1998 Pontiac Sunfire SE Coupe 2.2L 4 Cylinder from North America

Summary:

Reliable car with excellent performance when taken care of

Faults:

The transmission seal had to be replaced.

There was a gouge from the factor in the case that holds the seal on.

The radio volume knob went bad.

The seat belt mechanisms went bad.

Gears stuck from park to reverse and reverse to drive. The cable had to be readjusted.

All were repaired under 36/36 $100 deductible after market warranty.

General Comments:

I owned a 1997 Pontiac Sunfire SE and totaled it, having gotten this one directly afterward.

Good performance, corners very well.

Needs a good owner that will take care of it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd August, 2002

1998 Pontiac Sunfire from North America

Summary:

This car is ideal for 20-25 year olds.

Faults:

One steering knuckle came loose at 60,000 miles, noisy but did not effect performance.

Some interior fixtures, like behind door handles, are coming unglued.

At 85,000 the car unexpectedly jumped forward while at a stop (usually on hot or cold days).

The car body has a "plastic" feel to it.

General Comments:

The car has more power than expected.

This car is easy to care for.

At 93,000 miles, and after a tuneup, it runs like a champ.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st August, 2002

5th Nov 2007, 11:48

Mine jumped at stops as well. It turned out to be the water pump.

7th Nov 2007, 12:44

Why do you say this is for 20-25 year olds. I consider this more of a 16-20 year old car due to cheap price and cheap maintence.

25th May 2012, 21:16

Why can't it be an any age car?

1998 Pontiac Sunfire GT 2.4L Twin Cam from North America

Summary:

GM scrap

Faults:

The 'check engine' light will occasionally come on for absolutely no reason.

The Electronic Traction Control system can be overly sensitive to the point that it will cause the car to jerk the second you press on the gas. (Because the computer believes that your tires are spinning).

The A.B.S. light will come on when the braking system appears to be in good working order.

Door hinges have already started to rust.

The paint scratches very easily.

General Comments:

For a four cylinder this car does have a lot of power.

However it doesn't handle that great.

If you're over 5'-6" tall you'll be occasionally nailing your head against the ceiling of the car whenever you get in or out.

Personally, I find these cars almost too electronic, having frequent problems with the computer/sensors giving false signals.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 22nd July, 2002

16th Sep 2002, 11:06

My 95 sun fire GT has the same computer/sensor errors and it's driving crazy. Check engine and cooling system light are always coming on. Sometimes the check engine light will come on after a good rain. The car goes from running like a top to running on 2 of the 4 cylinders with some good backfires. It recovers a day after the humidity drops. If I took the car in every time this happened I would not have two nickels to rub together.

Andy.

1998 Pontiac Sunfire SE Convertible 2.4L from North America

Summary:

Sexy fun car for small bucks

Faults:

Nothing substantive; the car was purchased as a very clean used model, and I've had no problems keeping it in also new shape. Very dependable car!

General Comments:

The past small convertible on the market, period. The 3rd version of the GM J bodies, looks great and drives the same.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th June, 2002

12th Jan 2007, 19:03

Who knows where the switch is for the top on a 1998 sunfire conv.?

22nd Jan 2007, 17:46

Just above the rearview mirror. It is a handle, push the grey button pull down on the handle, pull the handle back the roof goes down, push the handle forward, the roof goes up. (Also note the rear windows go down automatically when the roof goes down.

1998 Pontiac Sunfire SE Convertible 2.4L from North America

Summary:

A service disappointment, but fun to drive

Faults:

I'm very disappointed in Pontiac's service. I've had problems with the gas gauge since I got the car. The gauge never gets to "E" and the light never comes on. The dealership has "repaired" the problem under warranty 3 times, after which I saw the light come on once or twice, so I thought it was fixed. It's not and now Pontiac doesn't want to fix it.

It developed a vibration at highway speeds at ~70,000 miles.

The top started to leak at ~50,000, but a little adjustment in the shims at the front fixed it pretty well.

General Comments:

This is the first convertible I've owned and it is in general a pleasant experience. It's pretty loud inside the car on the highway when the top is up, and deafening when it's down. I still have to say that top-down driving is very entertaining at 45 MPH on country roads.

Because it is a convertible, the handling is pretty sloppy, but for a non-serious driver, it's no problem.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 4th April, 2002