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1999
Pontiac Sunfire

Starts at:
$12,745
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New 1999 Pontiac Sunfire
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Not rated
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 4dr Sdn SE
    Starts at
    $12,745
    23 City / 29 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas L4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2dr Cpe SE
    Starts at
    $12,745
    23 City / 29 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas L4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2dr Cpe GT
    Starts at
    $15,745
    22 City / 30 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas L4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2dr Convertible GT
    Starts at
    $21,145
    23 City / 33 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas L4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

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Expert 1999 Pontiac Sunfire review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By
Full article
our expert's take

This is no place for wimps. The speed limits run from 55 mph to 70 mph. But everyone drives 80 mph and higher, including me.

I’m no scofflaw. But going slower than the actual median speed on this road is an invitation to the coroner’s office. I’d rather go to court.

It’s nerve-racking civil disobedience, particularly in the car I’m driving, the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire SE coupe.

I got it from National Car Rental at Detroit-Wayne County Metropolitan Airport. The car is generally in good shape, with a bit more than 2,300 miles on the odometer. But it’s wheezing in high-speed traffic, struggling to breathe.

In fairness, this is not the best of the Sunfires, the structural and mechanical twins of Chevrolet’s Cavalier models. It’s a basic four-banger, 115-horsepower, equipped with a three-speed automatic transmission. Top Sunfires, such as the GT coupe, come with a 150-horsepower, 16-valve four-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission. Those cars can run!

But the Sunfire SE? I’m in the right lane, seeking shelter from the four-wheeled missiles whooshing past me. But whoever designed the entrance ramps to the Detroit region’s share of I-75 must have flunked highway safety. The ramps are crash traps–short and sharply angled into oncoming right-lane traffic. Collisions and near misses in those areas are commonplace.

Perhaps, the center lane. . . . Whoooshhh! Think again. Heavy trucks emerge from the blur of traffic, gobbling up the center, biting at my rear.

I step on the Sunfire SE’s accelerator. There’s nice tension there, a tautness, as if the car is going to respond. But it’s a fake sensation–an engineering trick in which the accelerator pedal was designed with a short travel from idle to wide-open throttle to give the illusion of performance.

The engine isn’t fooled. It wheezes again. The transmission downshifts. I curse mightily. The transmission balks some more. I curse and shove the accelerator. Grudgingly, the Sunfire picks up speed, runs from the trucks and begs for mercy. “I can’t breathe,” it seems to say. “I can’t breathe!”

I’m having none of this. The fear of getting smushed keeps my foot on the accelerator, and the Sunfire, after more whining, starts hauling tail.

Speed is absorbed by congestion close to Detroit, where people are driving 55 mph, albeit in a weaving fashion, often unaccompanied by directional signal lights. The Sunfire can deal with this–close, motorized urban warfare, where nimbleness replaces horsepower as a virtue. The car, a front-driver, is nimble.

But it’s a nag, too. It’s engine rumbles in complaint as we pull into the garage at Detroit’s Renaissance Center. I understand its displeasure but am just happy to be parked.

A late-winter snow is falling. The car will chill out. And with the propsect of frozen, slippery roads comes the likelihood of slower, more reasonable speeds for tomorrow’s run. I walk toward the hotel and bid the Sunfire goodnight.

1999 Pontiac Sunfire SE coupe

Complaints: The base Sunfire is a good commuter that loses composure and comfort when pushed to run for a long haul at superhighway speeds. A car that is a pleasure in the city becomes something of a nightmare on the open road, where far more powerful beasts roam at a frightening pace.

Praise: A good city car, especially for people who are more concerned about fuel economy than they are about performance.

Head-turning quotient: Cute.

Ride, acceleration and handling: Marginal marks in all three categories at superhighway speeds. Good marks in all three categories for city travel. There was some fading in braking on the highway. But the anti-lock brakes–power front discs and rear drums–worked fine at lower urban speeds.

Safety: Standard stuff–dual front air bags and side-impact protection. But it’s a small car, and there’s only so much a small car can do when confronted by something larger.

Capacities: Seats four pe ople comfortably–with comfort referring to available space between bodies. (Seats could use a bit more cushioning for bottoms.) The coupe’s trunk holds 12.4 cubic feet of cargo. The fuel tank holds 15 gallons of regular unleaded.

Tested engine: A 2.2-liter in-line four-cylinder model designed to produce 115 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 135 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm.

Mileage: About 26 miles per gallon. Estimated 378-mile range on usable volume of fuel.

Price: Base price on the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire SE coupe is $12,745. Dealer’s invoice on the base model is $11,789. Price as tested is $13,255, including a $510 destination charge.

Purse-strings note: Compare with Chevrolet Cavalier, Nissan Sentra, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Mazda Protege, Dodge/Plymouth Neon, Suzuki Esteem, Ford Escort, Toyota Corolla, Saturn SC1 automatic.

1999 Pontiac Sunfire review: Our expert's take
By

This is no place for wimps. The speed limits run from 55 mph to 70 mph. But everyone drives 80 mph and higher, including me.

I’m no scofflaw. But going slower than the actual median speed on this road is an invitation to the coroner’s office. I’d rather go to court.

It’s nerve-racking civil disobedience, particularly in the car I’m driving, the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire SE coupe.

I got it from National Car Rental at Detroit-Wayne County Metropolitan Airport. The car is generally in good shape, with a bit more than 2,300 miles on the odometer. But it’s wheezing in high-speed traffic, struggling to breathe.

In fairness, this is not the best of the Sunfires, the structural and mechanical twins of Chevrolet’s Cavalier models. It’s a basic four-banger, 115-horsepower, equipped with a three-speed automatic transmission. Top Sunfires, such as the GT coupe, come with a 150-horsepower, 16-valve four-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission. Those cars can run!

But the Sunfire SE? I’m in the right lane, seeking shelter from the four-wheeled missiles whooshing past me. But whoever designed the entrance ramps to the Detroit region’s share of I-75 must have flunked highway safety. The ramps are crash traps–short and sharply angled into oncoming right-lane traffic. Collisions and near misses in those areas are commonplace.

Perhaps, the center lane. . . . Whoooshhh! Think again. Heavy trucks emerge from the blur of traffic, gobbling up the center, biting at my rear.

I step on the Sunfire SE’s accelerator. There’s nice tension there, a tautness, as if the car is going to respond. But it’s a fake sensation–an engineering trick in which the accelerator pedal was designed with a short travel from idle to wide-open throttle to give the illusion of performance.

The engine isn’t fooled. It wheezes again. The transmission downshifts. I curse mightily. The transmission balks some more. I curse and shove the accelerator. Grudgingly, the Sunfire picks up speed, runs from the trucks and begs for mercy. “I can’t breathe,” it seems to say. “I can’t breathe!”

I’m having none of this. The fear of getting smushed keeps my foot on the accelerator, and the Sunfire, after more whining, starts hauling tail.

Speed is absorbed by congestion close to Detroit, where people are driving 55 mph, albeit in a weaving fashion, often unaccompanied by directional signal lights. The Sunfire can deal with this–close, motorized urban warfare, where nimbleness replaces horsepower as a virtue. The car, a front-driver, is nimble.

But it’s a nag, too. It’s engine rumbles in complaint as we pull into the garage at Detroit’s Renaissance Center. I understand its displeasure but am just happy to be parked.

A late-winter snow is falling. The car will chill out. And with the propsect of frozen, slippery roads comes the likelihood of slower, more reasonable speeds for tomorrow’s run. I walk toward the hotel and bid the Sunfire goodnight.

1999 Pontiac Sunfire SE coupe

Complaints: The base Sunfire is a good commuter that loses composure and comfort when pushed to run for a long haul at superhighway speeds. A car that is a pleasure in the city becomes something of a nightmare on the open road, where far more powerful beasts roam at a frightening pace.

Praise: A good city car, especially for people who are more concerned about fuel economy than they are about performance.

Head-turning quotient: Cute.

Ride, acceleration and handling: Marginal marks in all three categories at superhighway speeds. Good marks in all three categories for city travel. There was some fading in braking on the highway. But the anti-lock brakes–power front discs and rear drums–worked fine at lower urban speeds.

Safety: Standard stuff–dual front air bags and side-impact protection. But it’s a small car, and there’s only so much a small car can do when confronted by something larger.

Capacities: Seats four pe ople comfortably–with comfort referring to available space between bodies. (Seats could use a bit more cushioning for bottoms.) The coupe’s trunk holds 12.4 cubic feet of cargo. The fuel tank holds 15 gallons of regular unleaded.

Tested engine: A 2.2-liter in-line four-cylinder model designed to produce 115 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 135 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm.

Mileage: About 26 miles per gallon. Estimated 378-mile range on usable volume of fuel.

Price: Base price on the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire SE coupe is $12,745. Dealer’s invoice on the base model is $11,789. Price as tested is $13,255, including a $510 destination charge.

Purse-strings note: Compare with Chevrolet Cavalier, Nissan Sentra, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Mazda Protege, Dodge/Plymouth Neon, Suzuki Esteem, Ford Escort, Toyota Corolla, Saturn SC1 automatic.

Safety review

Based on the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Frontal driver
3/5
Frontal passenger
4/5
Side driver
1/5
Side rear passenger
2/5

Factory warranties

Basic
3 years / 36,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
3 years / 36,000 miles

Consumer reviews

3.2 / 5
Based on 11 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 3.1
Interior 3.1
Performance 3.1
Value 3.3
Exterior 3.2
Reliability 3.4

Most recent

  • Dangerous vehicle

    My 13 year old daughter was pulled out through the back hatch upon a side impact and was killed. Pontiac didn't care. The car was new, I contacted Pontiac and there attatude really sucked. I would NEVER buy a Pontiac.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 1.0
    Interior 1.0
    Performance 1.0
    Value 1.0
    Exterior 1.0
    Reliability 1.0
    3 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • reliable and cheap to fix

    i got this car 3 months ago,a 1999 sunfire,i forgot how well they run,its 22 years old,easy on gas,handles well,a great car for the price
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • My Streetfire

    This car is very reliable yeah somthing goes bad every once in ahwile but with what car won't.? This car is highly modifiable I have changed the interior to red wich looks clean af and also doing the outside. This car always gets me where I need to go and is very underated.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 2.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Would not recommend

    1999 Sunfire SE. This car was given to me for free as a surprise in 2011. I was happy to have a free car considering my 1992 Saturn wasn't doing well. However, the car, off the used lot, had a transmission problem - it slips whenever parked on sloped/non flat surfaces. Also, I had to press down on the gas to start the car - maybe a vacuum leak. Over the years it needed general repair like battery, alternator, brakes. But unexpectedly need brake lines because they rusted, serpentine belt broke, then head gasket blew, and needs a muffler! After reading forums, I found that blown head gasket and other problems are common among GM brands, especially Pontiac.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 2.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 1.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • It's Ok Not the Best Not The Worst

    The car will get you from A to B, but is uncomfortable at best. Expensive to get the guage fixed. Most work that needs to be done is cosmetic at this point, but will be looking for something better a few months down the line. Don't think I would recommend this car to a friend unless it was an absolute must have a vehicle.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 1.0
    Interior 2.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 2.0
    Reliability 3.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Good First Car

    This was both my sisters car before it was mine. I really was not looking forward to owning it and calling it mine. However, with how cheap you can find parts for an older car like this, changing the appearance was very easy and its very easily customized. An all around good car for the money.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 2.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 2.0
    Reliability 4.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Great value

    Have had the car for better than a year and a half, no problems other than those corrected after purchase. Average 30 miles per gallon open road with no down time or unexpected surprises.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Good Little Car

    Got a real deal with this little car. It's very reliable and gets great gas mileage. It has the appearance of a sports car without the loss of Gas mileage. It's really a perfect high school car or a couple. My few complaints... The back seat is kinda small so carrying passengers back there isn't that comfy. There's only one cupholder up front. My biggest complaint is that mine didn't have power windows/locks. :( But, it was comfortable to drive! And you just feel good driving it. Loads of storage, huge glovebox, huge trunk, center console. And the gear shift is super nifty. So, I really like it and I think it's a great little car.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • A great car

    I've had my Sunfire for eight years now. She's well traveled and have no problems with her really. First year, the starter failed, but got that changed. Had to get the brakes fixed about three years ago, but if you've had the car for that long, brakes do go out. There was one recall for the ignition... easy fix. All and all, I've had no problems with the car. She's got a quick get up and go speed. She handles curves easily. My only complaint might be there's only one cup holder in the front and it's in a weird spot. And, it's also small. It's too close to the gear shift. The trunk is plenty big. I like, the fact, that you can collapse the back seats to make more room in the trunk should you have something long to put back there. Plenty room, especially for us tall, long legged types. The fuel gage is a little funky. When you've got maybe a quarter of a tank left, the lever keeps moving below the line to where it says it's empty. So, you don't know exactly how much you have left until you push on the brake and it moves back up but then moves back down just second after you push the brake. Gets great gas mileage.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 4.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Don't Waste Your Money

    Extremely unreliable. I've had the car for 3.5 years, and for the past 2.5 years, significant problems appeared quite often. These include problems with the transmission, ignition, anti-theft system, and engine. In the last 4 months, I've had problems with the ignition, anti-theft system, and engine and spent about $2,000 to fix these problems. Of course, it didn't end there. The car seems to be having engine problems again, and I refuse to spend another $500+ to fix it, so I'll be buying a new car as soon as possible.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 2.0
    Interior 2.0
    Performance 2.0
    Value 1.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 1.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • hi

    i love this car its great i think every girl should have one it looks great and handles nice and when you drive with the top down omg i love it thats all i can say i donno why ppl don't like it but i do
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No

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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire?

The 1999 Pontiac Sunfire is available in 2 trim levels:

  • GT (2 styles)
  • SE (2 styles)

What is the MPG of the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire?

The 1999 Pontiac Sunfire offers up to 23 MPG in city driving and 29 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

Is the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire reliable?

The 1999 Pontiac Sunfire has an average reliability rating of 3.4 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 1999 Pontiac Sunfire owners.

Is the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire a good Coupe?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire. 63.6% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

3.2 / 5
Based on 11 reviews
  • Comfort: 3.1
  • Interior: 3.1
  • Performance: 3.1
  • Value: 3.3
  • Exterior: 3.2
  • Reliability: 3.4
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