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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  Shell never die - 1996 Geo Prizm
  By BubSkee - May 1 - 9:57 pm

  I bought this car from the display in the center of the dealership. It has 238,000 miles and she still runs perfect. Ive not had a single problem with it. The required Minor tune-ups is all ive ever done to it and it keeps going strong too. I bet that i can easily get another 100,000 miles out of it. This is the best out of the 3 cars ive owned. I would recommend this car any day of the week.

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  The BEST car ever !!!! - 1995 Geo Prizm
  By Fernando - April 12 - 2:48 pm

  Purchased a new Geo Prizm, LSI, 95, in March 1995. As of April 2009, it has 279,000 miles. I do love this car for its reliability, easy handling, fuel economy, and no nonsense style (does not have unnecessary things that most people do not use or do not need). I have seen the newer cars (Acura TSX) and, given the age of my Prizm, I was thinking that it was about time to give up my Geo. However, recently a lady hit my car and broke the back bumper, which gave me the opportunity to paint my Prizm back to its original color and shine. The love for this car came back. There is no way I am giving up a reliable and fun to drive car that has given me 279,000 miles and 14 years of solid driving.

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  Too much fun - 1996 Geo Tracker
  By Colkoch - April 9 - 10:06 pm

  I bought this vehicle used with a hard top. I have had so much fun with this vehicle I sold it and then bought it back. I have put Jeeps to shame with the ability of this Tracker in 4WD. You can park it in a dumpster, its so small and agile. Due to its center of gravity I would not recommend this for new drivers, but experienced off road drivers will have a fun economical time with it. In a 117K miles I have had to replace the battery, other than that its been maintenance free, and it has very few computer chips, which is an asset as far as Im concerned. This is perfect for someone who wants to tow a vehicle behind an RV and doesnt need room for more than two.

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  93 Geo Storm - 1993 Geo Storm
  By pictureperf9 - March 21 - 2:16 pm

  This is a great car, mine is a 5 speed manual trans. It does better than the stated mileage. I average 33 mpg. Mix of of city and Hiway. It is fun to drive

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  best kept secret on the planet - 1990 Geo Metro
  By ZAKEN1 - March 18 - 1:14 am

  I bought my 1990 Geo Metro from the original owner in 1992, with 58,000 miles on it. It was used daily for a 100 + mile freeway run the easiest possible type of driving. The owner had been using Castrol Syntec 5W-50 synthetic oil, and had added an Amsoil bypass oil filter. I continued using the same oil and changing oil and filters regularly. The car is now 19 years old, and has run nearly 300,000 miles. Ive replaced two timing belts, a water pump, an alternator, an oil seal, two sets of front brakes, tires, batteries, and tune up parts. The engine never had any internal repairs, has the original clutch, and runs better today than it did when I bought it (I am a professional mechanic).

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  1990 Geo Metro LSI Convertible - 1990 Geo Metro
  By Metro Man - February 8 - 12:34 am

  Using 93 Octane, Full tire pressure, and a top notch Air Cleaner.. My Metro Gets 50 + MPG !!! Garage kept buy the one owner "Retired old lady" Never seen a hint of salt. Great car, Convertible, It might have a 1.0 liter Three Cylinder. But she has plenty of get up and go around the winding roads of Watkens Glen. Top speed Clocked at 108 MPH. Not too Shabby.

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  Great car - 1997 Geo Prizm
  By RON - January 29 - 1:04 pm

  Bought this car in July of 08, when gas hit about 3.50 a gal. Parked the truck 15 miles per gal. I live in Minnesota, so it gets cold, car sits outside for one week solid it was above 20 below without the wind chill, started always and not only that still got good gas mileage about 32 city. In the summer I was getting 35, but not freeway. On the freeway driving 55 to 60, got 42 eat your heart out Prius, and I didnt need to spend 20 grand or more, car is paid for

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  can`t kill it - 1994 Geo Prizm
  By pnut166 - October 25 - 9:33 pm

  We`ve had this thing since new in `94. Pretty much stopped doing maintenance for the most part about 5 yrs ago. STILL runs PERFECT - no smoking, loss of power, doesnt use a drop of oil ( even though last oil change was about 10k ago), gets > 30mpg ! Rides and runs good as new ! 150k, still original clutch, no problems other than alternator @ 80k. Almost all door handles, knobs etc. have broken, and paint has faded, but so what! This is by far THE best car Ive ever owned, hands down! It takes all the abuse I can throw at it and asks for more!

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  Lil Mule wont quit. - 1990 Geo Tracker
  By Lil Red Mule - September 12 - 10:45 am

  On a daily basis this vehicle continues to impress me. It is trouble free, (scheduled maintenance notwithstanding)is peppy when you get the engine into the power band, and handles well in the city. It is fun to drive and tackles snow covered streets with ease. The engine and drive line appears to be almost bullet-proof. This little car has a very strong cult following. Compare prices of Edmunds and Kelly Blue Book and then see what people are actually paying for these little 4X4s. The cost difference between what the auto appraisers say they are worth and the actual price that people are paying for a decent Tracker with under 100,000 miles can be as much as $2,000.00 more. Very significant!

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  living within your means - 1992 Geo Metro
  By livin large life - September 10 - 8:55 am

  This is the best vehicle I have ever owned. They quit making this car because it was to economical and reliable. 16 years and 230,000 miles with less than 200 dollars in parts, that is what I call having your cake and eating it too. I only wish that I could buy a new one today. This is my primary vehicle, which I own several new ones that cannot compare all around.