Twice, every 2.5 years, the alternator and the starter.
Bad cooling system that always leaks - the pipes and the radiator.
The inside warming radiator has gone wrong after 3 years and 60000 km.
Change brakes every 20000 km.
The dashboard lost its shape.
Besides the great engine and the great power of the car, it isn't a car I would recommend.
Wow... I haven't had the electric problems you've had. I've had weird problems like the rack and pinion and the injectors needed replacing. I swear, my car knows when I get paid.
However, it's very powerful (I have a 92 Convertible with the V6) and very cute. No power complaints. Lots of fun to drive and nice tight steering and brakes. Only complaint is that my dash has warped too!
Same problem with the dash on my 91 LE.
Everyone seems to have the same problem... I visited web-sites devoted to the car and noticed the warped dash in the pics too.
I have identified the same dash warp on my car also. A 1993 sunbird 2 dr 3.1 v6.I did recently being a non smoker notice that the lighter component is gone too now... but overall a very reliable car with hardly any expenses other than the normal upkeep...
I have a 92 Pontiac Sunbird SE with the same dash problem. I recently put a new engine in it, I have a TV where the factory radio used to be. I LOVE my BIRD and nobody is gonna take it away from me. And another thing, it gets BABIED, and I LOVE the power that's under tha hood.
I have a 1992 Sunbird SE convertible. It has been a headache ever since I drove it off the the car lot, but it's a good looking car and fast. I have replaced just about every major component and it has mysterious electrical problems from time to time, so are any of you in the market to buy a 1992 Sunbird? I have one for sale!
I got both a 1992 GT convertible, and a 1994 LE Sedan... same problem with the dash on both. They're great cars, Sedan is up to 200,000 miles... but on its 2nd engine. The Convert has 40,000 miles, but had to have new waterpump, top, and brakes. Someone keyed the top on it. But the SQUARE radio, I mean, c'mon people, SQUARE?! I put a CD player in the convert, but I can't in the sedan, no box for one. But I still have the OLD radio, and it gets confusing. the A/C is freezing cold, and the heater is blazing hot. Great car.
That warp in the dash is from having the heater core go, they replace it from behind the radio. Some good glue and a clamp overnight will fix it. If the windows start to get foggy after you just start it up in cool weather... that's the heater core. Replace core with an aftermarket (or ford probe core refit)
The coolant leak is from the engine heating up too much
best solution is get the cooling system replaced completely when it goes with an aftermarket.
I have a 92' sun bird SE 2dr 3.1 5 speed. When I bought it almost a year ago it had over 300,000 k.m.s on it and the engine does not burn a drop of oil. (I do not NOT drive it easy) I do notice the dash thing, but in my car its not bad and I have changed the alternator and the starter. Besides that it looks and runs great.
P.S. it will give any Honda a run for its money.
I have a 93 Bird and just made a 1400 mile trip from Oklahoma to Florida. I noticed starting last year that every once in a while I would leak coolant. I figured it was the water pump about to go out. Turns out it's the heater core. I cannot find a place that can fix it for less than $300 or a person that knows enough to tell me how to do it.
I also have the dash problem!
I bought a 1993 Cavalier Z24 3.1L and it has 117K miles on it. The heater core is leaking coolant. Last week, someone happened to give me a free heater core part from Balk-amp, INC and he said it will replace the one that is already in my car. At that time, it was not leaking coolant, until earlier today. It's pretty strange to get the part for free one week before the problem started. The heater core costs $21.99. Part number is 4603311.
Well I bought my 94 Sunbird SE Coupe last summer, and up until now it's had no work needed. A couple weeks ago a water pump gasket blew, but that's what? $4? Not a big deal. The Alternator, however, was a bit of a deal. $250 came out of my pocket on that one. Other than that, no problems. Great power (In fact I beat a 92 BMW with an inline 6 the other day in the quarter mile), great looks (with the add on of American Eagle Racing rims and low profile tires) and the interior hasn't been a problem. This dash warp thing I've been hearing about has been easily avoided, but putting one of those cardboard things up in the windshield in the summer time. Keeps the dash nice and cool. I have a brand new Alpine CD/MP3 deck in it with top of the line Alpine 6x9's and plans to toss in a couple Type R 10"s. Should pump pretty good. Oh, almost forgot. Cold air intake, a new exhaust system and a paint job are in the future. No rust at all. Not even on the door where these beauties seem to have a weakness. And as for the Honda's? They can take a seat. My sister has a 92 Prelude and she can't keep up. Never will. Bottom Line: It's not for sale and I don't see that happening any time soon.
Question to the guy with the cold air intake... how did you install it.. I have a 94 LE and not sure bout the stock intake (big plastic piece that looks like it supports battery and other stuff). reply or send me an email at confusion@wadsnet.com.
Got a 93 bird with 2.0L... other than the good gas mileage the engine sucks. Leaked coolent cracked the head, blocked heater core, blows ABS and Heater fuses like crazy, other heating and cooling problems, and of course a warped dash. Fun car. ;p.
I can't really complain about my 92 . It is a pretty reliable car and it is in very good condition. It is the second one I have owned. it has 50,000 miles on it. my 87 had 160,000 on it and I still see it around alive and kicking. But unlike the other one this one has a little less power and I smell a light scent of anti-freeze when I turn the heat on. I guess its the heater core. I don't lose a drop of coolant though. The head gasket was done about 9 months ago and knock on wood it has treated me well. Overall I think they are pretty good cars. I'm not very fond of the dash design and the way the radio is designed, but oh well.
Just bought a good looking 94 Sunbird LE with 71K miles. on a 3.1 6cyl. Enjoy the way is sets me back in the seat when the gas pedal is mashed. Concur with dash warping above radio. It has just had a heater core replacement - whoever did it plugged the drain for the A/C cooling core drip tray during the fix. After a day or two of A/C use I noticed a swamp, my "new" car had to have the floor mats removed. Found about a quart of anti freeze still under the driver side mat. Sound insulating drier-lint stuff drying out as I write. Anyone changed out a power window motor? All the rivets seem busted somehow. Whats up with that? (I'm guessing same mechanic as fixed the heater core). A/C will freeze you out, but it sounds like something is dragging in the A/C clutch when it is not on, but the engine is running. Looks like some work ahead, but expect to have a fun little car on my hands for a long while.