1993 Geo Storm GSi 1.8

Summary:

A sports car at a compact price

Faults:

Timing belt went out at 80,000 miles.

Goes Through front brake pads every 40,000 miles (medium grade).

Both door locks are broke (my fault)

Tires are expensive.

Panels on the back of both front seats broke off.

Transmission grinds when going into 3rd gear.

Hard to find upgrade parts.

General Comments:

This car has been super-reliable.

Setting the timing is tricky.

Would love to find a place that sold upgrades parts for it.

The back seat is useless. I'm going to take mine out and put in a large speaker box.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd November, 2003

1993 Geo Storm

Summary:

This has been a very reliable car

Faults:

Heater motor went out at about 100,000 miles.

Altenator went out at about 150,000 miles.

Clutch replaced at about 200,000 miles.

Water pump and timing went out at 317,000 miles.

General Comments:

This car is the best car I have ever had.

Runs very well, although it doesn't handle well in the snow.

Gas mileage was wonderful, around 35-40 miles to the gallon.

Even at 300,000+ miles I was still getting 35 miles to the gallon.

Body stayed good up until last year, started to rust a little bit.

Speedometor quit working after having the car about 5 years.

Overall this car has been worth the 13,000 I paid for it ten years ago.

I have definitely got my use out of it and then some.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th October, 2003

1993 Geo Storm Base 1.6 Ltr 4 Cylinder

Summary:

If I could buy a brand new Geo Storm, I would

Faults:

I have replaced the front struts twice.

I have replaced the front flex exhaust pipe twice (expensive). Replaced muffler twice.

Wiper transmission for driver's side windshield wiper failed at about 100K miles.

Average front brake pad replacement interval is about 40,000 miles.

The rocker panels are beginning to rust badly, but car has been winter-driven in upstate New York for 10 years.

Door locks tend to regularly freeze up in the winter.

General Comments:

Although the above comments may make it sound like I've had a lot of trouble with this car, those problems are spread out over 9 years of tough driving.

I have never replaced the starter, alternator, clutch or head gasket.

The car always starts first or second try, and averages 35 Miles per gallon in the summer, and 32 in the winter.

It is a good car for 2 people. Back seats are for kids or pets only!

I have not babied this car (other than regular oil changes), and it is still getting me to work every day.

The handling is very good, and the performance is adequate, but has started to drop off the last 5000 miles or so.

If you can find a well maintained '92 or '93 Geo Storm with less than 100,000 miles on it, it would be worth considering for your daily driver.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th May, 2003

20th Jan 2005, 21:27

I'd have to agree with the previous review. I've had my '93 Geo Storm for 2 years and its has been a great car... I have to get new front struts, but not a necessity. When I got it, it had 53,000 miles on it... I just reached 79,000. It's a great car definitely worth the price.

29th Mar 2005, 16:18

I agree I have two storms a 93 base and a 92 gsi and I have had your usual problems, but nothing major they are both quick reliable and fun to drive I would not trade either for a brand new car.

15th Mar 2009, 19:48

Even 100k-110k might be good, too. I bought a '93 Storm with 100,500 miles on it for $600 and $200 in repairs. Still zero problems 2500 miles later. I think that's pretty good for the price.

15th Oct 2009, 18:55

I agree, even though mine was a 1990 model. I bought it when it had 23,000 miles on it, and until I wrecked it at 261,000 (yes, that's right) it was still going strong with no major problems other than 2 timing belts (one was bad from Advance), a water pump and a starter. So I just bought a '93 model with'only' 251,000 miles. They are really great cars.

27th Aug 2011, 09:46

I wrote the original post. I have had one more Geo since I sold the Storm back in '03. Had a '95 Prizm that never gave me any major problems. My daughter totaled it a couple of years ago. Would still like to find another one, but they are getting scarce now; It's been 14 years since the last Geo rolled off the assembly lines..