Dec 20, 2022  •  For Sale  •  21 Comments

Cheap Wheels: 1984 Pontiac Sunbird For $1k

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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

  1. nycbjrMember
    Dec 19, 2022 at 9:06pm

    What a petulant child! Have some respect for your dead father….. take the time to sell this, someone will buy it….

    What a jerk

    Like 38
    • Poppy
      Dec 20, 2022 at 10:17am

      Seriously, at least donate it to a charity. Must be under a time constraint with storage.

      Like 14
    • Jakespeed
      Dec 21, 2022 at 11:42am

      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.

      Like 7
      • PRA4SNW
        Dec 21, 2022 at 9:39pm

        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.

        Like 0
  2. Tony Primo
    Dec 20, 2022 at 9:30am

    Judging by the fender callouts, it has a normally aspirated engine.

    Like 6
  3. CCFisher
    Dec 20, 2022 at 10:12am

    Cars with the Turbo engine had “Turbo/FI” on the front fenders and a puddle of antifreeze underneath.

    Like 18
  4. JoeJ56
    Dec 20, 2022 at 11:19am

    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.

    Like 7
  5. Troy
    Dec 20, 2022 at 12:42pm

    If it was local I would jump on it because in the spring I could probably sell it for $3500 around here

    Like 9
  6. Emel
    Dec 20, 2022 at 1:30pm

    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

    Like 4
  7. Mitch
    Dec 20, 2022 at 2:47pm

    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.

    Like 7
  8. OverClockedMike
    Dec 20, 2022 at 2:47pm

    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.

    Like 0
  9. Tom S
    Dec 20, 2022 at 2:50pm

    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.

    Like 6
    • Stan StanMember
      Dec 20, 2022 at 3:56pm

      Mechanic was asleep 😴 💤 🛌

      Gm made nice fwd convertibles

      Like 5
    • JoeJ56
      Dec 21, 2022 at 11:14am

      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.

      Like 2
  10. AndyinMA
    Dec 20, 2022 at 3:02pm

    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

    Like 3
  11. Gary
    Dec 21, 2022 at 10:19am

    Was probably dad’s pride and joy, sounds like a dbag. I don’t know the circumstances, however.

    Like 5
  12. Paul R.
    Dec 21, 2022 at 10:58am

    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.

    Like 3
  13. MLM
    Dec 21, 2022 at 1:58pm

    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.

    Like 3
  14. Cdice
    Dec 21, 2022 at 2:17pm

    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.

    Like 3
  15. Tom
    Dec 21, 2022 at 9:00pm

    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! 👍🏻

    Like 0
  16. 454ratMember
    Dec 21, 2022 at 11:21pm

    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.

    Like 1

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