Pontiac had a few memorable classics in their day, and one frequently-forgotten favorite is the Sunfire. Not to be confused with the Sunbird, this coupe took “sporty” to a whole new level.
Although GM has made many iconic cars, it sometimes makes investments that don't quite pan out. The Pontiac Fiero may have had a dynamic design, but many consider it to be one of the worst classic cars.
Still, that doesn't mean that every Pontiac model needs to be passed over. In fact,
says that the Pontiac Sunfire coupe was groundbreaking in more ways than one.
The birth of the Pontiac Sunfire
While the Sunfire wouldn't be seen until the mid-‘90s, the platform it would ride upon started gaining popularity long beforehand.
As the ‘80s approached, customers were demanding front-wheel drive cars because they were easier to drive than their rear-wheel drive counterparts. This is because FWD vehicles are lighter than RWD cars, which also allows them to get better gas mileage.
To accommodate its customers, GM manufactured the J platform (also known as "J body"). It would serve as the underpinnings for several Chevy, Cadillac, Oldsmobile, and even Buick models during its 24-year production. Five Pontiacs also had the J-body platform, but the Sunfire was the most famous model.
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Back in those days, compact coupes were only considered "sporty" in appearance alone. Their small bodies couldn't really accommodate the huge engines present in actual sports cars. Such was the case for the early Sunfire models, which only produced around 100 horsepower.
The Pontiac Sunfire GT was a game-changer, with a Quad-4 engine that made 150 horsepower and an equal amount of torque. It was later replaced with a slightly beefier Twin Cam engine until the 2002 model year. It might not seem like much, but the Sunfire's adequate torque combined with a lightweight design made it thrilling to drive.
All Sunfire GTs came with a dual exhaust and flashier body panels. HotCars says the Sunfire GT was the fastest commuter car of its time, hitting 60 mph a hair faster than eight seconds. It was also very good on gas, averaging 23/33 mpg city/highway.
What else made this car so special?
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The Sunfire was actually a replacement for the outgoing Sunbird coupe, which had been around since the late ‘70s. It was decently popular, but it had to be discontinued thanks to tighter safety requirements. Additionally, the Sunbird had an obviously dated design that didn't inspire purchases from newer customers.
The Sunfire looks much more modern with its rounded edges, new headlights, and a low front fascia. The square headlights would be swapped out for more angular headlights as the Sunfire entered its final two model years. Drivers could choose between either a coupe, convertible, or a conservative sedan body style.
Even though the Pontiac Sunfire GT was considered the top-tier trim, it was still very affordable. Additionally, it was easy for the tuning community to adjust the engine to give it even more power. The Sunfire would eventually be phased out for the next wave of compact cars, but it definitely left a lasting impression.
Finding the best insurance for a Pontiac Sunfire
Since many Pontiac cars are several years old at this point, you can expect their coverage costs to be relatively low. Even so, our research shows that the Sunfire's model years see some of the most expensive insurance policies. If you own one of the iconic GT models, you'll pay even higher premiums.
No matter which Sunfire you have, you can sign up with
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