1996 Pontiac Sunfire SE from North America

Summary:

This car sucks especially when you get some miles on it...beware!!!

Faults:

Alternator - 4 times replaced.

Starter- 3 times replaced.

Head gasket blew at about 90,000 miles.

Dealer Installed Alarm - The sound just died one day.

Brakes replaced a bunch of times - and I am not a driver whom speeds and uses the brakes a lot.

Ran hot all the time, in traffic it would overheat on a very hot day - even Pontiac's mechanics could not figure out why.

Air conditioner died.

Hard to start on cold wet days.

Transmission replaced three times.

Factory radio would not play tapes in the winter or would act weird in the heat on a hot day.

At about 100,000 miles the lower blower settings on my heat or a/c controls in the car would not work only the high setting would.

General Comments:

This car was a great little car at first when it had 30,00 miles went through winters/blizzards here in NYC just fine then once I got around 70,000 miles all the problems started even though I took care of it. Sometimes would not start or better yet one day the transmission went on me and I had to drive all through the city trying to make it home with a bad transmission. It got me home and just died in front of my house.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 30th September, 2008

1996 Pontiac Sunfire 1996 from North America

Summary:

Love it for the summer!

Faults:

Just fuel pump went out, otherwise great convertible, had no other problems.

General Comments:

Its quick and handles great on the road.

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

Review Date: 29th July, 2008

1996 Pontiac Sunfire from North America

Summary:

Very, very bad investment!

Faults:

This car is total crap I tell you. Do NOT purchase one unless you get one for under 800 bucks and are gonna sell it for 2000.

The struts need replacing, clutch has gone, radio is messed up, dims and flutters like the dash lights and the high/low beams. (electrical problems?), the speedometer does not work... sometimes if you're going over 60kph it starts to kick in.. but other than that useless!

Poor design of seats/seat belts (very hard to get out and in the back seats, or when putting on seat belt it's very awkward to reach the seat belt if you're shorter (I'm 5'8).

I've got a weird clunking noise going on in the motor when I am coming to a stop with brakes on.. BF says it's a sensor or something, but it sounds worse than that.

When I got the car (auction), the key became unusable, it would not start the car or open the locks (right away). Went to the Pontiac GM dealership and they made a new key, which started the car there and unlocked/locked doors... but when I went shopping at Costco, I tried opening my doors and the key was jammed!!! It would not budge... I could take the key out but I couldn't move it either way in the lock... so that was a great day... Phoned my BF and he came and used WD40 on the locks, and finally got that dealt with. Apparently a badly cut key.

General Comments:

Good fuel consumption... costs 40 bucks to fill and lasts long. Car is alright when it runs properly!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 14th May, 2008

15th May 2008, 20:45

Cars are generally NOT investments anyways. Their depreciation, gas costs, maintenance costs, etc. guarantee you will lose money on them.

UNLESS you own some collectors car and sell it for a considerable amount.

1996 Pontiac Sunfire from North America

Summary:

Great starter car for new drivers, lasted me 4 years

Faults:

Cracked Windsheild

Fan Belt needed to be changed

Exhaust Rattle

Broken Wheel Bearing

General Comments:

This car has problems because of it's high mileage, however they are usually easily fixed.

Great engine for a little car.

Runs smooth.

Great interior, pretty spacious for a compact car.

Pretty reliable all around.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th April, 2008

1996 Pontiac Sunfire 2.2L from North America

Summary:

This vehicle is very reliable and comfortable

Faults:

The AC compressor went bad.

The passenger rear window motor went bad.

General Comments:

The car is comfortable on long trips.

There is a lot of leg and head room.

The rear seat folds forward giving a lot of space for cargo.

The car gets excellent gas mileage.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st March, 2008