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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  distributor cap or fuel line?? - 1995 Geo Prizm
  By robin - March 27 - 9:02 pm

  Ive been dealing with an ongoing problem with my 1995 Geo Prizm that is beginning to make driving no fun! The problem? The car turns over and over, but will not start. Eventually it will turn over and start, and then its o.k for about 3-4 days. Just checking under the hood I saw sparks off the distributor cap. Could this be the problem? Does the distributor cap prevent the car from starting?

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  Geo Metro - 1994 Geo Metro
  By willy - March 4 - 10:09 pm

  I bought my first Geo used in 1998. Still on the road today 2008 120,000 miles, Of course the car is made cheap, door latches need to be replaced. The car broke the orignal timing belt in 2007. It is not an interference engine, didnt eat the valves. Very happy.

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  Geo Storm - 1993 Geo Storm
  By Courtney - November 19 - 1:17 pm

  I have had the worst luck with this car. When I first bought it, it had no radio, and it did not have the climate controls, someone pulled them out. The first day I got it, it was in the shop for a spark plug being stuck in the motor. Then the exhast system had to be replaced. I was driving it one day and it died, the head block and the distibutor went on it about 4 times. Then I had no brakes or shocks those were fixed, and then my manifold went. Overall I have put in well over 1,600 dollars into that car, it was a bad investment.

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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.

• 

  Lasts Long - 1990 Geo Metro
  By Bill - February 13 - 10:39 pm

  It has been 16 years since I had bought my Metro when it was new and it had nearly 600,000 miles. I have gone through 4 clutches, 2 front subframes, and 1 floorboard, which I replaced because it caved in last month on I-10. I had it dynoed 3 months ago and it made 21 hp, pretty good for such a high mileage car. Unfortunately, last week I parked it too close to the dump trucks at the quarry and I ran over it. That was when I discovered it was saturated with rust. Overall, it was a great car.

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  Not A bad little SUV off the Highway - 1995 Geo Tracker
  By James - September 6 - 2:18 am

  Other reviews on the money. A decent vehicle around town with a bit of a rough ride. On the highway it is underpowered, real noisy (even with hard tops) and affected by winds and semi-trucks. It has been fairly reliable, needing battery (wiring) work, some seal maintenance and an EGR valve. The gas mileage could be better for a 4 cylinder. But if you want a 4 wheel drive, none of them get fantastic mileage. The engine is noisy, sometimes I wonder if the accelerator is a noise generator because while the engine gets louder, it has little pep. It is a good choice for a small SUV, just dont plan on lots of HWY road trips.

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  Good first car - 1990 Geo Storm
  By lor - November 28 - 3:35 pm

  Car has had many miles put on it yet o mechanical problems. Only problem that i have had was its exhaust pipe from the header detached. 50 dollars to repair. I rarely maintained it and it still ran no problem. I crashed it just the other day because a bus side-swiped me. Lost control and then ended up in a poll head on doing roupghly 35-40 mph. Airbag went off and i was fine. Walked away with no problems. Car held up really well. Its a shame cause its resale value is so poor that insurance will only give me the blue book value which is so low that its less than the price of the same model geo that people are selling it for.

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  Not comfortable but can drive for days.. - 1995 Geo Metro
  By Larry - September 2 - 12:43 am

  Not the most comfortable car in the world the interior of the car is cheaply made which is very clear, over all for the price great car is good. Purchased the car when my wife and I got married in 1995 all we could afford at the time now we are selling it 10 years down the road with nearly 150,000 miles and not one single mechanical problem, regular oil changes and check ups has kept this car in top condition. Was never a big fan of the car but loved the gas mileage, I almost hate to see it go, it is being replaced with a 2005 Chevy Avalanche and the gas is certainly not the same.

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  Cant give it up... - 1992 Geo Prizm
  By Jeff11 - July 20 - 2:00 am

  This car has been unbelieveable. I purchased it for $800 in 2/03 with 127k. It now has 144k and runs like a top. I have to add oil every now and then and the high fan speed is not working but besides that this car has been a money saver. I want to purchase so many new cars but with no monthly payment and such low insurance I think I may run it till it dies.

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  Good A to B, but watch out @ high mileag - 1994 Geo Metro
  By puckeater43609 - March 20 - 2:00 am

  Great little car with great gas mileage, but a little imtimidating if taken of the highway (youre no taller than semi-truck tires). Lots of repair/replacement work done @ 100,000 miles and above. Good disposeable car, but dont expect this cool little powered go-cart to last forever!