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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 145

#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.

#1272 of 1443 Re: 1997 Geo Prizm vs. Toyota Corolla [mcdawgg] by lhy

Mar 21, 2009 (12:30 pm)

Replying to: mcdawgg (Mar 19, 2009 5:24 pm)
Thanks for the info, everybody.
 
Besides the Prizm and Vibe, are there other cars made by Toyota or Honda that have American brand names?
 
And where can I find a list of these kinds of cars?
 
(And you're right about the Prizm being a great used car value. I saw one just posted on Craigslist and was all scheduled to go for a test drive the next day. But somebody came along and stole it from me, buying it on sight and without a test drive--all within a day after the ad was posted. )

#1273 of 1443 Re: 1997 Geo Prizm vs. Toyota Corolla [lhy] by geoblue

Mar 21, 2009 (2:12 pm)

Replying to: lhy (Mar 21, 2009 12:30 pm)
Ihy,
 
Some model years of Saturn Vue has Honda engines/transmissions on them.
 
'Hold it! This is basically the same cast aluminum VTEC variable-valve-timing-equipped mill and five-speed automatic Honda drops into the $36,200 Acura MDX and $27,560 Honda Pilot LX, as well as the Honda Odyssey. Bolted into the $24,810 Saturn Vue (base price is $24,185, plus $395 for curtain airbags, $150 for an upgraded stereo, and $80 for floor mats), doesn't this new Vue represent a "roaring" value?
 
Well, more of a growling value. The Vue is no Honda, although it now sounds and accelerates like one. Compared with the weak jabs of last year's British-built 181-hp, 3.0-liter iron-block V-6, the 250-hp Honda 3.5 delivers a solid right hook. The new Vue's 7.0-second scoot to 60 mph is a substantial 1.4-second trimming of the old time, and the quarter-mile shrivels from 16.6 seconds at 83 mph to 15.5 at 89. Flat-foot the pedal, and the Vue squats on its buns and lunges like a stink bug in heat. On the freeway it zooms by tractor-trailers as if they were rolling on square wheels. '
 
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/car_shopping/suvs_family_haulers/s- aturn_vue_v_6_awd_short_take_road_test

#1274 of 1443 Considering purch of 98 prizm w/127k by gus2005

Mar 24, 2009 (8:14 pm)

Considering purch of 98 prizm w/127k
Hi - I am looking at a 1998 base model Prizm w/ 127k, auto. Is this a corrolla basically? And do they last for 200k+ ?

#1275 of 1443 Re: Considering purch of 98 prizm w/127k [gus2005] by mcdawgg

Mar 25, 2009 (4:51 am)

Replying to: gus2005 (Mar 24, 2009 8:14 pm)
It is a Corolla, except for some trim pieces and a few other non-essential parts. It was built right beside the Corolla at the same factory in Fremont, CA. With proper maintenance, you can get lots of miles out of these cars.
 
The Prizm is always recommended as a great used car, because it is a Corolla with great reliability and efficiency but with a lower price

#1276 of 1443 Re: Considering purch of 98 prizm w/127k [gus2005] by geoblue

Mar 25, 2009 (9:46 am)

Replying to: gus2005 (Mar 24, 2009 8:14 pm)
Hi gus,
 
Prizm was made in Fremont, CA by NUMMI, a partnership b/w GM and Toyota.
Prizm is not fully identical with Corolla. The ABS system is GM's AC Delco which is crap. It breaks down fast. Radio is AC Delco brick. Paint is lower quality compared to Corolla's painting. Sound and heat insulation lacks in Prizm but exists in Corollas.
But the engine and the transmission are the same in both vehicles.
 
I would suggest a 93-97 Prizm/Corolla instead of 98 because of the better quality found in earlier model years. However 2001-2002 engines are VVT-i (variable valve timing intelligence) type which helps further increase MPG.
 
Is it manual transmission that you are looking for? If so it is OK. If it is A/T, then try to find a 4 speed one (with O/D) because 3 speed auto is not preferred by drivers.
 
Carfax it, ask for maintenance records, check the crankcase if it is clean or not, check all the fluids, especially A/T fluid's condition. Make sure the car did pass all emissions tests.

#1277 of 1443 Re: Considering purch of 98 prizm w/127k [gus2005] by billb60

Mar 25, 2009 (2:28 pm)

Replying to: gus2005 (Mar 24, 2009 8:14 pm)
Our '99 Prism just turned over 240,000 miles. We bought is used with about 36,000 miles on it. We've never had a problem with this car, but do keep it maintained with frequent oil changes at about every 2500 miles.

#1278 of 1443 Re: Considering purch of 98 prizm w/127k [gus2005] by glenpointe

Mar 25, 2009 (2:48 pm)

Replying to: gus2005 (Mar 24, 2009 8:14 pm)
I have a 1996 prizm (4sp with 1.8L engine) with 151,000 miles on it as of today. It always starts on the first crank and runs beautifully. I think it will last another 100,000 miles. I get on average 30MPG. There are few times I wanted to buy a new car, but this car is so good, that I don't want to sell it. Great little car!

Messages Page 128 of 145

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