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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  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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  The Best 4 wheel drive ever made ! - 1995 Geo Tracker
  By Tracker Owner - August 30 - 6:24 pm

  I just love these Trackers I have two of them. I am a auto mechanic and have driven them all, this is the most reliable four wheel drive vehicle you will ever own thats made in North America Cammi plant in Ontario, Canada they are really Suzukis with Cosmetic differences only. I have only done basic upkeep(Oil,tune up and battery ect.) and fixed week fuel injector of which they only have one (less problems). In 50,000 miles of use and I bought it used with 145,000 miles. You have to watch out for Kids that have owned them and abused it offroad thats Or anybody else who has. Do not buy ones that have rust under the doors or where the doors mount. Thats there flaw rust.

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  My Geos Eulogy - 1997 Geo Metro
  By Debradley - August 28 - 12:47 pm

  Well, after 112,000 mile a bad oil leak repair finally killed her, but what a great, cheap car. Up until the last gasp, this car never broke down--I did replace an axel & had some brake work done, but for the first four years nothing but oil changes. I bought this car used with about 40000 miles on it. It was awesome on gas and you could fit a ton of stuff in the hatchback. Im replacing her with a 2004 Hyundai accent sedan, which is safer, but Ill miss my metro. It was an automatic transmission, and Ive never had to repair it. If you are on a budget and can find a clean one with > 80k miles, I say go for it.

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  Great Little Beater - 1994 Geo Metro
  By ranger - August 17 - 12:06 am

  Great all around savings -- gas millage, cheaper tires, easy on brakes, no expensive frills that we really do not need. Shifts smooth, Air can freeze you.. Radio decent..Great first car or for the experience driver that wants to save at the pump.

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  The Awesome Prizm (My baby) - 1997 Geo Prizm
  By Amber - August 8 - 8:46 pm

  This is one of the best reliable cars that I have ever owned. It has outlasted a Toyota Camry and a Honda Civic. It will probably outlast my brand new Hyundai Santa Fe!!!

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  Fun to drive and great MPG to boot - 1993 Geo Tracker
  By Geo Fan - August 8 - 1:15 pm

  I have only owned this for a short time but it seems to be well built. Nothing fancy, just basic transportation. It gets 30 mpg in town and is really a hoot to drive. It is no speed demon but is great around town. The 4x4 works well off road as well. Top comes off easily and has fair amount of room in the back for passengers (short trips only though). Overall this is a great little SUV which I use as work/hunting SUV, that way my Ford F250 4x4 Superduty can sit and save me some $$ on gas during the week.

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  45 to 50 mpg - 1993 Geo Metro
  By 45 to 50 mpg - August 8 - 4:20 am

  I own a 93 standard geo metro hatchback with the 5 speed, I was hoping it would do a little better on fuel economy as compared to the xfi which I was told used a different computer, I have no idea what the differences are on the 2 cars. If you own a geo, be sure to have the catalytic convertor changed out as these over a period of time will cause burned valves. The motor is easy to work on, starter is a little hard to get to. When replacing the head Ive found it to be much easier to bolt the intake on first then bolt the head to the motor then bolt the exhuast up next. Ive managed 45 to 50 mpg by coasting to a stop sign or red light along with keeping the speed limit to 60 mph. Good cars.

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  Geo Prizm - reliable car - 1996 Geo Prizm
  By Brian - August 4 - 11:23 pm

  I bought this car straight out of school, knowing that Id need a ride that would last a while. I knew I would drive it into the ground. At least I thought I would. I bought it at 16K miles. Some older woman had had the car, and I bought it for 7k even. Other than routine oil changes, I had 2 mechanical problems. The catalytic converter went in 02, and I recently had a fuel filter go. Thats it. It has been a comfortable car. I have had both of my kids in car seats in the car. We have fit 5 people comfortably. It has fair pick up, considering... it performs fairly in the NE winter, though its no dream. All in all, its most amazing feature has been reliability. Id do it again.

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  good car - 1991 Geo Prizm
  By prizm - July 28 - 9:48 pm

  great car.Thankful that toyota made it and Geo just rebadged it as a chevy.the best Gm product you can buy.have 180000 miles and still running

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  My little Red Prism - 1997 Geo Prizm
  By Gene Rager - July 27 - 11:42 pm

  I presently have 178000 miles on my Prizm and it runs as good today as the day I bought it. I have not sufferred any major problems at all. I am 64" tall and I can wear my western styled hat while I drive. I routinely get 37 miles per gallon. This is a combination of city and hiway driving. I manage this milage on midrange gasoline. Based on the foregoing I do not understand why the car was discontinued. My next car shall be as close to the Prizm that I can get. Thank you