Faults:

We recently purchased a used 1999 Sunfire for my 16 year old daughter. We took it to a local Pontiac dealership and paid $70 to have them look at it and see if there was anything seriously wrong with this. They found a few minor items, but nothing that concerned them enough for us not to buy it.

My daughter drove it for two weeks before it wouldn't start. After some diagnostics were ran, it was determined that the alternator was bad. I replaced that and the car ran for another whole week.

It then died again. It now was decided that the starter was bad. I purchased a starter and was about ready to replace it. I noticed that the current connection (s) on the starter were not tight. I tightened those up and the car started right up. It then ran for 1.5 days before completely dying while my daughter was driving down the road.

After towing it to the local Pontiac dealership (not the same one as previous mentioned) they say the engine is "internally locked" and they can replace it for $4,800. I think they are full of you know what.

I wouldn't recommend this piece of junk to anyone. If you're thinking of buying one of these, don't. Although I like Pontiac's (I'm an old Trans AM guy), I don't know why. I had nothing but trouble with the Trans AM and now this piece of junk Sunfire. I say avoid Pontiac products at all costs.

General Comments:

The engine should be replaced by a cage with a pair of running squirrels.

Faults:

Steering

Every time I turn the wheel, it makes clunking noises. I noticed this 3 months after I bought it brand new.

According to the mechanic is the steering shaft. I have not fixed it yet.

General Comments:

Reliable car. It looks excellent and the engine performance is excellent, even at 7000 foot altitude.

Great engine.

I do not like comfort it has real hard struts and shocks.

Faults:

When you're on the interstate going like 70 it shake more than a normal car does, really scary.

My radio went out on me. It comes on whenever it pleases.

When you're on a long trip it becomes uncomfortable.

The thermostat gave out on me causing coolant to spit out everywhere and now when its hot outside and I drive for like an hour it over heats, and I live in Georgia.

General Comments:

First of all I want to say that I payed $13,000 for a standard Pontiac Sunfire. No tape player just am/fm radio, manual locks, windows, and seats, and it was used. At first it was a really good car, but after driving it for a while it started to mess up.

They sound good at first and run great until you have it for a year or so, or after your warranty runs out.