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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  great car - 1995 Geo Prizm
  By Camilla Anderson - July 9 - 5:26 pm

  This has been a very good dependable car. Not super comfortable on long trips.

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  Keeping It In the Family - 1994 Geo Prizm
  By SC in SC - June 6 - 2:40 pm

  I bought the car in 2/2001 for my 16- year-old daughter. It had 125K on it at the time. The only repair I have made was to replace the alternator (this occurred shortly after I bought it). Now at 150K, it is being handed down to my younger daughter who recently turned 16. The car has survived Ohio weather for 11 years and now will be spending its "old age" (I think these cars age slower than most...its got to be that Toyota reliability factor) in South Carolina. It still looks and runs great, and my daughter cant wait to put a CD player in it!

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  Overlooked and Underpriced - 1992 Geo Metro
  By Lamar Simmons - May 27 - 8:48 pm

  I was a skeptic to actually drive a three cylinder engine. However, the chassis is so light that the engine has enough pep to power the only car I have ever driven with under a ton of weight. The convertible top is easy to operate and aesthetically pleasing giving this car a far better look than any of its siblings.

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  Best little car - 1995 Geo Prizm
  By Gary L. Beltz - May 27 - 4:23 pm

  I bought this car against my better judgement when I was in dire need. Its now been almost two years and 18,000 miles later and I love this car. It has to be the most reliable, economical vehical I ever purchased. The best $500 I ever spent. I would seriously consider buying a new Geo ( if they were around) based on my experience with the Prizm.

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  Excellent boring sedan - 1995 Geo Prizm
  By Rabbitguy - April 18 - 11:37 pm

  Had my Prizm for 8 years. In that time, apart from normal maintenance, I had the alternator replaced once, and a pully broke once. Highly reliable, economic, and completly boring.

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  Dependable car for a budget! - 1992 Geo Storm
  By disturbedchic - April 5 - 3:16 am

  Got this car as a hand me down to get through college on and it ended up being the best thing I got. Ran it from 97,000 to 120,000+ with minimal issues before I sold it in favor of a new Cavalier which ended up the worst choice of my life. Was fun to drive with the stick and sipped gas. Space on the car bites but when you need something to get you from A to B that doesnt look like you pulled it outta a junk yard this fun little car with lots of character is a great pick. In a near accident I cracked a pipe on the exhaust so mine ended up noisy and fun like a cheap sports car!

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  Absolutely Reliable - 1994 Geo Prizm
  By Hithere - February 10 - 3:29 pm

  This car never lets you down. Very good gas mileage. Handles pretty well. Only needs routine maintenance. No breakdowns. Looks classy too. The rear seatback fold down feature that enlarges the trunk is handy.

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  Not bad for a small car - 1995 Geo Prizm
  By JW - February 3 - 11:53 am

  Even buying it used with 150K it has been a good car. The windows are a little tight to open or close now though but fixable. The only thing Im not sure of is why the wheel alignment isnt very good. Could be a legacy item from previous owner though. Performance rating takes a hit because the overdrive doesnt always work now. To get the best mileage though I would suggest Spitfire plugs. Ive used them in 3 cars now and each got 10% better mileage roughly.

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  Cant kill it - 1994 Geo Prizm
  By Chubbs - December 26 - 10:01 pm

  Bought it w/22 K on it, average 35 K per yr. Now has 190,000. Hoping for 250,000. Unbelievably reliable - oil change every 3,500, brakes, alternator, timing belt @75 K and 1 clutch. Goes anywhere and excellent mileage - still about 35 mpg. Tight ride.

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  great little buggy - 1991 Geo Metro
  By D. P. - December 6 - 5:59 pm

  Great gas mileage, good performance, reliable, cheap to own, can park in small spaces, U-turn in 30 ft. Had problems with fixtures like window crank, radio volume control, minor stuff. Engine and powertrain very reliable, little maintenance. Accelerates quickly, but a bit underpowered on long steep hills.