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Car Forum / Toyota / Toyota Cars / February 2008Is Geo Prism really a Corolla????
I was shopping for used Corolla's, and i found a guy that had 5 used Corollas --- but one of them turned out to be a Geo Prism. He claimed that the '98 prism is identical to the Corolla, built in the same factory, same engine, same basic frame. It sure looked to be an accurate statement after inspecting the car. But I have a few questions: 1. Other than the inherently lower resale value of the Prism, and uglier logo on the hood of the Prism, is there any other reason to prefer a real Corolla over the Prism? 2. How much of a price discount should I expect for the prism versus the corolla? 3. This particular prism was a '98, with 96K miles, AT, no power windows or locks, but it had a tachometer (the other Corollas I saw did not have tachs). Price was $5395. It did seem like a bit better deal compared to the corolla's he had on the lot. Also a general question on choosing a Corolla/Prism...If choosing between a '96 with 77K miles with power windows and locks and alarm (bit higher end model), versus a '98 prism with 96K miles, but no power windows or locks or alarm, which car would be a better buy if the prices where the same? What ages a car faster....miles or years? Any comments/recommendations? thx...Paul Had a 95 Geo Prism - only parts that went bad over 105k miles were the Delco Alternator and the Delco Starter - the Delco Radio was crap too! Corollas have AISIN electrics. My Prism also had the 1.6L engine vice the 1.8? in the Corolla. >I was shopping for used Corolla's, and i found a guy that had 5 used >Corollas [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > > thx...Paul > Had a 95 Geo Prism - only parts that went bad over 105k miles were the Delco > Alternator and the Delco Starter - the Delco Radio was crap too! Corollas > have AISIN electrics. My Prism also had the 1.6L engine vice the 1.8? in the > Corolla. Unless a US-delivered Corolla is a rare Japanese-built one, they should be nearly identical under the hood. They're built at the NUMMI plant in Fremont, CA. Also - it's Prizm, with a Z. The '95 Geo used Delco electrics and the Corolla uses Denso (oops not AISIN) - which is Nippondenso. There was a $100 price difference in the two replacement parts from local Alternator rebuilder (and other sources). When new the Geo is 2-4k less than the Corolla -so I'd expect to see same difference or probably worse hold true for resale (since Toyota has great name in resale trade). >> Had a 95 Geo Prism - only parts that went bad over 105k miles were the >> Delco Alternator and the Delco Starter - the Delco Radio was crap too! [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Also - it's Prizm, with a Z. > The '95 Geo used Delco electrics and the Corolla uses Denso (oops not > AISIN) - which is Nippondenso. There was a $100 price difference in the two > replacement parts from local Alternator rebuilder (and other sources). When > new the Geo is 2-4k less than the Corolla -so I'd expect to see same > difference or probably worse hold true for resale (since Toyota has great > name in resale trade). I'd be surprised if they're not functionally identical (i.e. interchangeable) parts. That's not saying both are equally reliable though. I recall reading in this NG about a Toyota V6 where the owner did a spark plug change. Of the factory plugs, one side contained Denso plugs, while the other contained NGK plugs. some prizm models like the GSI came with the 4age, the most popular for the use of the toyota formula atlantic series I have two of them in my corolla's http://atomicinternet.homeip.net/xtra/myrone/4agze/ heres me and my brother installing a 4agZe into my corolla it was formaly supercharged I just used this block and cylinder head for a higher compression.  SignatureEnorym http://atomicinternet.homeip.net/xtra/myrone/ Enorym@gmail.com > >> Had a 95 Geo Prism - only parts that went bad over 105k miles were the [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Also - it's Prizm, with a Z. >Had a 95 Geo Prism - only parts that went bad over 105k miles were the Delco >Alternator and the Delco Starter - the Delco Radio was crap too! Corollas >have AISIN electrics. My Prism also had the 1.6L engine vice the 1.8? in the >Corolla. I bought new 94 Geo Prizm when the new body style first came out. I saved about $1000 as back then it was cheaper than the Toyota Corollas. Yes, they were built at the very same Toyota Fremont, Ca. factory. I had really good luck with the car and its Toyota quality. The Delco (prizm's only) whined so I swapped it for a NAPA rebuilt (delco). The FM (delco) radio went out a month ago but the car has 165,000 miles on the clock. New brakes at 105K, new motor mounts at 145K and new front half-shafts (both sides) at 150K. Never no engine or transmission problems. It failed to start once at 105K. I replaced the starter with a NAPA rebuilt. Its still working fine. I paid $14,750 for the car in 93 when it first came out. I'm selling it to a friend this week for $2000 with new tires. By the way this is the LSI model, loaded with pwr windows, locks, deluxe interior and etc. This one has the larger 1.8 engine that gets the better gas mileage. I'm now hooked on Toyota from now on. The new car I bought was back in 2002 when the new body style 2003 Corolla came out. Its also loaded and I really like it. I'm not sure if I will try for the 200,000 again. After ten or more years you kind of get tired of the same car. Well, to tell the truth, lets say my wife did. Corollafan >>I was shopping for used Corolla's, and i found a guy that had 5 used >>Corollas [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] >> >> thx...Paul Yes. > I was shopping for used Corolla's, and i found a guy that had 5 used Corollas > --- but one of them turned out to be a Geo Prism. He claimed that the '98 [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > thx...Paul I bought a new Prizm in Oct. '92, just when the new body style came out on the '93. The engine died at 165K and I got a remanufactured one put in for $5K with 2.5 yr warranty in July 2002. The alternator went out in the second year. The starter has gone out twice on it. The radio (Delco) was crap, and I got rid of it 2 years after I bought the car. I just got new tires on it and it's running great at the moment. Going to get ride of it in May and buy a Toyota Highlander. Patrick pmcguire16@comcast.net >Yes. > [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] >> >> thx...Paul So althought they are built side-by-side, saving a nickel here and there on the GM Geo/Prizm to keep initial costs down - shows down the road in added repair costs! >I bought a new Prizm in Oct. '92, just when the new body style came > out on the '93. The engine died at 165K and I got a remanufactured one [quoted text clipped - 54 lines] >>> >>> thx...Paul In 1990, I bought a new Geo Prizm. The radiator was Harrison, Delco battery, Delco radio, and Firestone tires. The alternator and starter was ND. My Prizm also had no front stabilizer bar which I believe the Corolla did. Signature~Philip. > So althought they are built side-by-side, saving a nickel here and > there on the GM Geo/Prizm to keep initial costs down - shows down the [quoted text clipped - 53 lines] >>>> >>>> thx...Paul > So althought they are built side-by-side, saving a nickel here and there on > the GM Geo/Prizm to keep initial costs down - shows down the road in added > repair costs! I have a '95 LSi with 181,000 miles on it. Outside of the normal maintenance stuff, I have replaced struts, starter, EGR valve, driver-side half-shaft and both front wheel bearings (all just once) I have no complaints. Engine still purrs smoothly and tranny is great! Even real Corollas through the early 90s used Delco CS (Crap Suck) alternators and Harrison radiators. Both major failure items. Also, the exaust manifolds pre-98 would crack on occasion. I'd like to think GM had a hand in that too : ) Comparing 96s to 98s in your hypothetical question is difficult as they are two different bodystyles with different engines. I feel good recommending the 98-up style because I've noticed no major problems with them so far. The 97-back models are great too with the above mentioned exceptions. But with a Nippondenso replacement alternator and an aftermarket radiator you have a solid, well-built car. The newer 98 with higher mileage would "suggest" highway miles, which are theoretically easier on an engine. And long trips are better for engines that don't experience prudent oil change intervals. A 96 with 77k could be a creme puff, or it could be trashed and unmaintained. When you decide on a car that you are willing to pay for, first pay a trusted mechanic .5 to 1.0 hours labor to give it a complete inspection. He should be able to determine if it has been maintained or not and certainly if there are any current problems that require repair now. As far as 97-back Prizm vs. Corolla, if you are comparing a CS / Harrison equiped Corolla they are primarily the same save for interior details and dash electronics. Toyota MDT in MO I have a 96 Geo Prizm and it is amazing..it almost has 200k miles on it..i havent had to do any engine work whatsoever..just regular tune-ups..ive only had to have the brakes and belts worked on..other than that..it has been a great car...it is just like a corolla..i believe there are only one or two differences..i would buy a toyota any day.. |
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