Used 1990 Geo Prizm Consumer Reviews
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Take care of it and it will last a long time.
carol97, 03/01/2014
1990 Geo Prizm 4dr Hatchback
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
I bought this car used in 2012. It was in bad shape when I got it due to prior owners neglect. I put a lot of work into it a little at a time. I wanted an older car I could fix up. New windshield, new brakes, new thermostat (wasn't heating up the interior of car). interior door knobs, new battery, new starter, new serpentine belt, the radiator hose had a leak but I got that fixed right away. The headlights were the old type, so I upgraded to the best bulbs on the market. The bulbs were 50 bucks each, and well worth it. It runs great now, and haven't had anymore problems with it. It is a basic car with NO computer stuff. It gets me from 'point' A to B, and I don't have a car payment.
Still driving my 1990 Geo Prizm
Wayne Trail, 09/13/2018
updated 09/21/2022
1990 Geo Prizm 4dr Sedan
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Here it is 2018 and the car is still going strong. Never stranded me. 238000 miles. (To the Moon!) The Edmunds menu below only goes back to 1990. I bought the car in October of 1989. **it is 2020 and Edmunds sent me a message to update my review. I am still driving my little Geo Prizm and I still love it. **2021 and still going. I've been driving it for more than half my life. **2022 had the head gasket replaced, but it's still rolling. Still my commute car.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great Car!
Nick, 10/02/2008
1990 Geo Prizm GSi 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This car has been the best investment i've ever made! It has 263,500 mi and still running strong, doesn't burn oil, starts right up, even spins the tires pretty good, all while getting great gas millage! I've only replaced the exhaust manifold (cracked), and the starter. Everything else (as far as I can tell) is still straight from the factory.
MOST RELIABLE FOR THAT LAST 11 YEARS
Prizman, 05/01/2002
1990 Geo Prizm 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I purchased this car new in 1990. FOr the last 11 years, it has been the most reliable car I have seen. Eleven years later, it has 245675 miles and still going strong, original clutch, roginal transmission!!! I sure got my money's worth out of this car. I am sure I will get 300Kmi with no problems.
reliable for 12 years in northeast cold
beanpotm, 07/12/2002
1990 Geo Prizm GSi 4dr Hatchback
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
bought this geo prism in 1990, new and have had wonderful luck with it. I am a petite female and I have always found it was extremely comfortable to drive. Still very responsive. I have 111,000 miles, and it was never garaged throughout some tough winters. I now have a little rust underneath panel, still running great.It has never broken down or been in accident
It's 23 years old, can't be too mean...
kenwid1988, 12/24/2012
1990 Geo Prizm 4dr Sedan
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
We bought this car in 2010 for $1,000. It is thee most basic thing on the block. The only upgrade it has is it being automatic, oh and it having A/C. This poor thing has been used and abused. It has 244K miles on it. Whines like a 5 year old. But all and all, if you want to buy something that will get you to school, has nothing on it, and does not want performance, then this is for you. They are very cheap to buy. And it has Toyota parts. Good car to have if you really want to down size.
Best Car I've ever had
Mark, 11/26/2008
1990 Geo Prizm 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My dad sold me this in 1997 and it's now 2008 and the car is still running great. Yes, it has needed new radiator, battery, etc but the drivetrain has been great. Highway mileage is about 40 mpg, city (San Francisco, CA) about 22. I have 199,200 miles on it. It's got rust on it (car was in Michigan from 90-2001) but the rust slowed down after moving to CA. Knock on wood but I'm hoping this car lasts me to at least 250,000 miles.
GREAT LITTLE CAR
greatlittlecar, 12/30/2007
1990 Geo Prizm 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
When I married my wife 11 years ago, she owned a 1990 geo prism. We later learned it had been previously wrecked. About two years ago (2005) I was rear-ended in it. The insurance company totaled it out, but we bought it back and repaired it. The only problem I have with this car is that it will not die. It now has over 306,000 miles on it and still runs great. I change oil every 10,000 and use the cheapest I can buy. I have did this since 100,000. I would like a new car but see no reason to get rid of our Geo.
The best car purchase EVER! Still going.
bethlgrace, 05/29/2010
1990 Geo Prizm GSi 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
When I first bought it I was grateful that my drivers' door worked and that my car has AC, and 3 years later and real minor work done, it is still going strong and I thank GOD for that. Fuel Economy is really good and I have replaced the tires once and the windshield once and need to do it again. Utah debris on the roads is horrible. The AC still going strong, radio could be better, my car is an automatic, wish I had a stick, but oh well. My car now has 93,500 miles or so. I try to take good care of her. She gets me to work and home and not to forget from Oregon to Utah and maybe back again.
my car
menden, 06/25/2002
1990 Geo Prizm 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
i do not like this car it is not very relable, comfortable, or built very well. I would not recomnd it the only good thing about it is its gas milage. It often overheats or will not start on warm muggy days.
Just Won't Quit
Reb, 08/16/2002
1990 Geo Prizm GSi 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought my Geo Prizm used with 114000 miles on it in 1994. It now has 188,000 miles and keeps on going. I live in the upper midwest where we have lots of snow and salt so there is moderate rusting, but this car has been extremely reliable. It heats up on cold days almost immediately and has good handling for such a light car. Great gas mileage and the engine feels like it's going to last forever.
Love My Prizms
luvmyprizms, 10/19/2002
1990 Geo Prizm 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Bought my 1st 90 Prism in 91 with 5K miles. Gave it away in 99 with 130K miles to a fiend in need. It ran great and I had no major repairs. I think it would have run until the body gave out. Only problem was it went thru mufflers fairly fast.
Great First Car
firstcar, 11/07/2002
1990 Geo Prizm GSi 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I agree with the other comments here. This has been a very reliable car, I am never concerned. The only problem I've had with it is the rusting exhaust system. I live in the Midwest and I've replaced the muffler twice in the past four years. My car has 120K miles on it and I would drive it for another 3 years if I wasn't tired of it already.
Good College Car: Geo Prizm
smjordan, 07/02/2003
1990 Geo Prizm 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I've had some problems with this used car, but nothing is perfect. Overall, I'd say my Prizm has been reliable and I feel confident that it will last forever as long as routine maintenance is performed. Body rusts.
The best car I've owned in many ways
james3363, 05/15/2004
1990 Geo Prizm GSi 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Great resale value, but I'd never sell it -it's too good a car to me!
Prizm good...
matt, 04/03/2007
1990 Geo Prizm 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I love this car, it's been no problem so far, and the mileage is awesome! Its' just a little 1.6 liter, but for having 152k miles on it, it drives like a champ!!
One of my better used vehicle purchases
ForsythSO, 05/03/2003
1990 Geo Prizm GSi 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car has been very relable over the years. The only problems were a mysterious hole in the radiator one month after purchase and the substandard brake system. The brake system was changed in the next year's model so that was taken care of. I had to have the entire brake system overhauled twice and replace the booster once over ten years use. But I have been a little rough on it too.(I found out it can go over 100 MPH)
Love IT!!!
Steve, 04/10/2008
1990 Geo Prizm 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
A friend gave me this car almost two years ago. It has never let me down. A/C quit for no reason I know of, perfect one day and now nothing happens, may be a fuse or relay. Burns no oil, but has a few leaks. Rides well and is quiet. Original engine, clutch, and transmission at 222,000 miles. Gets 33 to 40 mpg in mixed driving. I love it and hope it never dies. I have had brand new cars I have not liked this much!
Good Car
bigreid07, 03/29/2002
1990 Geo Prizm GSi 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This has been a very good starter car car for me. Anyone that is looking for a cheep, reliable car for their high school child needs to look at this one...unless they have really long legs!
Great Car
NSE, 05/08/2008
1990 Geo Prizm 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Over almost 12 years of service this car has never let me down. Besides going through exhaust systems every 40K miles it has never had any significant problems in almost 170K miles.
I love it.
Carol, 02/22/2022
1990 Geo Prizm 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Found this car a 90 hatchback, 5 speed in Denver. It had been in a field near Grand Junction. It must not have been used for a long time cause there was a wasp nest in the rear view mirror. I had to put in a windshield, FULL brakejob, over time, a thermostat, a radiator, muffler work cause carbon monoxide was leaking in to cabin. I wasn't even aware! If you get this car, check your muffler for rust! I had the CV joints replaced over time and a few sets of tires. All season tires not recommended. Those tires suck. Get something with some grip. I love zooming around in it. I couldn't drive it for several months due to a back injury. I got in it tonight...it fired up on the third try. I'll be driving it alot more now cause of the insane gas prices. I did the math and I swear I'm getting 37.1 mpg in town. My SUV only gets 13 mpg.😆 My old Geo has been more dependable than my new SUV. The dealer offered us $100 for it. I laughed at him and kept the Geo.