1994 Geo Prizm Base 1.6 liter from North America

Summary:

Should be a kid's first car

Faults:

Ran out of engine coolant, and the reservoir tank started blowing steam. But I filled her up the next day, and haven't had a problem yet with it.

General Comments:

My first car, and I mainly bought it because it's a stick, and when I test drove it, it made my friend's Subaru Loyale look like a slug.

Raced a Ford Focus a couple of weeks ago and won.

Not the most exciting car to look at, but if you're driving it you feel unstoppable, because if you need the car to move, it will move.

I love it to death, and the only reason I want to get rid of it is because of the lack of after market parts for this car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th June, 2005

6th Jun 2005, 19:47

I don't believe the Geo Prizm was ever intended for the race track, this review is useless.

7th Jun 2005, 12:23

The review IS useless, but then, so is the reviewer.

In reply to 7th Jun 2005, 12:23

23rd Jun 2014, 06:26

Absolutely. This is a cheap economy car that runs well and doesn't die. The person who wrote this is most likely a teenager who wanted to put a fart can and an intake on his sub 100HP car. Doubt this car would beat a Focus, and if it did, it's because the Focus didn't know it was racing.

Short version: Don't buy this car if you want to go fast. Buy it if you want to get around cheaply and reliably.

In reply to 23rd Jun 2014, 06:26

27th Nov 2017, 00:10

The smaller Focus engine has less power than the 1.8 liter Prizm engine, but not sure how the 1.6 liter Prizm would compare. Just thinking maybe it was the smaller engine Focus. The big Focus engine would be comparable to most powerful Prizms in HP.

1994 Geo Prizm 1.6 from North America

Summary:

Reliable and economical

Faults:

Alternator replaced at 160,000

Trans-axle replaced recently.

General Comments:

My Geo Prism has been very reliable. I never have to add oil between oil changes. It gives consistent 40 MPG. I am really glad I kept it instead of selling it eight years ago when I bought my truck. I use it as a work car and it turned out to be a real work horse.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th May, 2005

1994 Geo Prizm Base 1.6 from North America

Summary:

Very good car for not much money

Faults:

Replaced all four struts at 64,200 miles - not cheap!

Windshield washer fluid reservoir cracked. Hard to find, even on Ebay.

General Comments:

I purchased this car two months ago with only 64K so my comments are based on a very short period of ownership.

The car has adequate power for in-town and freeway driving.

Even without power steering, the car handles well and is very stable.

Ride is on par with most subcompacts. You will feel rough parts in the road, but it is not objectionable.

If you have a choice, get the four speed auto transmission (or the manual transmission). With the base 3 speed automatic, the engine really revs at highway speeds.

The interior is generally nice, although some parts (like window cranks) feel cheap. Seat and dash materials are good.

Fit and finish are generally good although there is some wind noise through the windows at highway speed.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th March, 2005

19th Jun 2007, 23:45

Purchased this car almost 2.5 years ago for my fiance - time for an update. My fiance is now my wife and the car has 72,500 miles. In addition to the minor maintenance items (spark plugs, plug wires, wiper blades, oil changes, etc), we have had the following items: replaced timing belt at 66,700 miles (given age of the car, it was time); replaced front exhaust pipe, 66,700 miles; replaced front brake pads and resurfaced front rotor, 67,200 miles; replaced alternator, 67,500 miles; replaced gas tank and fuel pump, 70,400 miles (pump was OK, but it made sense to replace while the tank was being replaced); replaced all 4 tires, 71,800 miles. Given the age of the car, these are definitely not excessive repairs. The car still looks good - inside and out. Installed iridium plugs (along with new plug wires and distributor cap/rotor). Even so, performance with the auto transmission is still sluggish (my 1994 Prizm with manual transmission has much more power). This has been a great first car for my wife - dependable and easy to drive. Gas mileage is not as good as my manual transmission Prizm - 25-32 mpg is typical.