Wow! Still on the road!

[FUNX650]

Notice the trailer hitch?

Yes.

•I also noticed that this Metro has the LSi badging.
-With that designation: it’s supposed to have the
(high-output) 1.3L engine—capable of churning out
a whopping ~79 HP, and ~75 ft/lbs torque.

-I could be wrong, but IMO:
that’s plenty enough oomph to accommodate a
properly-sized trailer. {Just don’t run the AC,
if so equipped, while towing. }



Bob

 

[PaulMys]

-With that designation: it’s supposed to have the (high-output) 1.3L engine—capable of churning out a whopping ~79 HP, and ~75 ft/lbs torque.

Bob

Wow.

My 420cc Snow blower is factory rated at 22.3 ft/lbs. (just under 1/3 of the Metro).

I'd never attempt to drive one into the NYC METRO area, which is a conundrum in and of itself.............

 

[Desertnate]

Wow, all the ones sold in the midwest have been recycled into pop cans.

The way those things rusted, I'm not sure many had much left to recycle!

After driving a Chevette in High School, I'm pretty certain the Metro was a better car. The only advantage for the Chevette is the RWD which made it really fun to drive in the snow with the four-speed manual.

 

[Odrapnew1]

I just added the picture of the back of the car and the two hitch.


Believe it or not, I would love to detail this car. And give the top the RaggTopp treatment. I saw the owner get into the car, thought about approaching him, introducing myself and asking if he would like to use his car for a detailing project down here at the Geek - but alas - all too often when I've done this the owners think you're a nut case and don't want anything to do with your offer.

There's actually a similar car, same color also a convertible I see parked out in front of the local Firehouse Mike's here in Stuart. Next time I see it I'll get some pictures to show the exact opposite condition.

What would it take, about 45 minutes to complete a 2 stage on that size car? :buffing:

Yes.

•I also noticed that this Metro has the LSi badging.
-With that designation: it’s supposed to have the
(high-output) 1.3L engine—capable of churning out
a whopping ~79 HP, and ~75 ft/lbs torque.

-I could be wrong, but IMO:
that’s plenty enough oomph to accommodate a
properly-sized trailer. {Just don’t run the AC,
if so equipped, while towing. }



Bob

I was thinking the same "high performance" LSi comment.
I had a buddy that had an 88 Ford Escort with the 88hp 4 banger. He would turn off the AC getting onto the freeway so he was going at least 50mph when he got to the bottom. Let's not even talk about up-hill on-ramps.

 

[Desertnate]

My Dad's Chevette I drove in high school and college had the same issues with power, but since I grew up in Colorado the altitude made it even worse! I doubt the thing had more than 60-ish hp on tap at any one time.

One summer a friend and I drove up to a family friend's house in the foothills above Denver to do some odd jobs for them for the day. The Chevette didn't have enough horsepower to make it up their driveway! I could get around the highways OK, but the steeper driveway proved too much. After several attempts, we ended up parking the car on the side of the road and walking the rest of the way.

It's amazing to think about what you can get from 3- and 4-cyclinder engines these days compared to the 70's - early 90's. The first car I ever bought was a Pontiac Grand Am with a "sporty" 120~130hp four cyclider engine. The thing was a total dog even by standards of the day. Turning off AC was a necessity for on-ramp merging. Today, you have cars like the 2021 Ford Fiesta ST making 197hp from a 3-cyclinder engine and a Mercedes CLA 45 making 382hp from a 4-cyclinder!