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

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
--- 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