YACT - 1997 Pontiac Sunfire GT

[Zysoclaplem]

I've heard good things, I have heard bad things. Supposed to have a different engine than it's sister car, the Cavalier, being a GT and not an SE. Anyone have or had one want to comment? Worse or better than a lame mule?

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

Sunfire = Unreliable chick car.

*end of thread*

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix
Sunfire = Unreliable chick car.

*end of thread*

That's because women are always running them into other vehicles.

 

[AdamSnow]

Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix
Sunfire = Unreliable chick car.

*end of thread*

Confirmed.

 

[Budmantom]

Originally posted by: AdamSnow

Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix
Sunfire = Unreliable chick car.

*end of thread*

Confirmed.

 

[meltdown75]

I know it was voted #1 chick car. Other than that, probably not much different than my almost-as-equally-chicky '96 Grand Am Sucky Edition. If it gets you where you need to go, who cares. They *can* be relatively reliable for the price range - my buddy put upwards of 400kms on his.

 

[Zysoclaplem]

And you all have owned a Pontiac Sunfire GT?

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Originally posted by: meltdown75
I know it was voted #1 chick car. Other than that, probably not much different than my almost-as-equally-chicky '96 Grand Am Sucky Edition. If it gets you where you need to go, who cares. They *can* be relatively reliable for the price range - my buddy put upwards of 400kms on his.

I agree. I take care of my vehicles. I change the oil early. I do regular maintenance. And for 3k, it's not a bad deal I think.
But I also don't want to walk into alot of problems later on.

 

[Winchester]

I had a sunfire from 98 to 2002, never had a problem.

 

[J Heartless Slick]

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem
I've heard good things, I have heard bad things. Supposed to have a different engine than it's sister car, the Cavalier, being a GT and not an SE. Anyone have or had one want to comment? Worse or better than a lame mule?

Unfortunately, I once had to rent one of these dogs. Driving it convinced me that GM punishs people who buy their small cars.

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Originally posted by: J Heartless Slick

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem
I've heard good things, I have heard bad things. Supposed to have a different engine than it's sister car, the Cavalier, being a GT and not an SE. Anyone have or had one want to comment? Worse or better than a lame mule?

Unfortunately, I once had to rent one of these dogs. Driving it convinced me that GM punishs people who buy their small cars.

What was the problem exactly?

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem

Originally posted by: meltdown75
I know it was voted #1 chick car. Other than that, probably not much different than my almost-as-equally-chicky '96 Grand Am Sucky Edition. If it gets you where you need to go, who cares. They *can* be relatively reliable for the price range - my buddy put upwards of 400kms on his.

I agree. I take care of my vehicles. I change the oil early. I do regular maintenance. And for 3k, it's not a bad deal I think.
But I also don't want to walk into alot of problems later on.

You know, if you're going to ignore the majority of replies to your thread because you don't like what they say, why bother starting one?

A Neon, Focus, Sentra, or Protege would be a much better buy for the money.

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem

Originally posted by: meltdown75
I know it was voted #1 chick car. Other than that, probably not much different than my almost-as-equally-chicky '96 Grand Am Sucky Edition. If it gets you where you need to go, who cares. They *can* be relatively reliable for the price range - my buddy put upwards of 400kms on his.

I agree. I take care of my vehicles. I change the oil early. I do regular maintenance. And for 3k, it's not a bad deal I think.
But I also don't want to walk into alot of problems later on.

You know, if you're going to ignore the majority of replies to your thread because you don't like what they say, why bother starting one?

A Neon, Focus, Sentra, or Protege would be a much better buy for the money.

Not ignoring. I was just making the statement that since they are known as "chick cars", and most women I know don't take care of their vehicles, then may'be that is the problem?
This isn't a done deal I was just looking for info from people who have owned them before, and so far, there are only 2 people in the thread who have acknowledged owning or driving one.

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem

Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem

Originally posted by: meltdown75
I know it was voted #1 chick car. Other than that, probably not much different than my almost-as-equally-chicky '96 Grand Am Sucky Edition. If it gets you where you need to go, who cares. They *can* be relatively reliable for the price range - my buddy put upwards of 400kms on his.

I agree. I take care of my vehicles. I change the oil early. I do regular maintenance. And for 3k, it's not a bad deal I think.
But I also don't want to walk into alot of problems later on.

You know, if you're going to ignore the majority of replies to your thread because you don't like what they say, why bother starting one?

A Neon, Focus, Sentra, or Protege would be a much better buy for the money.

Not ignoring. I was just making the statement that since they are known as "chick cars", and most women I know don't take care of their vehicles, then may'be that is the problem?
This isn't a done deal I was just looking for info from people who have owned them before, and so far, there are only 2 people in the thread who have acknowledged owning or driving one.

Haven't owned one, have driven one. The auto transmission has all the subtlety of a chainsaw when shifting, and its not a comfortable fit for the average guy. Not much pickup to the engine either.

Of course, you're right, I couldn't tell you about that particular car's long-term reliability, as its owner drove it into the rear end of a brand-new Bimmer a couple months later.

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem

Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem

Originally posted by: meltdown75
I know it was voted #1 chick car. Other than that, probably not much different than my almost-as-equally-chicky '96 Grand Am Sucky Edition. If it gets you where you need to go, who cares. They *can* be relatively reliable for the price range - my buddy put upwards of 400kms on his.

I agree. I take care of my vehicles. I change the oil early. I do regular maintenance. And for 3k, it's not a bad deal I think.
But I also don't want to walk into alot of problems later on.

You know, if you're going to ignore the majority of replies to your thread because you don't like what they say, why bother starting one?

A Neon, Focus, Sentra, or Protege would be a much better buy for the money.

Not ignoring. I was just making the statement that since they are known as "chick cars", and most women I know don't take care of their vehicles, then may'be that is the problem?
This isn't a done deal I was just looking for info from people who have owned them before, and so far, there are only 2 people in the thread who have acknowledged owning or driving one.

Haven't owned one, have driven one. The auto transmission has all the subtlety of a chainsaw when shifting, and its not a comfortable fit for the average guy. Not much pickup to the engine either.

Of course, you're right, I couldn't tell you about that particular car's long-term reliability, as its owner drove it into the rear end of a brand-new Bimmer a couple months later.

I might end up driving this Sunfire to see if I like it, although it could not be worse than my 88 Firebird. And I am a pretty small guy, I felt a bit small for my old CRX, and my Firebird it entirely too large for me.
I hear the gas mileage is decent, and the safety features are a plus. But then again I have never had a car with airbags or ABS. But the guy is only asking $3100.00 for it, and I can manage that without having to worry about being in debt for a long time.
I like the Ford Focus ZX3, and it is definately up there on my list.

 

[rayray2]

Safety Features?????

 

[J Heartless Slick]

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem

Originally posted by: J Heartless Slick

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem
I've heard good things, I have heard bad things. Supposed to have a different engine than it's sister car, the Cavalier, being a GT and not an SE. Anyone have or had one want to comment? Worse or better than a lame mule?

Unfortunately, I once had to rent one of these dogs. Driving it convinced me that GM punishs people who buy their small cars.

What was the problem exactly?

Poor material and construction quality.
Poor ergonomics.
The performance was poor and it handled like a pig.
It had an uncomfortable seat.

For comparison, test drive a Honda Civic before you buy the Sunfire.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: meltdown75
I know it was voted #1 chick car. Other than that, probably not much different than my almost-as-equally-chicky '96 Grand Am Sucky Edition. If it gets you where you need to go, who cares. They *can* be relatively reliable for the price range - my buddy put upwards of 400kms on his.

Man, I feel bad for your buddy. I'd hate to have to drive a Grand Spam for that long.

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Originally posted by: rayray2
Safety Features?????

I said safety features, not crash ratings.
ABS and Airbags is what I meant. It's may not be the best off all time, but it's much better than what I have at the moment.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem

Originally posted by: rayray2
Safety Features?????

I said safety features, not crash ratings.
ABS and Airbags is what I meant. It's may not be the best off all time, but it's much better than what I have at the moment.

I'd rather have a car with no safety features a good crash ratings then that thing.

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: meltdown75
I know it was voted #1 chick car. Other than that, probably not much different than my almost-as-equally-chicky '96 Grand Am Sucky Edition. If it gets you where you need to go, who cares. They *can* be relatively reliable for the price range - my buddy put upwards of 400kms on his.

Man, I feel bad for your buddy. I'd hate to have to drive a Grand Spam for that long.

No doubt (it was the Sunfire they drove for that long as opposed to the GA)... it was a family car, I think initially it was the Mom car, then seeing as there were 3 kids between the ages of 16 and 23 at the time, everyone got a crack at it.

I still have my Grand Am though, and I'm driving that chariot into the ground. At one point, the engine light was on for about a year before I got it checked out. I just drive 'em.