1996 Pontiac Sunfire GT review from North America
"Fast/cheap/fun"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
1) Water pump leaked all the coolant on the highway, and we overheated.
2) R/H side power window crapped out, no longer works.
3) When I run it hard it doesn't idle right until you turn it off and back on. It almost stalls (5-600rpm) when it's usually @ 1000rpm at idle.
4) Noisy valves.
5) Oil is always too dirty even a week after changing it, black.
6) Bent control arm, had to be replaced.
General comments?
Nice looking car, fun to drive, quick, lots of torque in first gear.
This is my 3rd used car.
Good on tires (Goodyear Eagles, still lotsa tread after 3 years).
Amazing on gas!! I get almost 600km on a full tank (60L) and I drive fast.
Beautiful on the highway to drive.
Top notch air-conditioning so far.
Solid built car.
I added a custom performance exhaust last year to replace the stock one. They wanted like $1700, the exhaust system on the 96 model is crap, one piece from the front all the way to the back including the mufflers, so you gotta change the whole thing if you get a leak. Go for a performance one, it sounds great with Dynomax mufflers and a 3" stainless pipe.
I like it... worth buying, lots of them out there.
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| Reliable car that gets you where you need to go |
|
| This car sucks especially when you get some miles on it...beware!!! |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 1996 |
| First year of ownership | 1998 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2001 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.4 DOHC 150h/p Manual |
| Performance marks | 7 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 4 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 8 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 8 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 60000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 140000 kilometres |
| Previous car | Chevrolet Beretta |
| Date of Entry | 20th August, 2001 |