1991 Pontiac Firefly 4 door 1.0 litre from North America

Summary:

The country should be flooded with them

Faults:

Head rebuilt at 132,000 kms, don't know cause - I bought it this way.

I've taken care of the 4 door sedan so there's no dings or rust showing, I keep it waxed and it looks really good.

I've replaced the top end again, because the overflow hose on the radiator tank fell off and I didn't check the radiator for 2 years, just the tank - it overheated - all my fault. The rest of the car is and always has been really easy on tires, brakes.

I've kept seat covers on it so the interior is very good.

I've always felt that the USA has not had the right idea in allowing the general public the choice of being able to buy a car like this. It's cheap to build (There's ton's of them still rolling) has a 1000 cc engine that, when taken care of will last for years, and when used with the 5 speed manual gears, gets a ton of miles to the gal. (The most I got, at 65 mph on a 1600 mile trip was 58 mpg measured on the USA gal.)

I don't need an electric car, nor a hybrid, and at 46 mpg in the city - I don't pollute like everyone else. The car cost me $2500 and is still worth a $1000, to the hell with the Kelley Blue Book price.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th March, 2009

1991 Pontiac Firefly 1.0 from North America

Summary:

Outstanding car when used with care

Faults:

Headlight / wiper switch buttons broke.

Corrosion starting on shock towers, appears to be bad design that traps moisture between layers of metal.

Drivers seat cushion area sagging (weakening springs)

General Comments:

Outstanding reliability and service.

Engine still works perfectly, uses no oil.

Still averages 66 miles / imperial gallon!

Has required no repairs other than normal service.

Longevity because not winter driven.

Only weak point is corrosion on shock towers, due to a bad design that traps moisture.

With appropriate updates, this 18 year old design would be the best available car today for economy and serviceability

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th May, 2008

1991 Pontiac Firefly LE 1.0 from North America

Summary:

It was a great little car

Faults:

Exhaust systems.

Drivers window hardware.

General Comments:

I bought this car from a friend. The car ran and ran and ran and got almost 60 mpg! I replaced exhaust systems constantly, and the drivers window NEVER worked right, but otherwise it was a great car and I bought 2 more after it.

It was not fast, nor was it pretty, but in its 12th year it just died over a 2 week period and was scrapped.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th March, 2006

1991 Pontiac Firefly 4 dr hatch 1.0L from North America

Summary:

The best mini car ever built.

Faults:

Alternator failure at 267000km.

Original clutch replaced at 289000km - still running the original 5 speed transmission.

Head rebuilt at 339000km due to three burned exhaust valves, piston rings and bearings replaced at this time.

Original front brake rotors replaced at 349000km - $20 each.

Various plastic bits have broken over the years.

Minimal surface rust starting to appear around drivers door.

Hatchback struts recently replaced, heater core due for replacement.

General Comments:

This car is quite simply the most reliable and efficient vehicle I have ever owned. The first significant problem recorded - besides plastic bits breaking - was an alternator failure at 267000km.

The 1.0L engine was recently freshened up (head rebuilt and new rings/bearings) and amazingly enough only one piston skirt exhibited a tiny scratch - the cylinder bores showed absolutely zero wear. No ridge in the bore after 339,000km is quite amazing considering the mixed city/highway driving the car is subjected to. I attribute this to regular (5000km) oil and filter changes since the car was new. I also use 15-40 diesel oil in the summer (5-30 in winter) for its high detergent characteristics and additive packs and Napa Gold filters - and have since the car was purchased in 1991. I will easily get 600000km on the original pistons/bore if the rust doesn't get the car first. Even if it does, I'll just drop the engine into another body and keep going.

At 120-130km/hr highway cruise the Firefly consistently achieves 57 miles per imperial gallon. I am a long distance commuter and rack up over 50,000km per year so the fuel savings are tremendous.

The car is excellent in winter driving conditions when fitted with good winter tires. It is very nimble in traffic and really fun to drive in any season.

The car is very comfortable with great front seat leg room. I'm 6'4" 210lbs and have room to stretch.

Thieves do not target Fireflys. This is a good thing.

The safety of these mini cars is uncertain. With a Firefly defensive driving is required in a world dominated by SUVs and other land barges. This car is not much bigger than a motorbike and should be driven as such.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th July, 2005

28th Mar 2009, 13:07

That comment is very very close to being exactly how it is with these Pontiac Fireflys (Canada) or the Chevy Geo's (USA) with the 1000 cc. 3 cyl engines and manual transmissions. The cars are easy to mass produce, light in weight, with not very many extras, but very functional to own. The 12 in. tires can only be bought from the Orient, which is a shame.

The simplicity of the engine area has a lot to be praised. With new technology (2008 plus..) this kind of car would make the N. American problem of foreign oil, not go away, but it would do miracles to lessen it. The answer doesn't lie in the car itself, it lies in the general publics rendition of what they want-tell me, in all honesty-who in the hell, in this country NEEDS an SUV -- UNLESS you either want to keep up with the 'Joneses', or you have a ton of money in your bank account and don't really care about conserving oil, that comes in from the far east. This little car is the answer to a lot of auto problems - pay attention!