# What was your opinion of GM’s Geo line of automobiles? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 22, 2021, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-opinion-of-gm-s-geo-line-of-automobiles/952956 "2021-10-22T00:24:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2021, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-opinion-of-gm-s-geo-line-of-automobiles/952956/61 "2021-10-28T20:09:17Z")
> [@SpacemanSpiff\_II](#): > > The Geo line was unusual in that GM did not own Toyota, Suzuki et al, and making the rebadged vehicles was a joint venture between GM That’s all included under the same rebadging umbrella. On that list you’ll find Mazdas sold as Fords, Fords sold as Mazdas, Hondas sold as Izusus, Izusus sold as Hondas, Chevys sold as Suzukis, Chevys sold as Isuzus, Izusus sold as Chevys, Mazdas sold as Toyotas, Mitsubishis sold as Chrysler/Plymouth/Dodges, etc. Nearly every brand has sold another brand’s vehicles under their name at one point. There are a handful of joint ventures, such as Toyota and Subaru RWD car. True joint ventures are certainly less common. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2021, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-opinion-of-gm-s-geo-line-of-automobiles/952956/62 "2021-10-28T20:33:07Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > There were also Fords that were actually Mazdas And the beat goes on. > **[Your Ram ProMaster Is Actually a Fiat Van in Disguise](https://www.motorbiscuit.com/your-ram-promaster-is-actually-a-fiat-van-in-disguise/)** > > The Ram ProMaster is a popular choice for both blue collar workers and camping enthusiasts. However, the roots of the van lay in Italy. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2021, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-opinion-of-gm-s-geo-line-of-automobiles/952956/63 "2021-10-28T21:33:58Z")
Although since Fiat and Chrysler are part of the same company now, that feels a little less strange. Looking at the Wikipedia page on captive imports reminded me of probably the most convoluted example of badge engineering – the [Buick Opel by Isuzu](https://www.curbsideclassic.com/uncategorized/cc-outtake-buick-opel-by-isuzu-another-unassuming-t-car-soldiers-on/). As I understand it the exchange rate between the US and Germany was making it cost prohibitive for GM to continue importing Opels in the late 1970s. So they started importing Isuzus instead, and badged them as Opels. But also as Buicks for some reason, I guess because they were sold through Buick dealers. ---
**Author:** ![Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tired_and_Cranky)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2021, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-opinion-of-gm-s-geo-line-of-automobiles/952956/64 "2021-11-02T15:26:33Z")
If you want a brand new Geo Metro, this is about as close as you are going to get. > **[No Reserve: 400-Mile 2000 Chevrolet Metro Coupe 5-Speed](https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2000-chevrolet-metro/)** > > Bid for the chance to own a No Reserve: 400-Mile 2000 Chevrolet Metro Coupe 5-Speed at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #58,808. Auction ends in two days and the bidding is up to $18,000. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2021, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-opinion-of-gm-s-geo-line-of-automobiles/952956/65 "2021-11-02T20:19:27Z")
Even adjusting for inflation, did those cars sell for that much when they were new? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2021, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-opinion-of-gm-s-geo-line-of-automobiles/952956/66 "2021-11-02T20:27:30Z")
[Base price for a new 2000 Metro was apparently $9,235](https://www.cars.com/research/chevrolet-metro-2000/); using [this inflation calculator from the Bureau of Labor Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm), that’s equivalent to $15,007 today. That said, it’s possible that the car in the auction has some features that would have made it originally priced above the base trim level. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2021, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-opinion-of-gm-s-geo-line-of-automobiles/952956/67 "2021-11-02T20:41:29Z")
I hadn’t looked at the auction before I posted previously. Now that I have I see that they actually included a photo of the original window sticker. This particular Metro, with options (Air conditioning, CD player, rear window defogger, and “Group 2”) sold for $11,140. According to that inflation calculator that’s the equivalent to $18,103.16 today. The bidding is currently up to $18,200. So the the current bid is more or less in line with inflation for a new Metro. But there’s still just under two days left in the auction. I’ll be interesting to see how much more it sells for. ETA: Of course that doesn’t account for the fact that in 2021 even in an $18,000 car you get more equipment than that Metro has – more air bags, backup camera, probably even power windows. ---
**Author:** ![gnarator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gnarator/32/8266_2.png) [@gnarator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnarator)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2021, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-opinion-of-gm-s-geo-line-of-automobiles/952956/68 "2021-11-02T21:14:44Z")
> [@lobotomyboy63](#): > > And remember the Chrysler products that were actually Mitsubishis? I bought a Plymouth Colt brand new in 1992. Loved that car. A truck hit me (at slow speed) and totaled it in 1999. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2021, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-opinion-of-gm-s-geo-line-of-automobiles/952956/69 "2021-11-07T11:34:42Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > Air conditioning, CD player, rear window defogger, The one I had came with AC. It did not come with a CD player, but that probably was because I bought it right around the time they were beginning to make them for cars-- there was a long gap between their introduction, and ones made for autos, because stabilizing them so they didn’t skip was an issue. Anyway, I bought mine used, and about a year after I got it, auto CDs became reasonably priced, so I bought one and installed it. It was around this time that CD-writes came out, so you could make mix-CDs for your car. I bought a writable drive for my computer. There was no issue with my car supporting the CD player. I had to turn the AC off to climb an especially steep hill, but I never had to turn the CD player off under load. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-opinion-of-gm-s-geo-line-of-automobiles/952956.md?page=3)