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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  Very fun, go anywhere vehicle - 1995 Geo Tracker
  By TrckrLvr - May 22 - 5:41 pm

  I bought my Tracker from my brother, who has had it since 97. Overall, it is a great little vehicle. I recommend getting the 16-valve for more power. Mine is a 5-speed and gets 28 mpg. At 135k miles, all Ive done to it besides routine maintenance is replace the hubs. For some reason, mine also needs a rotor cap and button about every 30k miles. It can be a handful on windy days, but no worse than I expected of a small SUV. Its loud inside, but replacing the soft top with removable hard tops definitely helped. I would highly recommend it as a first car or something just to drive around town. Almost every week someone offers to buy mine, but Im not selling!!

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  Great Little Car - 1993 Geo Storm
  By Robieo - May 10 - 6:40 pm

  I bought my Geo Storm GSI in 1994 with 11,000 miles on it and have only had to take it to the dealer once to have the timing belt replaced. I added a cat- back exhaust system and a intake cooler (K&N) and it totaly rocks. Highly recomend it for its reliability and responsive drive. I put about 10000 mi yearly on it. 27- 32mpg.

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  This Pre Hybrid is Worth It! - 1994 Geo Metro
  By geometrosrok - May 1 - 1:14 pm

  My Metro has been VERY dependable. The 3 speed automatic is peppy enough to be able to pull out in traffic with no worries. Rather easy to work on. Parts are not hard to find. Heater is HOT in the winter and warms quickly. Interior noise level is a little high on the freeway due to lack of insulation / thin metal. Has issues with rusting on the door edges and the lower control arm mounts. Ideal in-town vehicle. Overall, the car is easy to drive, easy to fix, and worth it for the great gas mileage.

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  Best Car for the Money - 1995 Geo Prizm
  By jbiltz - April 28 - 5:10 pm

  My dad bought the car new in January of 1996. He gave it to me in December 2000. The only problem he had was a starer & the A/C needed to be replaced. It has 171k miles on it now & I have nothing but praise for this car. I think it will easily do another 100k miles. We have 2 kids & one on the way so we recently bought a minivan, as well we have a crewcab Silverado. We dont need 3 cars, but I dont want to part with the Prizm. I drive it daily to work. A couple years ago I made 3 trips to Canada & back from Dallas - never a problem.

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  You get what you buy - 1994 Geo Metro
  By danny - April 3 - 4:09 pm

  It is what it is and that is a gas saver. It is good for a starter car or to work and back.

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  1995 Geo Prizm keeps going! - 1995 Geo Prizm
  By John - March 1 - 7:34 pm

  I bought the car new in 1995 and ran it about 20,000 miles per year for the first 5 years or so. Car has been very good on gas and low maintenance. It is now used for smaller commutes and local driving, but keeps going. Very reliable, no major problems at this time. Now at 167,000 miles and going strong!

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  Best Small Car Ever Made - 1994 Geo Prizm
  By Tom - February 6 - 11:03 am

  I bought this car new in 1994 and have never had a major problem. The alternator went out around 100,000 and was replaced. I have 160,000 now and hope for 200,000. It leaks a little oil but this is from the oil pan and not the engine. It can be fixed. Always starts. I get 32 mpg and hope to drive this thing forever (now that I have a new van to pay for). The AC still works like new. The engine is as quiet as day one and it handles well on snow and ice. Left my wedding reception in this car, brought my first child home from the hospital in this car, and hope to take her to college in this car. If you ever get a chance to buy a good used one. Take it!

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  Great Car - 1991 Geo Tracker
  By Brad - January 25 - 3:48 pm

  I bought mine with 218000KM now it has 296000km. Ive replaced the alternator, tires, brakes. My headlights no longer work except for the brights. Not sure what is wrong there. My fuel pump just shorted out as well as a relay and the computer. $1600 bill. Also, one seat broke but I found replacements. Other wise engine is great it does not burn any oil. 4WD is awesome. Gas mileage is awesome.

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  great transportation - 1992 Geo Metro
  By bob h - January 14 - 6:37 pm

  Great car, easy to work on and parts are readily available. Would drive this car anywhere! Mileage is great! Easy on tires

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  hard to find troubles - 1997 Geo Tracker
  By allen - October 26 - 10:22 pm

  zippy & fun- except for the impossible to fix idle stall issue. Dealer will gladly break your bank replacing everything and you will still have the problem, arghh! I think the culprit is carbon accumulating in the egr valve port.