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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  Ok, but could be better - 1997 Geo Prizm
  By hbr - July 18 - 3:53 pm

  Left outer CV joint/boot failed. Starter failed. Heater core leaked ($800). Wheel covers flew off. Tape deck failed. The 3-speed automatic transmission is beginning to exhibit vagueness/hunting on deceleration/coasting. Overall, this vehicle is a decent, get- round-town appliance. On surface streets its acceleration, handling, braking, and noise/vibration are acceptable. The car is hard pressed to cruise above 65 mph with considerable engine noise. Fuel economy is about 25 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. The engine is tight and does not burn oil. The car has passed every emissions test.

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  Good Car - 1991 Geo Metro
  By Good Car - July 13 - 10:16 pm

  Bought with 154K. Have owned 4 yrs. Great on gas 42/47 MPG. No major problems. Tune up in yard in 1 hr. Parts are cheap. I have 5 spd convertible w/ no options. Love it!!

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  Miss My Metro - 1995 Geo Metro
  By TJ - July 10 - 11:16 am

  I got my Metro from my dad with my license in 97 with 9800 miles on it. Over the following 5 years I racked the mileage up to 88k, mostly in trips up and down the east coast and from NJ to WV back and forth to school. Shortly after I got the car I put a stereo in it (to replace the backseat boombox it had in it) and ended up with a 500w system with 2 subs - this car rocked. I managed to get the car airborne on one occasion and used it to off-road on dozens of occasions. Everytime I got in that car, it was a thrill for me and my friends. Ive now been without for 3 and a half years, and I miss driving this little car more and more every day. Long live Rebel the Metro!

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  The best car that Ive ever owned - 1997 Geo Prizm
  By jrexos baby - July 10 - 10:35 am

  Ive been driving for 50 yrs. now, and have owned a lot of cars during this time. My 1997 Geo Prizm, which I have been driving for 9 yrs now, is absolutely the best car that I have ever owned, I have had zero problems, only the starter replaced, after 9 yrs. and a set of tires is all. I love my Geo Prizm. If anyone out there needs to buy a used car, I suggest this Geo, youll love it

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  Reliability!!! - 1997 Geo Prizm
  By Janice - July 1 - 7:37 pm

  I love my Prizm. It has 182,000 miles and has not let me down. It is has withstood lots of wear and tear due to an immense amount of driving. I did have to replace the tires a few times, but that could be due to the amount of miles I put on each year.

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  Luvin it - 1996 Geo Tracker
  By Bill - June 20 - 4:00 pm

  Bought used with 133,000+ miles, automatic 4 cyl 4WD 4door, well preserved. Ive done timing belt, trans flush, full lubrication, and restore during the oil change. With a new set of AT tires, and maybe a luggage rack, Ill expect 200,000 miles plus!

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  I like it - 1996 Geo Metro
  By ilikeit - June 12 - 5:39 pm

  I drive 26 miles one way to work and bought the little thing at almost a steal! With 99800 miles on it, looked good, very simple, well maintained by the previous owner, almost like new! I bought the little scamp for fuel mileage, and didn’t expect much, but it’s the best car I’ve bought in a long time! So far I figure it gets an honest 46 mpg (mostly highway)! I’m impressed, with one exception... hills. Eh, I can live with that for the fuel economy though! I plan to see how long this thing will last, 250000 miles? I don’t see why not! Regular maintenance, a set of vent visors, and a cup holder is all it should need! Too bad they don’t build em like this anymore! Guess it was too good to last!

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  Lasted longer than I thought - 1996 Geo Prizm
  By Williamsjc12 - June 11 - 11:45 pm

  This was my first car. I bought this Prizm used at 142,000 miles 3 years ago. Its at 166,000 now and I havent had a single problem with it. I put a new battery in it because the one in it was a 6 year battery and the car was almost 10 years old. I bought it for $1600 and expected it to only last me a year or two because it was getting old. I drive over 50 miles a day and its never done anything funky, very reliable car. Its on its down side now because its getting old. But I would recommend this car to anyone. Oh and it has a Toyota Corolla engine and transmission so thats why its so great :-P Great first car for anyone!

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  1995 Geo Metro STD Hatchback - 1995 Geo Metro
  By Rick in TN - June 2 - 12:25 pm

  This car is just awesome! 175,800 miles and still kickin! A bit worn, but reliable as the day it was bought. Needs axles at the moment but its still on the originals. Maintenance has been excellent. New clutch in 2003 and just scheduled maintenance in between. Doesnt get there fast, but you will get there. Ride is stiff, but drives like a go cart. Just point it and it goes where you want. This car has been on the interstate, city streets and in the woods where only a goat would go. May not handle it with grace, but gets the job done. My hat is off to Suzuki for building such a tough little car! By the way the engine is original and never been torn down. Still getting 40-42 mpg.

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  94 Geo - 1994 Geo Prizm
  By yankdolf - May 30 - 9:28 am

  Awesome no frills car. This is a perfect car for new driver. Mine was a 5-speed and got great gas mileage. This was Toyota workmanship at its best. I had no major issues of any kind. A/C was ice cold, steering was awesome and it had plenty of pep with its 1.6 4-cyl. Most importantly, it is a very safe care. Mine was accordioned between two vans on the DC beltway at 50 mph. Although the car was totaled, my son and I walked away without even a scratch. The cabin area was untouched. This is the perfect point A to point B car.