High Gas Prices Transform Geo Metros From Weak To Chic

By JaySlatkin May 21, 2008

The formerly mocked and neglected Geo Metro is finding new popularity amidst high gas prices. According to CNN, the Geo Metro is making a spectacular comeback, especially on eBay. You might be surprised to learn that the Geo Metro and Toyota Prius get nearly the same gas mileage. Now consider that a Metro can be found for about $7000 compared to a new Prius which costs $21,000+, it becomes easy to see the attraction. Details, inside…

Graphic from CNN:

Marci Solomon considered a Prius but decided the Metro was the best economical choice for her. The article says,

For the most part, Solomon plans on using the car for commuting from her home in Rochester, Washington, to her job. The vehicle she has now, a Honda Element, was getting 28 mpg, and she was filling up twice a week, costing her nearly $100. Stations were charging $3.97 a gallon in her area Tuesday, she said. The Metro is an investment in the future, Solomon said, even if she did pay more than five times the Blue Book value of the car.

“It was all about saving money,” she said. “I don’t think gas is ever going to go down, and these are going to be the types of solutions we have to turn to. I wanted to beat the rush.”

The rush may have begun. The 1996 2-door 3-cylinder Metro Solomon now owns opened on eBay May 7 with a bid of $200. A week later, Solomon won the car auction with a bid of $7,300. In 1995, a new Metro hatchback sold for about $9,000, according to Auto Mall USA.

In May alone, 43 Metros of various years and models were sold on eBay, ranging in price from $221.50 to Solomon’s bid of $7,300. The cars have been hot items, drawing upwards of 49 bids on certain vehicles, with many of the auctions coming down to last-second bidding wars. On Tuesday morning, 34 Metros were still up for grabs.

It’s good to see this little guy making a comeback. Obviously, a Prius is going to offer more in the way of safety, speed, style and features but saving $14,000 on a car that gets nearly as good gas mileage makes good economic sense. So the next time you see a Metro roll up, don’t disrespect, they’re rockin’ 46 miles a gallon!

Gas prices drive Geos from clunkers to chic [CNN]

Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
«
»

Comments

  1. BlackFlag55 says:
    May 22, 2008 at 4:30 am

    Ribald – EMT here, also. volunteer rural. Thou speakest truth. Most folks seem to think anything driven at all four wheels makes them bullet ptoof and invulnerable. And once that multi-ton mass gets out of order and starts fish tailing and cart wheeling … it’s too ugly to describe here.

  2. entoman says:
    June 4, 2008 at 7:17 pm

    I just purchased my 4th geo metro.
    I own a 91 convertible, a 92 5 door coupe, and a 92 convertible. I used to own a 91 5 door coupe, but that car was totaled when my mom ran over a truck tire and tore the tranny mounts up.

    As far as their reiliability, they are relatively good in that department. Fuel mileage varies alot. the 1.0 liter 5 speed models get 45-50 mpg in the LSI version, while the XFI got up to 10 mpg more. My 92 LSI 5speed gets 50 when I drive 60-65 mph, 45 @ 70-75mph and about 40 when I am dragging a trailer with a riding lawnmower on board.
    The convertibles get about 40 mpg due to the automatic transmission. I am currently looking for a couple of donar cars so I can convert the automatics to 5 speed transmissions.

    On the road, I have to be forever vigilant looking out for the idiots who think that their giant truck is indestructible. If one smashes into me, I will get the worst of the crash.
    I may upgrade the cars with a roll cage, but that just isn’t too attractive right now.

    Roominess, the 5 door coupes have a surprising amount of interior space.
    I have hauled 50 2x4x8 boards and up to 40 patio blocks (12×12) and now with the trailer, I can haul 10 sheets of plywood at a time now.

    Fuel savings, I calculated that at $3.00 gallon fuel, I was saving about 6K per year over my extended cab truck since my work dictates that I drive up to 50K miles per year. at $4.00 gas, that savings is even more…
    Go ahead and don’t drive one, that just means more for me….

  3. JamalMozie says:
    October 15, 2008 at 7:51 pm

    I have never cared about what anyone has to say about what I drive. It’s time to WAKE UP America and realize your financial decisions are controlled by advertising. Stop watching TV and stop reading magazines. I owned a 92 Geo Prizm from 1996-2007 and that thing NEVER broke down, and ALWAYS got good gas mileage. They should never have discontinued making it.

« Older Comments