The J-body is a reliable platform. It has a decent engine and bullet proof ATX. What little maintenance it does need is cheap.
Cons are it is nothing fancy, has lots of squeaks & rattles, and below average handling. However it is a base model MPG car and it does that well.
However saying the Sunfire goes like stink is a good bit of exageration. The 2.2L DOHC (140/140) is slower then the 2.4L DOHC (155/155) it replaced. I don't consider anything in the 16 second range to be "going" much at all.
