1990 Pontiac 6000 LE 3.1 V6

Summary:

Surprisingly fun and very reliable car

Faults:

Transmission skipping 3rd gear.

Driver's side seat is stuck (but in an OK position).

General Comments:

This car handles amazingly, and is for some reason very fun to drive (this is the only car I've found myself going for cruises in).

There were performance and "get up and go" problems. I have done the following repairs/replacements - spark plugs/wires, air/fuel filters, thermostat, fuel pump, and general maintenance (fluids, etc.)

After doing the above list of things, the car runs beautifully, and leaps to life when I turn the key.

The best feeling is when a new Honda or Nissan pulls up to the stop light with all sorts of stickers, a coffee can muffler, and those annoying flourescent headlights or yellow fog lights. They see me driving an 11 year old family sedan and just sneer at me. 9 out of 10 times that little rice burner gets smoked. Doing that will never get old.

This has been a very good car to me. I hope that I can keep driving it for many long years to come. After I get the transmission fixed, I plan on doing whatever I can on it to make it faster. Maybe making a family sedan haul like a performance car seems dumb or foolish, but it's a personal goal of mine.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th August, 2001

7th Aug 2002, 08:32

I my self am a Pontiac 6000 owner so if you could please tell me where I could find High performance parts for an 89 Pontiac 6000 LE. your article has inspired me to do the same thing. Make a four door family car go faster.

Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon.

Matthew Williams

E-mail: Ghnssj2mtWil@netscape.net.

1990 Pontiac 6000 LE 3.1 Multiport FI V6

Summary:

Best bang-for-the-buck performance and comfort

Faults:

The bonding gave out on the front brake pads causing a minor rattle - only because of the age of the pads before I bought it.

Minor oil leak from the oil pump drive requiring an $.80 o-ring.

Small transmission fluid leak to be determined.

General Comments:

It's not a rocket, but it pulls a consistent 17.0sec in the quarter - I have timeslips. It will be in the 16's.

Handling is decent, but should be better judging by the marginal smoothness.

I love the station wagon brake package on a lighter, nimbler car.

The 3.1 V6 isn't known for refinement, but will run well forever.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th June, 2001

1990 Pontiac 6000 LE 3.1 V6

Summary:

Indistructable, reliable, and still fun to drive!

Faults:

I paid $500 for it, and it needed a bit of work, not much though for its age:

- Ball joints

- Battery

- Stabilizer bar

- Brake lines, pads and rotors.

There is a small oil leak right now, but I really don't care about it. It's a seal (I forget what exactly) and it's about $300 to fix (labor intensive). It only drops a quart about once a month and it doesn't burn oil.

General Comments:

I really like this car, and I'm in the process of restoring it to be like new.

It looks like crap because it needs a paint job (some surface rust and peeling), the previous owner didn't maintain it well, but it's the most reliable car I have ever owned!

It handles exceptionally, and has a lot of get up and go. It's funny blowing away those silly sticker/spoiler/crap covered Civics at stop lights. They spend $5000 on souping (is that how you spell it?) up their cars and my 11 year old family sedan blows it away! Hahahahah!

This car is a tank, it doesn't let anything get in its way. I think the only way to destroy it would be to drive it off a cliff (and then it would probably still drive away! Well, maybe not, but you get the point...)

I love my car and I treat it very well, and I hope that it hits at least 400 000 kms before I have to part with it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st May, 2001

14th Aug 2007, 04:37

Hi.

<They spend $5000 on souping (is that how you spell it?) up their cars and my 11 year old family sedan blows it away! Hahahahah!>

I know. I bought an '88 four months ago, & I don't bother getting road rage. I just love watching the faces of people who figure they're going to out jump my grandpa car with their late-model sports cars/SUVs. Especially ones who lane jump without signaling. "Aww, go ahead," I think.

My P6000 catches up. This weekend I beat every single car out of stops from downtown Vancouver BC to the ferry terminal. Without flooring it or burning rubber. Honestly, I was amazed & a bit smug :-D.