Out with the New, In with the old (Subaru WRX Sti to Geo Metro)

[jedi_sol]

I haven’t been on Ecomodder in a while because “life” is happening. Some of you may know me as the “the guy who decided to Ecomod his Subaru WRX Sti”

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...log-26612.html



Well, I decided that I spend too much on gas on the STi. Thus, I am turning the STi into a “Garage Queen.”

So I’m making a quick little thread to introduce the newest member to the Ecomodding family.

The 1.0 liter, 3 cylinder darling of Ecomodder….








It even comes with a free ecomod


I picked it up today for $1500. It “seems” like a good deal because other Geo’s in the LA/OC/SD area were selling for $2500-3000K.

Pros:
1) Looks like previous owner installed a new brake master cylinder
2) Looks like previous owner installed new distributor cap and spark plug wires
3) No rust on the “suspension arm forks”
4) No rust on the wheel wells
5) SGii shows I achieved 53mpg on the drive home, AND I WASN’T EVEN TRYING.
6) Engine “seems” to run okay, It shakes a lot, but from what im reading, the 3 cylinder is not “naturally smooth.”
7) No Grinds in the transmission.
8) Coolant was nice green color
9) Engine oil was fresh (so I cant tell if it was milky or not)
10) No crusty oil deposits on the oil filler cap (see #9).
11) Body seams look straight, no obvious signs of accidents
12) Title is "clean"


Cons:
1) Craigslist advertised 167K miles, but when I looked at it today, the ODO had 187K miles….might have been a typo.
2) Rust on the muffler only, but it could just be a cheap ass muffler
3) Chipping/fading clear coat (as expected)
4) “Dashboard Cancer”
5) Sagging headliner
6) Air vents “flaps” have disintegrated
7) Battery is dead, I had to jump start it to drive home. It’s “possible” the alternator is bad….(another FREE ecomod).
8) Crack on the windshield

Short Term Plans
1) Basic maintenance (seafoam treatment, oil change, transmission oil change, coolant flush, new spark plugs, new air filter)
2) Work out all of the “gremlins” (try to locate and remove all squeaks, squeals, and rattles)
3) Dynamat the interior to reduce NVH
4) Remove back seat
5) Replace steering wheel (it’s disintegrating)
6) Replace Windshield

Long Term Planned ecomods
1) Make a new SGII custom mount on the steering wheel column
2) Cover up the passenger side mirror hole with a “delete plate”
3) Driver side mirror delete
4) Kill Switch
5) Almost OEM Grill Blocks
6) Smooth Under belly tray
7) Rear Diffuser
8) Almost OEM Rear Wheel Skirts
9) Almost OEM Partial Kaamback
10) Deep Cycle Battery


Is there anything about the car I should look out for?

[Gasoline Fumes]

If you do a lot of highway driving, a transmission swap might not be a bad idea.
http://www.metrompg.com/posts/tranny-swap.htm

I have a mirror delete plate for you if you don't mind a few holes in it. I have other Metro parts too.

[jedi_sol]

Thanks for the offer! PM Sent.

[Fat Charlie]

Originally Posted by jedi_sol

Short Term Plans
1) Rally Blue paint
2) Basic maintenance (seafoam treatment, oil change, transmission oil change, coolant flush, new spark plugs, new air filter)
3) Work out all of the “gremlins” (try to locate and remove all squeaks, squeals, and rattles)
4) Dynamat the interior to reduce NVH
5) Remove back seat
6) Replace steering wheel (it’s disintegrating)
7) Replace Windshield

Fixed.

[jedi_sol]

Originally Posted by Fat Charlie

Fixed.

I WAS JUST THINKING ABOUT THAT LAST NIGHT!!

Plastidip is finally being sold in CA in the gallons, so a rally blue metro is quite the possibility.

[Fat Charlie]

I'm just sayin'.

[ME_Andy]

That's an awesome switch, JS.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

These U.S.-spec headlamps seem to hurt aerodynamics. Compare it with the overseas version.

[jedi_sol]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

These U.S.-spec headlamps seem to hurt aerodynamics. Compare it with the overseas version.

Yep, that's what I was afraid of too when I was looking at the car. However, basjoos always says that the "back is more important than the front" (I'm paraphrasing, of course )

[jedi_sol]

Originally Posted by Fat Charlie

I'm just sayin'.

Don't tempt me...