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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  Keep buying this car - 1994 Geo Prizm
  By arielnh56 - October 4 - 4:08 am

  Ive had two 94 Prizm LSIs - a manual I had from new that died in an impact at 149K and the replacement which I got at 110K and is now at 170K. Both cars needed alternators, replacement CV shafts (cheap $80 each and easy to replace - gets rid of the clunking when you tap the gas), both cars stripped wheel studs, radios died and knobs break. New car distributor at 160K. Old car drank quarts of oil towards the end but I blame my lead foot for that. New one does not drink a drop. I check the valve clearances every 60k when I do the timing belt - no adjustment needed. Front wheel bearings need to be repacked and adjusted occasionally (non-ABS). This car should last forever if not crashed or thrashed.

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  Best car I ever owned - 1994 Geo Metro
  By Steve Miller - September 24 - 2:28 pm

  This has been the best car I have ever owned. By far the most dependable. She has only let me down once and that was my fault. I bought the car used and after a little over 2 years the battery went dead. I roll started it and replaced the battery. Have never had another except the door handles.

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  The best car a woman could have - 1993 Geo Tracker
  By Lucille Leap - September 12 - 4:05 am

  I bought my Tracker with 554 miles on it and it was used. But I would not trade it for any other car. It is light weight which makes it a little hard to handle on ice but it is built to last. It has well over 200,000 miles on it and the only things that I have had done to it is new muffler and a cluch that was just done this year and brakes when needed but it has had only 5 tune ups. And it is running strong. They could give it a little more pick up when taking off but other then that I love it, wouldnt trade it for nothing!

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  Geo in Motion - 1996 Geo Metro
  By Gma Gave it to me - August 27 - 8:54 pm

  This little Geo has over 120,000 miles on her and she is still going strong. She has just been handed down to me from my gma as my first car, and I am so excited. This car is older than I am but I know she will keep on running. I used to ride in it when I was a baby, and know I get to drive in it as a "Big Kid." I am so happy to drive the Geo In Motion. I call her GIM!!!

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  Best MPG - 1991 Geo Metro
  By GeoownerinTexas - July 20 - 3:05 pm

  This is a red 1991 Geo Metro 4 door hatchback 1.0L 3 cyl 5 speed (with a/c). It starts everytime. Parts are CHEAP! It costs VERY little to maintain. Its not a looker, I wont lie, but if you have a long commute, and can live without airbags, and ABS, I would recommend it. I do not feel super safe in this, but with extra caution, Ive learned to absorb that fear! I do not reccommend this vehicle for more than 60 miles each way, or more than an hour drive with no traffic each way. Its not the most comfortable and its very low to the ground. But with an average of 40-44 mpg, you cant go wrong. Shocks are poor. Overall build quality for a car this old is very good. Has 157000 miles.

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  Good Car - 1991 Geo Metro
  By Good Car - July 13 - 10:16 pm

  Bought with 154K. Have owned 4 yrs. Great on gas 42/47 MPG. No major problems. Tune up in yard in 1 hr. Parts are cheap. I have 5 spd convertible w/ no options. Love it!!

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  Miss My Metro - 1995 Geo Metro
  By TJ - July 10 - 11:16 am

  I got my Metro from my dad with my license in 97 with 9800 miles on it. Over the following 5 years I racked the mileage up to 88k, mostly in trips up and down the east coast and from NJ to WV back and forth to school. Shortly after I got the car I put a stereo in it (to replace the backseat boombox it had in it) and ended up with a 500w system with 2 subs - this car rocked. I managed to get the car airborne on one occasion and used it to off-road on dozens of occasions. Everytime I got in that car, it was a thrill for me and my friends. Ive now been without for 3 and a half years, and I miss driving this little car more and more every day. Long live Rebel the Metro!

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  Reliability!!! - 1997 Geo Prizm
  By Janice - July 1 - 7:37 pm

  I love my Prizm. It has 182,000 miles and has not let me down. It is has withstood lots of wear and tear due to an immense amount of driving. I did have to replace the tires a few times, but that could be due to the amount of miles I put on each year.

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  Luvin it - 1996 Geo Tracker
  By Bill - June 20 - 4:00 pm

  Bought used with 133,000+ miles, automatic 4 cyl 4WD 4door, well preserved. Ive done timing belt, trans flush, full lubrication, and restore during the oil change. With a new set of AT tires, and maybe a luggage rack, Ill expect 200,000 miles plus!

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  Lasted longer than I thought - 1996 Geo Prizm
  By Williamsjc12 - June 11 - 11:45 pm

  This was my first car. I bought this Prizm used at 142,000 miles 3 years ago. Its at 166,000 now and I havent had a single problem with it. I put a new battery in it because the one in it was a 6 year battery and the car was almost 10 years old. I bought it for $1600 and expected it to only last me a year or two because it was getting old. I drive over 50 miles a day and its never done anything funky, very reliable car. Its on its down side now because its getting old. But I would recommend this car to anyone. Oh and it has a Toyota Corolla engine and transmission so thats why its so great :-P Great first car for anyone!