Was there ever a 4 door 1989 Metro xfi ?

[norurb]

Just wondering if the 4 door Metro is good for 40+ mpg. They are ugly, but the 2 door hatchbacks are so hard to find for cheap.

[Wyldesoul]

Nope, the XFI was only a 3 door, not a 4 or 5. However, if you get any of the 3cyl stick shift Metros, you're very likely to get over 40mpg. However, the XFI was good for over 50mpg.


But with more than 40mpg your goal, just make sure it is a stick shift metro, and you should be good.

[norurb]

Thanks.

[JanGeo]

I used to average about 53mpg in my 94 Metro 5 door (they count the rear hatch) with the 5 speed stick 1 liter 3 cylinder is the trick and breaking it in easy helps too. I didn't even get into extreme tire pressure until I got my xB so it could have gotten even more mileage.

[norurb]

One other important question...should I expect to see air conditioning in a 1 liter Metro? I hear it gets hot here in Florida.

[slogfilet]

A great deal of the XFI's fuel economy came from the grind on its cam. From what I understand, you can drop an XFI cam into a similar-vintage Metro and get a good portion of the gains.

If you can't find an XFI cam (could be hard to find), you could find a spare Metro cam and have it reground. I can't find the link, but I think there's a shop in Tacoma, WA that will regrind it to the XFI specs pretty cheap.

[norurb]

I have an opportunity to purchase a 1997 Metro 4 door 5 speed, 4 cylinder, for $1000. Is it possible to get good FE out of it?
It has working a/c, and 2nd gear wants to pop out unless you shift a certain way. Maybe replacing the trans fluid can help it. I don't mind replacing the transmission. While I'm in there I could throw in a good clutch and a light flyhweel, if I can find one.

[theholycow]

From fueleconomy.gov:
City 33 / Combined 35 / Hwy 39
I bet you can do decently with that!

[GasSavers_BEEF]

I had one of those for a while. didn't keep up with mileage back then.

one thing to remember is the 4 cyl is still only a 1.3 liter. as far as todays cars go, very small indeed. I think it was also rated around 85ish hp. it was a little peppier than the 3 cyl (had one of those too) at only around 55ish hp.

both did really well on gas though at the time gas was only $1-$1.50 a gallon so nobody really gave a rats ...... well you get the idea.

[norurb]

Originally Posted by BEEF

...both did really well on gas though at the time gas was only $1-$1.50 a gallon so nobody really gave a rats ...... well you get the idea.

Yes, I remember my first car in 1989. It was a 1982 Chevette and gas prices were $.89 a gallon. I could fill up cheaply and go all week.