Faults:

At 7 years old the calipers and rotors needed to be replaced.

The exhaust followed, first the resonator, then the muffler, this year the catalytic.

One of the rear sway bar mounts had to be rebuilt. This year the other mount had to be welded.

General Comments:

I paid $8,000 new the end of 1994. I've put $1,000 into repairs since 2001 (not counting twice replaced tires). I've been told it costs about $1,000 per year to drive a well maintained car and that's what my Geo has cost me going on 9 years now.

It always starts right up. It goes and goes and goes... But now, at 122,000 the engine is leaking oil and it won't shift into 1st unless I'm at a dead stop.

I will drive it to the death which hopefully, won't be for a few more years.

Faults:

Transmission at 56,000.

Replaced clutch at the same time as it was weak.

Typical headlight switch problems.

General Comments:

Rides better than other cars in the same category (Ford Festiva, Aspire, etc.)

If you have 3 passengers, holding 70 is a challange... way underpowered.

Low fuel consumption.

Excellent starter, even in -25.

Faults:

Having this car for only a short period of time, I hadn't expected to have any problems. It seems however that the alternator is starting to go south for the winter with the ducks. It has started burning belts when it starts charging, and it makes a chirping sound that I can't stand; it also pulls the engine down considerably when it kicks in. Really a bummer at only 62k miles, but it still has not failed to start.

General Comments:

This car, despite it's recent problem, has been great and a blast to drive. The 3-cylinder engine has more kick than I ever expected out of such a tiny little motor, and it's actually a comfy highway cruising car as well. The interior could use a new dash top (tiger sun stripes aren't my thing) and the passenger side seat has a mystery stain.

The engine has been nothing but willing at any task I can throw at it, and if you want to punch it hard enough, it will go fast. I keep my religious 3,000 mile oil changes and it so clean you can eat off it. The car doesn't have A/C and I can actually service it!

Faults:

The locks on this car are a problem. Within three weeks of buying this car, I already cannot open the driver's side or the hatchback. I wonder if anyone else has had so many problems with the locks?

General Comments:

This car does not have a lot of power, as I think everyone knows, but my Dodge Aries felt sluggish by comparison. The car feels solid on the road and it handles well. Cutting in and out of rush hour traffic is easy.

I hear the crash test results are good, but I still wouldn't want to be in an accident in a Geo. It is a tin can on wheels and I think I would be squelched flat as a bug.

Someone said that these cars are ugly, but I disagree. They have a unique look and they are more stylish than most of the clunky new vehicles being sold nowadays. My girlfriend's parents recommended this car to me (they've got a '92) and say that they've had almost no problems in 10 years (170,000 kms).

I am only in my first "real" career job and still have a relatively low income, so this car's fuel efficiency wins it lots of points in my books.