Available for three distinct generations, the Pontiac Sunbird offered prospective customers sporty exterior styling with an efficient powertrain, all for a relatively low price. Now, for any readers looking for a convertible experience that won’t break the bank, be sure to check out this 1986 Pontiac Sunbird currently listed for sale.
Up for grabs from Jackson Auto Company – based out of Jackson, Michigan – this 1986 Sunbird convertible appears to be in great condition. Coated in a striking two-tone black and gold paint color, and featuring a black convertible top, this Sunbird is ready to facilitate a top-down driving experience.
Power comes from the turbocharged 1.8L I4 LA5 engine that develops 150 horses, routed to the front wheels via a three-speed automatic transmission. With 75,000 miles on the odometer, the interior also appears to be in exceptional condition, especially considering this vehicle’s age and environment.
What do you think, dear reader? Is this 1986 Pontiac Sunbird convertible worth the $9,900 asking price? Let us know in the comment section below!
For context on the Pontiac Sunbird in general, General Motors produced three generations, spanning from 1976 to 1994. This particular is a second-gen model, and is actually a hard-to-come-by model, as not many ragtop units were manufactured. Based on the GM J-body vehicle platform, the second-generation of the Sunbird shared the same underpinnings as the Cadillac Cimarron, Buick Skyhawk, Oldsmobile Firenza, and Chevy Cavalier.
An interesting distinction that may be worth noting is that the first-gen Sunbird was a rear-wheel-drive model and based on the GM H-body vehicle platform, while the second- and third-generation models were front-wheel drive. In addition, the second-gen Sunbird was available in a plethora of configurations, including a two-door convertible, two-door coupe, four-door sedan, and four-door station wagon.
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Comments
3 pictures, come on man.
for this car… not necessary more than that
For once, I agree with you.
I drove an ’84 to high school, and it was a real piece of crap. Things just kept breaking, the body was rusting at about 6 years old, and I’ve never heard a vehicle have so many rattles.
It’s amazing how much better cars are today.
All the people down voting me must surely have experienced this terrible era of GM history where every brand had a crap J car.
I’m sorry you weren’t there when the clutch went out at 45k and then again at 80k, and the dealer just tells you that’s normal on these Isuzu transmissions.
Or the head warping because the water pump started failing at 50k miles. And that’s when you notice the camshaft lobes are worn down, explaining the loss of power when the engine first starts.
These crappy cars did serious damage to GM and only a fool would defend it.
Sorry Nate. First thing is that if you are coming here for up/down votes, then that’s not good. Who cares?
Second, I had several J-cars back in the 80’s starting with a brand new 1985 Cavalier. I’ve had several of them and didn’t have those issues and found them to be quite good. I now have a 1988 Cadillac Cimarron that is a fantastic car. No, I don’t drive it daily but when I do drive it the car is tight, solid, quiet and runs out perfectly. I’ve also had numerous buddies back in the day who also drove the heck out of some J-cars (Cavaliers and Sunbirds) and they all liked them.
So maybe you are getting the down votes because people don’t agree with what you said. But again, who cares. Say what you feel is correct and in this case it probably is the (bad) experience you had with J-cars. But a lot more people didn’t have those bad experiences.
Your cars didn’t have the Brazil engine. That’s probably an improvement.
As for votes, I don’t really care, but I think it’s funny that those cars were the epitome of everything GM was doing wrong back in the 80s, and yet people still can’t seem to accept it. The Cimmaron should never have happened.
Nate: If you have ever read any of my comments, they are often opinion just like so many others on here. Because I’ve been in the auto business for so long and actually started in 1988, I do have a lot of insight into the auto business. I’ve worked in nearly every department of dealerships with numerous brands. On subjects where I do know something for fact, I stand my ground and will not budge. Especially when I know what others are saying is totally BS. With that said, my comments tend to stir up a lot of controversy. Yet there are times when I also need to pull myself back and understand that other’s have opinions as well while respecting their opinions.
So, maybe your car with a Brazil engine was not very good. But that doesn’t make them all bad. If my experience with the J-cars was good or excellent, how do you expect me to “accept it”? What’s more, the 1982 Cimarron should never have happened. By 1983 it was hugely improved. By 1985 they made body changes and offered the V6, making it an even better car. The Cimarron should have happened, just in a much better way. But that’s GM for you. Bring something out prematurely and then kill it when they’ve gotten it quite good.
I don’t know why they voted you down, because from my experience from a friend’s 87 Sunbird GT in the 90’s what you posted was true. The interior especially showed poor assembly and materials, it did have some get up and go power though which is the only good thing about it.
Nice looking car. I’m not a convertible person, but this same car (color combo, etc) in the 2 door coupe version would be great. Too bad GM and Pontiac kept changing the name on this, which kept buyers confused about what they had. A buddy of mine started with a J2000, then had a Sunbird,. Didn’t they also call this a Sunfire at some point? Just like the Cavacobalruze from Chevrolet. At the same time for all those years people could go into the Toyota or Honda store and they knew what a Corolla or Civic was.
Makes you wonder if Cadillac offered the Cimarron convertible on the 2-door style. It wouldn’t be that hard to swap out Chevy for Cadillac front and rear.
These had serious lag, but felt like much more than 150 hp back in the day…nothing but fond memories, but that’s very different than wanting one today.
My first question is “How bad are the water leaks?”. All converts leak water but these were notoriously bad.
It has Fiero wheels
And the steering wheel.
Because they are both Pontiacs of the same era.
I had a 1985 Sunbird with the OHC Brazilian engine with a 4 speed stick. Was fun to drive when it didn’t have head gasket issues. it had a tendency for overheating due to a bad design (per a knowledgeable mechanic). Needless to say it was an expensive fix.
Mechanics are not engineers! Next time a mechanic tells you something is a bad design, find a new mechanic. If they knew design, they wouldn’t be a mechanic.
Take my money!
I had one 1986 worst piece of junk ever made
My god… identical to my first car. Minus a bunch of miles. It leaked like crazy but what a fun little ride. Mine was not at all fast. I don’t think the turbo worked. Had it for about 18 months, then traded it for a bag of weed.