1991 Pontiac Sunbird LE 2.0L OHC from North America

Summary:

A reliable, sporty, economical car

Faults:

Battery died.

AC Compressor began clicking loudly one day, then quieted after a week.

AC no longer works (there's a leak somewhere.)

Some areas of the dashboard became unglued from backer.

Oil pan gasket leaks a little.

Upper radiator hose sprung a leak, sprayed hot antifreeze all over hot manifold.

Doors rattle a little against body when closed.

General Comments:

This is my first car, and I love it. It has above-average handling for its class, and the 2.0L base engine puts out a lot more power than its rated 97 horsepower leads to believe. The transmission shifts smoothly, the interior has held up well over the years, and the whole car has good, modern looks for being 11 years old.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th April, 2002

1991 Pontiac Sunbird LE 2.0 from North America

Summary:

A great mileage car which is very reliable when treated right.

Faults:

Belts have loosened a couple times, so fan wouldn't cool.

Alternator went out once.

Coolant fluid tended to keep going down, leaks kept occuring (recently).

Have gone through four lifetime warranty mufflers.

Tape deck shakes at 70 MPH.

General Comments:

This car is reliable and won't die.

Gets excellent gas mileage, have had up to 38 miles per gallon.

Body of car looks like new. Has no rust and still shines, with regular maintenance.

Would drive this car state to state with no worries.

However, it's a three passenger car comfortably. Back seat has little room.

Great college car or work car!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th April, 2002

1991 Pontiac Sunbird LE from North America

Summary:

Other than the puddles of water from rain, it's a real good car

Faults:

When ever it rains my car floods. The windows will be closed, but somehow water leaks in. It gets quite annoying after awhile of having water on the floor of my car.

General Comments:

My Sunbird is great, except for the puddles of water after it rains. But other than that, I love it. It's fast when I need it to be.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th January, 2002

1991 Pontiac Sunbird LE 3.1L from North America

Summary:

Overall, fast and sporty, but a nightmare to maintain

Faults:

Coolant leaked at 195,000 km (tubing replaced).

Heater core broke soon after, expensive fix.

Torque converter would not disengage at stops, unplugged it (would've been fairly expensive, wasn't worth a fix).

Steering rack, power steering pump, and the entire exhaust system needed replacing at 220,000 km.

Crankshaft sensor died at 240,000 km.

Oxygen sensor broke apart at 250,000 km.

Finally, the timing chain slipped off and fatally damaged the engine (at 285,000km)

General Comments:

Wow. Fast car, and pretty good looks for 1991, but not a month went by without problems with this car.

When the car was running well, this was the EXCEPTION. It seemed more normal for problems to be happening with it, it was so unreliable.

Parts weren't very expensive, but labour always was there, making the fixes fairly expensive still.

Finally, it died on my way out the driveway, and I'm not dropping anymore money on this piece of junk.

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

Review Date: 25th October, 2001

1991 Pontiac Sunbird LE 3.1L V6 from North America

Summary:

A reliable, fast little car

Faults:

The torque converter would not disengage (covered by the warranty)

Replaced the alternator at 185000.

Wheel bearings at 195000.

New rear brake drums at 195000.

Power steering tubing replaced.

General Comments:

Very impressed with the power and acceleration. Beat a V6 Camaro and V8 Thunderbird in races. :)

Tranny holds the power well.

The car has some paint chips, but the rust is very very minimal for 205000 miles.

Wish I could afford a manual in it. That would seriously make it a much more fun car to drive.

Has custom wheels and an aftermarket spoiler for a more aggressive appearence.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th October, 2001

30th May 2002, 23:03

How did you get it to beat a V6 Camaro and a V8 Thunderbird? Is the one you have a V6 or 4 cylinder? I have a 92 Sunbird LE (2.0L) with a K&N filter charger, AC Delco Rapid Fire spark plugs, and I keep the engine very clean (synthetic oil, fuel injection cleaner, and I use 93 octane rating gasoline). How do you think I would do racing? I've beat a V8 79 Chevy Nova and a 97 Toyota Camry, but I don't know what exactly they had under their hoods and I didn't know the running condition of the Nova. So, I've done pretty good. But how exactly you beat a V6 Camaro and a V8 Thunderbird, I'd like to know. Email me: reyandrew@hotmail.com.