The base SL model is fairly basic with no power windows, power door locks, air-conditioning, CD or cassette as standard equipment. You need to move up to the GT for these features and quite a few more to boot. Leather wraps the steering wheel, shifter knob and handbrake handle, tilt steering wheel and an overhead storage compartment, deleted with the optional power sunroof. Other options are new seat-mounted side-impact airbags and Onstar. Standard safety features now include 5-position 3-point safety belts - the rear center position used to offer only a lap belt.
Under the skin revised suspension tuning, including re-valved shock absorbers and new sway bars should improved ride and handling while the rear brake drums have been increased in size for shorter stopping distances - ABS is optional on both SL and GT coupe models. A new 2.2-L 16-valve DOHC 'Ecotec' 4-cylinder engine, that became part of the package halfway through last year, produces 140-hp and 150 lb-ft of torque replaces the old iron block 115-hp 2.2-L OHV unit. It not only overwhelms its predecessor but puts out substantially more power than most of its competition. In GT form it also replaces the 2.4-L Quad 4 engine, and loses 10-hp in the process. That said the new engine is much more refined, incorporating twin counter rotating balance shafts and stronger yet lighter aluminum construction, plus a new composite manifold. While improving emissions it also achieves an impressive 6.7 / 10.0 L/100 km (28 / 42 mpg) city/highway fuel economy rating.
The price of entry? It's still relatively cheap for a 2-door sports coupe. The LS starts at $16,085 while a well equipped GT begins at $20,500. Load up the GT with a 4-speed automatic at $1,180, cruise control at $385, 16-inch alloy wheels at $660, ABS brakes at $595, side airbags at $495, Onstar at $995 and a sunroof at $950 and the price escalates to $25,730 - still not bad for a car with these features.
There you have it. The 2003 Sunfire coupe is better in every way. Its fresh style, updated interior, improved suspension and an all-new engine should help maintain its popularity among the young and young at heart.