2005 Pontiac Sunfire Review
Fuel Economy
26 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
Despite a peppy engine and a few neat options, this decade-old economy coupe is outclassed by newer competitors.
Pros
Low price, torquey four-cylinder engine, optional satellite radio and OnStar.
Cons
Overall design showing its age, low resale value, poor side-impact and front-offset crash test results.
What's New for 2005
Other than revised package content, the Sunfire continues unchanged.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Very Good Car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 6 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 4 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Pontiac Sunfire Special Value 2dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I bought a 2005 Sunfire with 28k miles on it and after one year and 16k later my Sunfire is getting better despite considering that I bough it with a salvage title (the car was in an accident). I put $15 on gas and my Sunfuire is taking me to work all week and my job is 18 miles from home.
Favorite Features
MP3 player capability
Suggested Improvements
Brakes should last longer
I'm through with this car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 4 |
| Comfort: | 4 | Interior Design: | 4 | Reliability: | 3 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 4 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Pontiac Sunfire 2dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I had an 04 but totaled it - bought an 05 and have had slew of problems. Bad brake rotors to the point of where they snapped while I was driving leaving me stranded. The engine stalls, the cd/mp3 player frequently shorts resetting my clock, the model itself affects my tires in which I've replaced 6 in the past 21/2 years that I purchased this car. The window motor shorts leaving one of my Windows down in Atlanta during winter. Power steering flawed, trunk shorted out and wouldn't close for about three months. My gauges cross over each other in some malfunction preventing me from checking my speed/rpms. Fuel gauge backlight does not fully turn on. Everything on this car sucks!
Favorite Features
it's fun and small to drive. the only reason i wanted this car. but it's so low to the ground that my tires get screwed up frequently even when being extra cautious. driver seat is comfortable but i can barely fit four people comfortably. i like the mp3 player but that's about it.
Suggested Improvements
better quality perhaps. this car has been a pain to deal with. the maintenance is costly and the tires it requires are nearly $100 because they are smaller than average. the cup holders are inconvenient. the shorts are annoying and the reliability is laughable. i've been stranded many times!
It's not just a car it's a Sunfire
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 6 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 6 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Pontiac Sunfire 2dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I just purchased this 2004 Pontiac Sunfire its a bronze color but it looks more like a brown/ silver color. This car can get to high speeds quickly for a affordable car. Hear the engine roar with the Sunfire. So far its been nothing but good to me its always reliable. Everything on the car is impeccable, it works to the "t" and Pontiac didn't miss a beat. The design is alright nice bulky interior, seats are fairly comfortable. This car makes you feel good when you drive it, it rides nice and smooth and everything about the car is awesome. I would say the one downfall is the stereo. Its not the best my speakers sound like crap so I'm replacing them and the stereo and putting my 12" in the back.
Favorite Features
engine 2.2 L 140 hp body shape lights seats interior
Suggested Improvements
i suggest Pontiac should improve handling just a bit more its still really good though and also to improve the stereo its not the best
Fun to build on
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Pontiac Sunfire 2dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I love my sunfire. I have actually built onto it by putting two 12 in. subs in the trunk and a 1000 watt amp. I also put in a new indash that sweetens up the ride along with lowering it 2 inches and putting 17 inch rims on it. I love my car!!!
Favorite Features
the color of my car, its a beautiful blue
Suggested Improvements
cup holders suck though and i wish the window motors would stop going out
Great car overall
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Pontiac Sunfire Special Value 2dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I have owned this car 3 1/2 years and driven it 25,700 miles, mostly to and from work. I love it. It has been trouble free, except for a few blown fuses (turn signals and lighter). For the price, I couldn't ask for much more. My complaints about the car are very cheap upholstery(even for a cheap car), lousy cup holders (worthless for anything other than a 12 oz can) and for me the seats are uncomfortable on long trips (although they are fine for short trips) I do avoid taking this vehicle on long trips because of the seats. The car has developed a few squeaks and rattles in the suspension. Overall, though, I love this car and plan to keep it for as many years as it remains trouble-free
Favorite Features
VERY Cheap purchase price, excellent (so far) reliability, decent looks, fun to drive. The car appears to be holding up well and still looks like new from the outside. Tires still look like new-that surprised me on a small car.
Suggested Improvements
Seats are uncomfortable on long trips, Upholstery is very cheap and started showing wear very quickly (some nice sheepskins covered up that problem). Cup holders are small and poorly located.
View Pricing for Other Years
- 2005 Pontiac Sunfire
- 2004 Pontiac Sunfire
- 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
- 2002 Pontiac Sunfire
- 2001 Pontiac Sunfire
- 2000 Pontiac Sunfire
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