1993 Geo Prizm LSi from North America - Comments

I had a 1993 Geo Prizm LSI with little mechanical problems the whole time. Let me say too, I didn't take care of this car for years when I was young and stupid. Never checked the oil, brakes, etc. Anyway, I replaced the timing belt around 130K. I replaced the alternator around 160K and the plugs, wires, cap shortly after. Around 190K I replaced the radiator. Shortly after that, the AC went out, but I don't know how serious it was because the AC would have to be converted and I didn't have the cash, so I toughed it out. Finally, at 213K a "computer" went bad and it was going to be $2K or more to fix, so I sold it to a junkyard.

The brake lights stayed on, but it was just a sensor so I never worried about it.

It was an awesome dependable car that I'd love to have again. Considering the miles, the early abuse, and little money I put into it, it was a great car and I'd highly recommend it.

I think the original poster got an abused or wrecked/rebuilt car. She bought it used ~6 years old with only 40k showing on the odometer. This just doesn't add up.

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.

I have a 1993 geo prism 1.6 and it was my girlfriends car until I gave here mine, but it has been sitting for about a year now and I usually start it up about once a week. I went to take if for a test drive and from 0 to 20 it ran fine, but then it would start to cut out and the check engine light would come on a flash and then I would let off the gas and it would be fine and it only does it around 25 and 55. Can someone help, with gas prices the way they are my 12 mpg truck is going to be parked when I don't absolutely need it. Thanks.

Great web site.

I LOVE my Prizm - I've always said it will rust out & the frame fall apart before the engine quits. Bought it in 1997 with about 30,000 miles on it, $7300, rental return, remainder of warranty - I've never regretted it. Right now it's at 177,400, and the only problem is the hardware between the catalytic converter and the muffler has rusted out, so I now have it exhausting under the car - fine as long as I don't idle for too long in a closed area. Put a new clutch in last Feb at about 145,000 - still had the original. I live in Minnesota, and it's parked outside with a west wind hitting it & windchills at about -45f, never failed to start. It's a 1995, 1.6L, 5sp manual, air - the tape deck finally bought the farm so hubby put in a cd stereo for me - 45 watts & blew a speaker - wonderful car!!! I've had several friends buy them - and their mothers, and they all love them.

I have a 1993 geo prizm that has about 148K miles on it. This morning before work I was sitting in the parking lot listening to the radio with the car off. About a good 20mins into sitting in the parking lot my radio started to fade. Once I heard this I turned the car off and also noticed my headlights had been on. Once I turned the car off I tried to restart it right away and it wouldn't start up. I had to shut it off and try again and pump the gas pedal to get it to start. I'm hopin' I just drained the battery and it needs to charge but I am nervous that it won't start up once I leave to go home for work later on this eveing. Any thoughts to if it could be more than the battery? I have no idea for I don't know much about cars other than how to drive them lol.

It's just the battery. You ran it down to where it didn't have enough charge to play the radio, and with the lights on it ran down a lot faster. I can usually get about a half an hour before I need to start my Geo because the amp cuts off. I have a whole stereo system in my car and thank God it's a manual cause I've run the battery down a few times to where it won't start and thank god I can push start it. So it's just the battery. Start it up and let it idle for a while with everything shut off, and the alternator should charge it back up.

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?

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.