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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  my dependable prizm - 1992 Geo Prizm
  By joseph and Segieray - June 3 - 2:00 am

  this is a very reliable school student car. I can honestly say that without my prizm I would be way behind on everything without my realiable prizm transportation. this car gets me everywhere and anywhere I want to go.

• 

  geeoh - 1996 Geo Metro
  By tomth - May 20 - 2:00 am

  Great car, easy to park, fill up and fun to drive. Did I mention easy to park? I wish they still made them.

• 

  boy is this great - 1997 Geo Tracker
  By adventurer - May 17 - 2:00 am

  I have had my tracker for almost six years. I know it is getting old but if i sell it, theres no newer tracker to buy. I just gotta keep it.

• 

  not bad - 1993 Geo Prizm
  By not bad - May 17 - 2:00 am

  i got my prizm new in 1993, i always thought it looked better than its corrola counterpart. my biggest mistakes were that i didnt get the power window and locks option, and the bigger 1.8 engine. besides two alternators and a starter replacement its been very reliable. the brakes have always worked well, but have noticed a more spongey feel to them lately.inside the dash and instrument panels well placed and look good. overall this car has been worth it.

• 

  Excellent Small Car - 1995 Geo Prizm
  By Geo Dude - May 16 - 2:00 am

  Bought My Geo in late 1998 with 36,000 miles and have put on over 100,000 miles on top of that since. I drive my car hard so am no fussy about mechanical failures and have had only 1 major fix that is not routine. The clutch master and slave cylinders needed to be replaced around 90000 mi. I have only replace the brakes once and the shocks once. Have some minor problems with the 12V lighter hookup for my external CD player and some problems with knobs. Seats are starting to get uncomfortable. For the money I spent on this car I am very happy with it.

• 

  One of my better used vehicle purchases - 1990 Geo Prizm
  By ForsythSO - May 3 - 2:00 am

  This car has been very relable over the years. The only problems were a mysterious hole in the radiator one month after purchase and the substandard brake system. The brake system was changed in the next years model so that was taken care of. I had to have the entire brake system overhauled twice and replace the booster once over ten years use. But I have been a little rough on it too.(I found out it can go over 100 MPH)

• 

  Mighty Mite - 1990 Geo Tracker
  By Aztroboy - April 25 - 2:00 am

  Cool design, very utilitarian. Four wheel drive is great. Hard top is very safe. I like all the amenities of a larger SUV, but with the effeciancy and logic of a small car. The LSI model is the best way to go. Lots of upgradable parts available, even on e- bay. Rally wheels are cool on the LSI. Insurance is great and costs are minimum to keep this little truck. Great truck for smart drivers.

• 

  Great Value - 1995 Geo Prizm
  By JRH - April 21 - 2:00 am

  I bought the 95 Geo Prizm in 1995 with 4K miles. I have only had to replace the altinator and breaks. I now have 106K miles.

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  good for awhile - 1996 Geo Metro
  By FormerGeo - April 16 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my 1996 Geo with 26000 miles on it. It ran like a champ for about 4 years. I never thought of it is a comfortable car or particularly well built with all its plastic. Often times on windy days that the car was going to lift off the ground. It was a snap to park but I could never make it up steep hills with more than one person and I think if I had someone over 150lbs in the passanger seat it would pull to the right. Plus the door always made noise.But great car.

• 

  Small, Light, Plastic, but Rock Solid! - 1995 Geo Tracker
  By riceowl03 - April 15 - 2:00 am

  There is a lot not to like about this vehicle. Its terrible on the highways, the wind noise is overpowering and the wind will bat it around the road. There is a lot of exposed metal, plastic, and a lack of "finish" inside the car. The gas mileage sucks for the size of the engine, and the range is pitiful. But you forget all of this as a poor student when the thing gets you through high school and college without fail. Never left me stranded, unbelievably reliable even when I just got rid of it (about a month ago).