Who killed the Geo?

[OCanadaOurHomeAndNativeLand]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geo_Metro

Ever drive one of those bad boys back stateside? Drive a kei-jidousha here?

Easy to park, great gas milage, cheap like borscht. I think Nader called them deathtraps. What do you think?

[Fonze]

I learned to drive stick on a metro. My wife says she wouldn't mind having one of those. I like the new smart cars though, not to pricey either.

[OCanadaOurHomeAndNativeLand]

Yeah, them Smarts (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_%28automobile%29) are interesting.

[OCanadaOurHomeAndNativeLand]

Classic Simpsons - Homer Terminator:

http://www.cartoonfeed.com/videos/The_Simpsons/The_Simpsons_-_Terminator

"I can't - it's a Geo!"

[P_chan]

They were good starter cars, but I wouldn't want to drive one everyday. Something about a lack of power steering in the winter, with lots of black ice, is a turn off. Now the geo prizim was a different story. That was a good, under rated, cheap, dependable car. Probably because it was just a rebadged toyota corolla. I think toyota got he crap end of that deal. Cavalier for a corolla!:D

[socalheart]

The Geo Metro... wasn't it "featured" in the movie Big Trouble? The running gag was the bit about the undercoating. Heh.

[P_chan]

Oh but you know what Geo was worse then the metro? The Geo Storm! That thing was a piece of crap on wheels! It didn't look too bad, but it rusted like crazy and it drove (much like the metro) like crap.

[Muku]

Out of 4 cars here that my family and I drive three of them are Kei-cars, they are great for here, particularly with the stop and go traffic and lower speeds in comparison to the states.

The only complaint I have is the one that is not turbo charged, that one is a pig when it comes to driving up hills here with me :w00t: and the kids in the car.

[okisteve]

Ever drive one of those bad boys back stateside? Drive a kei-jidousha here?

Easy to park, great gas milage, cheap like borscht. I think Nader called them deathtraps. What do you think?

Didn't Nader call just about everything a deathtrap?

I prefer to drive my wife's Kei-car to my "normal" sized car around Naha's narrow streets. I feel I am much less likely to smack a utility pole while dodging an oncoming car... Crazy!

They are probably a lot less safe for high-speed driving, but where can you do that on Okinawa?

Speaking of the Smart, I do see a few around but I think they were way expensive in the states. How much do they cost here? I saw one of the Smart roadsters here a few years ago - very cool-looking car, unfortunately now out of production. (The kei-car sedans with turbos are fun rides too.)

I have the hots for a Honda Beat or a Suzuki Cappucino - the wife is dead set against me buying a motorcycle, so one of those might be the closest I'll get.

[Muku]

the wife is dead set against me buying a motorcycle, so one of those might be the closest I'll get.
Join the club:w00t: With the emphasis on the dead here!:eek:

[okisteve]

Well, not exactly dead, but her brother got pretty badly smashed up a few years ago (roadracing), still limps.

[okisteve]

I wanted to start another thread about the funniest name of a Japanese car you've seen. I'll start with the fabulous GUPPY (Daihatsu?)

Other nationalities are eligible too.

[P_chan]

Speaking of the Smart, I do see a few around but I think they were way expensive in the states. How much do they cost here? I saw one of the Smart roadsters here a few years ago - very cool-looking car, unfortunately now out of production. (The kei-car sedans with turbos are fun rides too.)

I think the mid level smarts cost around 14,000 in the states. The basic model is about 12,000 but it doesn't even come with power steering or a radio. I also read that it drives like crap on the expressway. Engine is screaming, steering wheel shaking, and and you lose traction at the slightest bumps.

Oh and they do still sell the cabriolet in the states. They're not bad cars, but I would never drive one. Why drive one of those once you can get a Yaris (vitz) or Fit for less. The smart gets gas mileage of about 33 city and 44 highway. The Fit and Yaris get less then that, but you get more room, and a better drive. I think the base models of both the Fit and Yaris start around 10,000 dollars. But due to their popularity right now (being a new car and trendy to own one) you'll probably pay around 15,000 for the base model due to dealer markups. Wait a few years, and you can pay 15,000 for the top of the line with navi and everything else that's nice.

[Muku]

I wanted to start another thread about the funniest name of a Japanese car you've seen. I'll start with the fabulous GUPPY (Daihatsu?)

Other nationalities are eligible too.


There was something about this here somewhere, but I am lazy today so......

Nissan Homy (Homy in Uchinaguchi means vagina)

[okisteve]

Good market research, Nissan! Maybe they were inspired by the Mazda Laputa....

[DougP]

Yeah, them Smarts (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_%28automobile%29) are interesting.

Speaking of Smarts here's one with a GSX-R motor in it:thumbup:
YouTube - Smart diablo 2007
and the same Smart car racing a Ferrari
YouTube - Smart Diablo VS Ferrari 430

I don't miss Geo at all... never liked them that much. Saturns too:thumbdown:

[P_chan]

Awesome videos Dougp!:thumbup:

[Fonze]

cool vid but i thnik the diablo took of before the ferrari. still fast though.

Okistaeve i think there already is a thread about funny JP named cars on misc.

[okisteve]

I be looking for it.

[OCanadaOurHomeAndNativeLand]

YouTube - 9 second geo *~*

YouTube - BMW M3 vs Turbo Geo Metro Street Race

And many more...
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=geo+metro&search=Search

[P_chan]

Simply awesome:thumbup: That's what happens once you put a bad ass motor in a car that weighs next to nothing:D

[OCanadaOurHomeAndNativeLand]

My personal fave for engine transplants to small cars...

YouTube - Monster Miata

[P_chan]

I remember seeing a new pontiac solstice with a LS7 engine in it. That thing must have been a beast!