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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  Fun car - 1996 Geo Tracker
  By shanesmith0922 - April 25 - 12:40 pm

  I bought this car at around 120,000 miles and immediately took a road trip from Salt Lake to Mesa, Arizona. It handled it like a champ. I have also taken it four wheeling several times and this car can climb! It has been a year with minor repairs. I had a tune up, belts replaced, and so on. (the previous owner did not seem to ever do this) I hope I can have this fun car for many more years.

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  Amazing Car! - 1994 Geo Prizm
  By sammycartime - March 11 - 11:15 pm

  I have been driving this car for 5 years now and I have no complaints. I regularly drive the length of California and Ive never had a problem.I also take it over many passes and through the mountains regularly. It starts every time and gets great gas mileage. For the money its a steal. It doesnt have many interior perks, but it does everything I need.

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  First new car I bought - 1990 Geo Metro
  By just_john - February 21 - 4:21 pm

  I bought the 1990 Metro new for $6499. My wife used to drive between Randolph AFB and Lackland AFB everyday for work. Almost always she would encounter "rush hour traffic" that moved at 45-50 MPH. On her 90 mile commute at this low speed she routinely achieved 62-63 MPG week after week. After about 18 months she decided that she needed a more comfortable car. It had 65,000 trouble-free miles on it when we sold it. No cruise control, no A/C, no frills of any kind. BTW, on a trip to South Dakota and back we averaged 65 MPH and got 46 MPG HWY.

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  Its 23 years old, cant be too mean... - 1990 Geo Prizm
  By kenwid1988 - December 24 - 10:56 am

  We bought this car in 2010 for $1,000. It is thee most basic thing on the block. The only upgrade it has is it being automatic, oh and it having A/C. This poor thing has been used and abused. It has 244K miles on it. Whines like a 5 year old. But all and all, if you want to buy something that will get you to school, has nothing on it, and does not want performance, then this is for you. They are very cheap to buy. And it has Toyota parts. Good car to have if you really want to down size.

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  I bought this car in 1998..:) - 1995 Geo Prizm
  By cmoonandstars1 - December 22 - 8:11 pm

  Still running..and runs great!!!!!! It has had a few dings but always starts like a top. When I originally purchased this car..I did a though evaluation..it seemed a TREAT choice..and indeed it WAS. 13 years old and running strong.

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  A Great Car!!! - 1995 Geo Metro
  By tigger2uall - August 10 - 9:25 pm

  I bought this car in 95 new with 8 miles on it. 2012, still running strong. Mind you, I have replaced the engine ($1,200, first engine went after 150,000 with normal maint.) and timing belt. Other than normal things, I love my little purple Geo. Easy to reach everything. My first stick shift and best car I have ever owned. Our oldest chil even learned how to drive in it! It got her home WITHOUT a belt! LOVE MY GEO!

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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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  Never Underestimate the Prizm - 1991 Geo Prizm
  By fiddlinpickler - June 7 - 10:23 pm

  I got "Marie" from my grandma my senior year of college in 2009 with 40k miles. After sitting for 2 years it started right up after being jumped. All Marie needed was a battery, dist cap & tires. Did the driver axle at 50k. Drove from Cleveland to Denver with my life inside - she didnt miss a beat. Did the exhaust at 55k, timing belt, h20 pump and radiator at 70k and passenger axle at 75k. Maintenance + Repairs averaged $80/mo. Great in the elements. One icy morning I got rear ended while sitting at a stop light by a 02 Outback Wagon going 25mph. Outback suffered massive damage and was totaled. Marie drove away with a busted taillight. Her bumper sticker says "Now Salvaged Subaru was Here".

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  So much fun to drive, roomy and great gas mileage at 26 for the 4x4 - 1997 Geo Tracker
  By mickmarion - April 24 - 10:15 am

  I owned this car second hand from Carmax and had it for 10 years, best little car ever. She was really roomy, loved taking the top off and yes she was noisy but who cares. Heater worked great when I needed it, never had too many issues. Gave her a bath every week and took care of every service that was needed. I would get another in a heartbeat !

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  92 Geo Storm GSI 1.8 4 speed automatic - 1992 Geo Storm
  By puppydog4 - March 19 - 11:31 am

  Just bought this car. only problem is cannot find an egr valve for it. Other wise it runs real good and is fun to drive. If any one knows of someone who has this valvee contact me. Had a 93 geo storm 1.2 liter sold it and regreated it as it was a real screamer. This 92 is a screamer also but automatic. Will consider selling it if you are intersted. Or maby some one in Europe may have this part.