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2004 Pontiac Sunfire Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Since many first-time car buyers are teenagers (or their parents), they don't want a boxy boring compact, but something that looks good, is fun to drive, but won't put a hurting on their wallet. This young, up-and-coming consumer is who Pontiac is targeting with their Sunfire coupe, in an attempt to build up brand loyalty. To accomplish this, the 2004 Pontiac Sunfire features sporty front-end styling, a sports-tuned suspension, rear spoiler, and a zippy little Ecotec engine.
The 2004 Sunfire comes in only one trim, the SE coupe. A 140-hp, 2.2-liter DOHC I4 engine is under the hood, attached to a standard 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed auto tran. In 2003, the dual exhausts are dropped for a single chrome exhaust. A new option is a CD/MP3 player. The two-door coupe seats four, with split-folding rear seats to expand the 12 cubic foot trunk. Air conditioning, dual front airbags, foglights, and a radio are standard. If you want side impact bags, ABS brakes, or traction control, those are optional. Other add-ons include a sunroof, OnStar, satellite radio, and leather trim.
The 2004 Sunfire is popular as a tuner car, ripe for engine and style modifications. Drivers like the Ecotec engine power. Although off-the-line pickup is sluggish, high-speed acceleration is responsive and energetic. They also love how affordable this sporty looking and driving car is, and that the fuel economy is in the 30s for highway driving. A cheap plastic interior needs updating, and drivers say the seats are uncomfortable. They report numerous rattles and feel the trunk opening is too small. The 2004 Sunfire also rates poorly in crash tests. Though it gets four stars for frontal impact, side impact earns one and two stars.
Published Aug 8, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 2004 Pontiac Sunfire
Write a reviewUser rating:
by Derek D
Feb 12, 2012
I like everything about this car besides it's small size - not much room for luggage! It is very reliable, though, and all maintenance for it has been quite cheap. I average between 25-30 mpg with a mix of city and highway driving, and I tend to have a heavy foot. I can get around 300 miles from one tank of fuel. It is no speed demon, but it will keep up with traffic. It has a good balance of power for it's weight.Feb 12, 2012
by Matt K
Feb 08, 2011
This was my first car, it was free so i wasn't going to pass it up. The build quality
was absolutely horrible as most american cars are. The performance was horrible.
The interior wasn't too bad to sit in but it was nothing special. The exterior looked
like it was built by a blind guy. It was just a horrible car to own and im glad i only
had it for a couple monthsFeb 08, 2011
by Anonymous
Aug 05, 2010
Very GOOD acceleration, standing on the road is very good, like sport car. it needs work with body kit and breaks..but it is not the problem =)gas mileage is pretty good 23 miles/gallon. I like this car =) Ask if interesting.. Aug 05, 2010
User rating:
by Derek D
Feb 12, 2012
I like everything about this car besides it's small size - not much room for luggage! It is very reliable, though, and all maintenance for it has been quite cheap. I average between 25-30 mpg with a mix of city and highway driving, and I tend to have a heavy foot. I can get around 300 miles from one tank of fuel. It is no speed demon, but it will keep up with traffic. It has a good balance of power for it's weight.Feb 12, 2012
by Matt K
Feb 08, 2011
This was my first car, it was free so i wasn't going to pass it up. The build quality
was absolutely horrible as most american cars are. The performance was horrible.
The interior wasn't too bad to sit in but it was nothing special. The exterior looked
like it was built by a blind guy. It was just a horrible car to own and im glad i only
had it for a couple monthsFeb 08, 2011
by Anonymous
Aug 05, 2010
Very GOOD acceleration, standing on the road is very good, like sport car. it needs work with body kit and breaks..but it is not the problem =)gas mileage is pretty good 23 miles/gallon. I like this car =) Ask if interesting.. Aug 05, 2010
by Josh H
May 11, 2010
wish it was a 2 door i want to put a sound system in it. it works great no accidents
and it's pretty good for a starter car it costs about $50 to fill up and it lasts a long
timeMay 11, 2010
by Laura T
Jan 26, 2010
I didn't really like this car too much. For one the engine use to shut off when I stopped at a red light and it easily feel apart. Also the manual windows and everything going wrong with it at once wasn't cool either!Jan 26, 2010
by Samie S
Dec 22, 2009
great gas milage (350 / tank), good handling, standard or automatic - quick acceleration, does what you want it to, only routine repairs, easy to make faster, easy to maintain, biiiggg trunk - hauls a lot for a car, no problems, fun to driveDec 22, 2009
by David M
Oct 21, 2009
I drove this one as a rental for a week on vacation in Alberta. I know the reputation this whole series had but at least for a limited time car rental, this did the job. Gas milage was ok, it was comfy and this coupe was actually fun to drive. I really enjoyed the dashboard display at night: all red.
The only negative for the week that I had it was that the damn doors were so long that it was easy to nick another car when parked. Perhaps all coupes are like that. For that, I like my four or five door option :)Oct 21, 2009
by Luc G
Sep 13, 2009
* 140-145HP et 150 torques, man 5 vit. c'est plus que suffissant pour déplacer le véhicule, performance supérieur à plusieurs voiture sport.
* Moins de $500 de réparation en 5ans / 135000km, pas mal pour une américaine.
* Jaune avec mag et aillerons, ça parrait pas pire!!!
* consommation de 6.7 litre/100km quand je suis très gentil et environ 11 Litre /100km quand je remorque ma roulotte de 2000lbs + les bagages. Pas pire pour une simple automobile!!!
* Les pneus et les freins d'origines ne sont pas extra, des pneus plus large à gomme plus tendre sont grandement apprécié et des freins en céramique augmente la puissance de freinage de façon spectaculaire.
Sep 13, 2009
by Denis L
Sep 10, 2009
this is a good car to own it reliable fast economicle and cheap to repaire i would not want to get ride of this car this car is realy fun to drive the build is realy sturdy you can comaire it to an chevrolet cavalier
Sep 10, 2009
by Nicci K
Jul 03, 2009
Incredibily quick for being a little 2.2 L N/A engine. Lots of low end torque and surprisingly spirited even in the high RPM ranges. Yes this is quite a bit nicer than my last one while it was a base model. :)Jul 03, 2009
by Andrew B
Dec 30, 2008
it's good on gas, it will get u on the highway good enough, it can roar up to 170km/h with not to much problem, good braking stops when u ask it to, it was stock 140hp but i brought it up to 150 so it has some more kick to it. yeah not a bad car.Dec 30, 2008
by Kyle T
Aug 04, 2008
It is not a bad car, but i mean come on it is a sunfire!! I think evryone andthere dog owns one of these... that is my only problem with this car.Overall i would recommend this car as a good starter car that is it!! I really do not like the interior of sunfires or cavaliers, they havent changed at all in like what over 10 years, Come onAug 04, 2008
by Aneesa E
Jun 28, 2008
I love my car its gas efficient but fast and very sporty looking!!! The braking is very good on short distance breaking. I have a lot of miles on my car but it still runs like new and the most i have to do are oil changes.Jun 28, 2008
by Aaron L
May 30, 2008
I'm Pround of the work i have done to this and the way it performes and the way the system soundsMay 30, 2008
by Jesse C
May 02, 2008
Excellent fuel economy. Ive been driving this car on and off for a few years now and it kinda surprises me at times. It drives nice, very smooth ride for a little car, and has a great stock Monsoon sound system in it. Overall a good little car for the price tag.May 02, 2008
by Lisa K
Mar 28, 2008
sporty, economic, a good starter car Mar 28, 2008
by Nancy R
Mar 27, 2008
4 years i have and any one repairs just break changedMar 27, 2008
by Ter W
Feb 05, 2008
no power locks no power windows no power mirrors no cd player
fuel door on the wrong side (inconvenient side)Feb 05, 2008
by Anonymous
Feb 02, 2008
My Sunfire was the least expensive certified used car on the GM lot when I bought it. It has been extrememly reliable and the gas mileage is good, too. I had been driving bigger cars and now enjoy going to the gas station less. I have only had to replace the brakes thus far. Feb 02, 2008
by Tia F
Dec 16, 2007
We got this to drive around in the city when gas hit record highs last summer. (The van is a pig!) Needless to say, we sold it three months later. Gee, I wonder why!!! Dec 16, 2007
by Bradley C
Nov 17, 2007
Ok Car for the moneyNov 17, 2007
by Anonymous
May 21, 2007
Brakes go out of alignment, and the gas mileage in real life is not all it's cracked up to be, but overall is a nice driving car. May 21, 2007
by Anonymous
May 02, 2007
I haven't had any problems with my 04 Sunfire, I have been using it mostly for highway travel. It's very aerodynamic and handles well in bad weather. I bought the base model,I cant complain!May 02, 2007
What users have asked
Car won't start after replacing ignition switch
I put a new ignition switch in my 2004 Pontiac Sunfire, all the dash lights com on but it will not start no cranking or anything
39 views
Temperature gauge not reading accurately 2.2 liter Ecotec engine
Temperature normally runs at around 195, middle of the gauge, after the car is sufficiently warmed up. Started the car and it already read 195, even with a cold engine. Ran to a local appointment and drove right back home, the temperature gauge raised, but never went into the red. The next day, the car started at the normal temperature, but the gauge never raised above around 150. I pulled the temperature sensor and found that it was chipped, so I went ahead and replaced it. Used the code reader and there are no error codes. Took it for an extended test drive and, once again, the temperature sensor never went above around 150. Still no error codes, but even after a 40-minute test drive, the coolant temperature, according to the code reader, was only 95 degrees. What are my next steps? Any assistance is appreciated.
23 views
Top Comparisons
Have you driven a 2004 Pontiac Sunfire?Compare this car
2004 Pontiac Sunfire Pricing
Original MSRP
$11,460 to $15,495Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: trunk release
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps
Rear Seats
Type: split-bench
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Front side airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Monsoon · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-only
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps
Rear Seats
Type: split-bench
Roof
Moonroof: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Suspension
Front Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Spring Type: coil springs
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent