Faults:

The timing belt wore out at 68,000 miles. This caused the belt to slip on the pulley and required to be towed to the mechanic.

Timing belt crank shaft pulley retaining bolt snapped shortly after new belt was installed. Dammage to crank shaft end resulted in $1,300 worth of repair.

Disk brake rotors worn out at 120,000 miles.

Fuel injector and Electronic Control Module(ECM)failure at 120,000 miles. Fuel injector cost $450 to replace and ECM new cost $2,500 to replace. I purchased a used ECM for $175. Car ran for another 50 miles before leaving me stranded. The fuel injector is dumping fuel down the throttle body. I have not yet repaired this problem.

General Comments:

I purchased this car for very little initially three years ago -- $1,350. It immediately doubled in cost regarding repair to the timing belt pulley. Although it ran fine for the next three years (60,000 miles), it has broken down again and repair costs are near equal to its value. I maintain my cars very well and treat it like I want to own it for a long time. This car is a lemon though. When running it gives me good gas mileage and performance, but when it breaks down problems are major and not for the weekend mechanic to do.

Faults:

Interior upholstery has come undone from ceiling. Seats are in good shape.

General Comments:

After 8 years and 190,000 miles, this car still delivers 40+ miles to the gallon.

Have had oil changed religiously at every 3,000 miles and it burns no significant amount between changes.

Tune ups, tire rotation, and muffler replacement are the only other maintenance performed.

It is a shame this car is no longer manufactured as there is a need for it with today's gas prices.

There has been no engine work required.

Best part of the Metro is the money is saves you to allocate toward something else.

This is a perfect car for someone whose only concern is getting from point A to point B at the least amount of cost.

Faults:

Please note: that our family has two Metros, both 96's. One is mine, and the other is my wife's.

Metro #1 (Mine) : Blow head gasket 21,093 miles.

Blown tranny 45,000 miles.

Blown head gasket again 48,002 miles.

Blown head gasket again 67,023 miles.

CV joints went bad 72,000 miles.

Blown head gasket again 87,000 miles.

That's it for mine.

Metro #2 (Wifes) : Nothing.

General Comments:

I love this car! I drive it horribly, and my wife drives like an angel, so hers has no problems. Mine on the other hand is ready for it's 5th new head gasket.

These cars combined are cheaper to run, than our giant Astro van. Both get great gas mileage, and both are only $43 a month on insurance, where as the van was a little over $102.

Both are fun little cars to roll around town with, and both are so very cheap to fix, that I almost don't mind driving it hard. The head gasket for me is only $30, because I fix them and mill the head myself. Of course, I do wonder if the block itself is not well made, but I don't care.

In all, these little cars will go forever, if you treat them nicely.