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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  Rating 1991 geo Prism GSI - 1991 Geo Prizm
  By Pat - September 2 - 2:00 am

  Terrific car! No problems, just normal maintenance. Runs like a top and has plenty of power. Handles extremely well. Just keeps going and going.

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  Dependable - 1993 Geo Prizm
  By Greg Robinson - August 23 - 2:00 am

  This has been a good car. I have 89000 miles on it and hope to get another. Other than changing a starter at 64000 miles and I just changed the exhaust manifold. I would consider buying another Toyota product {This car is not a Chevy}.

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  great car! - 1992 Geo Storm
  By pacificnw - August 17 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car from the original owner 5 years ago with 50,000 miles on it. We have done regular oil changes, replaced front brake pads, and had the belt replaced. It now has 103,000 on it and runs like new. Very quick little car. Extremely reliable. Gets 35 mpg. What more can I say? The back seat is only useful for small children. Also, alot of road noise (forget about having a conversation with anyone in the rear seat!). Otherwise, it has been an excellent car!

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  Cool Little Buggy - 1995 Geo Tracker
  By Jacob Marley - August 7 - 2:00 am

  The most reliable vehicle Ive owned besides my VW Bug. Travels well in all road conditions, but requires two hands on the wheel in a big wind. Rides like a truck at times, but hey, what a hoot to drive in the summer! Fuel economy could be better Ive started giving it premium grade gas and has made a big difference on the highway and as with any car...youve got to change the oil. Im changing mine at every 2500- 3K now. Will probably last well over 200K miles -)

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  Cheap and reliable, I love it - 1995 Geo Prizm
  By vl9999999 - July 31 - 2:00 am

  I thought this car was great. It was priced approximately $2,000 less than comparable sedans (e.g. carolla, civic). I had previously owned a carolla and civic and found this car to be comparable. No major mechanical problems, timing belt at about 75,000, alternater at 90,000, and the antilock brake sensor at 101,000. Other than that, the car has run great. The car is definately no-frills. However, I found it to be very reliable and economical (gas milage about 25-35 miles to the gallon). At 101,000 miles and still going.

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  Very Reliable - 1996 Geo Prizm
  By JoR - July 7 - 2:00 am

  Great reliability - Ive put very little into this car and never had any problems.

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  Hope It Lasts Another 10 Years - 1993 Geo Prizm
  By Mr. Boffo - July 7 - 2:00 am

  Bought it in 1996 with 24000 miles on it It now has 182,000 miles on it. Besides new brakes and tires, the only other thing Ive had to replace is the starter. I change the oil every 5,000 miles otherwise I hope it lasts another 10 years because its been the most reliable car Ive ever owned. Surprisingly comfortable driving it on the highway about 600 miles a week.

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  Good College Car: Geo Prizm - 1990 Geo Prizm
  By smjordan - July 2 - 2:00 am

  Ive had some problems with this used car, but nothing is perfect. Overall, Id say my Prizm has been reliable and I feel confident that it will last forever as long as routine maintenance is performed. Body rusts.

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  Old Reliable - 1997 Geo Prizm
  By timyak - June 26 - 2:00 am

  I bought the Prizm after my wife wrecked my previous commuter car, a 1993 Pontiac Grand Am. As far as utilitarian, this car has been great. It always starts and gets an average of 30 miles per gallon and 42mpg on the highway. The acceleration is sluggish but it is an otherwise great little car. Ive always had Corollas and this is definitely not a disappointing "Corolla".

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  Pretty Good Vehicle - 1993 Geo Prizm
  By Cindee - June 16 - 2:00 am

  This Geo was my fave of all my vehicles, I would DEFINATELY tell someone to buy one. I have had my jeep almost 10 years now it has broken down 1 time because of a timing belt, and that is it!!!!!!!!!!! VERY reliable vehicle, BUY ONE!