1987 Pontiac Sunbird SE 2.0 OHC (no turbo) from North America

Summary:

Great car, but would like newer model

Faults:

It was in poor shape when I bought it...here's what I've noticed gone wrong so far.

The transmission lurches, needs to be rebuilt.

Engine leaks oil like a sieve, due to incorrect installation of gaskets (I'm not letting my dad do it this time!)

Electrical short somewhere, battery dies after leaving car off for over a week.

Upper Radiator Hose exploded about five months after I bought it, at around 168,750 miles.

I think I have a warped rotor somewhere.

General Comments:

Aside from the engine and drive train needing rebuilding (I am going to make this my project car) I REALLY like it.

The car handles well, and while it's not a sports car, it does have zip, which isn't bad for being nearly dead.

Interior is nice and comfy, and it rides nice, absorbing most of the bumps in the road.

Paint is chipped a little bit, (it was used as a daily driver in an area with lots of blowing dust) but I'm going to repaint it so I'm not concerned about that.

The headliner is falling off so I stapled it back to the roof, I will replace that too.

Gets great gas mileage, around 25-30MPG, I expect better mileage after I fix the thing.

All in all, I really like it and think it's got lots of potential. If I could find a newer one for sale (94 or 95) after I get a better job, I'd buy it, as I really like Sunbirds.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd February, 2006

1987 Pontiac Sunbird SE 2.0 OHC throttle body from North America

Summary:

A quality car with a sporty appearance

Faults:

The transmission rebuilt at 105k. The A/C stopped functioning after 10 years of operation and one valve lifter was unusually worn at 85,000 miles.

General Comments:

Car has a good suspension setup with front and rear sway bars. The car sits lower than most other grocery getters and the seats are mounted low, giving the car a sporty feel. The naturally aspirated 4 cylinder is a little to "Honda Civic" for those who like acceleration, but sufficient for the size of the car and has been very reliable. Convertible top has functioned flawlessly.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th May, 2003

1987 Pontiac Sunbird Sedan 2.0 from North America

Summary:

Peppy, comfortable, and easy on the gas!

Faults:

The original engine blew, so the previous owner put in a turbo-charged 2.0 four cylinder.

At 125,000 Miles The car would not start, there was a short in the radio. It was draining the battery.

The seats were awful, they were completely worn through.

The head liner was terrible, It was falling down constantly.

The last straw was when it threw a rod, I did not want to put one thousand dollars into a five hundred dollar car.

General Comments:

This was a great car, I loved having it the majority of the time. I really can't complain very much at all, I bought the vehicle for five hundred dollars, and I only had a few problems with it. I however would not buy another Sun-bird, I am not a fan of General Motors.

The current engine is a turbocharged four cylinder, It was very peppy! Everybody that rode in the car was seriously impressed when I would get on it, and it would get up and go really hard. The engine was pulled out of a Turbo Sun-bird.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th January, 2003

27th Mar 2003, 17:05

The car if fine except for the worn out seats and the inside of the roof is falling apart and I think it may be loosing gas. but I'm not planning on getting one or planning on fixing the problems. it's a 100$ car and I'm not spending 1000$ to get it fixed.

13th Nov 2003, 10:10

I have my car for about five years... and it has only let me down once.. that was probably my own fault. The timing belt broke because it wasn't on very tight. Other than that it has been great... sure it has little problems every once in a while, but its 16 years old... it happens. I wouldn't trade my Sunbird Turbo GT for anything... it has the 2.0l Turbocharged engine in it and it runs like it was brand new. when I got the car it had 60000 miles on it... with a little maintenance and care I will easily get 300,000 out of it.

22nd Jul 2009, 23:19

I am looking for pictures of a 1987 pontiac sunbird turbo gt 2.0 sedan.