Overview & Reviews

Bells and whistles are nice, but for some car shoppers, the primary need is for cheap, basic transportation. With these frugal buyers in mind, Pontiac launched its budget-priced Sunfire in the mid-'90s.

Budget cars of recent years have undergone an evolution of sorts. Many models have shattered our ideas of what to expect in this segment, offering a level of overall quality that belies their low price tags. The Pontiac Sunfire, unfortunately, wasn't one of them. Build quality was unimpressive and interior materials made no attempt to disguise this Pontiac's econobox status. Safety was an issue; the Sunfire performed poorly in side-impact and frontal-offset crash tests. Also, the fact that Pontiac opted not to give the car any substantial revisions in its many years on the market didn't do the Sunfire any favors. By the time it was retired in 2005, the car was riding on a severely dated platform, lagging well behind its newer competition.

But the Pontiac Sunfire did shine in a couple of respects. More recent models offered a lively engine. Feature content on newer models was also noteworthy, with luxury-themed amenities like OnStar and a sunroof offered as options. It was also one of the most affordable ways to get into a convertible.

Still, these strong points aren't enough to earn the Pontiac Sunfire a recommendation. Though it's inexpensive, used-car shoppers are advised to ignore this siren call and consider more desirable small sedans and coupes instead.

Most Recent Pontiac Sunfire

The Pontiac Sunfire was available in one generation, built from 1995-2005. Upon its introduction, this Pontiac was available as a coupe, sedan and convertible.

Initially, sedans and convertibles came in one trim level, the SE. Coupes, however, were available in both base SE and GT trims. In 1999, the convertible's sole trim level had its name changed to GT; a couple of years later (in 2001), the convertible was dropped from the lineup. The Sunfire's lineup was further streamlined in 2003 with the elimination of the sedan, leaving the coupe as the sole offering. That year, the Sunfire coupe was only available in base trim, but in 2004, an even more inexpensive Special Value trim was added to the lineup.

When the Pontiac Sunfire was introduced in 1995, two engines were available. Base models were powered by a 2.2-liter four-cylinder capable of 120 horsepower and 130 pound-feet of torque. GT models got a more muscular 2.3-liter inline-4 good for 145 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque. The following year, the 2.3-liter was replaced with a more powerful 2.4-liter that promised 150 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque. In 2003, both engines were dropped from the lineup and a more fuel-efficient 2.4-liter "Ecotec" four-cylinder good for 140 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque became the sole available engine. Buyers had three transmissions to choose from: a three-speed automatic (which was dropped from the lineup in 2002), a four-speed automatic and a five-speed manual (standard on most Sunfires).

Though the Sunfire saw no redesigns, it did see a few tweaks and upgrades over the years. The standard features list on early Sunfires was sparse, with little more than cloth seats and an AM/FM radio; on the plus side, ABS was standard. Options included air-conditioning and a power moonroof. In 1996, traction control, remote keyless entry and auxiliary steering-wheel-mounted audio controls were added to the options list. The following year, convertible Sunfires saw upgrades in standard equipment, with an automatic transmission being added to that roster. In 1998, safety got a boost, thanks to the addition of second-generation airbags to the standard features list; a new sound system was also added to the options list.

Further revisions in 2000 added new front and rear fascias and a new five-speed manual transmission; a premium Monsoon audio system was also added to the options list. In 2003, the Sunfire got another refresh, with an upgraded sport suspension and new front and rear fascias. ABS was no longer standard on base models, though it was available as an option. Satellite radio, side airbags and OnStar became available as options.

The Sunfire won't win any awards for cabin design. Materials quality is subpar, build quality is lacking and the overall aesthetic falls short when it comes to style. Furthermore, its seats don't offer much by way of comfort. Still, later models do offer impressive options like OnStar and satellite radio.

In editorial reviews, the Pontiac Sunfire scored decent marks for overall handling, though its manual shifter drew some fire for being somewhat imprecise. The Ecotec engine was also praised for its power and smooth delivery.

We'd recommend avoiding this vehicle, but if you've got your heart set on one, choose a 2003, 2004 or 2005 model to enjoy a Sunfire with the Ecotec, the model's best available engine.

User Reviews:

• 

  I love this car! - 2005 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Darlene - May 15 - 2:33 am

  I just got out of an Alero (Otherwise known as GM Garbage.) And the sunfire is great.! Looks good, drives fantastic, great mileage and still sporty. so far the only thing that has had to be repaired, is one of the doorpanels were not one securely and that took about 5 miutes to have reattached,.

• 

  IST CAR - 1997 Pontiac Sunfire
  By SGIBSON - May 13 - 10:06 pm

  GREAT CAR FUN TO DRIVE

• 

  2003 Electric Blue Sunfire, Solid Car!!! - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By koppa - May 12 - 2:00 am

  I just purchased this car and I feel that it is the best car ive driven. The Ecotec 2.2L engine has lots of power with 140hp and 150lbs of torque. It has good handling as well. The price is amazing for a brand new car after all the rebates. Who cares its based on an old platform they got it right this year. I think of that as a pro not a con.

• 

  little but reliable - 2001 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Juan-Carlos - May 2 - 10:00 am

  I bought it second hand and they kill me with the financing because was my first car but is a honest little car with attitude (the tail is so nice)and run ok, normal wearing, just need care.

• 

  Pontiac Sunfire - 1999 Pontiac Sunfire
  By uabgal01 - April 23 - 12:06 am

  The only thing I would complain about is that as soon as the warranty expired (5 years), the car started having multiple problems. Nothing that cant be fixed pretty cheaply, but still. Otherwise Ive loved my car. It has NEVER broken down on me, and the mileage per gallon is awesome, especially now!

• 

  Not too bad - 2000 Pontiac Sunfire
  By MISTIE - April 12 - 8:03 pm

  Got it with a two year warranty. It is noisy. The gas mileage is great!! I would tell anyone to try one.

• 

  Sunfire - Great car, fun to drive - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By arf - March 28 - 10:00 am

  I bought this 2003 Sunfire for my wife to use for her daily commute to work - 80 miles a day round trip. With 40,000 miles in less than two years it has run like a top the whole way. No mechanical reapirs have been necessary. It is driven 90% highway miles and gets from 31 to 33 miles to the gallon consitantly.

• 

  Sunfire made in Mexico no kidding,crap c - 2004 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Lee Mack - March 28 - 10:00 am

  I have had nothing but problems with my Sunfire. First the radiator, then the transmission, then the starter, electronics in the dash, trunk will no longer open, then the radiator again, then the slave cylinder,and now it starts and idals funny. Iam not impressed at all with this car, it is a total lemon and Iam not the only person that has had problems with their car as well, alot of other people have had problems as well.

• 

  Great car for the money - 2005 Pontiac Sunfire
  By hami5150 - March 16 - 6:06 am

  I got this one brand new, and the only major problem I have had was a flat tire. The car runs very smooth, and handles well, although the windshield frame proves to be a slight blind spot at times, and the design of the interior make it difficult to see into lanes to the right/rear. Engine-wise, not a problem yet. Friend of mine has an Elantra, and paid at least 5k more, and I would still rather have the Sunfire. Mine is a manual trans, and even though i only get 140hp, it still kicks a little when i need it

• 

  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.