GetItNext Automotive

Hottest Car of 2008 the Once Mocked Geo Metro

I’m sure you all read about the ridiculous prices people are getting for fuel sippers these days.  Its been widely reported lately that Geo Metros are going for 5 to 10 times the blue book value on eBay.

Why you ask?  These once laughed at 3 cyclinder engine cars are now all the rage because they get the same mileage as a Toyota Prius Hybrid.  For people who are looking for simple transportation they are a cheap alternative to get from point A to point B.  The 1996 Geo Metro average of 40 MPG is close to the 2008 Toyota Prius and older models like the 1991 Geo Metro and the Geo Metro XFi edition, have the same average as the hybrid.

Now here is a fun fact that will make you think.  If you look at closing bids on eBay Geo Metros they have been selling in the $200 – $7000 dollar range.  Often times the bidding has been fierce with over 30+ bids per auction.  Keep in mind that some of these selling prices are approaching the $9,000 MSRP that the 1995 Geo Metro sold for.  Its staggering to think that a once laughed after car has now been resurrected into the chic car of 2008. I wouldn’t be surprised to find out that General Motors has some forgotten warehouse full of these cars that they could barely give away.

Too find your own fuel sipping solution check out these hot deals on these forgotten fuel efficient relics: Geo Metros, Ford Festivas and you’ll probably need some parts check out these deals Geo Metro parts, Ford Festiva parts.

Continue along with me as my quest for a greener and more fuel efficient solution continues in the upcoming weeks.  I will post regularly on how my search is going and any interesting facts that I uncover.  Feel free to share any insight and experience you have on the subject. 
Check out my previous hybrid blogs to get caught up on any previous hybrid posts.

Real World MPG Calculator Helps You Save Money

I found a great site today that gives you real world fuel economy.  The site allows you to calculate and compare the following: MPG, highway, city, combined; average fuel cost; annual petroleum use and carbon footprint.  What’s nice is it allows you to quickly keep adding cars for comparisons.

Speaking of carbon, here’s another great site that helps reduce the earths carbon footprint, trees4good.

Continue along with me as my quest for a greener and more fuel efficient solution continues in the upcoming weeks.  I will post regularly on how my search is going and any interesting facts that I uncover.  Feel free to share any insight and experience you have on the subject. 

Check out my previous hybrid blogs to get caught up on any previous hybrid posts. 

Toyota Prius Shot Down By a 9 Year Old

I’d like to tell you about the funny conversation I had with my 9 year old.  He and I were driving down the road the other day and I pulled up alongside a Toyota Prius and figured I’d gauge his reaction.  As we drove alongside the white Toyota Prius I said “hey B you see that car, that’s going to be our next vehicle”. He turns to me and says “yeah right Dad you would never buy that thing”.

Now up until recently he would have been correct.  I remember mocking Geo Metros, Yugos and Ford Festivas back when I was “younger”.  But I don’t know, the Prius actually doesn’t bother me, and I don’t consider it some tiny box on wheels.  So back to the story, I replied back to my son and said “you better get ready we are downsizing and that very well could be our next car”.  He just started laughing at me, the NERVE of him.  Now I don’t know whether its due to my affinity for nice american made powerful cars, the fact his Grandfather is a Cadillac GM or if he really doesn’t like the appearance of the Prius.  One thing is for certain his days of riding in a Caddy will be soon be over.  I plan on getting a much more fuel efficient car when we decide to upgrade or is it upgreen?

Continue along with me as my quest for a greener and more fuel efficient solution continues in the upcoming weeks.  I will post regularly on how my search is going and any interesting facts/articles that I uncover.  Check out my previous Hybrid Car blogs.  Feel free to share any insight and experience you have on the subject. 

2008 Year of the Hybrid - The Quest Begins

Everywhere I look I am bombarded with news about rising fuel prices and mounting costs associated with driving anywhere.  So like most money conscious like minded people I started doing some research on the subject.  I soon learned that this recent spike in fuel costs is not likely to go away if ever.  Global demand is driving prices upward and will continue to do so for the long term.  With that in mind and my new found greeness I decided to ditch our gas guzzlers and look into a hybrid solution.

So like any consultant I jotted down my high level requirements.  They’re pretty simple actually, I need our next vehicles to be significantly better in MPG.  At 37 years old styling is going to be tossed aside for economy and functionality.  Currently our GMC Envoy SUV gets a dreadful combined average of 16 MPG and our Cadillac STS gets 20 MPG.  The target MPG for our next vehicles is to get 25 + MPG combined for an SUV and 30+ for a 4 door sedan.  Yes I know I should ditch the SUV but we actually need one unfortunately, and my wife would divorce me before she drives a minivan.  On top of that I can’t get a small suv like a Honda CRV or Saturn VUE.  We need a midsize one that can tow at least a 4500 pounds and has decent clearance to make it to our camp site.

Continue along with me as my quest for a greener and more fuel efficient solution continues in the upcoming weeks.  I will post regularly on how my search is going and any interesting facts that I uncover.  Feel free to share any insight and experience you have on the subject. 

1965 Mustang GT - Best Classic Car

The 1965 Mustang is the car that started it all.  The "ponycar" that really kicked off the muscle car explosion that dominated the late 60's and early 70's.  Lee Iacocca and the Ford design team created an icon that still is wildly popular today in its modern day form.  The Mustang sold over 1 Million units between April 1964 and 1966 - an unheard of number of sales for one model at the time or even now

I'm a proud owner of a '65 Mustang GT myself and I really do love that car.  It doesn't handle all that well, especially when compared to today's sports cars, but it is a blast to drive.  From the throaty roar of dual exhaust 289 cu in engine to that "old car smell" that's just about as intoxicating as "new car smell" it's a joy to drive.

It's a well optioned car with Air Conditioning, Console, 2 speed wipers, Day/Nite Mirror and Styled Steel wheels.  Curiously it doesn't have backup lamps which were a $12.25 option back in 1965. 

In my opinion there isn't a better classic car than the Mustang.  The Chevy and Dodge guys may not agree but they have to respect the car that started it all.