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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  Good Car - 1990 Geo Prizm
  By bigreid07 - March 29 - 2:00 am

  This has been a very good starter car car for me. Anyone that is looking for a cheep, reliable car for their high school child needs to look at this one...unless they have really long legs!

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  187,000 and still going strong!! - 1993 Geo Prizm
  By sief - March 27 - 2:00 am

  The car still looks great! Everyone says how small it is but my husband, son, an I fit with all the stuff we bring to grandmas houses (2.5 or 5 hours) no problem. I would say the 187,000 miles are half highway and half city. I replace the tires and brakes every few years. The manifold has cracked a few times, the radio went out several years ago, and the heater just blows warm air now, but otherwise no major repairs or replacements. If they still made them, I would buy another in a heartbeat!

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  Reliable - 1992 Geo Prizm
  By long time driver - March 26 - 2:00 am

  Ive had the car since 94. Aside from regular maintenance, replaced FL wheel bearing at 50K, replaced radiator at 120K, replaced timing belt 145K. Now at 150K and still runs fairly well. Not comfortible for long trips.

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  Twelve trouble free years - 1990 Geo Storm
  By deskjocky - March 25 - 2:00 am

  I bought the Geo Storm new in July 1990 and with 177k miles it runs as smooth and quiet as it ever did. The sun has taken its toll on the interior plastic but the mechanicals remain sound. With the exception of a couple of routine timing belts,an exaust manifold, and a clutch cable, it just doesnt need shop time! It handles well, the mileage is still great and it is still snappy around town.

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  Great Car - 1994 Geo Prizm
  By Sam Riley - March 24 - 2:00 am

  The Geo is a very good used car. It offers great milage at a great price. Mine is 8 years old with 195,000 miles and still going strong.

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  Geo Metro - 1997 Geo Metro
  By Sal - March 22 - 2:00 am

  This is a wonderful car!

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  Not too bad - 1991 Geo Storm
  By jgrill5 - March 22 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car over 5 years and it now has 170K+ miles on it. I have always kept it serviced and have actually not had too many problems with it. It still runs very strong. I just had the struts replaced and what a difference that made. It still has the original clutch which is very unusual at 170K. It has not been to bad of a little car.

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  Happy Geo Owner - 1991 Geo Storm
  By geo owner - March 20 - 2:00 am

  Highly reliable decent gas mileage (around 23) - could be higher for a small car. Easy to drive handles nicely. Great body design. Exhaust system tends to wear quickly (probably due to low clearance). Wish they still made these - Id buy another in a minute.

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  Happy Geo Owner - 1991 Geo Storm
  By Geo Owner - March 20 - 2:00 am

  Highly reliable decent gas mileage (around 23) - could be higher for a small car. Easy to drive handles nicely. Great body design. Exhaust system tends to wear quickly (probably due to low clearance). Wish they still made these - Id buy another in a minute.

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  Geo Metro is a best buy - 1992 Geo Metro
  By jammo - March 18 - 4:24 pm

  A Geo Metro is a best buy. I have had mine ten yrs and love it. Maint included new tires [$120 for 4 on the rim!!] an alternator, two batteries and one new brake set-for 10 yrs! Seats 4 and gets fantstic milage. Total cost with financing,AM/FM Cassette, rear wiper and air was just under $10,000. Monthly avg cost-$102! $83 for purchase, $12 in gas and $7 in maint including parts, svc and oil changes. Still kicking and looking good-largest Geo ever made!