Overview & Reviews

As the market for import automotive brands became dramatically larger in the late 1980s, the Detroit automobile companies created their own import-style sales divisions. In 1989 General Motors introduced its Geo division, which became the most successful of these attempts before the division was discontinued in 1998.

Geo re-badged various GM cars made for world markets. Its most notable success came with the Geo Prizm, a version of the Toyota Corolla then being built cooperatively in a California assembly plant by Toyota and GM. The Geo Metro compact car began life as the Suzuki Swift, while the Geo Tracker sport-utility vehicle was derived from the Suzuki Sidekick. The Geo Spectrum sedan was an Isuzu I-Mark and the Geo Storm coupe was an Isuzu Impulse.

The experiment ended because the Geo division was unable to establish a stronger identity than the brands from which its products were taken. Moreover, GM quickly realized that Geo was simply funneling its brand loyalists into the import brands of other companies.

User Reviews:

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  Like a Good Friend - 1995 Geo Prizm
  By KD in FL - December 27 - 3:38 pm

  I love this car! (As much as it is possible to love an inanimate object.) Previous rental purchased in 1996 with 11,000 miles. Now at 104K. Smooth, comfortable ride (except on very long trips) Great gas milage even now at about 25mpg. Very agile, easy to maneuver and park. Classy interior for an economy car. I like that the rear view mirror is attached to the headliner, not the windshield. Aside from routine maintenance, its had new brakes, timing belt and a small oil leak. Replaced lock on front pass door, one front a/c/ vent is propped up. All in all a very reliable car. I wish they were still being made. Would definitely buy again (but with power options this time)

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  Go Geo - 1996 Geo Metro
  By Geogo - December 10 - 3:59 pm

  I have owned the car for 2 years and have put over 115K miles on it.. I have replaced nothing, and beat and abused this car and it wont break. Everything works, looks decent. Gets about 35mpg, costs $8 to fill up right now with gas being $1.75. I have changed the oil about once every 10-15K miles and it never uses any oil. Starts every time.

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  Best Car Ive ever had - 1990 Geo Prizm
  By Mark - November 25 - 9:57 pm

  My dad sold me this in 1997 and its now 2008 and the car is still running great. Yes, it has needed new radiator, battery, etc but the drivetrain has been great. Highway mileage is about 40 mpg, city (San Francisco, CA) about 22. I have 199,200 miles on it. Its got rust on it (car was in Michigan from 90-2001) but the rust slowed down after moving to CA. Knock on wood but Im hoping this car lasts me to at least 250,000 miles.

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  Great after all these years - 1992 Geo Storm
  By KV - November 21 - 9:24 am

  Bought car 1992, Liked the size of the car. But kids never like the back seat due to the fact not enough room. Not family car

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  Great Vehicle - 1991 Geo Tracker
  By Diane - November 4 - 11:13 am

  I have had my Tracker since it was new. My husband bought me the hard top for Christmas back in 93 and it is probably why we still own it. It is and has been an economical vehicle and very functional. A great buy way back when!

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  Fun, Fun, Fun! - 1997 Geo Tracker
  By russ - November 2 - 1:44 am

  Bought this car because I need to rent a car for two weeks while my other was being repaired. It was only $1,400 and had been used as a tow vehicle behind a motorhome. Came with a soft and hard top. Gave my 15 year old his first driving lesson it it (has a 1.6L motor and 5 speed trans). When he gets his license he can buy it from me. I hyper mile better than 38 mpg out of this car around town, but freeways speeds can get scary. Overall its a great little runabout. Too bad they dont make them anymore.

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  it keeps going, amazing - 1996 Geo Prizm
  By cogdog - October 29 - 9:19 pm

  Well, what can you say about a car that starts everyday and never breaks down, year in, year out, its hard to describe but it earns a place in your heart. My wife bought this car 6 years ago for $1000, it then had about 130K on it, many people told her, "its a 4 banger, they dont last, you wasted your money" WRONG! it now has over 216K on it! It does not burn oil or leak oil, everything works on it! even the A/C, amazing!! This little car has won our respect, sure its old, slow and looks rough but who cares, i just think of all the money this gem has saved me over the years and i cant believe it, wish I had a car like this long ago. The only thing we replaced was the starter/battery

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  can`t kill it - 1994 Geo Prizm
  By pnut166 - October 25 - 9:33 pm

  We`ve had this thing since new in `94. Pretty much stopped doing maintenance for the most part about 5 yrs ago. STILL runs PERFECT - no smoking, loss of power, doesnt use a drop of oil ( even though last oil change was about 10k ago), gets > 30mpg ! Rides and runs good as new ! 150k, still original clutch, no problems other than alternator @ 80k. Almost all door handles, knobs etc. have broken, and paint has faded, but so what! This is by far THE best car Ive ever owned, hands down! It takes all the abuse I can throw at it and asks for more!

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  Keeps on Ticking - 1994 Geo Prizm
  By RLY - October 24 - 9:54 am

  Keep thinking I need to keep an eye out for my "next" vehicle, but I realize thats stupid because this one wont die and shows no sign it ever will. Now at 138,000 miles. Multiple coast to coast trips during transfers in the Marines, three years in storage while overseas, still starts instantly, runs perfectly. 31-32 mpg in mixed city/hwy driving and over 37 mpg in pure interstate cruising at 80 mph on my last trip! Alternator is Achilles heel had to replace at 48,000 and again when it came out of storage, but got one w/a lifetime warranty from a national repair chain and no problem since then. Handling, acceleration are far from inspiring, but adequate. The car Timex wouldve built.

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  Great Car! - 1990 Geo Prizm
  By Nick - October 2 - 5:12 pm

  This car has been the best investment ive ever made! It has 263,500 mi and still running strong, doesnt burn oil, starts right up, even spins the tires pretty good, all while getting great gas millage! Ive only replaced the exhaust manifold (cracked), and the starter. Everything else (as far as I can tell) is still straight from the factory.