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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  incredible highly underrated car - 1994 Geo Metro
  By sdor - June 23 - 11:53 pm

  I absolutely love my 94 Geo Metro XFi. My grandparents bought it used around 94 I acquired it in 05. After 18 years of life, it might finally be time for me to say goodbye to this car, due to some substantial subframe damage lately. But even now, the only issue with the car is rust the engine, the transmission, etc. are all perfectly fine. After 18 years, and a low 74,000 miles, the only major repairs were replacing the MAP sensor (around 65-70K), replacing the exhaust and muffler, and replacing front CV joints and control arms (this year and last year). This car is amazingly reliable. Ive driven it in every harsh condition, as well as across the country. surprising cargo capacity too.

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  Best Little Car On the Market - 1997 Geo Tracker
  By vw1973 - December 26 - 3:18 pm

  I bought my Tracker for $1750 it had 73,800 miles on it, ran awesome, and was in good shape for a 14 year old car. One of the best moves Ive ever made. In the winter its great because it has 4x4 and is amazing in the snow. In the summer its great because its a convertible and its surprisingly phenomenal off-road, even when completely stock. Its durable and can handle lots of work. For such a small car it can fit 1/3 cord of wood, and you wont wreck the strong interior. Its uncomfortable and 55mph on the highway is 3K rpm, but it gets 35 mpg, its amazingly reliable, and it has the heart and soul of a big truck.

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  Amazing Little Car - 1995 Geo Prizm
  By lenorek - August 13 - 9:55 am

  I got this car for 2200 dollars after my (terrible) Saturn SL1 was rear ended into oblivion. I expected it would be good for a little while until I bought a "real car". Was I wrong, it was a GREAT car. with sixteen years and nearly 180K miles, it has needed very few things. Granted, it was a one owner vehicle and the person who had it maintained it meticulously. Still, I think it is very impressive that a car that retailed for around 14K in 1985 has only had one alternator replacement, one new set of brakes, front ball joint replacements and a wheel well repair. I also opted to change the timing belt. I have my Corolla now, gave Geo to my husband but I highly recommend this car.

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  Great car - 1995 Geo Prizm
  By OLD RED - November 19 - 2:00 am

  Beside the paint fading great car wish they would bring it back I would buy it again

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  ? - 1996 Geo Metro
  By Marvelous Marv - October 13 - 2:00 am

  I drive to work, all freeway speeds and on the "flat". ONE WAY, BUMPER TO BUMPER. No need to pass. Zero acceleration at this speed, but more than need acceleration in town.Have air conditioning, is adequate with tinted windows to keep comfortable at 100 degrees after 10-15 minutes of cooling. Will not stay cool at idling--needs 1500-200 rpm to cool. Adequately. Added cruise control-- millage increased from 42 mpg to 45.6 mpg at 50-60 mph with this change. Nothing breaks, excellent car but VERY NOISY--have double insulated doors with Dynomat sound insulation, it helped ---now I can tell the noise is coming from the floor-- 95-98 db--OSHA action time for this amount of noise is 15 minutes.

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  Reliable, Durable, and Cheap! - 1993 Geo Prizm
  By golfingirl - September 1 - 9:18 pm

  I never thought I would like this car, after having a Mercedes-Benz prior to this one. I have to say, I am pleasantly surprised. I have nothing but good things to say about it. I have had the car for a year and a half and have never had to do a single repair! I drive it everyday, and I fill up my gas tank about once every three weeks, for about $28 bucks. Cant beat that! I drive it on dirt roads and tote my German shepherd in the back. Nothing phases this car!

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  230K and still going strong - 1992 Geo Prizm
  By RedWonder - August 13 - 10:22 pm

  I inherited my prizm for my high school graduation 5 years ago. It now has 230K miles on it and still runs great! I think the frame of the car will fall apart before it stops running - It has lots of rust from being outside, Ive gone through 3 door handles, and the radio is questionable - but the engine is still in great shape! The low miles are great and it is truly a dependable car!

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  Gets the job done cheaply - 1996 Geo Metro
  By Rich - July 29 - 11:47 am

  Bought it in November 08 after going bankrupt, needed a cheap car that got great mileage to drive my 120 mile round trip to work 5-6 days a week. Paid $600 with 110k miles on it, wasnt running at the time. Previous owner was a kid who destroyed a new clutch he put in. I put in a new clutch, starter, left axle, and plugs/wires and drove it to 140k without any problems. Replaced timing belt/water pump and it now has 173k. Cost $19 to fill up for 300 miles. Been in a minor fender bender and keeps running. Cant complain for the price I paid and cost of ownership, Id get another! It wont win any races or win any awards for looks or comfort, but it goes from A to B.

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  A Surprising Dependable little SUV - 1997 Geo Tracker
  By Gil - July 20 - 10:27 pm

  This SUV does what it is suppose to do, get you there on time every time whether it be the big snow storm or ice storm. It is very dependable for a 1997. Yes it rides like a truck or Jeep. The vehicle sits high so very high wind days are a no-no at high speeds on I87. Gas mile is great for a 1.6 liter 5 speed manual shift. 24-MPG city and 33 MPG on the highway. I get stuck doing stuff for my daughter who lives about 90 North and the vehicle has ample room for stuff like bikes, pallets, computers, snow blowers lawn mowers mulch etc. I have replaced these items, battery, muffler, brakes tie rod and a brake line, tuneup fluids and bulbs(easy jobs). I turned off the driving light to save energy

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  Reliable Till the End - 1997 Geo Prizm
  By Fernando - June 5 - 8:49 am

  I have to give this car a 10 on reliability because it is at 173,000 miles and i have not had to make many repairs. I have driven this car from NY to FL twice and NY to Chicago round- trip. It hits its max at 175,000, but what car that you have can you say the same. If you find it in low mileage, buy immediately because it will last a long time. Its too bad they discontinued the brand because I would have definitely bought another one.