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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  Very Dependable - 1994 Geo Tracker
  By Dina - March 31 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 4x4 Geo Tracker in Europe in 95. Thought it was a good looking, sporty, little vehicle. Although the price was a little high, I was satisfied. The vehicle I owned at the time was a Chevy G-20 conversion van. If youve ever driven and tried to park a car in Europe youd understand the setbacks to owning a huge vehicle. My Geo was great for these driving conditions. Although it does give you fits going up and down the mountainside, having a 5 spd allows you to use a lower gear and get the result you are looking for (making it to the top). Im buying another vehicle this year, but Im not getting rid of my Tracker!

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  Reliable - 1992 Geo Prizm
  By long time driver - March 26 - 2:00 am

  Ive had the car since 94. Aside from regular maintenance, replaced FL wheel bearing at 50K, replaced radiator at 120K, replaced timing belt 145K. Now at 150K and still runs fairly well. Not comfortible for long trips.

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  Great Car - 1994 Geo Prizm
  By Sam Riley - March 24 - 2:00 am

  The Geo is a very good used car. It offers great milage at a great price. Mine is 8 years old with 195,000 miles and still going strong.

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  Not too bad - 1991 Geo Storm
  By jgrill5 - March 22 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car over 5 years and it now has 170K+ miles on it. I have always kept it serviced and have actually not had too many problems with it. It still runs very strong. I just had the struts replaced and what a difference that made. It still has the original clutch which is very unusual at 170K. It has not been to bad of a little car.

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  Happy Geo Owner - 1991 Geo Storm
  By geo owner - March 20 - 2:00 am

  Highly reliable decent gas mileage (around 23) - could be higher for a small car. Easy to drive handles nicely. Great body design. Exhaust system tends to wear quickly (probably due to low clearance). Wish they still made these - Id buy another in a minute.

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  Happy Geo Owner - 1991 Geo Storm
  By Geo Owner - March 20 - 2:00 am

  Highly reliable decent gas mileage (around 23) - could be higher for a small car. Easy to drive handles nicely. Great body design. Exhaust system tends to wear quickly (probably due to low clearance). Wish they still made these - Id buy another in a minute.

• 

  Go Geo Girl! - 1997 Geo Metro
  By used_car_grl - March 7 - 3:54 pm

  I have had in the past ten years 8 cars. I have had fords,dodge, chevrolets, saab,volkswagon,etc.I was looking for a cheap dependable car to get me too and from college and work and around town. I have taken at least 5 or more trips in it so far with mile ranges of 200 to 1000 miles a weekend. The car gets excellent gas mileage, and I have had no problems exept for normal wear and tear ie:new tires.

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  Inexpensive and reliable - 1995 Geo Prizm
  By JodyD - March 5 - 3:30 pm

  Ive owned my Prizm for several years now and have been very impressed with its performance. Its very fuel efficient and I havent had any mechanical problems at all. Also, I live in the northeast where they generously salt the roads all winter and there isnt a spot of rust on the car! It may not be the flashiest car on the road, but its done very well by me.

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  Great Little Car - 1993 Geo Prizm
  By grburkh - March 3 - 1:45 am

  I drive 134 miles/day to/from work. Currently has 248,900 miles and still climbing. Regular maintenance, replaced struts at 240,000 miles (wow), very minor new parts: alternator, battery, stereo/tape, and minor manifold weld (original muffler and tailpipe). As of last week, worst fuel mileage was 31 mpg!! Plan on buying new one in July 2002. The last year for Chevy/Prizm.

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  Bulletproof reliability - 1996 Geo Prizm
  By specialk_lsi - February 26 - 5:29 pm

  i love this car, right now im at 62,000 miles and the only thing i had to change was the oil. good power to weight ratio and very good handling w/wide tires. i get an average of 30mpg with 87 octane (mostly city driving).