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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  Im Crying Over My Geo - 1995 Geo Metro
  By GeoLove - January 20 - 9:04 pm

  My husband bought this car in 97. He was its second owner. I took over driving it four years ago and even when we bought a new car, I wanted to drive the Geo. But this weekend, a guy hit my car and the now its worth less than it would cost to fix it. This car has given us almost 9 years AFTER being paid off. It gets 40 mpg easily and I dont even know how to think about replacing it. In my mind, what replaces a car that was reliable even with 140k on it with NO major repairs? BUY this car, but dont get hit by someone with Safe Auto insurance!

• 

  my first car - 1992 Geo Metro
  By Julia - September 28 - 9:47 pm

  I got my geo metro as my first car because it was cheap and cute. It was the best decision I have ever made. I have had the car 6 months, have had to put a new set of tires on it and change the water pump. In all, not more then $300 in repairs. I love this car. And if it ever dies, which I doubt it will because it is more of a beast then my moms car, I will buy another in a heart beat. There isnt really anything I dont enjoy about this car. It is the best first car anyone can have, as long as they are reliable and wont wreck it, because they are simply awesome on gas and are on the cheap end of things when it comes to repairs. Im glad I have my metro. =)

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  Best vehicle for the money, ever - 1995 Geo Tracker
  By Chris - September 17 - 4:39 pm

  My friends always ask me if I still have The Tracker. You better believe I do! I bought this in 1994 with about 30 miles on it and have just recently passed 336,000. I am not good with vehicle maintenance and upkeep, so the fact that this is still running is a miracle. Only major work done is a new transmission (after about 250,000). I still have it, and wouldnt give it up for anything.

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  Great Car!!!!!! - 1996 Geo Prizm
  By Britt - September 16 - 9:47 am

  Love this car. Im 18 years old and drive it like crazy since I got the car in August ive put 7,000 miles on it and all Ive had to do is put in oil. Also a friend and I were messing around and and I backed up into the side of is 1995 Pontiac and my car won. Love the strength want to have this car for a long time.

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  Has there ever been a better car????? - 1997 Geo Prizm
  By Jim - August 12 - 11:42 am

  I bought this car new late in the model year (12 years ago). I have spent a max of $1000 in this time period on minor repairs. It still gets 38 mpg+ with the 5-speed manual transmission. So given this is a 13- year old car, why arent new cars much better? So far I cant think of any reason for getting a new car.

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  Driving to Paradise - 1994 Geo Metro
  By Scott K. - August 12 - 8:19 am

  I love these cars. I love these cars so much that I bought one for my wife to drive and I trust it to take her anywhere she wants to go and safely return her home. My wife drives a 1991 and mine is a 1994. No matter where we go or what we are doing, these cars have been by our side. The world seems to go away when driving through the countryside in my Metro. Find one (or two) for yourself and someone you love. The Metro will love you back.

• 

  Best. Car. EVAR. - 1995 Geo Prizm
  By Susan Bea - August 5 - 12:08 am

  Bought used in March 97 in NJ with 25K miles. Its made it with me everywhere to this day & now has 182K. Its never let me down. Moved from CT to Oregon in the summer of 2008, and without hesitation I drove it across the country. Put over 6K miles on it in 10 days in 100 degree weather & over the mountains in Colorado. I cant say enough good things about it! Sure its old now, and the paint looks bad. The moonroof and trunk get a little leaky. Ive had to replace the starter & things wore out from old age & use.. BUT IT STILL RUNS RELIABLY EVERY DAY! Sadly, its spoiled me rotten, because I realize no car I ever own again in life will last me 12.5 years (and counting!) like my Geo.

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  still going strong - 1997 Geo Prizm
  By dercpi - June 30 - 12:27 am

  Hands down, the best vehicle I have ever owned due to its reliability and cost savings. The styling remains fresh if not fresher today than some of the crap being built now. My first was a 1994 LSi lease. It, too, was flawless. I drove my 97 off the showroom floor with 3/10s of a mile on it. As of today, it has exactly 310,000 miles on it! The engine and transmission remain original as does the exhaust and most of the suspension. The fit and finish remain strong as does the interior. Not bad considering it has never been garaged. It still gets great gas mileage, burns very little oil and has no squeaks. Why this model/line was ever killed off beats me. Wake up GM, you blew it.

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  Awesome little car - 1991 Geo Storm
  By Stephen - June 11 - 7:37 pm

  This little car has been awesome. Other than modifications Ive done, the only thing Ive had to do to it are routine maintenance like oil and brakes. The only thing it needs now are struts, and with 206,000 miles on the originals, I think theyve server their life. Handles great and is very peppy. I love the design of the body, and the mileage is awesome for a car as fast as it is.

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  wonderful - 1991 Geo Metro
  By pyewakat - May 28 - 5:08 pm

  Bought this car from a used car dealer in 1992, and still runs great to this day. Only Major repairs were the fuel filter, cat converter, and fuel jet. Ok the water pump too. Most of those repairs were 10 yrs after purchase. The water pump and fuel jet were within the last year. Still gets 30+ miles to the gallon and purrs like a kitten. Best $7000 investment ever!