1991 Pontiac Sunbird LE from North America - Comments

I have replaced the Alternator three times in about 2 years when we first received the car. I have also replaced the starter twice. Note: The starter is not easy to get too... It leaks every fluid except for transmission. It has gone through too many brake pads to remember. I have replaced the head gasket at about 180,000 miles. I had to replace a valve after a spark plug came apart and went through it causing no compression in that cylinder. A spark plug became stuck in another cylinder causing it to break off while still inside. We drilled it out and have problems with it ever since. The MAP, Oxygen, water temperature, Crankshaft Position, and Throttle Position Sensor Has failed, along with the computer. The EGR valve failed at about 182,000 miles. The Catalytic converter failed and made it sound like I was dragging a fleet of cans behind me at 186,000. The rear shocks and the front struts are gone making it buck when I stop and making it unstable at speed in excess of 65mph. The back window blew out when we were getting in to it one day even though there was more than one widow open. (Explain that?) When ever I take a turn that is even close to sharp, The oil light comes on inside. The dome light would come on by itself some times also, along with the horn. The dash board as stretched in the sun causing it to pull away from the dash in several places. Other than this it was a pretty reliable car.

The car would have trouble passing at about 60mph. So I guess what I am saying is that this car doesn't have a whole lot of power. Not to mention that it would go from 0-60, in about a minute.

The car was comfortable though. I like the seats.

I have to make a few comments on this person's review.

If you're going through brake pads that quick, you might not be changing the drums and rotors at regular intervals along with them.

At 180,000+ miles, weather takes its toll, and things such as exhaust components tend to rust out.

Your suspension was unsafe above 65 mph and would buck when you'd stop? Have you considered perhaps doing some maintenance and replacing things that wear out with time? 180,000 miles out of struts and shocks is actually not that bad, however, rather than complaining about things failing when they're that old, you might want to think first and decide whether they may just have worn out, like any other car, rather than endangering yourself and possibly others.

An oil light coming on in a corner is often attributed to a low oil level. Judging by your maintenance of the rest of the car, I'd say you probably didn't check the oil. Again, preventive maintenance can go a long way.