1988 Pontiac Sunbird Safari

Rare Pontiac wagon - has the cool hidden headlights.

http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...ntiac-Sunbird-Safari-Wagon-W0QQAdIdZ516940231

 

I would be going to look at this one if it were the 2.8v6

 

Were the 4 cylinder engines that bad or just gutless??

 

Yes.

 

Then again most 4 cyl. engines from the '80s were.
I had an '81 Mustang notchback with 4 banger, gutless but bulletproof.

 

I can only guess but, you never shot it, rite?

 

Kool little car, to bad it doesn't have the V-6 or the Turbo 1.8 in it. I am glad it is in anouther country, as it is to close to me otherwise. And for some reason I even have a brand new service manual for it on the shelf!!! I have never owned a FWD Sunbird, and I can't remember were the manual came from.

 

it's only 35 mins from the bridge on the shores of lake st claire!

 

Is that 4 cylinder the 2.5 cast iron version? If so, those were pretty tough little engines.

 

I hate to admit it, but I'm driving an 03 Cavalier right now, and the damned thing will NOT die, even with 250,000-plus miles (427,000 km) as of this afternoon.

 

I know and I have to drive to Buffalo NY next Month!!!!! I just googled the engines spec's, looks like in 88 they came with 2.0 N/A TBI or 2.0 Turbo MPFI SOHC I-4's So neither the 1.8 Turbo or the 3.1 V-6 were available in 88. I hope it is sold before I have to make the next trip!!!!!

 

those people

Hasn't your car read "the literature" about it, in the newspaper? Hasn't it heard the "talk on the street"? It was a rickety piece of crap, right off the end of the assembly line ! It wasn't even supposed to get to the end of it's 3 year/30,000 mile warranty ! Strange, how all these cars that weren't supposed to be any good when they were brand new(Cavaliers, K-Cars, Fairmonts, Aspen/Volares, Mavericks, Falcons, Darts/Valiants)are still out there running good. And "looking good". Makes you wonder if all those "experts" really know what they're talking about,,, or,,, if they just like to bad mouth cars they wouldn't have bought.

 

Still for sale!

 

Where can I find info on reliability ect on these cars? I googled and nada......I'm interested.

 

Reliability and durability was a mixed bag with these cars. Some were almost bullet proof, others were as volatile as gun powder when it came to things breaking. If this one is as well cared for as it looks, then this would be a great buy. As noted above, the Cavalier I am driving right now is over 430,000 km, and the Cav is the same car, with a Chevy bow tie instead of a Pontiac arrow.