Overview & Reviews

The Sunfire gets a refresh this year that adds new front and rear fascias, a revised sport suspension and four new wheel styles. The 2.2-liter Ecotec four-cylinder is now the only engine offered, as the GT model has been dropped from the lineup. Base model Sunfires no longer come with standard ABS brakes, but it remains an available option. On the inside, there's a 60/40-split folding rear seat, an upgraded interior seat fabric and new options like side-impact airbags, XM Satellite Radio and the OnStar system.

• Low price, torquey four-cylinder engine, optional satellite radio and OnStar.

• Ancient design inside and out, cheap interior materials, poor build quality, low resale value, poor side-impact and front-offset crash test results.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 67.00

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  4 door model - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By steve b. - May 30 - 2:46 am

  Our car is a 2003 4 door model, which i guess was sold only in Canada. Its actually been pretty reliable except for the power windows. Ive had to replace the motors in several of the windows,some multiple times, and now this spring they are acting up again.Its about $300 a shot for the motors. Two of the interior door panels have popped loose and the digital clock/radio light has died. Ill be getting rid of it soon.

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  not the sweetest thing - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By elizabeth - August 12 - 10:00 am

  I personally have not been impressed with this car. I think that it is a very attractive car on the outside & that is what attracts a lot of people to this vehicle, but I would recommend talking to someone who owns one before purchasing one. I wish that I had!!!

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  Great Value car - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By bilsfire - May 23 - 4:15 am

  Car is def. mechanically sound, solid engine and tranny(standard). Interior build quality is less than par, but for the performance factor, you get what you get. The exterior wasnt thought out 100%, the fact that its front wheel drive and comes stock with a rear spoiler, is counterproductive. As long as maintainance is under control, the vehicle will last as long as you last. Oil changes on any smaeller engine aluminum, or otherwise, with higher rev ranges, should be done every 2000-2500 miles as a rule. Performance again is great, the power to weight ratio is above average for the class of car. Plenty of torque for getting going, not too much(spin tires in snow) good horse power.

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  Will never buy a Sunfire again! - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By carner - January 29 - 8:16 am

  I have been in 3 front end crashes and my airbags still have not gone off, kinda scary if you ask me. Very comfortable but no space for drinks. It was a good high school car but not for anything else.

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  Very Very Mediocare - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By speed devil - July 11 - 10:00 am

  Its braking is soft and very unpredictable. Ive almost been in serious accidents because the breaks did not respond.Handling is just okay but traction is good because of the widetrac. The paint is horrible and the dirt wont wash off the glued on side panels. All the instruments are cheap and the screen for the clock and cd player overheats and sometimes feels like it will light on fire. The only thing that is really good is the stock cd player. Safety wise its a tank, but I dont know how it would be in a big accident. Overall I would not recommend the car unless you will buy it, rip the system out of it and re-sell it.

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  Major Problems - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By moodylicious - November 14 - 2:53 am

  Have had major problems with the brakes suddenly locking up while at hwy speeds while not being able to shift above 3rd gear. Took five dealer visits before problem was even diagonosed. Was very disturbed about how serious a problem could not be reproduced in the shop. Once nearly got steamrollered by a semi while trying to regain power. Problem finally stopped. Also, power window motors have had been replaced 4 times at $300+ a crack. Would I buy this car again? No.

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  My 2nd sunfire - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By HowardPM - March 10 - 2:00 am

  I actually had a 2000 sunfire before this 2003 one, I really like the changes, the new engine is great, I got every package available. The Onstar is cool, it was pretty fun when I called to register it they told me I was the first person ever to call with a sunfire. I also love the XM radio. Only problems Ive had so far are a rattling in the car that the pontiac place cant figure out what it is. A slight defect on the left turn single lens and its now been 2 months since they ordered a peice to fix it. Also there was a rip in the back seat, Ive been waiting 2 months for them to fix also. This is really a dealership issue not a pontiac one though.