What should I offer for the Geo Metro (1989 with 55k miles)

[Janinne]

I'm sorry if this is not an appropriate place for this question. I found this site by googling Geo Metro trying to find out how much they are worth. My next door neighbor lady is wanting to sell her 1989 Geo Metro. We have known her for years and the car is in mint condition. She purchased it new and literally drives it to church and the grocery store once a week - it has 55,000 miles on it. She is going in to an assisted living community and won't need the car anymore. She asked us if we were interested in buying it, which we are but none of us have any idea how much the car is worth. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Janinne

[user removed]

If garage kept I would say ask her what she wants for the car. Price range could go from $2000 to $4000 or even higher in this crazy market. I know most people would say that is crazy money for that old a car, but if it is truly in mint condition, and I mean like a new car, then it has not sat outside in the weather or been abused or neglected in any way, then I think my price range would stand.

I remember one that went for $8000 on ebay when gaas peaked in 2008. Probably not much less than it cost new.

For most here it would have to be the 3 cylinder manual for that price to hold. Automatic would be less.

regards
Mech

[brucepick]

Just off the top of my head, I'd say...

Take a look at NADA car price guides, for "classic" years:
1989 Geo Prices, Values & Specs - NADAguides


And this overview of car prices for "classic" cars:
Antique Car Values & Classic Car Blue Book Values

[Janinne]

WOW. I was just thinking I'd have an extra little zipper to run to the market in. Hmmm. Not sure I want to spend that much. Thanks for the responses!

J

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by Janinne

WOW. I was just thinking I'd have an extra little zipper to run to the market in. Hmmm. Not sure I want to spend that much. Thanks for the responses!

J

Even if you don't want it, Janinne, please make sure she knows the opinions here about its value. Going into such a facility is expensive for her and family. She needs and should get a fair price for a cleanly kept car.

[user removed]

That is why my first suggestion was to ask her what she wants for the car. If she says $400 then you could say I'll give you a little more than that. You have probably been a good neighbor and she feels like the car would be something you could use to save fuel.

regards
Mech

[Janinne]

We definitely don't want to take advantage of our neighbor. I will let her know that it's probably worth more than any of us would have thought and see what she wants to do. Thanks again for your time!

J

[johnunit]

automatic transmission or manual? 3 or 4 cyl? these affect value.

[larrybuck]

Need more veh. info. No reason to spend more than $4000. max.
A clean body is great, but parts are fairly common. If you want to do some body mods,
maybe a show piece body is TOO nice!

Treat her right, but watch your wallet too!

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

That is why my first suggestion was to ask her what she wants for the car. If she says $400 then you could say I'll give you a little more than that. You have probably been a good neighbor and she feels like the car would be something you could use to save fuel.

regards
Mech

My comment wasn't directed at you, Mech. I'm sorry if it seemed that way. I was simply concerned that knowledgeable recommendations like yours, or Larry Buck's, or brucepick's, or someone else here will still get to the seller. I know the cost of those facilities through close personal experience. Unless she's rich, she needs all the funds she can raise. And if she were rich, she wouldn't have been driving a Metro to the supermarket for the last 20 years! Sorry, Metro fans, but it's no Honda Civic.