should i buy it?

[bub2006]

I need you sensible folk to talk me out of making a stupid decision. Been offered a car by a friend. Austin metro vanden plas. F plate 1.3 automatic with electric windows etc. Body seems structurally sound and was their daily driver till it developed a fault. They said its something to do with the dizzy vacuum pipes? All original with vdp trims on the wheels (could be alloys,cant remember now!) did mention 600 quid as a starting point. What is it actually worth? Any issues to look for,auto box an issue etc. Or should I just run away? Thanks

[EssDeeWon]

The VDP Metro's did come with plastic trims.

[Guest Lord Sward]

Class.  Buy it.

[Doctormop]

DO NOT BUY IT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES

It's old and will be unreliable and dangerous, a 2013 Kia Picanto with balance of manufacturers warranty remaining would be a far safer bet.

[chaseracer]

It's probably the only F-plate Metro VDP badermatic left.  Buy it immediately.

[dollywobbler]

Do you want a Metro? If you do, buy it, if you don't, don't buy it. 

[Sigmund Fraud]

A Metro.

With an automatic gearbox.

And running issues.

For £600.

 

No sane person would buy this thing.

 

But it must* be saved, and it is your duty* as an Autoshitter to buy it !

[trigger]

Sounds nicer than a Citroen ZX.

[bub2006]

Just text her to ask about mileage etc and its got 32k on clock and history with it. She owned I approximately 8 years. Last started 6 month ago but is parked on hard standing ground. And no doctormop I refuse to pay finance on any car let alone a modern!

[bub2006]

I loved my old rover metro GTa but unsure what to look for on the car or any known problems with metros. Its a shame to see it sat doing nothing. She has said though that she has had a few folk wanting the engine out of it.

[oman5]

I had one! A vdp 1,3 auto metro, they really are lovely plush little things. If the body is solid and the auto box is fine then it's worth doing, it's only an A series engine at the end of the day and not hard to work on and bits are easy to get.

Metros really, really knew how to rot though.floor, sills, subframe, mounts etc.

Vdp and MG spec A series are apparently sought after by the mini engine rapeage gang, so you should buy it just to stop them having it.

The 4 speed auto is not the best but can be durable IF the cars had regular oil changes.from what you've said it sounds like a honey.

[mercrocker]

Buy it.   If someone waved a Metro VDP at me right now I probably would.   GR8 winter car, it will already be rotten as oman points out so WCPGW?   Half a bag would be my tops though....

[bub2006]

Thanks for the input. I'll go over soon then and get some pictures of it and go through it with a fine tooth comb. She did say offers considered from people she knows though as she don't want it stripped and engine sold on.

[The Old Bloke Next Door]

Long time lurker on here,I almost posted on yesterdays Volvo thead. Anyway, as a serial Metro fan, this has convinced me to comment. At the starting price, its potentially an absolute steal, if you don't buy it, I may be interested in saving it..

 

I'll add some pics and info on my Volvo and six Metro's when I figure how to post them  them on here.

[Pillock]

Yes.

 

I'd probably barter down a bit unless it can be proven it's a simple fix, but it's not like the A-series (A+?) is hard to work on anyway. 

The Metro keeps getting tipped (on here, admittedly) as going up in value so you're not going to lose out massively. Plus what price can you put on keeping a 1.3 Metro out of the hands of a Mini knobber?

 

You've not said what colour it is, but I'm picturing a Gold one. Did they come in anything else?

Edit: Whoa, actually by 1989 they were doing two-tone, weren't they?

[londonm]

It will be luxurious, buy it.

[Jim Bell]

The answer is always yes.

[New POD]

The rust in the Front wings is usually due to the fact that the design features places that mud and salt can get into. Make sure you use the hose pipe into the corners of the inner wings, and get plenty of underseal in there.

 

I'm not sure that the 1.3 auto is easily interchangeable with the gearbox from a manual, but maybe it's just the drive shafts and subframes are different.

 

Go for it. If it is one without electronic ignition get it fitted. Expect to be refurbing the 4 pot calipers. But the rest of the car is basically a cross between a mini and an Austin 1300.

 

BUY it !!!!!

[Magnificent Rustbucket]

I really like the Metro VDP - especially as an automatic. I detest manual gearboxes in anything. I think you should buy it! It must be seriously rare now.

[chaseracer]

If you don't have it, Junkman might...

[barefoot]

No, all you metros are shit.

[bub2006]

Its a metallic blue one. Could be two tone silver and blue though? Will get some pics when I pop to see it. Are the autos gearbox in sump on these or seperate atf fluid changes needed?

[bub2006]

Oh and are parts still available for suspension and brakes? I guess a lot of parts for the a+engine will still be available too?

[Magnificent Rustbucket]

No, all you metros are shit.

I learned to drive in a Metro. I took my test three times, so I must have liked it.

[trigger]

 

 

I'll add some pics and info on my Volvo and six Metro's when I figure how to post them them on here.

Welcome. If you open the full editor there's a option to upload files from there to share your photos.

[dugong]

Sounds nicer than a Citroen ZX.

Yes. Particularly the tedious pretension that hangs around

old Citroens like suitcases full of shit.

[warren t claim]

Doesn't the auto have a different crank to the manual making it unsuitable for engine rape?

[Timewaster]

Come back pogweasel we need your guidance.

[panhard65]

Doesn't the auto have a different crank to the manual making it unsuitable for engine rape?

Yes it does so no good to swap into a Mini, but there again these mini knobs will buy a maestro thinking they can engine rape it so are unlikely to know that. They are a nice old thing though and I quite fancied the MG from France posted in the tat thread. The early ones went a lot better if I remember correctly.

[oman5]

Yes, the autos are gearbox in sump like a normal metro, so it uses the engines oil. S'why it's important to do regular oil changes.

Suspension, you may struggle finding displacers but plans are afoot with the allegro club to offer a refurb service.

 

Met. Blue is the same colour as mine, can't wait to see pics!