal Grammeter]

I drove a 91 Metro for 3 years with no compression in SW Pennsylvania where there are lots of hills.

#1) If you run taller tires, all bets are off and you will have problems pulling out on hills. Not necessarily problems, but you will abuse the clutch.

#2) I've learned a lot about energy management driving a low powered car. For one, taking the correct "line" through a corner, as if you were racing on a road course, will preserve the most energy for the hill that follows.

#3) You must not be bashful running to redline. That is where the HP is and you need to get there to make the car scoot.

#4) Still enough HP for aggressive driving which is a must have for me.

#5) It is exciting driving on the Interstate - you have to make "racing type" decisions almost constantly. No time to fall asleep at the wheel which I am notorious for (!)

And MOST IMPORTANT: It's NOT about HP. It's about HP/Weight Ratio. 70HP in a 1600# car is like 105HP in a 2400# car. The Metros and Sprints are in Lotus Land when it comes to weight. There are no other "modern" makes/models that come close - in fact under 2000# is nearly impossible. The 1600-1700# achieved by them is truly amazing.