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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  Fun, Fun, Fun! - 1997 Geo Tracker
  By russ - November 2 - 1:44 am

  Bought this car because I need to rent a car for two weeks while my other was being repaired. It was only $1,400 and had been used as a tow vehicle behind a motorhome. Came with a soft and hard top. Gave my 15 year old his first driving lesson it it (has a 1.6L motor and 5 speed trans). When he gets his license he can buy it from me. I hyper mile better than 38 mpg out of this car around town, but freeways speeds can get scary. Overall its a great little runabout. Too bad they dont make them anymore.

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  it keeps going, amazing - 1996 Geo Prizm
  By cogdog - October 29 - 9:19 pm

  Well, what can you say about a car that starts everyday and never breaks down, year in, year out, its hard to describe but it earns a place in your heart. My wife bought this car 6 years ago for $1000, it then had about 130K on it, many people told her, "its a 4 banger, they dont last, you wasted your money" WRONG! it now has over 216K on it! It does not burn oil or leak oil, everything works on it! even the A/C, amazing!! This little car has won our respect, sure its old, slow and looks rough but who cares, i just think of all the money this gem has saved me over the years and i cant believe it, wish I had a car like this long ago. The only thing we replaced was the starter/battery

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  Keeps on Ticking - 1994 Geo Prizm
  By RLY - October 24 - 9:54 am

  Keep thinking I need to keep an eye out for my "next" vehicle, but I realize thats stupid because this one wont die and shows no sign it ever will. Now at 138,000 miles. Multiple coast to coast trips during transfers in the Marines, three years in storage while overseas, still starts instantly, runs perfectly. 31-32 mpg in mixed city/hwy driving and over 37 mpg in pure interstate cruising at 80 mph on my last trip! Alternator is Achilles heel had to replace at 48,000 and again when it came out of storage, but got one w/a lifetime warranty from a national repair chain and no problem since then. Handling, acceleration are far from inspiring, but adequate. The car Timex wouldve built.

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  Great Car! - 1990 Geo Prizm
  By Nick - October 2 - 5:12 pm

  This car has been the best investment ive ever made! It has 263,500 mi and still running strong, doesnt burn oil, starts right up, even spins the tires pretty good, all while getting great gas millage! Ive only replaced the exhaust manifold (cracked), and the starter. Everything else (as far as I can tell) is still straight from the factory.

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  $ for $ best car ever built - 1994 Geo Metro
  By dave - September 22 - 11:29 am

  This was my second car as my previous and first car (a catty cimeron) couldnt handle my type of driving (it blew up). I have driven this car extremely hard, i.e., heavy acceleration, severe weather, and been involved in several minor to medium accidents. This car never broke, always started and drove reliably anywhere I wanted to go. Always got 44+mpg. I got 55 mpg on a long trip. This car did a great job accelerating and cruising on interstate at 75 to 80 mph. My only regret is how poorly I treated this car for 15 years and although mechanically its still great, the body and other things I inflicted on the vehicle are making me think its time to move on. Im sad.

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  95 Metro - A real work horse - 1995 Geo Metro
  By Joe Porter - September 18 - 12:11 am

  I purchased my 95 Geo second hand from the dealer. The car was first sold in 3/96 and I purchased it about a year later. I think that the purple color had something to do with the slow sale. It never got the 49MPG that the five speed 3 cylinder was supposed to get but with air on I got 38 MPG regularly. I have had the clutch replaced and one set of tires replaced. I just had it repainted this week and I am planning to drive it for another 130,000 miles. I drove it from San Diego CA to Riverside CA every day for five years and it never caused me any problem.(150 miles round trip-70+MPH) I can recommend this car to anyone provided it has been maintained per the manual - great car.

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  big time gas mileage - 1997 Geo Prizm
  By mike - July 24 - 7:19 am

  I got this car from my mother. Its the 1.8 auto. My gas mileage is incredible. Hwy mileage is anywhere from 40-44 mpg and combined is about 38. Given Im not a jack rabbit driver and I use synthetic oil in this car. Its the first time I ever got better gas mileage than what is advertised. I will never sell this car.

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  the bestest - 1996 Geo Prizm
  By cp - July 20 - 12:17 pm

  This car is the most reliable Ive ever had and I have had a lot of cars. Now has 215,000 and burns no oil. Never had the exhaust changed. Starts every time even in sub zero temps. Great gas mileage 36 MPG local. Only changed tires twice. Love this car.

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  The Best I Ever Had - 1992 Geo Storm
  By Downhill - July 14 - 4:35 pm

  When I bought my little "monster" Storm it had a whopping 124,000 miles on it everyone I knew said get a good car. I loved it now it has 210,000 miles and the water pump has gone out in it, if this is not a good car then bring one on! I have no complaints about the car of course except the standard back seat complaint. Everyone I know will tell you I drive my little monster like there is no tomorrow and pedal to the metal, I figure if I can take it so can he (the car). I live in the SF bay area I have driven it to WA State 3 times & Reno 4 or 5 times. This car is the best I have ever owned and the best any of my friends have ever seen. I wish they still made them.

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  So Far So Good - 1996 Geo Metro
  By TSchneider - May 24 - 8:24 am

  Bought the car in 04 w/ 110k on it for $1100. I now have 202k on it. I get 35-40 mpg hwy at 65 and 32 overall. MPG would be better with a stick. Replaced entire exhaust in 05 ($700). At 131k rebuilt camshaft and replaced timing belt and water pump. About a month ago I had water pump and timing belt done again ($700)w/ 200k on it. A/C and Heater blower no longer work. Brakes have been done twice ($300) per visit. Tires are $200 per set! Car still runs very smoothly and gets me anywhere I want to go.