what mileage can I expect out of Geo Metro 1.3 L Auto

I am considering purchacing a 97 Metro with a 1.3 L engine and an automatic transmission. I know that the 1 L engine with a 5 speed can get up to 50 MPG. What can I expect out of the 1.3 L with Auto, power steering and air four door sedan? Are there any problems that are common to this model of Metro? I am told that the engine was replaced at 71,000 mile with a hole in the block. The car currently has 88,500 miles. There is an exhaust leak that needs to be repaired, but no other repairs are said to be needed. What would the value of this car be? Thanks for the help, I look forward to your replies. Tom

Maintain it properly (don't let anything go past service time such as trans flushes and oil changes and air filters) and you should have very minimal problems. CV axles are rare to go in the autos, maybe an oxygen sensor, coolant temp sensor, or a bad EGR. Proper maintenence should prevent these from going bad until about 150,000 miles. I would expect about 32-40mpg with the a/c off on an automatic 1.3. The exhaust leak will cause a loss in MPG because of turbulence in the exhaust system. If it had a rod hanging out of the block on the new motor, someone killed it on purpose. Never seen an auto throw a rod unless someone put a brick on the pedal in neutral and left it for an hour (insurance write-off). The 1.3's are good healthy motors if you take care of them, and the automatic transmissions are almost in-destructable when maintained properly. Almost forgot. Well, value on these cars is really in the eye of the beholder. A 97' auto LSi like you have with 88k blue books at around $2,200. You'd get about $1800 on Ebay for it, or a dealer would sell it for over $3500. So I'd say between $1,800 and $2,200 is a fair price for it if it's in decent condition. If it's in excellent shape, maybe $2500. But the newer dashboards have a bad habit of getting faded really bad from the sun.

I have a 95 with auto., getting 27 with air in town. 31/40 on highway with/without air. Listen to the GEOMAN in the above post. He has helped me alot with mine! Good luck!

Skip it. Find a 3cyl 5speed with air. Probably be cheaper, have similar performance, and better mpg.