1989 Pontiac Sunbird GT 2.0 turbo

Summary:

An anti-Honda civic car!!

Faults:

The first thing that broke on the car was the whole engine just one week after the purchase. Just before I bought the car I tried it and I didn't find a sound coming from it. I think the guy who sold it to me added an additive in the engine to cut the bad sound coming from it.

The parts that I've placed on the engine are as follow:

-crankshaft and bearings 250$

-one piston arm and a piston 240$

-the whole gasket kit 187$

-piston rings 52$

-oil pump 260$

-camshaft and 8 carriers 300$

That's the list of the parts that I changed and it cost me approximatly 1400$ to rebuild the entire engine.

Thank God we do our own repairs.

After that, 3 weeks later the starter quit. I was pretty mad when it broke thought. Because of that, I replace the two low beam headlights (the shortage of the starter solenoid broke them)

I replaced the radiator the same week that I bought the car.

I did change the thermostat, temperature sensor and the oil sensor.

Just one week later, the trunk failed to lock. The hook up that hook the trunk door was a little too pressed.

And last, but not least. When I bought the car, the guy gave me a "brand new" clutch. But when I change it, it started to slip 1 week later.

The only reason that I found why it started to slip was that there was something on it. Maybe some oil or something like that resulting in heat on the clutch.

General Comments:

In overall, it cost me a lot to fix the car, but I don't care because I know that now I have a car that will last a long time.

The handling of the car is excellent. I do not fear the tight curves with this car.

The shape of the car is really cool to look at. It look aggressive and sporty at the same time.

It's really surprising for a 2 liters engine that can produce power like that. It can reach and even pass the 120mph Oh yeah!!! And it reach it fast too!!!

I plan to drive it only summer because winter is hard on the turbo. And I plan to make a custom body kit on it and maybe place some mags.

The sure thing that I will never never do is sell it. The only reason that can make me sell it is if a person arrived to me with at least 8000 bucks, I may consider selling it!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 7th March, 2003

30th Jul 2003, 21:03

Hi not really a comment on the review itself per se, but a question... My Mechanic is quoting me $1400.00 to do the oil pump where as you have estimated $260.00. Where is the other $1140.00 going? Surely not to labor.

30th Aug 2003, 10:28

Apparently, you were fooled by your mechanic, can't possibly have 1140$ in labor alone, but, the oil pump I got was after-market, so it was less expensive. even if you would've bought the oil pump at the dealership, it probably wouldn't have cost THAT much.

30th Dec 2004, 22:20

You cannot just put the turbo intake on a motor with out it. The pistons and piston arms, crankshaft, bearings and the engine block itself may not be able to take the extra pressure. Your engine MUST be built for it. -Eric-

1989 Pontiac Sunbird SE 2.0

Summary:

The most dependable car I have ever owned

Faults:

Water pump, had timing belt replaced at same time (can you say preventive maintinence?) alternator starter, flywheel radiator coolant temp.sensor.

General Comments:

I bought this car when my daughter was less than 2 mo. old. It has never left me on the side of the road. It still gets great gas mileage, and I'm not afraid to drive it anywhere!Keep in mind when reading my repair list, that I have owned this car for over 6 years. I paid $2,500 for it, and my repair costs over that period of time are almost unnoticeable in even the tightest of family budgets. In my opinion, if you were to send your children off in a vehicle, this would be one to trust!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd January, 2003