1994 Pontiac Sunbird LE 2.0 from North America

Summary:

Good reliable car, sad that I have to sell It

Faults:

Bought the car from a tow company that had impounded it. Had to replace alternator and battery to get it started.

Front shocks need replacement. AC/Heater does not work, if I turn it on, it shorts the fuse and the fan doesn't run, then engine overheats. Problem solved by not running the climate control. Most likely needs to replace air compressor.

Gas gauge doesn't work, most likely a fuse.

It does have some good rust bellow the doors, nothing major or noticeable at a glance, car was from Wisconsin so snow damage. Car is in California now.

General Comments:

The car was in good condition, clean and good body for being 130,000+ miles, the I think that falls on the previous owner.

Very comfortable and cozy. My first and definitely reliable car. Sad to have to sell it to make room and money for my other cars. Would be sold to definitely someone I know very well and and want to have a good, reliable car.

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

Review Date: 4th December, 2004

23rd Mar 2005, 23:17

I purchased my '94 Sunbird from a friend for $300.00 CDN, knowing that the car had blown its headgasket. I elected to do the work fixing the engine myself rather than pay about $1,200.00 (min) in labour alone for a garage to do it.

I found that the vehicle is sound and the engine is well designed because most of the parts are easy to access and/or maintain. I honestly got a 'warm fuzzy' in feeling/knowing that my 'new' car will be trouble-free for some time coming.

I am proud to call this car my own.

1994 Pontiac Sunbird LE 2.0 from North America

Summary:

Not the most reliable, but fun to drive

Faults:

Radiator blew at 70000kms.

AC blew at 80000kms.

EGR valve at 160000kms.

Alternator at 180000kms.

Now my ABS brake is on at all times (210000 kms.). Afraid these parts will be expensive to fix.

Rust is appearing at the bottom of both doors.

General Comments:

Overall, I have to say that I love this car. Although it's a 4, its manual transmission is very well geared giving it great acceleration, good highway speed and good gasoline economy.

I do most of the repairs myself which is why I have kept it that long... otherwise, I'm afraid the cost of repairs would not have warranted keeping the car. However, now that my ABS is misbehaving, I am concerned that the costs of whatever parts I will need to fix it will be too much for me to keep investing in the car. Does anyone have had problems with ABS and how did you fix it (costs and parts)?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th September, 2004

8th Oct 2004, 09:15

Hey I had the same prob with my pontiac sunbird ABS light and it ended up being just replacing my air conditioner and heater fuse. which controlled the ABS to. So just replace that cheap fuse and it will fix it.

21st Oct 2004, 19:50

I have a problem with my ABS light not even coming on. My rear brakes don't seem to work properly either. When braking you can feel the rear of the car squat down. It's like the rears are doing all the work. It is very easy to lock up the rear brakes under heavy braking. I'm hoping it's a easy simple fix like an adjustment or wheel cylinders. But other than that my 94 Sunbird is perfect. It has 121,000 kms on it. The only things I've had to replace on it was the clutch at 115,000 and the brakes previously at 70,000 kms. I change the oil every 5,000 kms like clock work using synthetic in the engine and transmission. It shifts just as smooth and clean as the day I bought it. The only problem with it other than the rear brakes is a small crack in the windshield and some rock chips in the hood. This car will last forever and is the most reliable car I have ever owned and I have owned many different Honda's and Toyota's. Too bad everyone's car isn't this good.