As the cars of the 1990s have officially become collectible, even some of the more frequently mocked vehicles out there are having their day in the sun. Now that all the Geo slander has settled, the truth has come out. Geo Metro Convertible is excellent, and this one’s in the most excellent color available. Best of all, it recently sold on Bring A Trailer for $5,400. From a historical perspective, that’s a lot of money for a Geo Metro, but it’s also not a lot of money for a car this happy.
In the early ’90s, convertibles were hot, so Suzuki set about slicing its little hatchback into a two-seat convertible with outstanding fuel economy, rated when new at 41 mpg city, 46 mpg highway, and 43 mpg combined. Of course, those three-cycle numbers have since been revised downward, but don’t be surprised if this thing cracks 40 mpg in the real world. Of course, it was sold in America as the Geo Metro convertible, and that’s where the legend really begins.
Right off the rip, this is the sort of car that you just can’t help but adore. It’s adorable, abundant in the sort of cuteness normally reserved for kittens and piglets and other small creatures that make your bottom lip involuntarily poke out a bit. Of course, the oh-so-’90s Mystic Magenta paint helps in this regard. You could park this thing next to a gaggle of Rubystone Porsches and nobody would be mad about it. How could you be mad at something so small and hopeful?
Astonishingly, this Geo Metro Convertible has only covered 67,000 miles, and it’s equipped with the proper five-speed manual gearbox, for the automatic made for rather slow progress. With a mere 55 horsepower on tap, you won’t win many drag races, but with only 1,753 pounds of car to push around, you won’t get run over by municipal buses either.
On the outside, this car’s gray convertible top isn’t in perfect shape and isn’t original, but it matches the upholstery almost perfectly. Speaking of the upholstery, those nice velour seats look like a decent place to soak up some top-down miles. Crank up the aftermarket sound system, drop the roof, and let life’s seriousness take a break.
In fact, that’s the main appeal of this car — it doesn’t take itself so damn seriously. It’s a non-threatening laugh, a cheerful giggle that comes at the expense of absolutely nobody. Now that every family-hauling crossover SUV looks like the Predator, this is the sort of lighthearted motoring we need. Proof that economical, basic transportation can be fun, so long as we bring a little whimsy and shake off our anxieties.
More than that, this Geo Metro Convertible is genuinely pragmatic. Here’s a convertible that’s cheap on gas, in surprisingly good shape for a Vermont car, and will spark joy in all who it drives by. For $5,400, that’s an alright deal. Embrace the Geo Metro convertible, because almost everything we love about it is missing in modern cars.
(Photo credits: Bring A Trailer)
Support our mission of championing car culture by becoming an Official Autopian Member.
-
It’s Ragtop Season So Here Are Ten Awesome Convertibles Under $10,000
-
Someone Bought The Nicest Remaining Example Of A Car For Just $3400
-
This Jaguar I-Pace Depreciated $71,269 In Just Five Years
-
You Can Buy A V10-Powered Audi S6 For The Price Of A Used Ford Focus
-
You Can Buy A Twin-Turbocharged V12 AMG Mercedes For The Price Of A New Volkswagen Jetta
Got a hot tip? Send it to us here. Or check out the stories on our homepage.
This+turbo+blow off valve=ultimate happiness possible in the universe
As someone who was of driving age when these were being sold, I really don’t understand why these exist.
If I recall correctly, you could get other droptops for the same price, but way better cars. I’m pretty sure the sunfire was close in price, and even a base model mustang conv was in the same amount. So why would anyone ever buy one of these?
These sold like hotcakes in my country. They’re absurdly reliable.
This thing is just screaming for a set of those Ronal teddy bear wheels
No. I owned a 1993 hard top Geo Metro. You had to put it in second gear to make it up a modest grade. If you pulled out to let the traffic behind by, you’d struggle to get it going again. If I wanted to cruise around in a convertible, it would have to be one that would get me into the hills where there’s some nature to enjoy. This is not that car. Also, $5,400? oof, that’s waay too much.
While this is a cute car, underneath tells a different story. When this posted I noticed there were no pics of the front undercarriage. As the action progressed, none of the commenters mentioned this which is surprising because BaT bidders want pictures of everything, and there’s noticeable rust surrounding the rear alignment bolt.
Years ago I had a mishap with one of my metros. While removing the engine to use in another car I noticed a suspicious crack in the frame horn. Curious, I removed the control arm then took a quick whack with a small hammer. The hammer went right through and rust flakes poured out. That day began the realization of the problem inherent with these cars and steered my interests toward the Honda variety. I still have one metro and currently fear driving it and will not sell it to anyone.
I hope the buyer of this only uses it for car meets to showcase a time when automobiles didn’t have to be so damn intimidating.
If you just think of it as safe as a motorcycle, then they worry about wrecking it goes away. (just joking??)
I miss cars in interesting colors. Loved me some 1990’s teal cars.
Maybe if you’re wearing leathers and a helmet. Also, it’s more of a safe scooter than motorcycle.
Naaaahhhh
Would. I dunno why but I like this thing’s energy. I’d get fucking murdered being a dude in a pink compact car by all the anger-ery eyed, snorkel-packing jeeps in flat-as-their-mommas Florida but it’d be worth it.
Well, that is unless you collide with one. Then you will be Geo pancake.
It’s pretty f’ing incredible that they made a Geo Metro convertible
Just.
Don’t.
Wreck it.
A million years ago, when I was dating my now-wife, her little sister got one of these as her first car. She only had it a few months before she got into what should have been a fairly minor accident.
Except her cute little Metro drop top folded like an accordion and her passenger was badly injured.
The Crock to go with your Clownshoe.
My first car was a Prism hatch from this era (’89) so I have some love for the brand even though it was mostly rebadged Suzukis and Toyotas. This Metro convertible just looks like a blast. Would I be taking it on the interstate? No. But summer drives around town and around Lake George? Absolutely.
One of the things I appreciate most about The Autopian is that you give proper due to ’80s & ’90s radmobiles.
Shortly after we met, my wife rear-ended a G35 in her Metro. Her car was totaled, but the G35? Not a scratch. Despite the protesting of the Infiniti driver, the cop didn’t even write my wife a ticket because of it. Literally told the guy to quit bitching and scram.
cool car in a cool color that people hate on for no reason
Except that they are a rolling chicane on the interstate.
And a car with one of the most horrible, lifeless steering systems I have ever driven.
Don’t these things have no power steering? I seem to recall someone tell me they were one of the last vehicles available without it (USDM, anyway)
the smart car was available without power steering here 😛
The one I drove was a Suzuki Cultus in Japan. It definitely had power steering – I think it was a recirculating tofu set-up. From the steering wheel, there was no indication whatsoever what the front wheels were up to. You just had to wait and see which direction it would drift off to next.
But they aren’t cool. They were penalty boxes and were terrible cars. Go drive one and tell me how cool they are.
HATER!!!!!!!!!!!! 😛
Geo Metro
Cool magenta retro
Geo Metro
It’s a nice surprise
Imagine the Hoonifun you could have dropping an LS into one of these.
Good luck bolting it up. You would then have a car with about an 80/20 weight imbalance, at best. A 1.3 Suzuki engine with a turbo or supercharger would do much better.
Seriously, an LS, even a V6 version, in a front-wheel-drive supermini would require a ridiculous amount of custom metal work.
Hayabusa!
V6 LS? What am I missing? I am usually wrong but isn’t the LS only a V8?
The LS did come in a V6. From Wikipedia:
Configuration90° V8, 90° V6Displacement293–511 cu in (4.8–8.4 L)Cylinder bore3.78–4.185 in (96.0–106.3 mm)Piston stroke3.3–4.125 in (83.8–104.8 mm)
Sort of, but not really in my book. There is a 4.3 V6 that’s based on the LS, but the engine code is LV. You’re not going to throw an LV in a car and then tell people you LS swapped it.
Oh good we both have the same intrusive thoughts. It’d be hilarious!
You seem to have misspelled “13B”. A rotary might actually fit under the hood!
The last time I saw one of these was 20 years ago when I was working on the lot of a Honda dealership. They took it in on trade, but there was no way they were going to put it on the used lot–carved into the hood was “NAMbLA”, likely from a very angry ex, or it could have been the result of something far worse…
I see one of these in the same color every day on my drive to work, it looks to be in nearly perfect shape too. It’s a rad little car, super neat that someone(s) bothered to take such good care of it for so long.
The front anti-sway bar from later year Cultus/Metro derivatives fits this generation of Metro convertibles. It greatly improves the steering and cornering and brings the little car to life. A 5-speed is quicker and more fun than the automatic, but this is an awesome little car for what it is.