Ask the Car People.SM


Chevrolet (Geo) Prizm

1443 messages,  Last post on Mar 01, 2013 at 9:56 PM

You are in the Chevrolet (Geo) Prizm Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Prizm, Geo Prizm, Sedan

Messages Page 128 of 146

#1262 of 1443 95 Geo Prizm "Clunk" Noise by camaroeatstang

Mar 11, 2009 (2:47 pm)

Hi. I just bought my first car about a month ago, a 1995 Geo Prizm. It's the 4 cyl automatic base model with 182,000 miles (yikes).
 
I have two questions.
 
Whenever I go to make a right hand turn (I wouldn't even say sharp), mid-turn the car makes a "clunk" noise. Also, when the car first starts up, the belt squeaks and the steering wheel is very hard to turn, but it eventually gets better. Now, the car is starting to pull towards the left. I've heard this noise could be the CV joints, struts, ball joints, rack and pinion.. Has anyone else had this problem?
 
Also, I know it's only a 4 cyl car, but the acceleration is pathetic. I sometimes have to floor it just to go 40 to keep up with traffic. Is there anything that can be done to give the car a bit more "get up and go?"
 
Thanks!

#1263 of 1443 Re: 95 Geo Prizm "Clunk" Noise [camaroeatstang] by geoblue

Mar 11, 2009 (3:07 pm)

Replying to: camaroeatstang (Mar 11, 2009 2:47 pm)
Hi camaroeatstang,
 
I have a 94 Prizm with 119k miles.
If you ever listened to cartalk show on NPR you would know that many people have experienced this clunk noise.I have not so far, thank God. CV joints can be the problem. As for pulling to left, it might be a sign that car needs alignment.
 
I have that same belt squeak problem. Belts and/or tensioner/s need changing (fan belt and power steering belt).But before that you should have the belts tightened.Loose belts squeak and make steering wheel hard to turn.I took the car to a local carx and they did it for free and it solved the problem then, now slowly coming back though... Unrelated to this, there is the timing belt that need to be changed once every 100k miles or so.Mine needs changing too. Maybe yours have been changed by the previous owner.
 
For get up and go, try using Lucas upper cylinder cleaner/injector cleaner. It works.It is cheaper (by volume) and more effective than any other injector cleaner. You will see a positive difference. But if you want more power, you might want to change the spark plugs and/or wires. NGK BKR5EYA is my choice of spark plugs with 0,032 inch gap. It is around 2 dollars each. NGK has nice wires, rockauto.com sells it for 30some dollars, cheapest in market and made in Japan (original). This will also improve your gas mileage. I bet your car suffers from low gas mileage too, since there may be misfires.
 
Geo Prizms are great cars even in today's standards. If you take care of it it will last for another 120-200k miles.
 
Create a cardomain.com profile, I have mine there.

#1264 of 1443 by camaroeatstang

Mar 11, 2009 (8:23 pm)

Actually, the car gets about 35 miles per gallon. I find that to be sufficient for a 14 year old car, haha.
 
If the CV joints need to be replaced, is that an expensive fix?

#1265 of 1443 Steering fluid leak by dadtofour

Mar 14, 2009 (6:31 am)

I have a 94 Geo Prizm that has developed a leak in the high pressure line for the steering fluid. I am reasonably adept at repairs when I have some guidance, but can't find anything to help in this area. Given the age and value of this car, the quoted repair cost seems a bit extreme. Any ideas?

#1267 of 1443 1997 Geo Prizm vs. Toyota Corolla by lhy

Mar 19, 2009 (2:32 pm)

I've heard that a Geo Prizm is basically a Toyota Corolla except with a Chevy Geo label.
 
If so, do they share everything the same (powertrain, body, electrical, etc) or just the engine?
 
And in terms of maintenance, would a Toyota dealership be able to service and repair a Prizm, even though the line is now defunct?
 
The specific model I'm interested in is a 1997 Geo Prizm Lsi 1.8L, with automatic transmission.

#1268 of 1443 Re: 1997 Geo Prizm vs. Toyota Corolla [lhy] by terceltom

Mar 19, 2009 (4:59 pm)

Replying to: lhy (Mar 19, 2009 2:32 pm)
You will find most all Toyota dealerships do repairs and/or service on all makes and models of cars, not just Toyotas.

#1269 of 1443 Re: 1997 Geo Prizm vs. Toyota Corolla [lhy] by mcdawgg

Mar 19, 2009 (5:24 pm)

Replying to: lhy (Mar 19, 2009 2:32 pm)
Yes, the Prizm is a Corolla except for a few body parts, interior trim pieces, and a very few other parts - nothing major. The Prizm was built right beside the Corolla in the Fremont, CA Nummi plant. You can definitely take it to a Toyota dealer, and they will have almost all of the parts. A family member had a Prizm, great car, definitely a Corolla with a Geo name. She serviced it at the Toyota dealer.
 
The Prizm is a great value because it is cheaper than a Corolla, but the same car. It is always highly recommended as a great used car due to reliability and price.
 
Just an FYI, the Pontiac Vibe is really a Toyota Matrix.

#1270 of 1443 Re: 1997 Geo Prizm vs. Toyota Corolla [lhy] by terceltom

Mar 19, 2009 (7:08 pm)

Replying to: lhy (Mar 19, 2009 2:32 pm)
The Prizm had "small cosmetic differences, a GM Delco radio, and the lack of a rear stabilizer bar". Also, the difference was the initial price paid and the resale value. Prizm's initial price was lower but Toyota Corolla's resale value is much better because of the name.

#1271 of 1443 Re: 1997 Geo Prizm vs. Toyota Corolla [terceltom] by mcdawgg

Mar 19, 2009 (8:14 pm)

Replying to: terceltom (Mar 19, 2009 7:08 pm)
Prizm's initial price was lower but Toyota Corolla's resale value is much better because of the name.
 
Yes, which makes it a great used car.

Messages Page 128 of 146

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement