Nobody is going to mistake a Pontiac Phoenix for a desirable car. But with so few left, some credit has to be given to those examples that have somehow survived the test of time despite being built to fail due to poor quality and safety issues. This particular Phoenix is the less often seen twin to the infamous Chevy Citation and has had a bunch of money poured into it despite not being a hugely pleasant car to drive. Find it here on craigslist for $850 and go here if the ad is archived.
The seller says it was too good of a car to let go to the crusher when it came up for sale after the original owner died. I will agree, that even the worst cars need to have a few examples survive if only to show how far we’ve come. The X platform featured front wheel drive and several variants of the same car, including the Phoenix, Citation, Buick Skylark and Oldsmobile Omega. Those last two are just about as obscure as the Phoenix, which the seller says benefits from over $1,300 in replacement parts and labor.
Some of that work includes the following: new calipers, rotors, radiator, alternator, O2 sensor, plugs, belts, vacuum hoses and more. The seller is also including additional spare parts due to running out of time/interest in completing the remaining projects, but doesn’t elaborate as to whether that includes a replacement headliner or the necessary parts to convert the A/C. The good news is there is no rot-through to speak of, the glass is all intact, and the seller sells it runs and drives just fine as-is.
This example features the 2.8L V6, which I suppose was a better option than the Iron Duke four-cylinder. The X platform cars were let down by reliability issues and a reputation for poor build quality. In addition, customers weren’t strangers to recalls even when the car was very nearly near new. Today, there aren’t many left on the roads with most being scrapped years ago. If you’re hunting for an obscure 1980s GM product, look no further! Thanks to Barn Finds reader Ian C. for the find.
What a POS These were. Putting money into this car would be like putting your money in the furnace on the titanic just before it went down. These were never to good not to crush. I say crush it and shred it now before any one else waste time and money on it.
I agree!!!
my idea; these X bodies were not lemons at all, you just got to know them to love them. Every man gets to know the one he falls in love with!!!!!!
That’s right. Got to get to know those X cars to love ’em. I had 3 Citations over time, and my favorite was a 4 cylinder 4 speed ’80, that was not only fun to drive, but could pass almost gas station on the road!
The steering wheel wrap is worth the price of admission alone,
Even though the Mythbusters proved you can shine a turd. It doesn’t mean we all need to try. Kill this thing now!!
The wrapped steering wheel is worth the price of admission alone.
So you’ve said…
Had one, loved it. Engine finally died after 200k. Black on black. Super nice for road trips.
Isn’t this the car model that Car & Driver did a feature on in 1980 or so showing how to drive a car for 25 years and then sell it as a classic at the end of that time period? I think their predictions may have been wrong.
I immediately thought of that same special advertising section in C&D ! It featured a red and grey top-trim Phoenix 5-door IIRC.
I think that article appeared in Motor Trend.
These cars aren’t great, but wow, gotta love the pure hatred for anything not from the Muscle Years.
It looks like it needs to be detailed to be a presentable car.
This could be a cheap way for somebody to experience an old car without breaking the bank.
^^^ This.
The nugget: ‘This could be a cheap way for somebody to experience an old car without breaking the bank.’
That’s the whole point, Miguel. Thanks for saying it so well.
Not everything needs to be a Hemi, 350/350 restomod or a Barret Jackson contender.
Even with all the ’60s cars available, this Citation caught my eye.
For only $1200.00, the seller wants, it is a nice grocery getter with V6, Air and a nice red interior. The best thing is that it is a 1985 and does not have the vertical radio. Oddly enough they didn’t use the name Citation II like they did in the US. It is just a Citation.
Somebody needs to keep the nice originals safe.
I see this as a good first driver for someone….easy to work on, and unlikely to get away from them. Old enough and odd enough to be a ‘cool’ car to drive at 16.
this platform marked the first monocoque body for GM. It has a place in automotive history, possibly as a door stop.
This was my first car (2dr version). Paid $500 and was a great deal. Car had a good deal of pep (unlike other lackluster options in my price range at that time – 1989). Overall a crappy car though.
This would make a good restoration or possibly a parts car. I’ve always found the Pontiac Phoenix the most attractive of the X Platform GM cars, way better than the Buick Skylark/Apollo. Way better (I think) than the Chevy Citation.
Why do you say parts car when it only needs the outside to be detailed?
Screams for a set of those front wheel drive, TA style snow flake wheels.
I was mortified when I stoplight dragged on of these in my IH Scout with a 345 and was beaten by a nose!
I had one of these cars, a 1981 Phoenix LX. Too many people called them junk. In my opinion the Cadillac Cimmeron (spelling??) was junk, but not the Phoenix in comparison.
The only criticism of the Phoenix was that it detested climbing long mountain hills or passes. I always had to watch for white smoke, which meant, waiting for the car to cool down at the side of the road to tighten the bolts on the transmission plate and add more transmission fluid. I bought the fluid by the gallon.
The Phoenix could not keep that plate in place. While under warranty this was still a problem, and was FIXED (right…) numerous times. I finally sold the car after 417,000 miles and many, many gallons of transmission fluid.
I love and appreciate most cars, but what would someone do with this thing??? It’s not something good to drive and it’s not a classic and it’s god awful ugly. Hate to say it’s junkyard material or demo derby.
Such a dark time for GM
What can I say, just another derogatory comment, based on what was read in some magazine.
Sure I had a transmission problem, but that knowledge was gained from ownership, not from some comment by a person with an axe to grind.
Wasn’t read in a magazine chief. I lived it.
Rode in one of these for 4 years on my like. Usually got the job done but to say these are nice cars just is not true. Very poor build quality. My mother was a single mother and this was our transportation. One day both power door latches malfunctioned and had to ride with a rope holding both doors shut. Gun was putting garbage on the market in these years because people kept buying it, we all should thank Toyota and Honda for making the auto world a better place.
OK Scott, I understand. Yours was a really bad build.
Maybe the difference was I had mine built on order and GM spent a little more time building it (I doubt that though).
Actually, I always have my cars built for me, I never buy off the lot. That is one of the reasons I switched to Mercedes for my last car.
Unfortunately I can not get into a Toyota, Honda or Nissan, too small.
Al, I am gun shy ordering a car.
Back in 2001 I ordered a PT Cruiser in the purple color.
The dealer here in my town found one in the capital, Ciudad Mexico.
When it arrived the paint was all scratched up and they made the mistake of putting the car out in front the night it came in.
If I hadn’t seen it that night they would have tried to buff it and pass it off to me.
I know the scratches it had could not be buffed.
When I told them I would not take the car with bad paint, the salesman went down to the bank to try to get paid for the car without my approval.
I need to see the car I am going to buy before I put my money down.
Back in 2013 I had the Ford dealer bring a Lincoln MKS for me to test.
The trunk didn’t line up with the rear tail light and I couldn’t see myself spending over 800K pesos for a car with such bad build quality.
I don’t think I will ever order a car.
Miguel
I understand. However, just because you order a car, does not mean you have to pay for it when it arrives. I rejected a van back in 2000 because of a bad paint job and a poorly fitting sliding door. The dealer was not pleased, I was willing to take him to small claims court to get my deposit back, but I did get it back. I never recommend that dealer and I will never go back. What really PO’d me is he had the audacity to call me that the vehicle had arrived even though paint & the door had significant visual issues.
Al, I am in Mexico and we don’t have civil court here.
I am not sure how I would get my deposit back so I just avoid the whole situation.
I want to go to Guadalajara to look at the new Stinger, but I am reluctant to tell them to find me a blue one as the same thing might happen.
We will have to wait and see.
I have done something similar with my 86 Olds Calais 4: new belts, hoses, CV joints, little bro had it converted to R-134A before I got it, leaks tended.
Seats are immaculate. Body is straight.
It will get new paint when I gather the money together. Carpeting as well.
Planning to take it on my annual trip to Salt Lake City, rather than my much newer car.
I’ve gotten more pleasure and had more fun sorting it out than I would have had spending money on a new car for a lot less cash.
Just because someone else on the internet deems it unworthy won’t stop my rehabbing it.
The whole “Sticker Shock” mindset destroys the fun of finding something and bringing it back rather than
“adding value” distorts the whole hobby.
And had an 84 Citation 2 notch. Rode well, handled well, roomy, comfortable seats, good fuel economy, quiet, the perfect size. Wish I had it back.
I say the same thing every time we feature an X-body: Yeah, they were rushed to market and crude by todays standards. But this was the car that defined the future, the first US designed mass market front driver sold across most all GM lines. The ’80s were just ok, the 81-82’s were awful but by 83-84, these cars were largely sorted and bulletproof. The performance variants with the 2.8 HO held their own in SCCA Showroom Stock, and were honest fun to drive. I took drivers ed in an ’80 Phoenix and they have a special significance for me, but make mine a 84 Skylark T-Type please…
while I appreciate the care it seems to have had, and, it does look good…. but … no ….. Nope… wouldn’t take it if it was given away
I understand why a lot of people would just as soon have a colonoscopy while fully awake than have one of these…. but I look at things a little differently.
Here is my take on these “units”:
It is cheap as all get out, and in all honesty would not take a huge sum of money to have it as a driver. I think it would be cool to have it as either a daily driver, or a going to pick up dog food- going to the dump- yard sale cruising car. If for no other reason to pass by other people and have them do a double take to say WTF is that!?!
I would rather been seen in this than any 5 year old Hon-duh or any of its’ cloned twins. That said, I would still keep my other cars for weekend cruise ins and shows.
My Aunt had one of these for a few years in the early 80s, it was a good and reliable car to her. It was far better than her first car, a 76 Volkswagen Rabbit, which was a lemon from the very beginning.
great price id buy it i love orphan cars and drive it everyday
Didn’t mention it earlier, but these are NOT small cars. The interiors were actually quite comfy and that hatch was at the time the largest in the market outside of a station wagon. The bench seats were very comfortable and the Pontiac trim was rather nice inside. The engine was the only real issue as it was anemic and the top dog bone engine mount would wear out fast, but it was cheap and quick to replace with just two bolts in the parking lot.
I don’t like the paint job on this one, but I quite liked the Phoenix. Generally I prefer the Pontiac version of any GM shared platform vehicle.
restarted back there when with an 1980 GM Citation V6 and loved it; thereafter got the bug and could acquire a 1980 Pontiac Phoenix Coupe.
Loved both cars; drove like hell. Had to sell due to immigration, as well as a 1960 Studebaker Lark H/T and two Lambretta scooters……
I bought an ’83 new, three grade school kids, hatchback, worked just fine, steering rack failed before 80,000 miles, hatchback pistons failed about the same time, my friend at the dealership had died, went back to get new hatchback pistons, parts department told me it could not sell them to me, unless dealership installed them. I spoke loudly to the parts manager about how much I hated that dealership, and the Phoenix (which I really liked), all work stopped on the floor, service manager came out, sales manager came out (I could be heard on the showroom floor), owner who I knew slightly and who knew I was a lawyer, was coming across the service area floor, service manager said “sell it to him”, I went out to the car which was parked outside, opened the hatch, held it up with the 2×4 I had been using, took off the old ones, put on the new ones, waved goodbye to the parts manager, service manager, and owner, all of whom were standing in the service dept. doorway watching, and never darkened their door again. Owner and I had a healthy, although not close, relationship thereafter.
Too often the problem. Manufacturer gets the blame for incompetent Dealer.
These replaced the Nova. Bring the Nova BACK!
Don’t care if it is a Citation X-11 or any other “performance” derivative. Until you try to wedge your hand between the block and firewall to change a fuel pump, you don’t know how bad these cars s… The X car was built to be disposable…let it go then.
As far as the Iron Duke engine goes, I had 2 cars with this motor. Kept it serviced and tuned and never gave me a problem and could outrun a 6 cylinder nova in the 1/4 mile regularly. Also the Iron Duke was used for several different racing platforms from circle track to a performance version for ARCA racing still in use today. Check the wiki for more info.
It’s such a depressing car…..can’t stop looking at it and I don’t know why
Seems someone spilled a lot of gas while filling this car up. That, or it has the most unusual “patina” of rust along the beltline.
Dad bought a used 81 Phoenix in about 1984. It had the Canadian built 4 cylinder and a 4 speed manual. When we sold it on, it had in excess of 350K miles on it. The thing I remember the most is, (keep in mind I was 17 and a Senior in HS) any speed over 65 and the speedometer would start a little bell dinging and the needle would bounce all over the place. Yeah, I felt like Quasimodo – “The bells. THE BELLS!!” because a 17 year old isn’t going to drive anywhere under 65 if he doesn’t have to…
Cool to see one of these. They weren’t exciting or anything, but ours excelled at going from A to B with no trouble.
These cars were not reliable. These were the first production American cars with transverse engine and FWD. Make not mistake, though, they were a great design FOR THE TIME. Huge interior, small exterior, power ride and handling in another world compared to the cars they replaced and better than anything Toyota or Honda had (not talking build quality or reliability, just performance and utility). These were the game changer, all American cars for the next 20 years were descendants of the X cars, it is also the beginning of the end of Detroit, as they were woefully problematic and caused regular Americans to try Japanese cars for the first time.
Never had any problem with my 1980 Phoenix 2dr …… was a smooth driver and now I am sorry to have sold it due to immigration to Curacao.
Anyway the plastics would have have been deteriorated in tropical conditions – as happened to my Citroen CX GTi and my Peugeot 505 GTi and my 1972 Nova
Mom drove a good condition used ’81 hatchback in the early 1990s……..ugly 2 tone beige & brown paint! Used to occasionally drive it myself and to this day is the only car that I had scare me. I was driving southbound on US 441 just south of Ocala, FL during a thunderstorm……..suddenly the tires hydroplaned! Split second later I was stopped facing northbound & still on 441. Luckily cars behind me were still far enough away that I quickly turned back around & was on my merry way! No harm done (well, maybe a few premature grey hairs) LOL!!
the last time i saw a Pontic Pheonix I was 13 years old, and was pushing it by myself off an off ramp because it bit the dust. let’s just say that one lasted 12 years and over 200,000 miles. now those things weigh a ton!