2000 Pontiac Sunfire Review
2000 Pontiac Sunfire Review
View more photos
Used Sunfire for sale
Appraise This CarPontiac Sunfire model years
Pontiac Sunfire types
- Coupe
- Sedan
- Convertible
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Racy styling, comfy interior, rev-happy twin-cam engine, good value.
Cons
- Option list can overpower sale price, body roll apparent during hard cornering.
What’s new
Redesigned front and rear fascias for a sportier appearance, a new five-speed manual transmission and the availability of the premium Monsoon audio system lead Sunfire's upgrade list for 2000. There are also restyled rocker-panel moldings, new wheels and exterior colors, as well as a revised instrument panel cluster, floor console and upholstery.
Edmunds says
A ghastly looking attempt at a low-budget sport coupe, the Sunfire is hopelessly outclassed by both its foreign and domestic competition.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2000 Pontiac Sunfire SE 2dr Coupe 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 $3.46 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$170/mo for Sunfire SE
Sunfire SE
vs
$175/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
Pontiac's Sunfire is poised to take on the Cavalier, Escort ZX2, Neon and assorted import compacts by offering value, sporty styling and capable performance in a well-rounded package. Wearing revised front and rear fascias with integrated lamps, Sunfire is available as a coupe or sedan SE (base) trim, and as a coupe or convertible in the GT (uplevel) series.
Dual airbags, ABS and an anti-theft system are standard equipment. Base models come with a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine. Power is rated at 115 horsepower, and can be fed through the standard five-speed manual or optional three- and four-speed automatics. GT models get a slightly larger 16-valve four-cylinder, good for 150 horsepower. The GT's 2.4-liter, twin-cam motor is optional on the SE, and we highly recommend it, particularly mated to this year's new, smoother-shifting Getrag five-speed manual transmission.
Equipped with the bigger engine and a stick shift, a Sunfire is downright speedy when compared to other four-banger compacts. The automatic raises acceleration times by about a second in the dash to 60 mph. Options on the Sunfire include sharp new alloy wheels, a power sunroof and a variety of uplevel sound systems, including the 200-watt Monsoon unit. Equip an SE Coupe to the gills, watch the price soar to the mid-18s, and suddenly Sunfire isn't such a hot deal. But fiddling with the options sheet should land you a sporty, well-equipped coupe priced at around $16,000.
The move to more aggressive-looking fascias and rocker-panel moldings was intended to boost Sunfire's image with young buyers. That goal also fueled the move to better sound systems, as well as improvements in interior functionality, features and storage space for things like compact discs or cassettes. And Pontiac even adds a racy decklid spoiler (optional on sedans).
Our only complaint about driving the Sunfire is that when it is pushed to its limits, it tends to exhibit an excessive amount of body roll, especially the heavier convertible version. We think the ragtop and GT models should offer a more sporting suspension to back up the car's sporty looks. On the plus side, all the well-equipped models we've tested so far carried an affordable price tag.
We think the Sunfire has what it takes to succeed in the crowded compact marketplace. Feature for feature, Sunfire makes a strong argument against purchasing its slightly larger stablemate, the Grand Am, or its more pedestrian twin at Chevy dealers, the Cavalier. If you're interested in a Sunfire Convertible, this'll likely be you last chance, as it is rumored to be dropped later this year. But even if you're left to choose from only the coupe or sedan, the Sunfire deserves a look.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2000 Pontiac Sunfire.
5 star(47%)
4 star(32%)
3 star(12%)
2 star(9%)
1 star(0%)
40 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.88 out of 5 stars
Love It
Giggles, 10/05/2008
2000 Pontiac Sunfire SE 4dr Sedan
I love my car and I love everything about it. I have had it for over 8 years and have never had any mechanical problems at all. It is one of the most reliable vehicles I've ever had. Even though it is a small car it handles better than a lot of 4 wheel drive trucks. I don't think I can say enough good things about it. I love the look of it and the interior. I would recommend this … car to everyone.
4.5 out of 5 stars
one tough car
denice, 09/16/2005
2000 Pontiac Sunfire SE 4dr Sedan
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.
3.88 out of 5 stars
Great Reliable little car
Lesley Draper, 08/07/2003
2000 Pontiac Sunfire SE 4dr Sedan
Bought the car in 1999, and during the
almost four years I have had it, it has
cost me, one battery f & R Brake jobs,
2 sets of tires, new T-stats.
This car is prone to heat up when on
hard pulls in hot weather. Even rund
over half hot in cold weather.
Have had no major problems, still gets
good gas mileage, and handles great.
Good in snow too. It could be a litle …
more comfotrable, but seems equal to
many cars in it's catagorie. Keep
tranny fluid up, and change the oil
every 2k. I use synthetic oil and it
gets better performance.
I would buy another...For the price
it's a winner!
3.38 out of 5 stars
Good car
banbam, 10/06/2014
2000 Pontiac Sunfire SE 4dr Sedan
My dad bought this car for my sister. She was rear ended and then decided she didn't want the car so I took it. I'm not a fan of the styling at all. The engine is really underpowered for my liking, and I have the 4 speed auto. It's a good car though. I've had it for over a year now and all I've done was replace the tires, when we bought the car, replace the brake pads, replace the … starter, replace the battery, and an oil change. Maintenance really. I've added a sound system and tinted windows and its a pretty enjoyable ride now. And being 6'2" I can say that I can fit somewhat comfortably, no longer than 2-3 hours though. I'd say as a girls first car this would be great.
2000 Sunfire Highlights
Coupe
SE
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 24 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $170/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 12.4 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver1 / 5Passenger2 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
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 – OriginalPoor
- 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
Consider these recommendations
Related Used 2000 Pontiac Sunfire info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Ferrari California T 2013
- Used Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 2010
- Used Chevrolet Sportvan 2019
- Used Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 2012
- Used Maserati Quattroporte 2010
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- Tesla Model Y 2023
- Luxus Ux250H
- F150 Lightning
- BM WZ4
- BMW X1 BMW
- VW Jetta Car
- 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
- 2023 Honda Odyssey
- 2025 Tesla Model Y News
- 2023 GT-R
Other models
- Used Maserati MC20 in Saugus, MA
- Used Mclaren 650S-Spider in Parrish, FL
- Used Subaru B9-Tribeca in Westfield, MA
- Used Lexus RC-F in Cary, NC
- New Mini Hardtop-2-Door for Sale in Center Line, MI
- Used Buick Regal-Tourx in Fort Washington, MD
- New Subaru Legacy for Sale in Concord, CA
- New Hyundai Ioniq-6 for Sale in Woodside, NY
- Used Jaguar X-Type in Maple Grove, MN
- New Toyota Sequoia for Sale in Eden Prairie, MN