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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  a jewel in disguise - 1994 Geo Prizm
  By count d - April 3 - 2:00 am

  reliable would be an understatement! this car was the greatest investment of money i ever made!!! every single time i put the key in the ignition she starts. i trust this car completely! and i sell brand new cars! everybody ask me when im gonna get rid of my 9 year old car? when she dies {92500 miles only} these cars can reach 200k easy!!!!!!!! simply put the best!!!!!!

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  Diamond in the Rough - 1995 Geo Prizm
  By Bassman06 - March 31 - 2:00 am

  General motors didnt know a good thing when they had it. The Prizm is an excellent value in the small car segment. I own a 1995 Prizm LSi with the 1.8 liter motor and a 5-speed manual transmission. The performance is more than adequate, and is almost surprising. The ride is very good, with no noticeable quivers in the chassis. With power windows, locks, and mirrors, this car has anything you can want. The build quality is second to few, and better than any other car built by GM. A great buy.

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  BULLET PROOF - 1994 Geo Prizm
  By Cooper14 - March 29 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car in 96 with 20k on it. It now has 112k, and the ONLY thing that has ever gone out is the alternator at about 75k. And even that didnt strand me, gave me plenty of advance notice. Almost unreal reliability in this vehicle. At 100k I had brakes done and a tune-up, but not because it seemed to need either one, just seemed the thing to do! I have gone way past the suggested 60k timing belt change. Oops. I also drive a much newer Olds Aurora, but wont get rid of this little gem, its my transportation insurance!

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  Great Toy - 1994 Geo Tracker
  By pagemaker45 - March 22 - 2:00 am

  I love my 1994 Tracker. It has never left me stranded. It always starts and I have never been stuck in Northern NY snow.

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  I wish it would die.... - 1991 Geo Prizm
  By woozle - March 22 - 2:00 am

  ...so I can buy a new car. Have had car for 10 years and it has been excellent automobile. Only major repair was cracked exhaust manifold (common problem from what I understand.) I want to get a new car, but cant justify selling geo.

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  Our Metro is Wonderful - 1991 Geo Metro
  By datastat - March 21 - 2:00 am

  We purchased this as a car to put a lot of miles on. It had 69,000 when we bought it and now has 115,000. We learned to drive a manual transmission on this car and it hasnt even needed a new clutch. The only things weve had to have done (besides general maintenance) is a new exhaust system, the hood release lever replaced, and the hood latch welded. We also had to have it rust protected as it was rusting underneath.

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  The Toyota Legend Continues - 1997 Geo Prizm
  By blur - March 18 - 2:00 am

  I looked for a long time before I found this little guy. Toyotas are legendary for reliability, and I have yet to be disappointed. Zero to sixty? You need a sundial, but who cares. My kids love it because it has a stupendous aftermarket stereo.

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  PRISM LSI - 1994 Geo Prizm
  By SLDGW - March 13 - 2:00 am

  BEEN AN EXCELLANT CAR, FEW MINOR PROBLEMS OVER THE YEARS, JUST HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR, AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE STARTER ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO. BATTERY ONLY LASTED 2AND1/2 YEARS 3RD DELCO BATTERY IN A ROW THAT DIDNT LAST LONG, SHAME ON DELCO. OTHER THAN THAT IT HAS BEEN AN EXCELLANT CAR AND HOPE TO GET ANOTHER THREE YEARS OUT OF IT.

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  GOOD AND RELIABLE - 1990 Geo Tracker
  By ALEX Sobaka - March 11 - 2:00 am

  4wd i didnt put so much money in it like $500 dolars for parts and to get new tires

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  need owners manual - 1995 Geo Tracker
  By sully242 - February 25 - 2:00 am

  Just bought a 1995. Getting to like it alot, but I dont have a manual. How can I get one?