1999 Pontiac Sunfire SE from North America

Summary:

A mechanical nightmare

Faults:

I first bought the car, and had problems with the brakes. Rotors were replaced under warranty. I told the dealership that the car always seemed to run a little hot, but they told me that was the normal range. Many months later I end up spending over $300.00 for just a thermostat and a serpentine belt. Soon after that, I shifted into reverse and the transmission just went "clunk". Now I have no reverse, drive, neutral. It is back again at the dealership, no longer under warranty. I have spoken with Pontiac customer service, and they are very kind, but let us see what they will do for this very well maintained car with 50,000 miles and a dead transmission. I feel that the thermostat in these Sunfires should be replaced constantly to avoid running hot. The minuted they changed that, it has never gotten beyond the middle of the gauge. I am extremely unhappy with this car, and should have know better. I love GM cars, but the Pontiacs, especially the Sunfire are a mechanics 401K.

General Comments:

I wish my car was yellow, so at least I could laugh over it, and possibly turn it into a lemonade stand!

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

Review Date: 6th October, 2003

1999 Pontiac Sunfire SE 2.4 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

Excellent value and fun to drive

Faults:

There is a rattle in the driver's side door.

There is a problem with the odometer and trip odometer; they sometimes go out completely or display random numbers.

The bright lights recently stopped working; when I try to turn them on, the daytime running lights go on instead.

The brakes have been repaired 3 times and seem to wear quickly.

General Comments:

Overall, I have been very pleased with this car, despite the minor problems I have had. The car has always started, even after sitting out in bitterly cold weather.

For a 4 cylinder vehicle, the acceleration is really good. It handles very nicely too.

I find it very comfortable to ride in. Although I can't say it rides like a Cadillac, I have back problems and many cars hurt my back to drive. I have taken several long trips in this car, and never felt uncomfortable driving it.

I would suggest using a higher grade gasoline. My fuel injectors got clogged up and the car felt sluggish until I switched to an 89 octane gasoline.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd September, 2003

1999 Pontiac Sunfire SE 2.0 from North America

Summary:

Easy on gas, reliable, and good air bags

Faults:

During hot days, thermostat would redline,...would have to stop car to cool down before continuing.,at approx 60000 km... just a leaky hose and a new thermostat gasket installed myself.

General Comments:

Bought the car refurbished (stolen, wrote off, rebuilt and sold by a used car co.) car looked awesome..$7900..2000 km warranty. I was warned not to buy it, but needed a low fuel cost (approx 14 hours of hiyghway driving per week,.800km/week) and didn't want anything smaller.. awesome in snow with good tires (Nova Scotia terrain).

Hit a 220 pound deer at 100km per hour and airbags save me and my wife's life!

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

Review Date: 20th September, 2003

1999 Pontiac Sunfire Sedan 2.2L from North America

Summary:

A lemon if there ever was one

Faults:

Fuel pump died at 4,000 km.

Rear strut mounts have been replaced 6 (six) times.

Rear struts replaced once.

Front strut mounts and bearings replaced at 85,000 km.

Starter replaced at 72,000 km.

Both rear doors seized completely even with consistent use.

Catalytic converter blew at 118,000 km.

Paint is terribly thin.

Odometer and radio light died at 126,000 km.

Ignition control module died at 105,000 km.

Coil packs died twice, once at 98,000 km and again at 139,000 km.

Evaporator valve died at 58,000 km, GM would not replace even though it was "under warranty"

Still experiencing electrical problems.

General Comments:

GM mechanics have no idea what they are doing... do not buy a Sunfire!! GM have extremely poor customer service, the 1999 Sunfire is a bottomless money eating pit!! I am still experiencing electrical problems that no one can seem to isolate, not even GM!! I have spent over $3000 since November 2002, that was 9 months ago!! All this on several different problems!! Be warned... Sunfires are garbage people!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 28th August, 2003

15th Jan 2004, 22:53

I think you are too hard on GM as a whole, if what you are saying is true we wouldn't be number one car manufacturer in north america. I work for a dealership and see my service department bend over backwards to make customers happy. Unfortunately a lemon rolls off the line once in a while. Just be happy that lemon was not an import because you would have paid triple for the repairs you put into that sunfire.