Geo Metro or 280zx - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

TMW · 04-10-2016, 06:01 AM

So I'm in a predicament... Here's my situation,

I currently have a 1997 Geo Metro in amazing condition. Manual. Has ~200k miles but runs great, confident that I can get another 100k miles from it. Original paint, zero rust, interior great, literally the only Geo that you would ever say "Damn bro, that's a pretty clean Geo".

Then there's someone I know that has a 280zx. Overall body is good. Has the typical rust below the window. Rear passenger panel has a few dents and rust has started to kick in. Engine runs fine (from what he's told me) but overall in pretty good condition visually. ~115k miles. Manual.

I don't have pictures at the moment, at work, will get pictures as soon as a can.

He's somewhat willing to do a trade + some cash for the car (~$500). From this little bit of info, what would you guys do? I just use the Geo for daily commuting. Amazing on gas. The deal breaker is the fact that I know my Geo is superfuckingreliable and I'd hate to see it go for something that's on it's last legs.

Are there any major issues regarding this particular vehicle? is 115k miles too much for a car of that era? Any input would be nice. Thanks.

ZionsWrath · 04-10-2016, 06:03 AM

wtf no

Why wouldn't you just buy his 280 outright it can't be worth much.

Definitely reliable daily is worth more, even if not in actual $

TMW · 04-10-2016, 06:22 AM

I understand what you're saying, and I feel the same way. But at the same time, I've always wanted this car. At least in my area decent ones go for ~$4k. I got my geo for less than half of that. I'll post pictures when I get a chance. Right now I'm like 80% on keeping my Geo.

joe strummer · 04-10-2016, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMW

So I'm in a predicament...
Then there's someone I know that has a 280zx.

One of the few things I've learned over the many years- driving a cool car does not make you cool.

So why buy it?

TMW · 04-10-2016, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe strummer

One of the few things I've learned over the many years- driving a cool car does not make you cool.

So why buy it?

Because I like the car and really want it. Same reason why people buy brz/frs's. Not buying it for the cool factor. Wouldn't be driving a Geo if I was worried about that.

themadscientist · 04-10-2016, 06:45 AM

Keep the Geo, buy the Z outright. You will need the reliable transportation as you fix the Z.

Inspiration.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0SAB5lUYok"]ORIGINAL-RACING S130 FAIRLADY Z POWER - YouTube[/ame]

soulreapersteve · 04-10-2016, 11:30 AM

Keep the Geo.

Tcoat · 04-10-2016, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMW

Because I like the car and really want it.

Then why the hell ask us?

ZionsWrath · 04-10-2016, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Then why the hell ask us?

Talk him out of an impulse buy.

It's a bit more than a lady gaga magazine in the shop

ELLSSUU · 04-10-2016, 12:37 PM

Check for battery tray rust, firewall rust and passenger floor rust. Great cars. I had one for several years but you can hear them rust.

ELLSSUU · 04-10-2016, 12:39 PM

One more. Use a floor jack and lift it under each side door. If the door to fender gap changes its got more rust than you think.

Cole · 04-10-2016, 12:47 PM

Definitely keep the Geo. You're confident it'll go another 100k. Why even take a chance on something, unless you're ok with the 280zx having downtime, of course.

gtpvette · 04-10-2016, 02:52 PM

I'm not an expert,, but I've got two buddies that race Z cars had a 300ZX for 120K miles and slept at a Holiday Inn Express recently. Rust can mean a lot of work,,,, generally speaking the mechanical stuff is pretty reliable but if you have a solid DD might be tough to walk away from the Metro. What do you think the Metro is worth???

You might go over the Hybrid-z FOURM. Lots of good Info

http://forums.hybridz.org/

Ultramaroon · 04-10-2016, 03:36 PM

Look for a '78 Z, 76 or 78, I can't remember. Don't waste precious time on a ZX.

04-10-2016, 06:01 AM	#1
TMW Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Drives: 2013 Subaru BRZ Location: Lompoc, CA Posts: 46 Thanks: 13 Thanked 12 Times in 8 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Geo Metro or 280zx So I'm in a predicament... Here's my situation, I currently have a 1997 Geo Metro in amazing condition. Manual. Has ~200k miles but runs great, confident that I can get another 100k miles from it. Original paint, zero rust, interior great, literally the only Geo that you would ever say "Damn bro, that's a pretty clean Geo". Then there's someone I know that has a 280zx. Overall body is good. Has the typical rust below the window. Rear passenger panel has a few dents and rust has started to kick in. Engine runs fine (from what he's told me) but overall in pretty good condition visually. ~115k miles. Manual. I don't have pictures at the moment, at work, will get pictures as soon as a can. He's somewhat willing to do a trade + some cash for the car (~$500). From this little bit of info, what would you guys do? I just use the Geo for daily commuting. Amazing on gas. The deal breaker is the fact that I know my Geo is superfuckingreliable and I'd hate to see it go for something that's on it's last legs. Are there any major issues regarding this particular vehicle? is 115k miles too much for a car of that era? Any input would be nice. Thanks.

04-10-2016, 06:03 AM	#2
ZionsWrath Thanks Join Date: Apr 2013 Drives: BRZ Location: NY Posts: 4,163 Thanks: 5,989 Thanked 3,100 Times in 1,498 Posts Mentioned: 38 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	wtf no Why wouldn't you just buy his 280 outright it can't be worth much. Definitely reliable daily is worth more, even if not in actual $ __________________

04-10-2016, 02:52 PM	#13
gtpvette Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Drives: 2015 FRS - FFR GTM Location: Key Largo, FL Posts: 788 Thanks: 241 Thanked 829 Times in 381 Posts Mentioned: 9 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I'm not an expert,, but I've got two buddies that race Z cars had a 300ZX for 120K miles and slept at a Holiday Inn Express recently. Rust can mean a lot of work,,,, generally speaking the mechanical stuff is pretty reliable but if you have a solid DD might be tough to walk away from the Metro. What do you think the Metro is worth??? You might go over the Hybrid-z FOURM. Lots of good Info http://forums.hybridz.org/ Attached Images __________________ 2015 FR-S - One Day I'll Finish The Swap Last edited by gtpvette; 04-10-2016 at 03:13 PM.

04-10-2016, 03:36 PM	#14
Ultramaroon not playing cards Join Date: Sep 2014 Drives: a 13 e8h frs Location: vantucky, wa Posts: 32,395 Thanks: 53,053 Thanked 37,228 Times in 19,308 Posts Mentioned: 1117 Post(s) Tagged: 9 Thread(s)	Look for a '78 Z, 76 or 78, I can't remember. Don't waste precious time on a ZX. __________________ service manuals

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04-10-2016, 06:22 AM	#3
TMW Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Drives: 2013 Subaru BRZ Location: Lompoc, CA Posts: 46 Thanks: 13 Thanked 12 Times in 8 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I understand what you're saying, and I feel the same way. But at the same time, I've always wanted this car. At least in my area decent ones go for ~$4k. I got my geo for less than half of that. I'll post pictures when I get a chance. Right now I'm like 80% on keeping my Geo.

04-10-2016, 12:37 PM	#10
ELLSSUU Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Drives: FR-S, 951, Venza, Accord, MDX Location: Louisiana Posts: 56 Thanks: 23 Thanked 42 Times in 22 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Check for battery tray rust, firewall rust and passenger floor rust. Great cars. I had one for several years but you can hear them rust.

04-10-2016, 12:39 PM	#11
ELLSSUU Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Drives: FR-S, 951, Venza, Accord, MDX Location: Louisiana Posts: 56 Thanks: 23 Thanked 42 Times in 22 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	One more. Use a floor jack and lift it under each side door. If the door to fender gap changes its got more rust than you think.

04-10-2016, 12:47 PM	#12
Cole Not a troll Join Date: Apr 2015 Drives: FR-S Location: Canada Posts: 5,104 Thanks: 8,237 Thanked 5,399 Times in 2,694 Posts Mentioned: 266 Post(s) Tagged: 4 Thread(s)	Definitely keep the Geo. You're confident it'll go another 100k. Why even take a chance on something, unless you're ok with the 280zx having downtime, of course.

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