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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  Kryptonite - 1993 Geo Prizm
  By billyjo - December 23 - 2:00 am

  These suckers are built to last a minimum of 10 years. I have owned other dependable cars like the original VW bug. But nothing compares to this thing.It just goes and goes. I am now at 210,000 miles. I have been waiting for the muffler to fall off for 5 years. I have been waiting for the AC compressor to fail for 7 years. The only reapirs I have made are: 1 new starter, 3 batteries, tires and oil change every 3500 miles. But in 34 years of driving this is the most amazing car I have ever had.

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  solid little car - 1993 Geo Prizm
  By Rick in KC - December 23 - 2:00 am

  I hate to sell this car, but its getting elderly, and my kids are growing too big for the back seat. Its been fun, reliable transportation, and not bad looking, either. One of my favorite cars ever.

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  Reliable but unsafe - get 4wd or skip - 1996 Geo Tracker
  By garfromchicago - December 1 - 2:00 am

  2wd version of the car shouldnt be sold north of Atlanta ! This car car is terrible in ice, snow. Bought a Subaru second time around but still have my trusty Tracker for those perfect Summer days. Still a joy to drive although underpowered on those days. Never given any major mechanical problems. Great city car for parking.

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  My Metro Rocks - 1992 Geo Metro
  By metrolover - November 24 - 2:00 am

  I love my metro and it runs well. I have owned it for six years now and have had no major repairs yet. It had 50,000 miles when I bought it, and now has 125,000. Only performed minor repairs (tires, brakes, etc). Gets about 40-45 mpg (will get over 50 on the highway if I go about 55-60 mph, the faster I go, the worse my mileage). Just returned home from a 4,000 mile trip over a 2 week period and had no problems, didnt even worry about breaking down.

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  Its my car and I like it! - 1994 Geo Tracker
  By wolfblade77 - November 10 - 2:00 am

  Its a cool car to drive. With a little modifications, you have a sweet street race car. Its useful, easy to drive and has some power. Ok, its not a sexy car, but its still cool. Got to take it easy in sharp turns, I almost tiped it over today! With my car, I went camping, canoing, kayaking, etc. Everytime, I came back safe and sound.

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  Geo Tracker - 1991 Geo Tracker
  By posted - November 10 - 2:00 am

  We purchased this vehicle 6 years ago with 102,000 miles. We now have 192,765. In the last 6 years we have had to replace the computer at $650. Other than that, we have had only routine maintanence. It is finally getting tired but we are considering replacing the motor instead of junking the vehicle. The little thing really grows on you.

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  GREAT COMMUTER CAR - 1991 Geo Prizm
  By 2002Firebird - November 9 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car for a while and now im running on 298,000 miles ive only changed little things alternator belts fuel filter ect. has had less probs than my newer cars only car i can really depend on. gas milage is great leaks 0 oil. wish it was a litte faster but the cool thing is its the same as a toyota carolla of the same year.. just little differences the brakes, exhaust ect all say toyota no wonder its so reliable go go GEO-TA :-) ever heard of any other geo going that long?

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  Great First Car - 1990 Geo Prizm
  By firstcar - November 7 - 2:00 am

  I agree with the other comments here. This has been a very reliable car, I am never concerned. The only problem Ive had with it is the rusting exhaust system. I live in the Midwest and Ive replaced the muffler twice in the past four years. My car has 120K miles on it and I would drive it for another 3 years if I wasnt tired of it already.

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  whats to complain about - 1997 Geo Metro
  By purtycoolguy - November 5 - 2:00 am

  as far as inexpensive, bought a 97 in 99 for $4500 4 door automatic/air cond...it gets the mileage and has gone from 32k miles to over 88k without complaints..had to put in $100 for air conditioner charge but other than that i am smiling all the way...so what is there to complain about??? it aint a mercedes, but then again, you aint paying the payment!!!

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  Runs too well to let go - 1993 Geo Prizm
  By Prizm Commuter - November 1 - 2:00 am

  I want a new car, but cant justify it. This car costs almost nothing to maintain and provides reliable transportation. Bought the car new in 93 and average 10k miles a year. I get 30-32 mpg during my daily commute on local roads and 37+ on the interstate. Replaced the alternator twice (now with lifetime replacement from dealership) and the brake pads up front. I need to repair the falling headliner. Oh, and the dome light has been a pain from the beginning. I did have to replace the rear speakers and the stereo display no longer lights. Outside of that, I have no complaints!