This 1996 Pontiac Sunfire Convertible is a Better Car Than I Thought It Was
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- Опубліковано 27 гру 2023
- Full review and test drive of a 1996 Pontiac Sunfire Convertible.
Review by Bill of Curious Cars
Vehicle provided by Autohaus of Naples
(239) 263-8500 / www.AutohausNaples.com
Motorweek retro review of the Sunfire Cabrio:
• MotorWeek | Retro Revi... - Авто та транспорт
These were terrific cars. The late 90’s and early 2000’s was peak American economy cars like this or the Ford Escort. Nicely optioned economy cars that the average person or person starting out could easily afford. Those days are long gone unfortunately. I miss Pontiac too. Their cars still look terrific 20-30 years later.
I could not agree with you more. I loved this car back then, and you reminded me of how much I loved the Ford escort back then. Again, these were considered by many, kind of dumpy little cars, but man they handled great and they were reliable and cheap. What more could you ask for?
@@postersm7141 exactly! My first new car was a 2000 Escort ZX2. I loved that little car. It was sporty and was well optioned. It had a 6 disc cd changer, power windows and locks, and it lasted me a long time with no issues. I got it when I was 21 and paid $15,500 for it out the door. Nissan still makes the Versa and I think Kia and Hyundai have some decent economy cars but by and large the economy car era is done, and it’s too bad.
Honestly the escort was a piece of crap compared to its GM counterparts. I had a escort wagon which I only bought because it was my dedicated field service car, which because of a decent reimbursement I actually made a small profit driving. At that time it was the best escort ever because it was the Maza Protege but redesigned by Ford due to thier partnership. I had a brand new Protege also that was my wife's car
The Mazda was like a sports car compared to the Escort, it was peppy, handled great, had very tight suspension. I ended up getting hit head on in the Escort by a drunk who was driving an old full sized blazer so hard she shoved the engine into the back seat. A few moments later the escorts airbag farted limply outta the steering wheel after I already had crushed it with my chest.
Weren't those crap Neons and PT Losers out about that time, as well? Saturn's too. Late 90's and early 2000's had so much competition and people bought them because NOTHING lasted...... 80's and 70's junk was burning in the breakdown lane.... remember all those cars on fire, every other week? The world needs more AMC, Ford and Chrysler car fires......
@@stratcat4450Ford had a small%of Ownership in Mazda .Mazda engines were in some Ford cars Probe & Mercury Cougar Fwd models & Escort & Mercury Topaz models
From an older man to a younger one, I thought this review was excellent. That dog and hat story was definitely unforgettable! Thank you and regards, Bill.
Bill is the “John Davis” of Curious Cars! One of the best hosts out there.
In 1998 I came upon the scene of an accident about this time of year. A sunfire (not a convertible) had been travelling at a high rate of speed and jumped a snowbank. The car was airborne for 200 feet and had taken out a section of live power pole before landing on its wheels. The car's roof was crunched in right down to the gearshift knob and the section of pole missing was the length of the car. I rushed in like an idiot to help with a downed power line and remnants of the pole on fire. The couple that had been in the car were outside milling around relatively unscathed. I opened the driver's door and shut off the engine that was still idling quietly. Those old Sunfires were tough cars!
😂 jeez. The fastest 4 cylinder drag car is powered by an ecotec currently, kinda cool.
Bill's commentary on the type of person that would put the recommended tire pressure printed from a P-Touch labeler and affix it on the glove box opening, was so spot-on I couldn't stop laughing. It truly reinforced why all of his reviews (regardless of vehicle) are a must-see.
35 would be over inflated, at the very least would affect ride comfort(feel every bump). Should be 30 front, 28 rear.
And has a human foot collection! I'm dead!!!
Hi Bill, I hope you had a great Christmas that wasn't draining, crappy, muggy, and no animal attacks.
Bill, this is definitely one of my favorites from recent memory on your channel. It's really cool when you showcase the more "average" cars, and I was way more impressed with this "survivor" than I expected to be. I'm 31 now, and these J body GM cars had reached peak affordability when I was in high school so this brought back a ton of fond memories of riding around in these shitboxes in my teenage years. Strange car for someone to keep in such great condition, but really cool to see. Thanks for all the great content over the years!
Agree. Hope there's more like this in the pipeline. The 4-cylinder and V6 2-doors of the 90s are interesting to look back on now.
For the love of God this one was GREAT!!! ❤
I love the "average car" videos too. Convertibles tend to be the last and best condition survivors.
85mph with very little wind/road noise in a 96 rag top Sunfire. I’m impressed by this car too. I’m with ya Bill. I want to hate it, but I love it!
Here in South Florida in the 90’s rental car agencies had thousands of these convertibles. You would see them everywhere with sunburned tourists driving them with the top down. Residents knew not to get behind them as they didn’t know where they were going and at any moment they might slam on the brakes to look at some oddity like a palm tree.
Three lane turn. Now they have sat/nav and still don't know where they're going. Thank Gawd they pay for everything.
Is it May, yet?
I drive a 2005 Cavalier 2 door coupe 5 speed as my daily commuter. Its not a convertible, but it has been the most reliable car I ever had and cheap to operate. This is a very nice Sunfire. Hope you have a Happy New Year Bill
I also have the 2005 5 speed cavy. its been my daily for 10 years! most reliable car I ever had. All I do is change oil, tires, and brakes. I just changed the rear OE brakes at 130k miles. My only issue with car is rust is starting
@@internallycombusted1 hey man, yes mine is starting to get rust, mainly in the rocker panels. But I will continue to drive it
Me and my lady had a 97 cavalier teal color. Those little cars are very dependable and easy to do maintenance work on.
Never thought I'd live to see the day Bill reviews a Pontiac Sunfire. What's next, a Chevy Cavalier?? Oh wait...nevermind.
I have had two sunfires both 2005s the last year they were produced just a regular hardtop. The one lasted 300,000 mi with the same engine and transmission. Just regular maintenance. The other one I sold to my brother had 200,000 mi when I sold it to him and he still drives it as a winter car. These were very underrated cars. They do get a lot of jokes made about them but they really were good mechanical cars. I would have another one if they could be found but here in Northeast Ohio most of them are rusted away
I had the same car, but I also had an 84 sunbird, which was the predecessor to the Sunfire. My brother also had the 84 cavalier at the same time.
I remember dreaming and wishing that my 84 sunbird was the convertible version. Anyways, good memories!
I have seen one with A Million miles at A Chevy Buick service department badge 1 Million Miles + the customer usees Red Line Synthetic Oil.
During the Fast and Furious craze, my future brother in law, managed to spend an astronomical amount of money “ricing out” a hardtop Sunfire coupe. Yes, they actually made body kits and ridiculously obnoxious wings for these things. One of his insanely thin spoked aftermarket 18” rims exploded on the highway causing the car to come crashing to the ground destroying the overpriced ground effects.
We use to call those guys the “APC Kings”, because it had looked like they cleaned out the APC products aisle at Pep Boys, to modify their J-bodies. Lol. I do miss that era, though. Horrible body kits and all.
OMG thank you Bill !! Dude we miss U when U don't do these reviews! Can U do them more? Like 2 or 3 every week!? We gotta have em!! ❤
Bill, the kind of guy who counts cigarettes and whiskey as a meal.
And a chick for dessert!!!
Who doesn't ?
For the Love of God!
You mean it’s not?
😻😹
A friggen Sunfire ragtop? As Bill would say... 'I haven't seen one of these running around organically in a decade, for the love of God.' Thanks Bill! Happy New Year's n'at!
Bill rocking it out at the end with the Tom Petty and red gloves on! This Canadian is fine, shove the Rush CD in, play with the equalizer, and see if the band got the recording levels right. Another great year of the Maker of these videos giving us cherishable content, hope there's one for New Year's eve. All the best to everyone out there!
YES! Love this content! Hope to see more typical cars in the mix.
Bill, as usual your commentary hit the bullseye with this car. You don't want to like it but after driving it you have to admit it's not a bad car. Reminds me of my '97 Pontiac Grand Am. It was an SE with a 4 cylinder. I swore I'd never buy another underpowered 4 cylinder car but the wife insisted I take it for a test drive. I turned the AC up and hit the freeway. Floored the gas and before I knew it I was going 85mph with plenty of pedal left! I was sold. Right balance of power, options, and styling at a reasonable price. I miss Pontiac. 😞
Thanks for this one, Bill.. I remember when these were new, I sold a few of them, and they were pretty solid cars for what they were. I wasn't thrilled with the styling, but.. eh.. what are you going to do.. It was the '90s.. I had one of the very first J2000 Pontiacs as a demo, way back in 1981, the ancestor of your Sunfire here. It was a light jadestone metallic fastback two door with a four speed.. It was impressive for its day as well. Take care.
What a pleasure - a miserable grey morning here in England and what better to put a smile on my facer than another great review from Bill !
We really appreciate your videos buddy, I'm so glad you liked the gloves and extremely flattered that you included them in this review !
Have a great new year and thanks again for being a staple in a weird world ! Pieter.
Gloves
"Raymond Burr in gym shorts". One of your elite references, Bill.
Your description of Chris and your Christmas made me spit out my drink. A much needed laugh during a rough time, thank you.
These were great little cars , not a thing wrong with them for the times .
Girlfriend had the 4 door of this year car. I remember it being loaded up, comfy enough with a good seat. Good driving position lots of trunk room and good on gas. All that and you didn't feel stupid driving it around they were not so little for a little car. Cheap to fix as well.
I remember cruising the Keys in 2001 with a brand new had a blast great times freshmen in college spring break.
I could not stop laughing the entire episode. Thank you for that, I needed it.
Growing up, my father had a black 96 sunfire coupe that I had absolutely adored. It was very easy for 5y/o me to pretend my Dad was driving me around in a race car, lol. Thanks for this video Bill, it brought back some great memories!
I rented an identical one in Rotonda West in 1996. Same color and a convertible. I loved it! We drove around Siesta Key. Heck, it could have been this one! I remember the cool radio/dash colors and how easy it was to work the convertible top.
We have a few of these still kicking around in Canada. Anyone who bought one and stored it for the winters and from what I've heard about ragtops in winters here I don't blame them. I started noticing I was seeing more verts than sedans and coupes which 10 years ago or so wasn't the case at all. Cheers Bill, thanks for another one. They make my mornings.
A post-Christmas present from Bill is something I wasn't expecting.
Thank you for all your content, Bill. Wherever 2024 takes you, may you continue to give us your superior content.
All love from Australia.
Red Sunfire. Pizza 🍕 with ranch dressing.
Flooring a 4 cylinder. I'm in heaven.
It's basically a Chevy Cavalier. But with aspirations of grandeur...
A 28 year old four cylinder at that.
Well , you deserve a gift.
You gift us with laughter and great reviews.
Thanks
the sunfire gt was pretty fast
They were pretty quick
The convertible in the video is pretty much a GT without the badging.
Bill what a creme puff find... Most of these were rode hard and put up wet or wrecked or just burnt up
Love love love the sunfire❤❤❤
Had a few over the years.
95 was the first year I worked at a GM dealership. Oh memories of the good old days driving around in the sales demos smokin cigarettes & gambling with old Gary for the quick screw demo plate bolts
Awesome video as always. You do such a great job on them.
Age of this car hits hard not because i remember 90s, but because this car was made like 2 years before i was born...and in like 2 years it will be 30y old.
Happy New Year Bill!! I hope your doing well, I'm sorry this Sunfire didn't peel out in Peter's driveway, oh well. I'm glad that you're keeping up with your corona virus whiskey, make sure that you have plenty for New Year's Eve!!! Thanks for sharing another exciting video!!! Raymond Burr in gym shorts??? That a visual that will be hard to get out of my mind!!! 🎊🎉🎈🥃🥃
Aah Bill, great to see the next review is posted. It's not the story, it's the way you tell it, it's unique and way more appealing than the best prime time tv ever was. Ignore your nephew advice, what would they know, keep delivering the Bill grade content. Superb. Remarkable to see a Pontiac Sunfire in such pristine condition, and a convertible too. At this stage surely a collectors car, there can't be a hundred to pick from. Oh, and can someone out there please make sure Bill has a steady supply of cars for review, we need much more content like this. Happy New Year Bill and have a great 2024, for you and all yours.
GOOD MORNING! I've been up with gout in my foot the past 2 days and have not slept in weeks. Thank God I've got a video from Bill to pass the time.
Pontiac always made fun compact convertibles.
2009’s Cash 4 Clunkers ensured we will never see many of these cars on the road in the future.
These didn't qualify for Cash for Clunkers because the fuel economy was too high. In order to qualify for Cash for Clunkers a vehicle had to have average mpgs below 20 mpgs. Like Bill said most of the Sunfires and Cavaliers went through multiple owners and got used up and junked.
@@user-ph3rb1in6e yeah they were disposable cars...they were all over the place back in the day. My aunt owned a new one.
My first new car was a red 1998 Sunfire SE Coupe in the same red as this convertible. It had a tan interior and a 5 speed manual with steel wheels and hubcaps that looked like aluminum. I traded it in for a 1999 Arctic White GT with a 5 speed after getting humiliated at a light by some punk kid in a modified Civic doing the Fast N Furious thing. I humbled quite a few tuner owners with the GT, and I owned the car for 16 years and 288,000 miles 😊 P.S. if you owned one, you caught all sorts of crap from Honda and Toyota owners who were very smug about their cars. My ownership experience was exceptional. The parts were always cheap. Any mechanic anywhere would work on it.
I owned the '99 Cavalier Z24 Convertible. It was a cheap way to get a convertible. I kept it 10 years. Talk about disposable. I maintained it very well; and yet it fell apart around me. I was pretty happy to be rid of it at year 10. The dash split at year five. The top leaked from day one. The frame flexed over potholes. It ate front brakes every 18 months and front tires every two years (probably due to the larger and heavier 2.4 engine paired with inadequate brakes and front springs.
When will we get the viewer submission vehicle video?! Or did the goats steal the emails?!!
I'd like to request a 1957 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight Starfire review please.
Thank you Bill and for the Romp out on the Highway I have missed that.
It was a very entertaining review, Bill! Anyone who can make a video of a '96 Sunbird has talent. Couldn't get the image of the dog shot in the hat out of my mind as I watched, F -n hilarious man !
I still remember back in 95 when my cousin got a brand new Cavalier 4 dr. Compared to the previous gen, it looked awesome. Great video as always!
Solid and fair review! GM cars of this era were full of fairly high end features that went under appreciated by the press and the public in general. The J car was actually a solid piece of engineering that handled well and was fairly fun to drive. Worst quality of the car were probably seat fabrics and fit/finish though these cars tended to be rattle free.
Brilliant car, brilliant video. I can remember seeing these in a Walmart parking lot missing a couple hubcaps, front bumper held on with duct tape. You taking me back brother.
Had a red 96 convertible 5-speed with over 180,000 miles and it was still tight and solid as anything with half the miles. One of the better looking GM cars of the 90s.
The gloves, the seltzer water and the car is truly a look
So glad you did this one! I had a ‘97 for my first car. It was nearly identical, less the twin cam. It still had get up and go though! It was a hand me down from my sister and I wasn’t happy about that, but I grew to absolutely love it. I do have some terrible memories of it on frigid Indiana winter mornings though. I swear it would literally blow in snow through the AC vents 😂 Nevertheless I still dream about snatching one up as a summer cruiser.
Ive never been so excited to see a sunfire.
For about a decade it seems the interior of every GM was the same gray plastic bucket with cloth/velour seats....I guess to keep the learning curve reasonable for the Hertz/Avis customers...this Sunfire did not disappoint. Diggin' your new red gloves. Happy New Year, Bill!
Love choices like this. Had one of these in my life at one point and it’s nice to see another
Morning Bill from Ron in a cold, windy and wet Manchester we have gales here and snow for the weekend glad your weather is cool. Glad you had a great Christmas, all the best for 2024
Happy New Year Bill. This was one of your FUNNIEST Videos in a while, Laughing my Ass off. :) :) These little shit boxes were actually pretty damn good. My friend had one and it was very reliable. Thanks for liking it. :)
Well Mary belated Christmas to you too. I’m really glad that nice weather I sent you for Christmas showed up on time.
Merry Christmas 🎅 and HAPPY new years buddy. I loved The car. I rented one. I got a speeding ticket 🎟 doing 90 in a 70 in Nevada.
The condition of this thing is astonishing. It may not be the only one left in existence, but I bet they are very few like it.
Nice one Bill. Happy New Year!🙂
This car deserved a review during a nice Florida sunny day.
Hilarious review 😂 Kudos for venturing out in public in a red Sunfire wearing red gloves!
Pontiac Sunfire…the Bic Lighter of cars….truly disposable. Thank you Bill for making this car more interesting!
@@Jonathan-mp32xno argument there…
@@Jonathan-mp32x It would be kind of interesting to see a Sunfire get a Cobalt SS/HHR SS drivetrain swap, though.
Only a brave man could pull those gloves off!
Ya know what… that GM stuff from the 80s and 90s was not exactly the best made but it sure was fun and it looked so cool at the time.
Cute! The design still looks good today.
This is a lovely, rust free example! Seeing one of these in such good condition makes you appreciate just how good these cars looked new. I had an '02 Cavalier from 2008-'13 and other than getting rusty and kind of shitty looking, it drove fine.
You are so damn funny “a human foot collection” 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 . Best reviews on UA-cam
These were popular back in the day because they nailed a few key metrics-cheap, reliable, easy to work on and maintain and were somewhat enjoyable to drive. These J-body cars were the emobdiment of what were sorely lacking today-affordable, reliable transportation. My girlfriend (now wife) had a 1995 Cavalier Z24 hardtop in this same bright red when we first met. I loved that car, if Midwest rust hadn't destroyed it we'd probably still have it.
I really enjoy your videos you're hilarious 😆😂 car comedy who knew it could be done and u pull it off 👍👍
I own a 1997 Triple-White Pontiac Sunfire SE Convertible that I bought new and am still driving. It's a tremendous car.
Always up for another Eldo vid!
My Mother bought a 96 Sunfire GT new and it was a pretty bright blue metallic. I remember it being far more refined feeling than the previous J bodies. The Quad 4 it had made good power too!
Yea those engines were junk though. The 2.4 ecotec that came in the later wasn’t as powerful but was way better in most regards
@@jackdough8164 They had issues. She was lucky having it for 8 years with little trouble. But it was probably the most pampered and low mileage Sunfire GT you would ever see.
@@autochatter yea I’m sure like all domestic brands the quality was hit and miss. All big three seem to make one piece of garbage for everyone car they build right lol
@jackdough8164 Yeah LOL..I was rocking a 91 MR2 Turbo around that time.
With or without the hat, your dog is absolutely adorable!!
I absolutely love this video. "human foot collection..." lol. Have a safe and happy new year Bill.
'You need more bass" "DONT TOUCH THE EQ"
Fun fact.... my college car was an '88 Grand Am SE with the Quad 4 engine (bought new). Transmission was a PITA, but since I did ALL my own maintenance, I got just over 244,000 miles on that engine. At the time this was such an unusual scenario, that the local Texas GM field office was looking into putting it in a commercial. Didn't end up happening, but it was still cool to be a part of the possibility. The demise? I was driving back to College Station, Texas. I had the music on so loud, I didn't hear the failing oil pump which ended up seizing the engine. GREAT car though. 🎉
Enjoyed this!
Happy New Year!!!
Bill, you always have me in stitches lol!!
Merry belated Christmas, Bill! I’m happy to hear that you’re enjoying the weather. I’m curious what is your favorite brand of Corona virus whiskey?
Bill, your PTSD from people messing with the equalizer is a hoot. You're correct...
Zombie deer are REAL, I saw one chasing my neighbor around the house and I haven't seen him since. 🤣
Merry late Christmas Bill....
I really miss small cheap convertibles. No one makes them anymore. Truly fun on a budget.
most entertaining banter, you are one funny guy. thx.
My girlfriend back in 2002 had a 1996 gold coupe Sunfire. I borrowed it a few times and it drove decent. But as a Guy who has always been used to bigger rides, I felt pretty girly rolling in this chic car.😆
1990 Bonneville SSE was my first car so I do have love for Pontiac though.❤️
Sunfires are not my cup of tea but definitely were good bang for your buck.
Another great review Uncle Bill.🙏🏼
Merry belated Christmas and Happy New Year from this chipper Canadian.
Peace.
Stylin! And a convertible. Love Pontiac and American design. Its a shame they dont make mass market cars like this anymore. These were fun!
Those red driving gloves are so bad ass-anti birds and critters !
Crazy to see the familiar 90’s gray GM interior with the parts bin switches and dials
Yeah it reminded me of my dads old 97 Bonneville
I got to be honest with you, it reminds me of my 97 Riv. Great review Bill, thanks. 👍
What works works Bill , I like the lil bugga ❤
I just bought the Field Guide to the Dumb Birds of North America - hysterical.
I guess I’m in good company...
Happy Holiday and have a great New Year Bill!
I had a base 2002 Cavalier 5 speed I bought new for $10,800 and it's STILL on the road today. It has the OHV motor and I took care of it. The crazy thing is that it hasn't had any repairs other than maintenance; no CV boots, etc. It's with a family member now.
I know these cars! Mom had a red Grand Am and then an early 2000’s Sunfire GT, no convertible. Just good stuff!
It reminds me of what I’ve seen in the Miata documentaries when they talk about the FWD Miata early idea.
I’m about to buy a solstice hopefully Bill will review one someday.
Thank you bill!