Cheap Wheels: 1984 Pontiac Sunbird For $1k
The Sunbird was a subcompact offered by Pontiac from 1976 to 1994. The second generation was built between 1982 and 1987. Using a front-wheel-drive platform, the automobile was available in multiple body styles, including convertibles like this drop-top from 1984. It was the seller’s father’s car and is anxious to get rid of it, going as far as saying he/she will junk it if turns to that. Located in Horicon, Wisconsin, this unloved Pontiac is available here on craigslist where the asking price is $1,000, yet he’s received offers up to $1,200 so far. Thanks for this El Cheapo tip, Rocco B.!
Renamed J2000 in 1982, the 2nd gen of the Sunbird used the new J-body platform also employed by the Chevy Cavalier, Olds Firenza, Buick Skyhawk, and the Cadillac Cimarron (perhaps the least popular Caddy ever). In 1983, the J portion of the auto’s name was dropped, and — in 1984 as it was apparent the car had something of an identity crisis – the Sunbird name came back (as the 2000 Sunbird). The standard engine was a 1.8-liter four-banger that you could order with a turbocharger (we don’t know which the seller’s car has). In 1984, 5,458 drop-tops like this car were assembled.
We don’t know if the seller disliked his/her father or just this car, but he/she is willing to send it to the junkman if it’s not sold in the next few days. The car is said to be in fair condition, with the main issue being a deteriorating paint job. It does run and drive, but we get the impression this car has been sitting for a while and things like tires might need replacing. The odometer reading, if correct, is less than 57,000 miles.
If you were looking for a cheap 2nd or 3rd car and like the idea of a car with a canvas top, maybe this ride is for you. It may be a project, but for as little as $1,200 you may be able to take it home. Apparently, space isn’t the reason for getting rid of the vehicle as trades will be considered for almost anything outdoors related, such as a snowmobile, ATV, hunting and fishing equipment, and so forth. Got any of this stuff laying around you’d part with to get this Poncho?
Comments
What a petulant child! Have some respect for your dead father….. take the time to sell this, someone will buy it….
What a jerk
Seriously, at least donate it to a charity. Must be under a time constraint with storage.
Stress from Grief is probably not being considered. It might also be that his father’s home is being sold and he doesn’t have any place for it. With 1 grand patent and 4 parents dying in 5 years, my wife and I know this only too well. Our 1200 Sq.Ft. House is FULL. Add in the stress of the Holidays and it’s too much: “Throw it all out!”
Wishing the seller good luck and time to grieve.
Could be stress, but most likely just a sales tactic. He states that he wants $1000, has an offer for $1200, but still threatens to junk it.
Why not just sell it and be done with it? Because he is seeing how much he can make off of his “I’m gonna junk it” tactic.
Not just a jerk, a greedy jerk.
Judging by the fender callouts, it has a normally aspirated engine.
Cars with the Turbo engine had “Turbo/FI” on the front fenders and a puddle of antifreeze underneath.
Ah, this brings back memories.. first car I bought new was an 86, same color but a hardtop. Barebones because I was on a tight budget, stickshift, no power accessories, didn’t even have an outside mirror on the passenger side! But it remains one the most favorite of all the cars I’ve owned, had a lot of good times with it.
If it was local I would jump on it because in the spring I could probably sell it for $3500 around here
Oh wow, one of my old GF’s had a new one of these in blue.
We took it down to Myrtle Beach one year and it actually made it there and
back. Seriously it wasn’t a bad little car to putt around in.
Last time I saw her in 1988, she still had it ! No kidding. lol
Okay, we’re back in the eighties and Roger Smith was ceo
from ’81 to ’90 of GM (and he was the main subject of
Michael Moore’s 1989 documentary film Roger & Me.)
‘OHC’ could mean in his terms overhead compression –
well Roger was known as bean counter only preferring
the shareholders….. and ‘LE’ the LowEnd model then?
Did Roger mean does any car with that ‘LE’ was fitted
in factory with almost 4 wheels?
Seriously, J-body is a similar Opel Ascona. A good car
and definite a winner for GM thru this decade. The best
engine for this is the 1.8 and 2.0 F.I. A good car with
fun factor for little money. Underestimated as convertible.
Man, if it wasn’t so far, I’d pick it up in a heartbeat. I own one just like this but with the turbo motor. They’re good cars, though I’d imagine with the TBI / 3-speed things might be a bit slow.
I had an 84 SE hatchback blue/silver na, loved the car but blew a head gasket at 60k, and timing BELT at 80k. Then my friend at the dealer informed me the belt needed to be replaced at 50k. I was miffed they didn’t do it with the head gasket. Fml.
Mechanic was asleep 😴 💤 🛌
Gm made nice fwd convertibles
Yep, the belt on my ’86 went around 60k because I wasn’t aware of that either. Fortunately it wasn’t an interference engine, all it did was strand me at the side of the road, a quick tow & a few hours later I was back on my way.
Looks like it could be fun. Have Maaco put a single stage red on it which will look fine and you’ll be off and running for less than 2 grand total
Was probably dad’s pride and joy, sounds like a dbag. I don’t know the circumstances, however.
Sounds like a really great deal.
The paint looks just fine in the photos which leads me to wonder when they were taken and what you’re actually looking at in the present.
I’ve seen plenty of cars on this site that deserved to be junked but this is not one of them. This would make a nice project for someone. I don’t see this one lasting too long, but I hope it doesn’t wind up in a junkyard because that would be foolish and yes I have been through the grieving process just like the seller at one time.
Wife, before marriage, had the first edition of the Sunbird with the 2.5 Iron Duke. All torque, just adequate hp. 4-spd. Drove like a truck. Had bias-belted tires. Was all over the freeway whenever it hit those sections with grooves. Got married and first thing I did was sell the sucker and buy her a VW Rabbit Cabriolet.
I sold these when they were new. My then girlfriend, now wife, bought a new ‘84 Sunbird with the Brazilian built OHC 1.8 and a 5 speed. We drove it from Wisconsin to Colorado Springs and back averaging 44.3 mpg. Had zero issues with that car! 👍🏻
My, my. Everyone talking about the seller. His or her father may have left them 2 Rolls-Royces and 2 new mid engine Corvettes and they just don’t have any use for this car. You don’t know. Sell it, baby.