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 11 through 20 of 67.00

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  A lot of car for the money - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By dabug - September 9 - 5:06 pm

  I bought this car 5 years ago with 32k miles. It now has 90k. I did have to replace the fuel pump at about 50k which is very hard to get to and have changed the brakes once. Other than that no major issues. It has the feel and look of a sports car with the economy of a compact. I am now selling it because I want a truck, but I believe it has a lot of life left in it. Also, reading the other reviews I noticed the ones having the most problems are base models, ones like mine with the dual exhaust and other upgrades tend to be more reliable and a lot nicer cars, however they are harder to find.

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  Loved my car, now having major problems - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By P. Kobasic - July 14 - 6:36 pm

  I have had my car for 4 years and loved it when I first bought it, but now I am having problems. I just had to spend $500 to get the brakes fixed and I only have 44,000 miles on the car! The cylinders were cracked and brake fluid was leaking and the brake pads and shoes had to be replaced. Now, my window doesnt work and it will be another $400 to replace the motor. After reading others comments, the windows are a problem with this car. Beware that your brakes may be a problem too, even if your mileage is less than 50,000. I will never buy a Pontiac again and hope I can hold off having anymore major problems with this car for another year or so.

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  Great Car, going on 6 years, no problems - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By saxguyck - June 19 - 9:36 am

  We have had this car in our family since new in 2003 and have have absolutely no problems with it. Runs perfect, starts right up, minimal maintenance and no repairs necessary. We got a great deal on it; $13,000 fully loaded (dual exhaust, power windows, doors, sunroof, spoiler, 6 speaker monsoon sound system). considering that this is an entry level, commuter car, it has been worth every penny. Great gas milage too. 27-31 (normal driving.. some highway, some back roads, some bumper to bumper traffic)

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  over all - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Roxanne Jordan - April 5 - 1:46 pm

  This has been a very good car. over all repairs were good. In 5 years 1 front strut replaced,Motor for powered windows and fuel pump ( my fault for running on emtpy). Other reviews show that the fog lights have gone out and it has to do with the wire harness mine also has the same problem.I have to get rid of it for it is to close to the ground for getting in and out and it is a very rough ride. Not a car for someone with children.

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  Good car - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By G. Hasty - July 8 - 6:30 pm

  I have had this car for three years. I have had very little trouble with it. Just replaced the tires and the brakes; with routine oil changes, I have had no problems. Great fuel economy car.

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  Having doubts - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By SueSue - February 24 - 10:00 am

  very good looking car. milage, excellent. price, a bit high for the quality of workmanship. Too much plastic. Metal very light and flimbsy...feel like tin. I do not expect to be able to keep this car for more than 3 years, unlike other cars that Ive own for over 15 years, I own a 92 Grand Prix SEL...excellent car! I also own a Volkwagon Vanagon 86, still running like sa clock. And like that you may see, I take care of my cars and if they are made to last...they will last with me. I do not feel this will be the case with the Sunfire. Having my doubts, hoping I am wrong. Thank you, Sue

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  Test Drive - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By CloudRider9 - January 29 - 2:00 am

  Since Im looking around for the best driving,looking and overall performance; I test drove the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire to see how it stacked up to the rest of the cars that I was seriously thinking of buying.

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  Sunfire Review - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Sunfire 4_life - August 12 - 7:43 pm

  Well the Caar is a blast to drive. I have only had one repair since new the cable for my heating system and seal on my dash where the air comes out for my defrost. I was most impressed with the performance. I like the sunfire due to it has a nice new styling and It fits the sport tuner class.

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  Reliable and Fun - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Samantha - April 4 - 12:53 pm

  I bought my sunfire about a year and a half ago used, it had 30,000 miles. It now has 50,000 and I havent had any major problems with the car. It is fun to drive and handles well. Ive driven it from WI to FL and back and it was an excellent drive, very peppy car. Reliable, but poor build quality

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  A mixed bag - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Patty Aspen - March 12 - 10:00 am

  I like the style of the car, as well as the fuel efficiency, but I think it is very cheaply built compared to other cars Ive had. The windshield wipers wont go all the way down anymore. Screws are coming undone on the interior and the plastic that covers where the seatbeats attach has broken off and looks unsightly. Its been fairly reliable except that the check engine light comes on and off randomly.