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:

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  LOVE MY SUNFIRE - 2001 Pontiac Sunfire
  By michelle tucker - July 21 - 10:00 am

  I love my car and so does everyone else. It is great on gas and is really fun to drive. I am gonna keep it. I just wish I had gotten the grey interior.

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  Cute, sporty, and a geat little snow car - 1999 Pontiac Sunfire
  By mc brown - July 16 - 9:13 pm

  An under rated little car that goes all winter up here in Alaska- never failing to start, even at 20 below zero.Seats 5 if the 3 in back are under 58. Pluses: nibble little snow car that can traverse unplowed roads with 6 inches of fresh snow falling. The front wheel drive and steering combo make control flat out awesome. I do have abs and a manual transmission. Negatory power- there is no vroooom but I get 33 mpg in town. I would buy this car again in a heart beat. It reminds me of a cross between my favorite car ever, the 1978 Saab 900 and the old diesel rabbit. Back seats fold flat practicality in a feature packed low low cost ride. Great comuter ski bunny car. Get the sunroof!

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  Mini Hotrod - 1999 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Drew Shelenski - July 4 - 10:00 am

  I bought my baby at the end of January. A beautiful 2 dr 5spd 2.2L coupe for $4900 However my car is no longer what it was, I put eibach springs on it, new struts/shocks, cd player, speakers, alarm, 17"white sokudo rims, IAT sensor, blue lights, red light up pedals, red shift knob, And white dash interior. This car is a chick magnet and was dirt cheap for the style it has. overall my car is worth $7,200 now and was worth every penny. I wish I had a GT but newer models only come in auto.

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  I love this little car - 2004 Pontiac Sunfire
  By fett - June 22 - 10:00 am

  I love the way this little car looks and drives. Its way more fun than any of the other cars I drove and for some reason it feels more powerful than the others. Its dirt cheap and perfect for every day driving.

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  A Good Car - 2002 Pontiac Sunfire
  By No worries - June 17 - 12:36 am

  I now have over 107,000 miles on my Sunfire and the car is still in very good condition! I bought the car brand new in 2002. I even had two front-end accidents with the car and never had any major problems with the car before or after the accidents. The only work I have had done is regular scheduled work, like oil changes, etc. Even though they dont make Sunfires anymore, its safe to say they would be a good buy if you can find a used one with low mileage.

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  one tough car - 2000 Pontiac Sunfire
  By denice - June 13 - 2:33 am

  in this sunfire we hit a deer and no damage was done. After owning the car for four years i hit a three quarter ton chevy and no damage was done (but caved in the door of the chevy. backed into a half ton chevy and no damage. and the last thing is i jumped out of the car and forgot to put it in park and the car ran into the house and it did not receive any damage. we have 112,000 mile and still get 27 miles per gallon. no major problems and scheduled maintance is the only thing we have had to do to it.

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  Fast and furious. - 2005 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Kemper Lockout Serv - June 4 - 10:00 am

  This car is a very sporty and fast compact vehicle. I find it to have more room then the honda civic. When i purchased my pontiac sunfire i found it to be very quick as well as fun to drive. And the gas milage is excellent.

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  Not impressed with my 2002 Sunfire - 2002 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Chester - June 2 - 12:00 pm

  I purchased my 2002 Sunfire, and within a month went through two radiators, a starter, trunk latch would not hold properly in the back trunk, and then a few months went by and my transmission went, and main computer chip, and gas pump. needless to say I will never buy another car made in Mexico, under the Pontiac name or any other kind of name ever again. I know of a lot of other people whom love their Sunfires, and when I look inside the door, they are made in the USA. So needless to say look around, and look inside the door to see where it is made before you buy yourself a Mexican lemon! P.S; they forgot to put in the air conditioner as well!

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  rental vehicle - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By regwaw - May 27 - 2:00 am

  i just got a rental vehicle, pontiac sunfire. Its an awesome vehicle, the tires spin when the light turns green and i am impressed with its 0-60 performance.

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  Love Pontiac - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Air Assault SGT - May 18 - 6:16 am

  I bought a 2003 sunfire and fell in love with it on the test drive. Since I bought it I have changed things that way I can race it. The only issues that I have had are the o2 sensers and the converter. I have almost 200k on it and not one drop of leakage. I have lowered it and uped the hp and it runs like a champ and handles better than any other car that I have drove and I run a low 11sec in the quarter mile. I race my car with a stock engine and it has never let me down. This is by far the best 4cylinder that is out there. Better than the Vtec and the Zetech. Just do your regular maint. on it and it wont let you down. I love my car and it loves me and shows me every race.