Feeling the Burn of the Pontiac Sunfire

After buying this Pontiac Sunfire over one year ago, it was finally time to pull it out of the garage, clean it up and share the story of my stuggles with this car.

[@penelopepurr]

Still driving my 2003 Sunfire, almost 270,000 Km on it, and wouldn't trade it in. It runs like new, cheap on gas, cheap to fix, super reliable. Great car that never dies.

[@bradyakubovic2550]

Mines exactly the same! Still runs great.

[@Carter-X]

That's good to hear. I wanna track down a 5spd and turn it into a fun little track car. I think it's a very nice looking car.

[@xenonmerritt5708]

I love mine too! I have a 03!

[@T82ravdaman]

Absolutely. I'm on my second one. Used to have a 2000 model now an 04 model. Both have sunroof which is a plus

[@Trainmanproductions]

Mine as well its an 01 sedan

[@charliehoss1614]

Love the cavaliers/sunfires. Cheap on parts. Cheap on insurance. Cheap on gas

[@moonbeamskies3346]

Great video as always. That era of Sunfire has aged well. I wish they still made cars like that; regular cars without so much weird high tech junk. (Like automatic engine shutoff at stops.)

[@woomyrune]

my friend just got one of these for his first car. they've got character!

[@Somelucky]

I'm still driving my 2005 Cavalier with 125k miles. I like that it's easy to get replacement parts.

[@bwofficial1776]

You have a knack for finding nice examples of cars that usually didn't survive. J-bodies tended to be driven into the ground quickly. This one cleaned up like new. The styling didn't age well and most of these look roached out so even though this is clean and well taken care of I'm so used to seeing these as beaters that I can't shake it. Good luck solving your title issues. Do I see a British sports car in there? As an aside, I saw you and your Greenbriar at Hagley this year. You were talking to some people so I didn't get a chance to say hi and introduce myself. I've been watching your channel since you were flipping DSP Crown Vics. It's cool to see a Delawarean making videos in places I recognize. Congrats on 50k subscribers and here's to many more.

[@hullinger]

Hey man, thanks as always for stopping by and I agree, this little Sunfire should have been pimped like all the others out there. For the price, I'm actually really pleased with it. Just gotta get it titled somehow. And yeah, that's a MG in the garage. It's a friend who needed some storage. I'm hoping to make a quick vid on it this weekend.

[@toddewire13]

Thanks Chris for your videos! Always enjoy them wish you could put more out with we understand you have a living to make. Thanks again bro

[@hullinger]

Hey man, thank you for the kind words. I wish I could get more videos out as well. Between limited time and wavering desire, it's a challenge.

[@highbrass7563]

Coming back to this video three months later. I really appreciate this upload. Very through review. I am a Pontiac Sunfire enthusiast. Especially the coupes. Well done; and this video is respected.

[@trialbyfirepyrography321]

I bought an '05 new off the lot. I was in a pretty bad accident 2 days after my first car payment. Even though they had to break the doors to get to me, I was barely hurt. The engine wound up on the ground instead of coming through the dash. I went and got the identical car. I still have it today. I've since bought a Jeep and keep my Sunfire as my backup car but I can't beat the gas mileage I get with the Sunfire.

[@highbrass7563]

I have a 1997 Pontiac Sunfire Coupe with 124,000kmh, the 2.2 L with the 3 Speed Auto. Phenomenal car that I daily drive. I also own the predecessor a 1994 Pontiac Sunbird with the 2.0L and it had 91,750kmh on it. Both run like clocks

[@ethansmith7693]

I have a 2002 Pontiac sunfire bought it used for a good price two years no problems at all great cars!

[@T82ravdaman]

It may not have been the most appealing and upscale vehicle, but it is a great and inexpensive piece of transportation for those who can appreciate it. Proud to say I've owned two of them. Had a 00-02 model and currently have the 03-05 model.

[@SchneiderClassics]

love those cars

[@itsnotme07]

Congrats on 50k subs Chris! I agree...those are fun little cars to run around locally in. Probably cheap to insure and maintain too.

[@hullinger]

Hey man, thanks for the props on the 50K sub mark. I appreciate that and thanks for watching too. There's something about getting a decent little car like this Sunfire for not a lot of $$$ that just makes me smile.

[@FC3_RIPPER]

Yea its not that expensive but its actually more expensive than a 2009 pontiac G6V6. Even thought the G6 is newer, faster, and better in every way… the safety rating is what comes into play. My dad owned a G6V6 and i own a Sunfire and were actually the “Primary driver” of eachothers cars on the insurance papers, because im younger its cheaper that way😁

[@jeffmac3071]

He's back. Good to see you Chris.

[@hullinger]

Thanks for coming back! And thanks for checking out the Sunfire vid too!

[@thomastommy1192]

Hi Chris, Another cool video thanks for sharing. I like the car. Seems to be a cool car. I'd keep it and ride it if I were you. Thanks for sharing your videos. I hope you get things fixed at the MVA, Good luck with them.

[@hullinger]

Hey my friend. Thanks for the visit today and yeah, I totally agree. For the money, I'm digging this little Sunfire. And I think that best thing to do is get that dealers license renewed for next year so I can title the car and get back into those dealer-only auctions again.

[@emeyer6963]

Cleaned up nice!Perfect little run around car for someone.Good Luck with the title issues and thanks for the video!

[@jasonm8897]

Chris, you could try looking up “Vermont title loophole” online. It’s helped a lot of people get a title. It’s available for out of state residents and is for vehicles 15 years or older, which the Sunfire is.

[@NickMyers1]

It’s not a loophole. It’s just a state law in Vermont. And the other correction - you do NOT get a title from Vermont on a 15+ year old car. Yes, Out of state residents can apply for ownership paperwork. In Vermont, that means you have registration. Which is transferable. This in turn can be taken to your own state DMV, to gain ownership in your jurisdiction. However, some states are heavily scrutinizing or not even allowing such paperwork from Vermont.

[@jasonm8897]

@@NickMyers1 that’s just what I told him to look up online as it easily comes up with that search. Also, I’m aware they don’t give out titles on 15 year or older vehicles as I’ve bought cars from there and received only a bill of sale that my state turned into a title.

[@jasonm8897]

@@NickMyers1 that’s why I put to search that phrase in quotations!!

[@mexicanspec]

He would end up paying much more in taxes then he needs to. If he registers the car to the dealership name,he can drive it.

[@jasonm8897]

@@mexicanspec he said in the video that he no longer has a dealership

[@bebop_557]

This and the Oldsmobile Alero, the 4cyl models, I always saw them as American Honda Civics. Cheap, reliable, easy to work on, good on gas, and if you lust after its design or trick it out then you are insane.

[@Generik97]

I just bought a 2005 Sunfire Sedan with a 5 speed manual transmission (first car and first manual) and I have fallen in love with it. Edit: My Sunfire is literally the most basic model you could get no power anything.

[@969thewhip]

I had the predecessor 1994 Sunbird. Had 227000 miles when it got totaled. One of the best cars I ever owned.

[@hullinger]

Can't complain about 227K miles! I've been searching for a late 1980's version with the popup headlights, but finding one in the two-tone color and turbo that I want is about impossible.

[@datjp]

I just bought one of these recently at low mileage and great condition (needed some TLC), and honestly, it is definitely underpowered but it has potential, despite the cheapness of the parts and what not (GM). For a modder, or even a beginning modder in the car community, it has potential to be something better than it was. Pontiacs definitely are cheap but fun to mess around with as your first car. Could even be a sleeper if you put some work into it as a project. Currently its my daily and down the line itll end up as a project because I have plans to make it better than it was intended.

[@remembergodisalwayswithyou6862]

Have a good day Chris from Morocco 🙌 God bless you and your family sir ❤

[@hullinger]

Great to hear from you and greetings from Delaware, USA!

[@remembergodisalwayswithyou6862]

@@hullinger good night Chris 🙌 good luck in your life ❤

[@ondrejbures3909]

Another car I saw for the first time thanks to your channel. And I want it as all the others! Damn you!!!:-) Looks like “Baby Yoda” version of Trans Am. Would have been nice owning both and going to car shows with both:-)

[@hullinger]

Haha, the baby Yoda comment got me laughing!

[@87camro]

These cars were msrp at 15k however I remember back in 03/04 most dealers would give you a rebate and you could buy them new for 13k. Even then That was a good deal.

[@robertdiehl9003]

Luv the music in the videos...

[@hullinger]

Thanks man for the visit today!

[@jz4697]

Recently got a sunfire was in really good condition but dinged it up a bit unfortunately. Car is pretty awesome, I love cruising in it. Good on gas and I can even fit a small ladder through the drop seating in the back!

[@TYoung023]

Loved my 2000 Sunfire coupe with a 5 speed manual. It’s still sitting outside but needs a FULL exhaust from the flex pipe back and it’s 3rd head gasket. The AC still works well after 22 years! Fires right up after months of sitting. It was a southern car originally, so no rust underneath, but a decade in NY has doomed the door bottoms. Why do I still have it (now that I re-acquired a title copy)? Wishing I had a garage or barn to rebuild it. Guess it’s going to have to go though😢

[@gdurling1]

04 with 48,400 miles. Great daily driver I purchased 3 months ago.

[@Kingswood7189]

Even though the Sunfire is literally a rebadged cavalier with the 2.2l ecotec i4, I do enjoy it's body clad and little gimmicks here and there. Just like the stick-on wood grain in my '05 Sebring, it's just something I actually love about these early-to-mid 2000s cars. :)

[@tonybrown6775]

I had an 2002 black sunfire coupe loved it only had really low miles when I bought it.

[@hullinger]

Love it man! For the money, it's a decent little car and I'm digging it!

[@sccarguy8242]

BTW I hope a video is coming on the GEM in the background.

[@RetroCarsForever]

Way to save this little car! I knew a lot of friends in high school who had these.

[@PaulMyers-q1m]

Poor mans fire Bird Best trim level auto air no power windows or cruise control near base

[@johntaylor8066]

I have a 05 sunfire it's a beast very reliable 220,000 miles going strong

[@SkylineFTW97]

Same engine and trans as the later Chevy Cobalt/Pontiac G5. A friend has owned an 09 Cobalt for the past 6 odd years. The transmissions can be weak if you don't change the fluid every 30k (the Cobalt is on trans #2), but that 2.2 is a good engine. They're easy enough to work on and service (except the trans fluid, that's a pain), and they can be had for very little money.

[@matthewrupp5526]

We have an 05 Sunfire runs great, pretty quick with low profile, good mpg and ice cold a/c. Only issue I've had to repair was the heater blend door actuator, 1 window regulator, coil/plugs and basic tune-up stuff then timing chain just to be sure it won't fail. Ironically the interior is also filthy, we will remove it to deep clean everything.

[@shmaqzi9893]

my winter car is one of these with a 5-speed in it. Fantastic car

[@justheman9624]

This Car fit perfekt Looks Like you are Born in .Super nice Video greetings from Germany

[@hullinger]

Thanks and thanks for watching! 😃

[@saiii777]

Thanks really appreciate it!!!

[@jjojo2004]

Fun fact. The Sunfire was part of GM’s “J Platform”. It was introduced in 1982 as GM’s second transverse engine front wheel drive platform. The first was the “X Platform” in 1980 with the Chevy Citation. By 2005, the “J Platform” was 23 years old and not competitive with other compacts like the Corolla and Civic with higher refinement levels. I personally think it’s a great car! 👍😎👍

[@TheCopCar]

I'm sure if you keep trying at different DMV's you'll find someone who will correct it. That's the great thing about the DMV, none of the employees really know the laws, they just make that stuff up as they go along... if they don't like you, suddenly you need to correct a signature... or maybe that insurance you provided isn't legal because the paper looks dirty. It's just fun in general. OR just find a state that needs a bill of sale to register and clear it up that way.

[@ceetwyce335]

I'd rather have one of these than the car that replaced it.

[@charliehoss1614]

Also the cavalier and sunfire keys you can get made at Walmart.. not with todays cars

[@ohioyodertoter6827]

Nice car

[@crazesstudent9710]

I have that exact car but without the sunroof I’m jealous

[@richardkafka5625]

Happy to see another upload. My son had a 99 Sunfire and it was a horrible car! After the 2nd head gasket, I made him get rid of it.

[@hullinger]

Hey man, thanks for the visit today on the Sunfire vid. And ouch! Two head gaskets and I'd be livid too.

[@tonymeehan7859]

wow, where I live here in Canada, we dont have any of those problems at all registering a car. Too bad, its a nice little car. I had a 2002 and it was a tank. I drove it for 5 yrs and then gave it to my son, he drove it for another 2 yrs,

[@funygreenman]

I recently bought one of these, things a beater and wasnt treated well so idk how long ill be able to keep it but I hope itll work for a while, its nice to hear what it sounds like with a proper exaust, I hope once I can get an exaust on mine itll be even close to sounding like this, right now its comically loud

[@robertdiehl9003]

Excellent condition !

[@kylezLand]

Looks so cool

[@stevesmith6554]

Good little car. Good luck with the paperwork. Ridiculous government red tape and inconsistencies at the DMV.

[@hullinger]

Dude, the folks at the DMV absolutely drive me crazy. Entitled and authoritative is how I see it!

[@EpicValleysStill]

I have a sunfire, need parts to keep it going. If I had the ability, I’d buy it off you. They are fun comfortable cars. Mine is an 04 5 speed manual

[@Robert-be7yx]

I got the same car lots of fun

[@EpicValleysStill]

@@Robert-be7yx update, sending it to the junkyard. Burnt valves. Fun while I had it. 14 years. Over 200k miles

[@highbrass7563]

I daily Drive a 94 Sunbird coupe and 97 Sunfire Coupe.

[@financeroyce474]

2002 4 door, total cost of ownership for 90,000miles driven on it has been $10,000 not bad considering that’s many people’s depreciation when they drive off the lot

[@Novaman66]

Always enjoy all your videos Chris, How’s this, Donate this car to a needy family, Pay it forward, help someone in need, get that warm good feeling, and maybe a-tax break for. A good deed!👍😊

[@mexicanspec]

He still doesn't have a title and to burden a family with a car wold not be right.

[@Novaman66]

@@mexicanspec well then donate to a Tech-School For teaching purposes,still help out,and get a possible tax deduction!

[@mexicanspec]

@@Novaman66 He needs a clear title to do any of that.

[@devinstroud5221]

I recently bought an 05 sunfire 2 door 5 speed manual for 1k and its yet to fail.

[@michaelmalagoli8652]

Keep up the good work. Are you looking to renew your dealer license?

[@hullinger]

Hey my friend and yeah, I think that best thing to do is suck up my issues with the DMV here and renew that dealers license. That fixes my title issue and gets me back into those dealer-only auctions.

[@TheBBodyBuilder]

Congratulations on the 50k subscribers! Can you renew your Dealers license? Might the Vermont Registration loop work in this case?

[@FC3_RIPPER]

Dont forget when you slam the brakes hard the sunvisor slides forward and blocks your vision!😂 Im going to velcro mine soon😂

[@johna.4334]

Hey Chris, another great video. Does this Sunfire come with OBD2?

[@MattOxiBeats]

Million miles of crooked smiles Tainted dreams, with ill-lit walls The life you dreamt, but didn't mean They sang your praise, while they took it all, they

[@tallspiffyfish]

I paid 500 for mine. Slammed 700 into it. She's almost mint

[@97warlock]

gm quality around the late 90s is why majority were getting the imports thats didnt have these quality issues.

[@raymondmodell3806]

Did you manage to get the hail damage fixed? I couldn't see it once it was cleaned up! Unless it was just hard to see from the camera angles

[@hullinger]

Naw, I never got the hail damage fixed. I did have a PDR guy over the house looking at the Sunfire but there were so many other dings in the car that it just didn't make sense. The hood has probably 10-15 little dings than there's another 10 or so dings all around the body. Just too much $$$ in PDR.

[@eladam135]

Aww dude mine was missing the center console cup holder 😢

[@Indieman21]

I miss this channel so bad...Chris come back !

[@glenwillard7537]

It's good to hear from you again how much would you want for the car I live in Maryland

[@Stormtrooper_98Trd]

I like how he said he can't get tags but towards the end of the video he passes a cop lol

[@anthony1968]

congrats chris, on 50k, easy fiip, cuz

[@TheBarth79]

Two years ago i fund one fo sale in Poland.I was thinking about buying but Phanter Platform is better.Regards from Poland.

[@hullinger]

Greeting from Delaware in the USA and yeah, I agree. The Panther cars are WAY better.

[@YTT718]

Wonder if you could drop an SS engine in it zzp has a lot of ecotex after market stuff I would upgrade the radio and speakers and look for some leather seats ..put on some coil overs and larger wheels as big as you can go.

[@dj1698]

What’s up Chris?! Hope all is well.

[@hullinger]

Hey man, things are good here. Thanks for stopping by for the Sunfire vid today!

[@mexicanspec]

Register it to your company name,the dealer name. It still exists even if the license expired.

[@hullinger]

I think what I'm gonna do is renew the dealers license for the next calendar year and get this Sunfire registered under East Coast Classics. It's the legit way of doing this. Anyways, thanks for watching.

[@mexicanspec]

@@hullinger Yes. Does your dealer insurance cover you personally as the owner or is it only for dealer cars? Also you can register it with plates to your dealer name right now so you can use it and renew your license later. As long as you don't sell it while the license is expired. In Oregon when I had my license the insurance covered me as a principal and the dealer cars as well. it was a good deal.

[@mattm5786]

Drove one back and fourth to college for two years could not kill that thing, my little brother is driving it now bahahaha

[@s99614]

You should have made a separate video of when you cleaned it.

[@jay1182]

I had same exact car just Milano red

[@kevink.2719]

Great video

[@mph5896]

Can you title it to East Coast Classics as a business asset? Then sell it once you get a title

[@hullinger]

Titling this little Sunfire under East Coast Classics (business) is worth a try. I think though the best course is to renew the dealers license for next year.

[@tommcl8548]

👍👊

[@natekenny7106]

"I put a plate on from one of the cars I recently sold. But I'm trying to stay close to home, local, in the neighborhood, keep it real discreet". 5 seconds later drives by a cop with someone pulled over* 😂 Hope it goes well man! I had expired plates for about 3 weeks on a car I bought out of state. Due to waiting on the title to be mailed to me from the dealership I bought it at, so I could register it in my home state. Had 2 cops sit behind me at stop lights but never got pulled over! Can be nerve wracking at times for sure.

[@sahilhiramanlakhraj7508]

I still got my Pontiac 1.8litre 24valve 4 door from gran Turismo 4

[@lucythemoggy1970]

@ 0.48 was that a ford crown vic p71 parked up?

[@joescalise4653]

It's a nice car for the money good car for a college kid. If you're able to sell it

[@hullinger]

Totally agree. I've learned that there is a car and price-point for every purpose. Some cars like this Sunfire are perfect for that new driver or college student kid like you said.

[@georgeborrero2783]

Car is ok but you got to get the paperwork done so you can buy and sell cars and thanks for the video

[@hullinger]

You're right and I think I gotta get that dealers license renewed for next year.

[@bendubrow7917]

I see you have an MGB in your garage. What can you tell me about that car?

[@s99614]

So you can't sell any of the cars that you own until next year?

[@jrhunt414]

Car is old enough to sell without a title in Maine. That’s what I would do.

[@hullinger]

I'll have to check into Maine and how they might handle something like this. Thanks man!

[@jrhunt414]

@@hullinger slap it on Maine Craigslist or Uncle Henry’s. Drive it up. Sell it no title with a hand written bill of sale for “$200” ;) Walk away with cash and no more headaches wasting your time dealing with the DMV. A Mainer pays the $11 sales tax and registers as an antique. Never has to get an inspection again. Mainers pays excise tax on the original msrp of only $15k. It’s the ultimate in cheap transportation in Maine and without rust will fetch decent money.

[@AP-st1li]

11 months since your last video! Are you done man?

[@highbrass7563]

I'd pay top dollar for a good Sunfire Like that nowadays

[@sccarguy8242]

Can’t you sell it to yourself, back date the paperwork till when the dealership was open. Tell the DMV you just never put it in your name ?? I mean I’m sure they will charge you a late fee but you would have a legitimate paper trail on it.

[@RustyZipper]

Here in NY an “open” Title is only good for 30 days. That would start when the Auction signed it. Maybe he could get an extra 30 days selling it to himself. But technically the Dealership is now out of business.

[@K24NA]

I miss mine 😢

[@jo6520]

You should have gotten a title from the auction

[@gwilli1754]

Can you sell it to family who then sells it back to you? You could sell it with a bill of sale.

[@vanshipman]

Check out the song “98 Pontiac Sunfire” It’s hilarious

[@wooskionehundred1788]

My first car!

[@buddyrevell6369]

15k for a sunfire was cheap? Pretty sure this was around the time that the Neon was selling like hotcakes... even Saturn's.

[@RustyZipper]

The Neon base price was $10k out the door. That was a stick with crank windows. I remember vividly because my doctor bought one for her daughter and thought it was a bargain

[@buddyrevell6369]

@@RustyZipper I remember the Saturn sl1 was also 10k. That was with AC or automatic transmission.

[@hakeemsd70m]

The Chevy Aveo started at like $9-$10K when it first came out back in '04.

[@pha-q-all5073]

I have a red one for work

[@RustyZipper]

I can’t believe someone would drive around with incorrect plates 🤯 that is something that I would never even consider doing 🤥

[@alexandermcglothlin2514]

Mechanic's lien buy-out?