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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  The best car purchase EVER! Still going. - 1990 Geo Prizm
  By bethlgrace - May 29 - 3:16 am

  When I first bought it I was grateful that my drivers door worked and that my car has AC, and 3 years later and real minor work done, it is still going strong and I thank GOD for that. Fuel Economy is really good and I have replaced the tires once and the windshield once and need to do it again. Utah debris on the roads is horrible. The AC still going strong, radio could be better, my car is an automatic, wish I had a stick, but oh well. My car now has 93,500 miles or so. I try to take good care of her. She gets me to work and home and not to forget from Oregon to Utah and maybe back again.

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  A great commuter - 1990 Geo Storm
  By sneakerfreak93 - April 28 - 1:58 pm

  I aquired this car in December of 2008. I did not have too many opportunities to drive the vehical because I did not have a license but the times I did, I loved it. The paint was faded and dash was cracked but this was expected considering the age of the car. The only thing replaced was the clutch which was difficult but worthwhile. The 1.6l was plenty peppy with the 5 speed manual and the gas milage was bliss! For a daily commuter or even a budget autocross vehical, i would definantly reccomend it. Handling was good especially considering it was the base model and the interior room was surprisingly good for a hatch. I sold the car in September of 2009 for $1000 (a very fair, even low price.)

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  The little Putt - putt - 1997 Geo Metro
  By Tasirna - March 16 - 5:52 pm

  I bought my first Geo from a friend and fell in love, now 7 years and almost 300,000 miles later it has finally started dying on me. But I love my little putt-putt so much I managed to find another one identical to her with only 100,000 miles on it. These are great little cars and I hate that they are no longer made. Geo had a great product, maybe thats why chevy bought them cause they were scared? (97 Geo Metro 4dr Sedan 1.3 L 4 cyl) and yes they made 4 cyl in 97 contrary to some car parts places.

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  Purple Tracker in South Florida - 1995 Geo Tracker
  By QUINNSTIGATOR - March 8 - 8:51 pm

  I now own the 1995 Geo Tracker that my dad bought new off the showroom floor. Its almost at 180k. Nothing beats it in the city. It zips through traffic. Even with a 2wd, it climbs better than my 4x4 truck. With the 235/65/R15 tires it rips corners to pieces, and wind sheer is eliminated. Any more power and Id be drifting with the 5spd. Its the most reliable car/ truck Ive ever owned. And who needs the highway when you can take the beach with the top down.

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  GM Goofs again!!!! - 1994 Geo Metro
  By joc C - December 13 - 8:31 pm

  Why did Gm stop making this car???? Best Idea of the eighties. Good reliable transportation. I called the hatchback my mini pick-up. I moved alot in that cargo space. Why couldnt they have improved on its design. It could have broken the 70MPG barrier.

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  Better car than any Hybrid ever made - 1994 Geo Metro
  By Franklin - November 29 - 7:15 pm

  I had this car from 1995.I rebuild wrecked cars for my own use.This is one of those cars with amileage of 20.000 at the time I bougt this car.I repaired the front end wreckage and stored the. Started using the car since the gas price went to $1.80 I think around 1998. I rebuilt the Motor and 5 speed transmission at 120000 Miles.It is 3 years since the motor is rebuilt and right now the Mileage is 176000. Use Mobil one with a K&N reusable air cleaner. I had to get the 3 rd set of tires and I have put 4 14" Mag alloy wheels from a 1990 dodge colt from Canada and 14" tires.Speedometer reads 35 m/hr when it is 37 M/hr. at 60 m/hr it shows 55/hr. One of the bestreliable car I had.Does 53mpg.

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  Great car - 1996 Geo Prizm
  By gsmith03 - September 27 - 7:26 pm

  This car has been extremely reliable for me for five years. It hasnt nickel and dimed me, nor has it given me any major problems. Unfortunately, I was in a tight financial spot and had to hold off on an oil change, and also happened to have an oil leak and threw a rod bearing. It needs a new engine, but that is mostly my fault and not a problem with the car. Overall, a very reliable car.

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  duck on a junebug - 1996 Geo Metro
  By michael - September 12 - 2:34 pm

  I love this car. I purchased my 96 metro 5 speed for only 800.00. At first (being a bigger guy) I was actually embarrassed to be seen in it, then as I would drive by the fuel pumps, and see people standing at the pumps looking all depressed, I learned to smile as I drove past them. As far as acceleration... Dont need it. I just leave a little earlier going somewhere and as people pass me I just think"go ahead, burn all your gas up... Dont care."as far as parking, its like parking a go-cart.......... Bottom line........... I love this car!

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  great car - 1997 Geo Tracker
  By dhopper - August 24 - 9:03 pm

  Had the car ten years, changed the oil and plugs every year, had 196,000 miles when I sold to co-worker in feb 2008, he is still driving it. It had no Major problems.

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  Great little "cute ute" (CUte Ute. Veh) - 1997 Geo Tracker
  By cski - August 18 - 11:58 am

  I bought this candy apple red little beauty from my neighbor who seemed to enjoy filling it with trash. It had no dents or dings and after we jump- started it, it ran fantastic. KNowing he bought a new car since his wife was pregnant, I immediately approached him and struck a deal for $500.00 dollars. The front drivers door hing failed, it had a hole in the exhaust, a check engine light was on, (o2 sensor)AND the rear window was stolen along with the Alpine stereo Steve put in (bad idea on a convertible) So, I put $500.00 in it and fixed everything it needed to pass emissions and inspection. After that..it has run FANTASTIC. I love it!!!! 30 mpg, new tires, just needs radio!!!