1986 Pontiac 6000 LE 2.5 liter 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

Reliable transportation

Faults:

Very dependable car if you keep up on the maintenance. I have only been stranded twice since 1993 because of timing gear malfunctions.

Timing gear went bad in Fall 1998 and during Summer 2001. To replace the timing gear you have to pull the engine out which is a pretty substantial job.

General Comments:

The 4 cylinder engine doesn't supply much power, but it is economical on gas.

Rides pretty smooth if the roads are good.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th August, 2001

4th Sep 2001, 01:29

I had a similar problem on my 2.5l '87 Buick Century (which is basically the same car as your Pontiac 6000, just different looks). The car had only 85,000 miles on it. This should not have happened! These engines do not have a timing BELT but a timing GEAR that should never require any maintenance (unless you run out of oil). The mechanic told me that the timing gear had no teeth left on it, but there was nothing wrong with the lubrication system! The only explanation is that the metal used in the manufacturing of those gears was not within specified parameters (if such specifications exist). These defects defeat the purpose of having a gear instead of a belt, which would require some maintenance. But knowing that this gear doesn't need any maintenance, nobody ever checked on it! The result is that I ended up with a complete valve work at 85,000 miles...

This negligence of the manufacturer is very expensive to fix as valve works are not cheap at all...

1986 Pontiac 6000 LE 2.8 liter V6 from North America

Summary:

Peppy little car with plenty of class

Faults:

Car had a rebuilt engine with only 30,000 miles.

Transmission was only 1 year old when I bought the car.

I have had absolutely NO trouble with my car!

General Comments:

This is the second Pontiac 6000 I have owned. This car handles great and the fuel milage is fantastic. It has plenty of get up and go! Cruises like a dream. I love it!

This car is like new inside and out.

The previous owner added a CD player. This was the only thing this little car needed.

This car has plenty of comfortable room in the cabin and trunk.

Air conditioning works great.

This is a great family car (I have three kids).

Great value for the money.

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

Review Date: 16th August, 2001

1986 Pontiac 6000 STE 2.8 V6 from North America

Summary:

Poor man's BMW

Faults:

Replaced MAF Sensor at 103,877 miles.

New brake pads and turned rotors on all 4 wheels.

Needed a new fuel pump at 133,864 miles.

Replaced the power antenna at 145,000 miles.

Needed a new brake power booster at 147,568 miles.

General Comments:

This car, in 1986, had many features that are just now offered on some cars.

The body/paint, interior, engine and transmission are still like new. I purchased the car new in 1986 and plan to keep it for the rest of my life!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd June, 2001

4th Jan 2010, 20:35

I too plan on keeping my STE's for the rest of my life. I own two 85's, and I really enjoy the way they drive. I was selling Pontiacs in 83-84 when was first exposed to the STE. The cars we got in were few and already pre-sold. I do remember taking a customer for a test drive, and how much the car impressed me. I subsequently bought an 85 STE in 11/88 with 39,000 miles, and now have over 300,000 miles on it. With 176,000 miles on the original motor, it gave out on me when I was going to WA state from CA. The engine was replaced with one from a wrecked STE, and I had the motor re-manufactured in 98 with a 4 year, 50,000 miles warranty.

Since then, I have purchased another 85 STE in Tacoma for $650.00 with only 127,000 miles on it. It needed a repainting (I don't think the car was washed often), headliner, and rack and pinion. I also had all but the P/S fluids flushed out and replaced. So for $2,800.00 I have another good running STE.

If you want, I have two web sites: http://www.a-body.net/forums/index.php and the 6000 club.