New winter beater: base 2004 Toyota Echo vs. base 1998 Pontiac Firefly (Geo Metro)

[jcp123]

Most of my driving has been suburban and freeway driving. More urban-ish use is not my Echo's strong suit, but I think my auto trans hits it twice as hard in those cases. I use very basic techniques and it has rewarded me with more MPG per time and effort than anything I have driven.

I agree it is perky. It's one of the first things which surprised and impressed me with this car.

Its light weight is its trump card. Load it down with 200 or more lbs of stuff and it starts to feel a bit flabby all the way around (power, suspension, and brakes), and the mileage suffers noticibly too.

[MetroMPG]

Thanks for the info.

Out of curiosity: how close was your Ultragauge default to actual fuel consumption? Did you have to put in any calibration/offsets to reflect reality?

I'm seeing decent numbers from the uncalibrated ScanGauge (like the 50-55 MPG US trip bringing it home at 80 kph/50 mph), so I'm wondering how real it is.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by me and my metro

the days of the Metros are fading fast. I ran them for 8 years, there is only one left in my family now.

Yes they are.

I'm to the point where I'm on the hunt for a rust-free (or as near as possible) twin for the '98 Firefly so I have a ready supply of parts. ... Actually I've been looking for a couple of years now.

With the Firefly kept from road salt, and given how little I drive, it should last pretty much forever. I think there's a pretty good chance I'll be driving it for several more decades. Or at least until they outlaw gasoline powered and/or human driven cars.

[jcp123]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Thanks for the info.

Out of curiosity: how close was your Ultragauge default to actual fuel consumption? Did you have to put in any calibration/offsets to reflect reality?

I'm seeing decent numbers from the uncalibrated ScanGauge (like the 50-55 MPG US trip bringing it home at 80 kph/50 mph), so I'm wondering how real it is.

If memory serves, I think I had to calibrate it +13ish%? Not entirely sure. I'm a truck driver and several hundred miles from home

[MetroMPG]

I was mistaken: I thought the car didn't have ABS, but it does.

I heard the funny "ABS getting ready" noise for the first time today a few seconds after starting it. Then confirmed by jumping on the whoa pedal on sand/gravel.

[jcp123]

Huh. I didn't think the Echo's brakes were powerful enough to need ABS. I have clamped on the binders pretty hard a couple of times and it didn't seem anywhere near lockup.

Aside from the obvious differences, what are some of your other initial impressions of the Echo? Curious to see if some of my standouts and other observations line up with yours.

[MetroMPG]

I actually just said to Tim: based on just 150 km of driving, I'm solidly impressed with the car. For 12 years old, it feels surprisingly tight. No squeaks or rattles.

If it's not premature to say, it's probably the 2nd best car I've ever owned after the 2007 Civic, in terms of build quality "feel" & mechanical condition. Touch wood.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by jcp123

Huh. I didn't think the Echo's brakes were powerful enough to need ABS.

Well, I intentionally stuck the right side on sand/gravel, left on asphalt when I jumped on the pedal. My previous pedal stab fully on asphalt didn't trigger it.

[jcp123]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

I actually just said to Tim: based on just 150 km of driving, I'm solidly impressed with the car. For 12 years old, it feels surprisingly tight. No squeaks or rattles.

If it's not premature to say, it's probably the 2nd best car I've ever owned after the 2007 Civic, in terms of build quality "feel" & mechanical condition. Touch wood.

I wouldn't disagree with any of that. Bonus: timing chain is said to last the life of the car!

Ironically enough I found a couple of Metros with three bangers and stick the other day.

Anyway, good luck! Stick with it and I think you'll really like your "new" car.

[MobilOne]

It also has airbags and crumple zones, right?