22nd Jan 2008, 19:37

I own a Geo Prizm LSi '93 bought it from an older gentleman that babied it and had oil changed about every 3-4k miles. It is a great car so far, have had it for about 5 months. Only problems I have noticed are:

- Engine frequently gives a "clunk" when I press the gas or depress it and I can only hear it if my music is off (or very very low).

- Low fuel light doesn't come on (honestly, I didn't even know it was there until I read about it), but who really needs that? The fuel gauge works.

-Paint is a little chipped, but only under driver's door rest of it looks beautiful (minus the bumper which was scratched from a fender bender that original owner's daughter got in).

-Driver's seat is ripped, but that's just from how old it is since it is tearing at a seam, not big.

Other than that it's fine. If anyone can provide insight on the engine clunk, that would be good. Honestly, it's done that since I've bought it so I'm not too worried.

12th Feb 2008, 08:55

Great web site.

18th May 2008, 18:26

I have a 1994 geo prism. It has been a fabulous, reliable car that I bought used with 100k on it. It now has 200k on it. I have changed the timing belt and alternator/battery but other than that nothing done. The engine has always been a little loud mainly at higher speeds but has been louder lately. I am wondering since it doesn't have self adjusting lifters that a simple valve adjustment (which it never has had) would make it run quieter. I do have a crack in my exhaust manifold for years now and I guess that could be contributing or causing the extra loudness? Any ideas?

10th Jul 2008, 15:48

I have Geo Prizm 1993 with 250K miles... still running with no issues... I love this car.

The only problem I had from last summer is AC not cooling properly. I didn't convert to R134. Instead I bought Freeze12 from eBay (~10 a can) and filled it for ~30$.

This summer also no AC as there is some leak. Mechanic filled 1 can (freeze12) but it all leaked the very next day. I don't want to invest in convert to r134 as the mechanic said, even after conversion there is no guarantee on the leak (I don't understand why).

So without conversion, does anyone know what needs to be fixed to stop the leakage in the existing AC and how much will it cost? I already have 4 R12 (Freeze12) cans with me.

23rd Aug 2008, 23:33

I bought a 1993 Geo Prizm LSI 1.8L engine about two months ago for my daughter. It had 125K miles on it. I paid $1200 for the car and did not have it checked out prior to purchasing it because she needed a car fast. Obviously, it's an old car but it actually ran pretty good on the test run so I bought it. I have since put about $3000 more into the car, a bit at a time as things happened. The car now has a new timing belt, water pump, alternator, battery two other belts two new tires and 4 new struts. I also had the car painted since the paint was terrible.

My daughter now has a pretty nice looking car and it has been running great. It's actually a fun car to drive and VERY economical. Yes, I probably paid too much and yes, I should have had it checked out first. But considering the fact that I know what is in the car mechanically I am satisfied. Great little runner.

3rd Sep 2008, 18:25

I bought a 1995 Prism Lsi back in 1998 with 14000 miles on it. It has 185000 miles on it now, does not use any oil.

Replaced the timing belt, all belts at 80000 miles, and again right now at 185000 miles.

Also replaced the starter 1 time, battery, alternator, front brakes 2 times, back brakes 1 time, 1 front wheel bearing so far.

Of course tires and regular oil changes with synthetic 10W 30 oil.

Never a muffler, also 1 set of plugs, could use those again.

Always starts in MN where it gets hot and cold, a very good car.

The only thing I noticed with my car, which started 2 years ago, is when it gets cold, it shifts through the gears, but the last gear it hangs up between 50 and 60 miles per hour for the first 2 miles of driving.

The car is an automatic... it only happens in the cold weather. Once it shifts, it works fine, no problems after the first 2 miles? Any one know why? Thanks!

30th Sep 2008, 07:43

I bought my 96 Prizm LSi (1.6 automatic) brand new when I was an E-5 in the military making almost nothing. I now make just over 100k and still drive the same car. Is up to 150,000 miles. I just replaced the spark plugs for the first time. I've done the regular maintenance stuff on it. Nothing major. Planning to replace the timing belt for the first time soon. I get 28/29 MPG with regular driving (city/highway combination). 31/32 MPG on long highway trips. It was tan with tan leather interiors. I had it painted black. My mechanic wanted to buy it from me. I should be able to put an additional 50k miles on it easily.

25th Oct 2008, 02:47

I just purchased a 1993 Geo Prizm LSI about a week ago. Everything seems to be fine for a 133k mile car. The interior looks new, and I am not overstating it literally looks like they just installed all new seats.

I do notice that the valve cover gasket (right on top) has a very very minor oil stain around it, as well as one screw. I am not certain how often they changed the oil seeing as the motor had damn near none when I purchased it, and had to take it straight to the shop to get the oil changed.

I have noticed that the gas gauge seems to go up and down, it stays in the "general" area that it's supposed to, but doesn't stay exactly where it should. The gas light also has not come on, even though I am sure that it was almost out of gas when I got it.

My MAJOR worry is the temperature sensor that seems to not work, it shows the engine way too cool most of the time, and I know that is probably not correct. I want to take it in and check up on some things to make sure it runs for at least 70k miles more.

All in all this is a wonderful little car, it replaced a 1990 Honda Accord that was slowly spiraling down with 206k miles. It shifts smooth, although I am not quite so used to such a quite and smooth shift, the Honda usually made it clear when it did. And I am not used to only having 3 gears. The AC seems to work but not very well. The heater works fine.

I am overall pleased with the car but seeing as I have only had it a week, we will see if anything major pops up. I doubt it though, it looks good.