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As gas prices continue to climb nationwide, some drivers are finding inventive ways to stretch their dollars at the pump. Mali Hightower, a 30-year-old handyman from Ellenwood, Georgia, has taken frugality to a new level by transforming a discarded children’s toy into a practical, gas-powered vehicle.
With the ongoing conflict in Iran pushing fuel costs higher, the national average price for regular unleaded gas reached approximately $4.53 per gallon as of May 23, according to AAA. Certain states feel the pinch even more, with California topping the list at $6.12 per gallon, followed by Washington and Hawaii. In Georgia, the average now stands at $4.01, a significant jump from $2.93 a year ago.
Facing these steep prices, Hightower repurposed a broken pink Barbie Dream Camper-originally a small battery-operated toy car-by installing a power washer engine and modifying it with a go-kart base and a grocery rack. The result is a functional mini vehicle that costs a fraction to fuel compared to his regular car.
“It only takes $3 to fill up the tank on my mini car,” Hightower said, contrasting it with the $90 needed for his 1996 Mercedes-Benz convertible. His custom ride can reach speeds up to 55 mph and travel about 40 miles per tank.
Additionally, he enhanced the vehicle with brakes, lights, music, and a horn, making it road-ready. Local authorities have been supportive, provided he avoids highways.
Hightower’s inventive approach has caught attention on social media, with many praising his resourcefulness and determination. In a time when nearly 80% of Americans report altering their spending habits-including cutting back on travel and entertainment-his story stands as a creative example of adapting to economic challenges.