Pontiac Tempest Reviews

Transmission (170000 Km).

Alternator (2).

Thermostat.

Water pump.

Front struts and rear shocks.

EPROM.

Fuel pump.

Excellent, could be the coldest day, and first turn of the key, and it would start.

Original radiator, original starter, original A/C, and it worked until I sold it for parts; A/C never was serviced or recharged.

Sold it for parts, because at 306000 km, the body was rusting, it needed a fuel pump, new gas lines, two fuel injectors and a head liner.

For the mileage and the years I had her, I could challenge anyone with an import to challenge me on the reliability. Every car, import or domestic, needs TLC, and that's how I treated her and every car I own.

Headliner was very saggy.

Brakes needed to be worked on.

Water pump needed replacing.

This was my first car, and it has a special place in my heart. I learned to drive on it, so I have to start with the handling. The turn in at any speed was neutral and quite sharp, which was good for learning the twisty roads.

Mine had the 3.1 V6 engine. This gave great gas mileage and very respectable performance. It was a very comfortable car as well; the suspension was a bit on the soft side, and the seats were very supportive.

This car gave me my first motoring memories. I drove it hard, and it never needed anything back in return. When I reached its top speed on the highway, the water pump blew, so that was my fault. Unfortunately, when an Ex was driving it, the oil pan was ripped to pieces, so I had to get rid of her.

Breaks need replacing

CV joints are wearing out.

The wiring to the CD deck was VERY difficult to figure out. I had my whole dash pulled apart for at least a week.

Faulty wiring to the interior lights. They only work if you unscrew them from the roof.

This car is amazing! The v6 engine makes it fairly cheap on gas and quick on the get-go. Very smooth performance.

I have very high mileage on this car, and still no leaks of any kind. It runs like new.

I only spent $495 on this car, but it was well spent! It is a great winter beater. Safe, reliable, and cheap.

Replaced alternator in 2006.

Holes wearing through floorboards.

Blinkers manually need to be worked.

Good car to drive, quick pick up.

Heater replaced

spark plug replace

now it is not starting cranking sound, but no engine start I have put new battery problem is same.

Before it was start with 3 or 4 self, now it is not start at all.

any suggestion e mail meana3@yahoo.com

Car is very good in running and comfortable.

I can't tell the mileage for each repair as the odometer never worked since I bought it..

Replaced headlight and interior light switch, as origional one was broken by the garage that certified it..

Gas-line leaked shortly after I bought the car.

Coolant leak in thermostat housing, replaced gasket and thermostat at the same time...

General maintanance (battery, tires, brakes etc..)

Just recently, started to shred serpentine belts, traced the problem to a bent belt-tensioner pulley assembly that was allowing the belt to run out of alignment. Replaced assembly.

One of the biggest weaknesses on this car are the door handles, locks, trunk and hood latches...I've had problems with doors sticking shut occasionally, or not working in cold weather...also, the hood and trunk latches are sometimes hard to open, and require more than normal force to open... these aren't really major problems, just minor inconveniences..

For the number of km's this car has probably driven, it has lived up.

One the the most reliable cars out there.. It has never left me stranded...

The car is fairly quick on the take-off..

A good highway car, it likes to cruise at about 130-140 km/h, although the wind noise at that speed can be almost frightening :-)

The ride is quite firm.. you can feel every bump in the road. Handling is good, especially on slippery snow and ice..

The seats are fairly comfortable... I have driven 10 hours non-stop and hardly felt the need to stop and stretch.

Parts are cheap and easy to find both new and used due to the sheer number or corsicas, tempests, sunbirds, cavaliers, grand-ams which were manufactured during the late 80's to mid 90's... all of which use very standard parts from model to model.. usually the main parts like alternators, starters, wheels, and so on, are the same for different models of chev or pontiac.. These cars are a dream for do-it-yourself mechanics.

I am very happy with this car, I would buy another one without question.