1986 Pontiac Sunbird Station Wagon 1.8 SOHC from North America
Summary:
Not perfect, but practical and below average reliability
Faults:
Starter, thermostat, and battery around 30k.
Alternator around 55k.
Engine overheated without warning due to the belt breaking and seized at 83k.
Water pump around 129k.
Engine mount around 142k.
Power steering pump at 147k.
General Comments:
The car was decent. The only things that were remarkable were the space inside, and the gas mileage. You could sleep in this car very easily by putting the back seats down; you could also fit a lot in the back.
This car is not powerful by any means; the engine makes pinging noises, and sounds strained when pushed to the limit. Gas mileage is over 30 MPG on the highway and between 23-28 MPG in the town. The 3 speed automatic transmission can sometimes jerk, and it mostly always locks in 3rd gear around turns unless if I take the turns under 15 mph, then it goes into 2nd gear.
I ended up giving this car to my sister since she has kids; she drove it for 6 years until the transmission went out. I bought a Saturn and had it for over a decade.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 21st April, 2016
2nd Sep 2004, 20:14
I don't think you give this car the respect it deserves. I have the same car and it has never let me down. Also this car is not really a sports car, so you really can't hammer the performance like you did. You don't realize that it is very peppy for a sun bird. As far as reliability goes, you might have pushed your car too hard while driving it.