1997 Pontiac Sunfire GT review from North America

What hasn't gone wrong with it?

The car was 8 years old when I purchased it back in 2005.. So I didn't expect it to be a dream when I bought it.. but I needed a car, it was cheap, that's why I bought it.

If I had been aware of all the trouble to come, I would have ran the other way!

Water pump is done, and needs to be replaced, I have yet to replace it because it's going to cost about $1,000... The car threatens to overheat and the thermostat is screwed up. The temp gage shoots up to the H and I have to turn the car off. If it gets near the H while I'm driving, like idling at a stop light, I have to put the car into neutral and rev the engine a few times to bring it back down.

I've had the alternator replaced twice in the last 6 months.

Wheel alignment on this car is a disaster and I've had to get the wheels re-aligned recently.

The car EATS gas like there's no tomorrow.

I've had a gas line leak, which I got repaired about a year ago.

Window motors wore out very quickly, in cold winter months, the windows will not go down.

I've had numerous troubles with the brakes. Had the brakes seize up on me once last winter and I went flying through and intersection, thankfully, no other cars were coming.

Horn, interior light, cigarette lighter fuses all wore out on me and I had to get the fuse fixed.

I can't turn the heating system on any more because it makes a VERY LOUD whirring noise and sounds like it's going to explode...also, when I turn the heating system on, the temperature gauge rises and I'm afraid the car is going to over heat.

The car is a nightmare to start in the winter. If I'm at work or somewhere, and leave the car parked for just a few hours, a boost is required frequently to get it started.

There's so much more to list, I can't even remember everything that's gone wrong, that I've had to replace, that's had to be repaired.. I've spent SO MUCH money trying to maintain the car that seems to be just..unmaintainable.

Bottom line, I've had nothing, but problems with this car since the day I bought it.. I will never buy another Sunfire as long as I live! If you're thinking about getting one..DON'T DO IT!

The only good things I can say about the car:

When I bought the car, it was in very good shape physically.. Black exterior, gray interior, bucket seats, 2 door, sunroof, rear spoiler, all the stereo buttons are on the steering wheel (which is convenient) the speedometers and everything else on the dash light up red, it was a sporty looking little car, for the price.

Its got a pretty powerful engine, and (used to have) a lot of zip.

Nice sized trunk, huge glove compartment, good sized armrest compartment.

However, these few things do not ride out the many faults of the car!