Overview & Reviews

SE convertible gets a higher level of standard equipment, including an automatic transmission. Coupes get a new front seatbelt guide loop, and a new Sports Interior trim debuts called Patina/Redondo cloth.

• Good looks, zippy powertrain (Twin Cam), comfortable interior, standard ABS, standard traction control with automatic transmission, good value

• Weight, buzzy powertrain (2.2-liter), excessive body roll.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 51.00

• 

  Great car, small price - 1997 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Hayley Adams - March 2 - 10:00 am

  I loved this car and I would still have it if it had not been totalled in a recent accident. It breaks my heart that I have to buy another car now! This car handles really well, is low to the ground, sporty, and gets good gas mileage. It was a highschool graduation gift and lasted me well through college. I believe that it is a good first car for teenagers or 20- somethings. It has a youthful appearance. I would recommend to anyone. Unless youre taller than 60"!!

• 

  Mean Manta Green GT - 1997 Pontiac Sunfire
  By barbay - April 8 - 10:00 am

  First car I ever purchased new. Had a long commute to work and put over 100 miles a day. The first 5 years were great with little maintenance required just the average wear and tear. After 5 years though I started having problems: First it was the Fuel pump, then the switch for the headlights, the driver side window followed and now the water pump has a leak. All of this has been within the last 12 months. Id say the car hit 100K miles and started to self destruct.

• 

  Not a bad little car - 1997 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Nao-Chan - March 1 - 2:00 am

  We have had very few problems with this car, and it now has 83,000 miles. The olny thing out of the ordinary that we had to replace was the Air conditioning compressor for about $600 @ 76,000 miles. The engine is still strong, and transmission shifts smoothly. My main complaint is the seats, which are unbearable on any trip that requires more than 2 hours driving.

• 

  Good start, but ultimately disappointed - 1997 Pontiac Sunfire
  By HRC - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I really liked this car at first. I got it my last year of high school and took it to college. It is nice for a younger person. It has great gas mileage. It looks great; sporty, but reasonably priced. After about two years the problems started, though. I had to get the brakes fixed, the check engine light is almost always on (although Ive had it taken in to be fixed many times and they cant find a problem or they say they have fixed it), and driving performance has really taken a downturn in the last few months (it is now five years old, so maybe thats not so bad).

• 

  1997 Sunfire - 1997 Pontiac Sunfire
  By McPharlane - December 7 - 2:00 am

  Great car to drive. Good handling, great gas mileage, seats are very comfortable for long drives. Would buy another one.

• 

  Good Till High Miles - 1997 Pontiac Sunfire
  By lost_in_new_mexico - July 31 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car in november of 2002. I am now selling it in December of 2003. I bought it with 93K miles on it reading that these cars lasted a while. This is not true. I have put 25K miles on it and in that time I have warped the front brake rotors twice, the spark plug coils went bad, and there is no way to diagnose them without replacing them, and now the torque converter is going out and it is running roughly again. $1300 minimum for the tranny work! Do Not Get This Car!

• 

  Good Little Car - 97 Coupe SE - 1997 Pontiac Sunfire
  By zippy_zion - April 20 - 11:06 pm

  This is a great little car. I was supprised initally by its good gas mileage and even more by its power. Ive only had two problems with it that were easy fixes. 1. The valve cover had a loose bolt and leaked oil 2. I had a leak in my trunk Neither caused any long term problems and didnt cause any ill performance. I have since added a front strut tower bar to help my handling. Im thinking of modifying it further but am reluctant because there is really nothing "wrong" with it; I just want more.

• 

  Great first car - 1997 Pontiac Sunfire
  By phv2 - February 23 - 11:23 pm

  I got the car used with 100,000 miles on it. It ran great when I purchased it and continues to start everytime without worrys. Had to fix a few things but nothing major or surprising. Gets real good mileage (28mpg) considering mine doesnt even have overdrive (3- speed tranny. It has good performance for a small ecomony car. Ive never had any trouble merging into fast moving highway traffic and it tracks really well in all weather.

• 

  Sunfire-quality & dependable - 1997 Pontiac Sunfire
  By ci1101 - January 6 - 10:00 am

  Most dependable small car Ive owned at a very reasonable price. What impressed me most when I first got in to check it out, was the "heavy car feel"---no tinny sounding doors, quiet interior, etc. Biggest problem: defroster for windshield is only one approx. 8" oval in the center---long defrosting time in the snowy, icy winters. Mechanically, Ive replaced brakes twice and needed a new starter just a month ago. Not bad for owning it new.

• 

  Great Car - 1997 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Ford Guy - January 5 - 1:26 pm

  Have had this car for a while and never had any problems.