1991 Pontiac Sunbird LE 2.0 OHC 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

Looks and runs good enough to customize

Faults:

Alternator gave out at 133,000 miles. I think this was partly my fault however since I have a 1000 watt stereo system installed. That puts a lot of pressure on the alternator.

Fusible link. Also my fault since I forgot to disconnect the battery while installing a new alternator.

Other than that, no problems. Everything is in good shape.

General Comments:

I bought this Pontiac Sunbird convertible for $2500 just for customizing. I have had this car for almost two years and have had very few problems with it.

I have since installed a high power stereo, DVD system, and playstation, as well as rims, a body kit, and aluminum wing. It now attends car shows and gets a lot of attention. It has been a good investment and I would buy another one in a heart beat.

If you are looking for a reliable yet cheap car that gets good gas mileage, consider a sunbird. With a little work they can also be one of the best looking cars on the road.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th April, 2004

1991 Pontiac Sunbird GT 2.0 turbo from North America

Summary:

Fun car, not very reliable above 130000 miles

Faults:

Turbo Seized (twice) 125000, 150000

Air Conditioner system failed (twice) 122000, 148000

Head Gasket failed 150000

After new head gasket and turbo, timing belt broke

Each time the turbo broke, it was over $900 to fix. When the AC broke it cost $1000 the first time (didn't do that again!)

Plagued with lots of rattles and random strangeness; check engine light would come on at random intervals and go off the same way, windshield wipers would wipe whenever they felt like it, dash lights flickered.

General Comments:

I will say that I did love driving it as it was terribly fast (for what it was), and I liked the way it looked. However, the cost of repairs was just totally unreasonable.

I suppose it was a decent car, I just didn't know when to get rid of it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 13th November, 2003

8th Oct 2004, 07:38

My 1990 Sunbird GT gave me 310,000 miles of flawless performance. I just bought a new sunfire. I hope it's half the car my old sunbird was.

15th Jan 2005, 10:20

My friend has a 89 Sunbird GT 5spd that is running great. The body has held up well, but the engine has had lots of work done on it. The best part... it has over 500,000km and looks like it has 100,000km. And it still goes like stink!

1991 Pontiac Sunbird SE 3.1 from North America

Summary:

Great little car

Faults:

I have only had one big problem with my car. When I bought the car, it ran great.

After 10,000kms, a coil blew, and after replacing it, the other two blew.

General Comments:

This car has an unbelievable amount of power.

The view from inside this car was awesome. You first stare at the massive tach on the right hand side of the gauge pod, next to the well sized speedometer in the center, and finally on the left were tiny hard to read gauges for fuel, alternator, engine coolant, and oil pressure.

The seats in this car are very comfortable.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th June, 2003

1991 Pontiac Sunbird LE 3.1 V6 from North America

Summary:

A quick little compact at a cheap price that will give most cars a run for their money

Faults:

This quick little car of mine has been trouble free since I bought it.

This last week, I have just started to notice the front passenger side bearings becoming wore out.

This little bird has JUST began to start rusting, but for a car with this many miles, I can't complain.

General Comments:

This car has been very quick and agile for such a small amount of money. The 3.1 V6 is very powerful. Many people think that this motor makes 140 horsepower, but this was a very conservative number from GM. The true horsepower rating is closer to 160- 165!

I have raced this car against many cars that I thought would easily beat it, but I normally come out the winner. I beat a 1986 Camaro Z-28 V8, 1995 Civic Si, 1997 Ford Contour V6, 1992 Ford Taurus SHO, and many other cars with my stock Sunbird!

I just loved it when I beat my friend 1999 Pontiac Grand Am GT that he paid $9,500 for with my $1200 Bird! He was not very happy.

This car is very economical too! I average 24 mpg with a car that has 166,000 miles on it.

The interior is fairly quiet and smooth riding though it is not very stylish.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th May, 2003

8th Jan 2004, 22:40

Those cars you beat must have been run down junkers. I have a guy in my neighborhood with a 3.1 litre Sunbird. He put on a loud muffler and special gauges on the dash, and I never tire of blowing him away with my 96 Mercury Sable LS Premium. Don't fool yourself.