1999 Pontiac Sunfire review from North America

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.

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