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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  Great Little Car - 1991 Geo Prizm
  By Don Ho - August 18 - 2:00 am

  Purchased new in 1991. Drove for 11 years. Meticulously maintained. Never let me down. Always started. Cant say enough about engine performance. 130 HP mated well to a 5 speed manual. Extremely good handling in turns (low profile tires) and an excellent highway runner. Car was so reliable, I wanted to sell it to someone I knew. Sale took place recently, and I miss it already.

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  Just Wont Quit - 1990 Geo Prizm
  By Reb - August 16 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Geo Prizm used with 114000 miles on it in 1994. It now has 188,000 miles and keeps on going. I live in the upper midwest where we have lots of snow and salt so there is moderate rusting, but this car has been extremely reliable. It heats up on cold days almost immediately and has good handling for such a light car. Great gas mileage and the engine feels like its going to last forever.

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  I love cars AND I love my Metro - 1994 Geo Metro
  By faithfulcar - August 11 - 2:00 am

  Id call myself a gearhead and yes, I love this Metro. More faithful than a dog, more reliable than any person, all the pep you need (it doesnt weigh anything!) and parkings a breeze. Get this: after nearly a decade and 152K, its mpg STILL beats an off-the-line Toyota Prius! You know, that fancy hybrid electric car! Im looking forward to more cross- country trips. This car loves to run! Remember the old ad, "How can far can your car go on $78 of gas?" Metro goes from CA to NY!

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  CP #4 - 1993 Geo Prizm
  By ChasP - August 11 - 2:00 am

  Extreamly well built. Minor repairs, even after 9 years. Still very peppy for 110,000 miles.

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  Good A to B and B to A car - 1997 Geo Metro
  By P. Setlur - August 10 - 2:00 am

  For a 3 cylinder car, it is pretty decent. I want to know when the spark plugs have to be changed. I have about 70,000 clicks on it. Does this car use platinum plugs? I bought this secondhand at about 35,000 km.. I recently changed the air filter on it. Id appreicate any input from similar owners on its upkeep. There is no a/c on mine. I am having a problem with the heating switch that I have to wiggle to make it operate at low speed. I live in Toronto and I need the heat in winter.

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  geo, it just keeps going and going - 1990 Geo Metro
  By aitheman - August 1 - 2:00 am

  The engine has 145,000 miles on it and it just keeps rocking

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  great car! - 1993 Geo Prizm
  By garythe geo - August 1 - 2:00 am

  bought this car new and to date i have replaced the following parts: wiper blades, brake shoes, alternater, tires. thats it!!!! this has been the most trouble free car that i have ever owned. the car still looks great and drives like new. we also have a 97 prism with 97,000 miles, only replaced the tires- why mess with near perfection?

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  And going, and going...... - 1993 Geo Prizm
  By Tarod - July 28 - 2:00 am

  Great little car, bought used for $2,400 with 120,000 miles. Only had to replace an alternator, and the shocks in the 65,000 miles we put on it. Took two of us from Oklahoma to Chicago with no problems twice, and many other trips with superb gas mileage. Very cold air and comfort level that ignores its price and entry-car level status. The engine is a bit underpowered, requiring well thought out passing manouvers, (it helps to punch off the A/C before hand too. Heh.) No sqeaks or rattles through 180,000 miles, before I traded her in. Actually fun to drive despite the lack of power. I miss the gas mileage. Great little car.

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  Best Little Car Ive Owned - 1996 Geo Metro
  By B. Rocco Del Giglio - July 27 - 2:00 am

  It cant get up to speed very quickly but my,at the time, 5 yr old Metro, took me from Key West,FL to NY then to LA and back to Key West with never a problem. The gas mileage is excellent and the back hatch is just right for loading stuff in the vehicle. I bought it new because it was the cheapest car I could get and havent been sorry for the buy.

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  Excellent SUV - 1993 Geo Tracker
  By TrackerGirl - July 23 - 2:00 am

  Weve had our Geo Tracker since January 2002 and it had 214,000 miles on it. No problems what so ever! Now, it has 219,500 miles on it, and still no problems! Its the best vehical weve ever had! Id like to get another Tracker. It takes about $10 to fill it up and you can go 2 weeks on the same tank, that is if you dont drive it 24/7. Awesome Vehical!