1993 Geo Prism The same as a 1993 Toyota Corolla?

Hi, im looking to buy a 1993 Geo Prism. The owner of the car told me its the same as a corolla. It looks the same. I did some research and i have become confused, and i need a lil help from someone who knows and is not biased.

From what i remember of the motor of the car it looked like this motor "4A-FE Engine"

Whats going on? Is it toyota or chevrolet? both? I have heard the only thing on the car thats not shipped in from japan is the dash and a few other minor things, is this true? What am i buying? LOL When i look up this motor its listed as a toyota motor when im looking to buy, when i called the junk yard to sell my 93 geo i was told it was useless for parts and they just crush em. HA? no use for toyota parts? Strange.......

So the car is showing 193k miles and its running pretty good, and it shifted in the neighborhood (no tag on it, cant drive it) I am in need of cheap transpo thats gas- efficent and this fits the bid at 800 bucks.

Now, i called a junk yard and told them i had a 93 geo, running motor and shifting tranny and they told me 175 to pick it up and 175 if i delever it to them, as its a running car! THey also said that they have no need for it running or not that they just crush that particular car, no offense he said to my geo. If this car is really a corolla than shouldnt the motor be worth about 300-400 bucks if itll run at all? its got a decent body on it other than the front right quarters got a footprint sized dent. Its also got brand new rubber all the way arround, and he says just had a/the tranny rebuilt and has receipts. Now it seams to me with a good tranny and a good motor, running and a decent body that even the junk yard would be willing to pay arround 500-600 bucks for it, sounds like a no brainer for me @ 800 dollars. Seams like his bid of 175 is WAY off, am i wrong?

Thanks, I hope the truth is good news as i will be looking forward to riding arround for 2-3 hundred bucks!