There were a number of very small import vehicles in the mid-late eighties with very impressive fuel economy. The three door, three cylinder Geo Metro was one of them. Came out just in time for gas prices to drop like a rock.
They’re usually very basic and fairly flimsy, but they’re around for those who rightly suspect we haven’t seen the last of bizarre gas prices. There was even a Chevette diesel, for those who don’t mind a more agricultural sound and feel. At least a few survived rust and the junkyard, and are considered somewhat collectible in certain circles.
I had a friend who bought one of those three cylinder Geos. He put premium gas in it because it was cheap and he said he wanted to treat himself because he got such good MPG.
The Chevrolet Sprint preceded the Geo Metro and the Sprint later morphed into the Metro. I remember a friend of mine’s father had a diesel Ford Escort and this was around 84 or 85.