1997 Pontiac Sunfire review from North America

Alternator died the second day I had the car, the used car place I bought it from replaced it for me for $0.

Rust on my gas line caused a leak. I fixed it myself for $3.

Read a lot of reviews posted here and people seem to be giving this car a lot of grief, its almost like they don't understand this is a base model cheap American car, don't expect Audi quality when buying a GM.

From a mechanical/reliability standpoint, I seriously have nothing bad to say about this car, I am religious about maintaining it, and it's been very good to me.

My previous car was an old 94 Suzuki Swift, that I had driven to death. I had a baby on the way, and needed something bigger and safer than that thing. Found the Sunfire for $3500 with a new set of all seasons, and a new set of winter tires on rims. Talked the guy down to $3k cash and bought it.

I have never regretted the purchase. The only things I don't like about the car are really quite superficial, its cabin is a little noisy on the highway, certain plastic pieces rattle in the interior but really it's just stupid things I don't like. Mechanically speaking, it's fine, and the only place that has had any rust on it was where the gas line leak occurred. Which is incredible for a car of its age, I live in Montreal Qc Canada, our winters are murder.

I would recommend this car to anyone who is looking for a cheap practical car to get them from Point A to Point B, and occasionally Point C on the weekends. My sons car seat is mounted in the center of the backseat, and I can still fit a person on each side, the trunk space fits a grocery order, his stroller and my 12" sub with amp in box. I really like the trunk on this thing.