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 Value for Money - 1994 Geo Prizm
  By ordemir - February 29 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car based on my previous satisfactory experience with Toyota Corollas, on which this car is based. I bought it at 89,000 miles and it now has 139,500 on the odometer. The only expenses I had to make on the car, other than routine maintenance and tune-ups, were brake jobs front and rear. I experienced a cracked door handle and a broken radio knob. Also, the paint on the front end of the hood came off at some spots, and I observed this on several 1994 models. I guess the car needs new shocks. The car is so reliable that I plan to keep it until it turns 200K miles.

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  Awesome GEO - 1996 Geo Prizm
  By whoitspg - February 10 - 2:00 am

  WOW, If this car war a toyota lable vihicle itd be worth a lot more. But its the same car!!

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  Not Flashy, but reliable - 1996 Geo Tracker
  By JOHNinNJ - February 4 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this car since new, and driven it almost every day. Its not a race car, but it starts every day, in any temperature. I have not been stuck in snow or ice, even with the 2WD. I also use it as a truck and have hauled everything from furniture to loads of paving bricks without a problem. At 105K, it still has the original clutch and rear brakes, and I have had no major repairs - just normal maintenance. (PS - I got rear- ended by a Caddy and it only scratched the bumper cover.)

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  Swears by my Geo Metro - 1994 Geo Metro
  By DDSMAN - January 21 - 2:00 am

  Bought this vehivle at the time because I couldnt afford anything more. It turned out to be the best investment I ever made. I have owned it ten years and my record keeping allows me to calculate that it cost me less than 5 cents per mile to operate. Even in its old age it still gets almost 30 miles per gallon. At 158000 miles it is fianlly beginning to use some oil (NOT leakage). Beware, it eats tires - it has apoor ability to maintain alignment. Other than that, it has been a charm. I am finally donating it to a charity - and its still running.

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  The Green Machine - 1993 Geo Metro
  By Gooseman - January 21 - 2:00 am

  My geo has proven to be an exceptional vehicle for me. Not only do I get fantastic gas milage, but the amount of time that I have to put in for repairs is almost zero. I have owned my geo for about 4 years, and the most money that I have invested in it was for new tires, which are hard to come by b/c they are only 12s. But it handles better on the snow, water, and out in the heat better than any older used car that I have owned. Being a married college student, this car has been a lifesaver in saving me a whole lota dough. Gooseman

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  Goes like a goat - 1997 Geo Tracker
  By Tease-a-Wrangler - January 9 - 2:00 am

  The Geo Tracker 2DR 4X4 is high on the list of fun to drive vehicles with a real off-road capability. 50 state legal catalytic coverter back exhaust to get a few HP to help pull a larger tire change that caused taller gearing. Just dont try to drive it like a sports car in the corners and hold on with both hands when driving in the wind. If you can live with the stiff ride, its more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Im assuming the 5 speed manual transmission.

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  Excellent Value - 1997 Geo Prizm
  By Bryan Olson - December 30 - 2:00 am

  Overall- 4 stars out of 5, considering its class. There are a few things its surprising to see in this cars class, chiefly the tremendous upholstery work. I was very impressed with that, as well as the trunk space, and the lively response I get from the 5-speed manual. Improvements are listed below, but overall it has been a pleasant experience.

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  Bulletproof reliability - 1996 Geo Prizm
  By pwcrl - December 11 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car with 30,000 miles. Has 150,000 on it now. Drive it hard and all I have to do is regular maintenance. 5 speed tranny shifts real nice, super gas mileage, not to bad power wise for such a little motor.

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  faithful little car - 1994 Geo Metro
  By berg - December 6 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new 10 yrs ago as my first vehicle. Ive had some repairs in the last year or two, but overall it has been a great little car and been reliable. Its not the most comfortable during long distances but it is cheap on gas and its small size makes it excellent to drive around town. Its beginning to rust some, but honestly, I hate to get rid of it.

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  One awesome little car - 1996 Geo Metro
  By cailoisa - December 3 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Geo with 40,000 miles on it. I have put 20,000 more on it since. It has required nothing but standard maintenance. All part replacements are remarkably cheap. No matter what kind of driving I am in, I always get AT LEAST 32 miles per gallon, but I usually get more. Its so easy to drive, and a snap to park and make sharp turns such as u-turns.