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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  Best car Ive ever owned - 1992 Geo Metro
  By Robert D. Hardison - July 9 - 9:39 pm

  I bought this Geo Metro new, and I have 210,000 miles on it. It uses no oil between 3,000 mile changes. The only repairs Ive had are 3 timing belts (the old ones looked like new) I did this myself, one starter after 195,000 miles, one distributer sensor. My first timing belt cost $9.97, last one cost $19.97, -no other repairs. My gasoline mileage is tops 61 MPG, low 41 mpg (town only). I have a new Nissan 6 cyl Nissan Altima, but I will never sell my Geo Metro, as I use it 90% of the time.

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  Fun little car - 1993 Geo Storm
  By brenda - July 5 - 10:56 pm

  I had been in them several times but never owned 1 till recently. I love it, its fun to drive and it gets a lot of looks. I live in very small community all of its own. I recently met and became friends with a guy that has a green gsi. I have a pink/purple standard. We have become the comedy act several times over the past few weeks. We park the cars beside each other and then discuss what parts we want off each others cars and how we are going to distract the other to gain access to their car. I love my GEO STORM!!

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  303k and still going STRONG! - 1994 Geo Prizm
  By Swift - June 22 - 9:18 pm

  Bought my 1994 Prizm from my brother just recently, and it really has a lot of pep and EXCELLENT gas mileage. I get on average of 36-40 MPG. Coming from a 18 MPG gas hog i was really impressed. I wish they still made the Prizm. It is a very well built and reliable car.

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  Loved My Baby - 1992 Geo Prizm
  By Dorisk - June 7 - 9:41 am

  I just sold my "baby." This Geo was a very dependable car and very comfortable. The main problem I had with it was the door handles would break. I replaced the front door handle twice and one back door handle. Ive had this car since 1995 and just sold it because I purchased a 2009 Toyota Corolla. My Geo had 70,000 miles and is still in good condition. Sold it to my brother-in- law who wanted a vehicle that was easy on gas. He has two SUVs that are gas guzzlers. I hope he has as good luck as Ive had with my Geo.

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  things wrong - 1996 Geo Tracker
  By forest - May 29 - 10:11 pm

  My brother owns a mechanic shop and when I put my tracker on the lift I heard crunching upon looking further into this noise I took off the lower molding and found major body rot. The power Windows are loose on the tracks the rear end sways real bad I think the rear sway bars are bad not sure, sometimes rain leaks in thru the tops of the doors the locking hubs dont work so no fwd the differential work but not the hubs I want to do work to this but I cant find any replacement parts do they still make body parts for my model or do you know of some fixes that I can do one last item sometimes the radio wont adjust and all the speakers are blown

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  cool ride - 1995 Geo Tracker
  By cool ride - May 26 - 8:36 pm

  This has been one of the funnest little rigs Ive ever had. Have changed mine a little, my little tracker looks like a little pickup. Got rid of the bubble top and put on tonneau, windjammer, and sun top. All an come off or just a piece at a time. Have added tube bumpers front and rear. Added aggressive tires and chrome wheels. Everyday someone says to me how nice it is. Have had people offer to buy it right on the spot. Believe me I wouldnt spend the money if it wasnt worth it. The only other thing I have to say about it is:its not a Jeep thing!

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  MY GEO - 1993 Geo Metro
  By RICKJOAN - May 25 - 7:25 pm

  Bought this car from my boss and it had just turned 100,000 mi. I am an auto mechanic for over 40 years experience. When i first go the car it was hard to get used the the engine vibration. It was a peppy little car. I ended up going to Michigan twice and both times checked the gas mileage coming back and could not believe the gas mileage i got. At 70 mph with a/c on i averaged 51 to 56 miles per gallon. Around town i averaged 48 to 50. Have has almost no maintenance just water pump, timing belt.

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  So Far So Good - 1996 Geo Metro
  By TSchneider - May 24 - 8:24 am

  Bought the car in 04 w/ 110k on it for $1100. I now have 202k on it. I get 35-40 mpg hwy at 65 and 32 overall. MPG would be better with a stick. Replaced entire exhaust in 05 ($700). At 131k rebuilt camshaft and replaced timing belt and water pump. About a month ago I had water pump and timing belt done again ($700)w/ 200k on it. A/C and Heater blower no longer work. Brakes have been done twice ($300) per visit. Tires are $200 per set! Car still runs very smoothly and gets me anywhere I want to go.

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  Built to last and last - 1995 Geo Tracker
  By nick - May 21 - 8:46 am

  I bought my GEO new back in 1995. My GEO has NEVER seen the inside of a mechanics shop. This car is very easy to maintain. Ive replaced the alternator in 2007, clutch cable in 2007, my water pump in 2008,Ive also replaced my hubs and rear shocks. All of which I didnt mind doing myself. Parts are very inexpensive and this engine / car is very easy to work on yourself. I currently have over 120k on it and it still runs very strong. Im still averaging 30+ MPG. With gas being so high Im gonna hold on to my GEO as long as I can...

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  It just keeps going - 1995 Geo Prizm
  By It just keeps going - May 21 - 3:37 am

  We got the car new in 1995. Its been passed down 4 times in the family. I still got it now and its running good. Every thing you can name is new under the hood but not the motor and trans. I drive 36,000 a year. I got 260,000 miles on it so if you looking for a use car to buy this is the one. I will let you readers know when Im at 275,000