Geo Metro XFi

Ok, so it's not a Maserati or a Lamborghini. Take heed, though, of the car for sale on ebay, as it is one of the highest mpg stock cars ever to have been produced in the US.

No, it's not a new high-tech hybrid. Actually it's an older low-tech 1992 Geo Metro XFi!

The car was produced in Canada by Suzuki in 1992. This car PROVES that it is indeed possible to build low-cost, high mileage vehicles.

Why was the car terminated? In the 90's gas prices were incredibly low by today's standards. Prices ranged from $.75 to $1.29 throughout the 90's, with the highest prices in 1991 immediately after the first Gulf War. At the end of the decade, with the financial meltdown in Asia, we saw prices plummet to the lowest prices I had ever seen: $.75 for a gallon of regular. With prices so low, no one needed or wanted tiny, fuel-efficient cars like the Geo. Everyone wanted huge SUVs. And GM was happy to oblige!

Then came 9/11, followed by the summer of 2008. In September, 2008, I saw gas prices in my area for $4.15 / gallon.

Sure, one could beat the fuel prices with a Honda Insight or Toyota Prius and get respectably high mileage- with a $20,000+ price tag, and the need to replace the batteries after 5 years +/-.

An economical aternative are these little Geos, survivors from a decade in America when no one wanted or needed these little cars.

The XFi in this video achieved upwards of 55 - 58 mpg on the highway by a combination of engineering factors: a lightweight body, a manual transmission and a very efficient tiny 3-cylinder engine.

We did it in the 90's. Why can't we do it again, now, when we need them?

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Geo
• metro
• XFi
• fuel
• economy
• high
• mpg
• miles
• per
• gallon

[tickyul]

Uh, I had a 1997-3 cylinder Geo- Metro, 5pd........a great little commuter car. If I drove carefully I could get 60 mpg, and this is without many of the newer fuel saving technologies (variable valve timing, auto shutdown at stop, ultra lean burn mode, gas direct injection to name a few). I could see a little car like the Geo getting close to 100 mpg with some reworking of the systems. Problem is that little car would cost 20 grand, would it even sell? maybe if gas goes to 5 bucks a gallon.

[CincinnatiGifts]

@tickyul- We are too fickle here in the US. It wouldn't sell UNTIL gas hit $4 again, or went higher. Then and only then would it sell, and then, the manufacturer wouldn't be able to keep up with demand. Once they WERE able to ramp up production gas would presumably be back down to normal again, thus ending the demand.

What we REALLY need is an entirely different fuel system to replace oil, such as advanced battery technology.

[tickyul]

@CincinnatiGifts Will people buy a electric car, they are going to be really spendy and more limited than a gas vehicle. I know there will be a niche market, but, I think there is a lot of things to work out before these things are ready for prime time. Hybrids are a very expensive solution and not that good of one at that, 40mpg is not that great for a car that has so much technology in it. I say that my idea of a advanced subcompact is best for now, just slap on a fancy paint job and stereo.

[CincinnatiGifts]

@tickyul- Indeed, 40 mpg is not that great when Model T's were getting 20 - 25 mpg nearly 100 years ago. Hybrids are a step in the right direction in that they help improve mileage, but they do not make us totally non-reliant upon oil. Oil is the real problem to the world's problems, and is definitely a major problem to America's many problems. An electric car would need NO oil whatsoever, and could be charged off of coal-generated electric, or wind, solar or hydro.

[oyetos]

So is the car for sale???? If so lets talk.

Thanks

[CincinnatiGifts]

No, this one has already been sold. I do, however, have a 2nd Geo Metro XFi, which is white. I am having some minor repairs done on it at the moment, such as a new clutch, and likely a new paint job.

The blue car in the video sold on ebay recently for $3000, and the white Geo XFi I mentioned above is in better condition, cleaner and with fewer miles, and I am only the 2nd owner. It is likely worth more than the $3000 that the blue Geo XFi sold for in the video.

[Dayberry]

Iv owned everything from sports cars to big trucks but I can say my this will be my next car. Basic driving at its best.

[geiner66]

i have a blue 99 metro coupe 3cyl 5spd shows 226k on odometer but it has a lower mileage engine tranny in it and runs great it has a k&n filter new plugs cap rotor gets 50 mpg it is a gas sipper and has good pep.i would sell it for $2,000 bucks cash or trade it for a civic automatic. i got pics

[IamNotPersonMan]

There is no reason for chevy to not make a 2012 Spark xfi. I would buy it.

[kens97sto171]

@CincinnatiGifts

Keep in mind that the model T only produce 20HP from a 4 liter engine. and the speed people drove was under 30MPH. The need for more power shows when you get to about 45-50MPH, then wind drag plays a significant role. Here is a good example. The Bugatti Veyron.. It requires 250HP to go 150MPH, it requires an ADDITIONAL 750HP to go 250MPH.

The rest of your comment was right on.. electric cars charges by US produced energy.

[TheRustyKustom]

Nice. I have a white xfi. Is yours the 1.0 litre 3 cylinder or the 1.3 litre?

[MyRandomParadise]

I just bought a 1994 blue Xfi last week for $300, I put up a vid, what do ya think I should do with it?

[tickyul]

@CincinnatiGifts Well, most people could have a subcompact for a commuter car no problem. I think the safety issue with smaller cars is on peoples minds, technology helps a lot in this area, but, people still want size. I just rented a Smart car and have to say the performance when compared to my Metro was pathetic, got 40mpg which is easily less than my Metro. Hybrids are bad news for car companies, very costly and 2 sets of parts for the dual system, they are just a stopgap car.