Vehicle is in perfect mechanical condition (I would expect nothing less from a 3 year old car). But a few of the cheap plastic parts inside have broken and fallen off. For instance, the cover over the driver side seat belt mount. Brake rotors are also of poor quality, and the car shudders during braking already.
Emergency brake handle doesn't release all the way in below freezing temperatures, and causes e-brake alarm to sound, requiring me to hold down the e-brake handle until the vehicle warms up.
The car screams "cheap". The fit and finish is absolutely horrid. Plastics are of the worst quality, and fit terribly together leaving large gaps throughout interior. Hitting a bump will cause the interior plastics to creak and make noise...ugh. Not to mention, the suspension does a poor job of masking a bump. And as expected, there is lots of road noise.
Engine and power train are good; it has adequate torque and is capable of climbing hills without losing speed.
Has very poor vision out of the rear of the vehicle.
I'm 6'4", and the car is very uncomfortable for me. Trips longer than an hour make my legs cramp up.
The car's sticker price ranged from $10,000 to 16,000 CAD, which was the cheapest car on the Canadian market at the time. So most of these complaints are to be expected.
I bought a Pontiac Sunfire 2005 and as you said, it was the cheapest new car at the time. Nothing major to report... until last week. Possibly the muffler is finished cause the engine is quite noisy when accelerating, much more than previously. I'm wondering if that's possible with only 25 000 km on the odometer. I'll bring it to a garage...
Now, there are cars out there for 10 000 CAD base model of course, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio are much better cars... but I guess I shouldn't complain. I've used the car for almost 3 years already.
December 10, 2008
I have a 4 door Sedan 2004 Sunfire. At this time I have approximately 43,214 km. I have had numerous problems with this car. Replaced battery at 13,000 km, 5 months old, was told that it was not the alternator.
At 23,900 km, Alternator replaced, & lubed upper seal in Steering Rack-whining rubbing sound in steering. At 24,300 km, Power Steering Rack replaced. At 40, 900 km – 4yrs, 4mos, Leak at Power Steering Gear, replaced Power Steering Rack again. At 43,000 km – 4yrs, 7mos. rubbing, whining sound again in Steering Wheel, replaced stub shaft bearing seal – Dec.09.08. Returned car next day, as I could hear the same rubbing, whining sound 2 hours after picking car up.
At 28,500 km – 3 yrs, leak from lower Engine Oil Pan Gasket.
At 39,400 km – 4 yrs, Cluster Repair.
When defrosting front windshield, left side corner of windshield takes longer than rest of windshield. Was told, top mechanic worked on car. Still has not been resolved.
Most of the time, there is squeak in the rear end drive side, it squeaks when getting in and out of car. This problem has never been resolved.
I felt forced to purchase the extended warranty for a price of $1,500 and also must pay the $100.00 deductible. Dec. 09.08, I felt robbed since I had to pay the $100.00 to repair a part in the steering on a new steering rack that was replaced a second time in Sept.08.
I will get rid of this car before the extended warranty is up.
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