1996 Pontiac Sunfire Review
1996 Pontiac Sunfire Review
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Used Sunfire for sale
Appraise This CarPontiac Sunfire model years
Pontiac Sunfire types
- Sedan
- Coupe
- Convertible
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
Traction control, remote keyless entry and steering wheel radio controls are newly available. Old Quad 4 engine dumped in favor of new 2.4-liter twin-cam engine. Two new paint choices spiff up the exterior.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire SE 2dr Convertible and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$171/mo for Sunfire SE
Sunfire SE
vs
$174/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
Pontiac has a winner here. The Sunfire is poised to take on the Neon, Cavalier, Escort and import compacts by offering excellent value, sporty styling, and reasonable performance in one well-rounded package. For 1996, Sunfire is available in coupe, sedan and convertible body styles.
Dual airbags and ABS are standard equipment on the Sunfire. Base models are powered by a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine that was carried over from the old Sunbird. GT models get a twin-cam motor good for 150 horsepower. The twin cam is optional on the SE, and we highly recommend it, particularily mated to a five-speed transmission. However, one benefit of the automatic is the standard traction control system that comes with it.
Equipped with the twin cam and a five-speed manual transmission, the Sunfire is downright speedy; about as quick as the Neon Sport Coupe and Escort GT. The automatic raises acceleration times by about one second in the dash to 60 mph. Options on the Sunfire include sharp alloy wheels, a power sunroof, and a variety of sound systems, among others. Equip an SE Coupe to the gills and suddenly the Sunfire isn't such a value at $17,000. Creative fiddling with the options sheet should result in a well-equipped sport coupe priced under $15,000.
Though it's less than one year old, Pontiac has made several improvements to the Sunfire for 1996. The 2.4-liter twin-cam engine replaces last year's rare 2.3-liter Quad 4 motor, and the traction control-equipped four-speed automatic is new. PASSLock anti-theft is standard on all 1996 Sunfires. Ride and steering have been improved, and two new paint choices are available. Daytime running lights are newly standard, and buyers can now order remote keyless entry and steering wheel radio controls.
We think the Sunfire has what it takes to succeed in the crowded compact marketplace. If anything, the Sunfire makes a strong argument against purchasing its slightly larger stablemate, the Grand Am. If a sporty coupe, sedan or convertible is on your shopping list, check into the Sunfire.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1996 Pontiac Sunfire.
5 star(38%)
4 star(44%)
3 star(15%)
2 star(3%)
1 star(0%)
39 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.88 out of 5 stars
1996 Sunfire Droptop,still a fun car
PaulCollen, 03/29/2003
1996 Pontiac Sunfire SE 2dr Convertible
The 1996 Sunfire SE Convertible
equipped with the 150hp and 5spd is
such an underappreciated
sports/economy convertible. It
performs well in summer and handles
the New England winters. The power
top stays true and fit. The engine
still gives great performance for a 4
cyl/150 hp. The gas mileage remains
good at about 22/29. I wanted a car
that was fun, good styling, …
convertible. My wife said
it needs 5 real seats. This one more
than fit the bill of fare. The trunk
space is also quite generous. There
are many other cars manufactured with
stylish appeal. Some better. But for
the dollars and sense of this rag top
it was just right for me.
3.63 out of 5 stars
96 sunfire died a few times still running
shawn beauman, 09/27/2010
1996 Pontiac Sunfire SE 4dr Sedan
i bought this car a month ago from my uncle he works on cars all the time he is not a mechanic but he is just as good as one. anyways the 1st day i got this car it died on me it would not start but the lights and the radio still worked (weird) and it had plenty of gas (half a tank) in it so i took it to cole muffler and they charged me about $400 just for a new starter and a new battery … i got ripped off don't go to cole muffler they are (expensive) i only paid $850 for the car itself but i had to pay! $400 to get it running again and a week later it died on me again but after having it towed to cole muffler (again) it started without having any repairs done on it it has been over 2 weeks now
5 out of 5 stars
Owned for 18 years, 265,000 miles,still love it
Kathleen Robb, 04/21/2018
1996 Pontiac Sunfire GT 2dr Coupe
As long as you change the oil every 3,000 miles and keep it maintained, it will be the most reliable car you ever had. Sporty and quick, handles extremely well on icy roads as long as you know how to drive with common sense. Very precise steering, handles extremely well in sudden maneuvers as long as the driver can. I have owned this car for over 18 years and plan to drive it for 18 … more. It is the most reliable car I have ever owned. I would recommend using only AC Delco brand or GM approved/stock parts when replacing anything. Trust me, if it says AC Delco, they mean it and it is worth it. I also only use premium unleaded gasoline everytime I fill up.
4.88 out of 5 stars
Saved my daughter's life
lisa hayes, 06/24/2003
1996 Pontiac Sunfire SE 4dr Sedan
We purchased this car for our daughter.
Little did we know it would save her
life. She was hit "head-on" by a drunk
driver. The driver of the other car
was in a Nissan Sentra and was killed
in the crash. My daughter received
only minor injuries. The investigating
officer told us the car save her life
because the front end of the
car "dropped" which allowed the car … to
bow upward instead of into the
driver/passenger area. Also, both
airbags deployed and her seatbelts
worked just as they should. We are
planning to replace the car with
another one just like it. My daughter
says she won't drive anything else!
1996 Sunfire Highlights
Sedan
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 26 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $156/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 13.1 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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