Ecomodding my winter beater: a unicorn no-rust (*) 2000 Chevrolet Metro 1.0 5-spd

[MetroMPG]

Yeah, that would be an identity crisis!



You know, I think I even registered "InsightMPG.com" back when I had one of those.

[MetroMPG]

The SG was a little screwed up on this tank, so I was misled into thinking I was in line for another 70+ mpg result. Instead I fell just shy at 69.4.


That's what happens when you drive to achieve a target MPG, which I typically do (I aim for 70 in nice weather on back road trips, adjusting my cruising as wind/temperature permits).


But I'm getting sick of this car.

Last week I fixed the busted muffler -- I welded/bubble-gummed it back together. I also fixed the brake line -- cut out the rusted section and flared/bolted in a new piece. (Fumes, I couldn't find nickel/copper at my usual parts store, so steel it is, and a promise to regularly do plenty of anti-rust spray.)


While I was under the car fixing the brakes on Friday I noticed a tear in one of the CV boots and made a mental note to address it soon. But wouldn't you know it, the joint started clicking on a weekend trip.



Grr.


It's hard to hate a $1200 car that reliably delivers 70 MPG in good weather. But I'm getting there!


I'm having a hard time deciding what to do. Stick with Team Suzukiclone, or head toward that shimmering Mirage.



One thing I do know is I shouldn't be putting so many miles on this "winter beater", considering its the most worn-out of my 3 road-worthy vehicles. I should be using it exclusively in the November through February time frame.

[19bonestock88]

I can relate to the struggle... stuff constantly breaking can really dampen one’s feelings toward their car...

[iikhod]

Think positive, those are still cheap&easy to fix.

[mpg_numbers_guy]

Originally Posted by 19bonestock88

I can relate to the struggle... stuff constantly breaking can really dampen one’s feelings toward their car...

That was me when the O2 sensor went bad on my Civic.

[Xist]

Yeah, just don't actually fix your cars...

[Gasoline Fumes]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

I'm having a hard time deciding what to do. Stick with Team Suzukiclone, or head toward that shimmering Mirage.



One thing I do know is I shouldn't be putting so many miles on this "winter beater", considering its the most worn-out of my 3 road-worthy vehicles. I should be using it exclusively in the November through February time frame.

I'd be more concerned with rust than anything major wearing out. You should stick with Team Suzukiclone, but I'd also like to see what you can do with a Mirage!

[Shaneajanderson]

Originally Posted by Gasoline Fumes

I'd be more concerned with rust than anything major wearing out. You should stick with Team Suzukiclone, but I'd also like to see what you can do with a Mirage!

Even then, it seems like the metros are fairly easy to do rust repair on. Mine isn't even rusty other than the rockers a little bit, and I've thought about adding some square tube bracing underneath just for a little extra structure. I wonder if that's been done before?

[MetroMPG]

^ You know about the Metro's rust-related Achilles Heel, right? The front control arm mounts rot from the inside out owing to water getting inside the structure.

---

I re-packed the CV joint with grease (there wasn't much left in there) and covered the boot with gorilla tape and zip ties. That's what it's come to!


I wish I'd kept the spare axles when we made the ForkenSwift.


Anyway, the joint is quieter -- I could only cause it to make noise in one tight turn, though I didn't exactly punish test it. We'll see how long the "repair" lasts... someone on GMF said their gorilla-taped-up boot lasted many thousands of miles. Considering I put about 4k km / 2500 miles a year on this car, I'd be perty happy if the tape-boot lasted that long.

[Xist]

People replace rusted panels with new sheet metal, right?

What if it is really dented?