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Pontiac Bonneville
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Hi Again - I'm likely making my last post here -
I have taken a mistress . . . . I bought a 1980 Z28 and am starting the restore / mod program that wont leave me much time for the SSEi anymore.
Here's the Bonne update - it has about 45,000 miles, running strong as ever, the smaller pulley and open air intake helps that - but the rest of the car is still something to be proud of. I have had that ISS clunk for about 6 months now - maybe more, just didnt want to have no car while they fixed it.
Now that I have the Z - im not too concerned about the bonne - ( a shame really, considering how good she was to me) and Im goinf to spend the winter with my head inside the engine bay of the project.
I just want to say thanks to everyone here - you have proven to be a helpful, friendly bunch of folks, and I wish you all the best for the holiday season - no matter which holiday you recognize.
Peace to all. . . . .
Dennis aka Homer
If you need lots of good information about your 80 Camaro, go to "http://"nastyz28.com for as much information as you could ever want. There is a wonderful seach function there that has helped me immensely with the restoration of my 1970RS. In fact, the Bonneville is sitting outside while the axle for the Camaro takes up its spot in the garage.
Then there was the 10 bolt/ 12 bolt dilema... good luck. My 79 trans am has a 3:73 or 3:90... I hate it and wish I had the factory 3:23. SSEi is running great. The 180 thermostat is showing itself with the colder air. I believe it will smoke my old T/A.
Im Homer2 there -
you are right - I'll maybe pop back once in a while , but the time frames will keep getting longer - until the lease co takes her back next November . .
I got started posting at Edmunds when I was car shopping last spring and just kept it up because the Pontiac people I posted with were a nice group.
But the truth is, I know very little about cars. Eight or nine months is a long time to post on a topic that one knows little about so I've simply run out of things to discuss.
You've all been very helpful with any questions I've had and I thank you for your help!
Regards,
Stacy
Mark
Stacy - we'll miss your posts here. Hopefully in this past year you've learned a bit more about what is a favorite topic for many of us - our cars! It's been a pleasure to see you here and in Grand Prix land. Best wishes for many enjoyable miles and years with your Pontiac.
Everyone else - enjoy the holidays, especially the family times and events. Please remember to be careful on the roads - especially the evening hours as partiers are driving home full of holiday 'cheer'!
Best wishes to all.
Ken
No white Christmas right here in south coastal Maine - but I see that Buffalo had 2 feet of snow yesterday! My kids will be disappointed of none falls here during vacation.
Best wishes to all
Ken
Hard to believe that another year has gone by. Only a few days left in 01.
Now that I have your attention with my title, the Chicago Tribune had an abbreviated review this Sunday of the 2002 Bonneville SE. So as not to violate any copyright laws, I'll put what they said in quotes.
"Exceptional ride, superb handling, outstanding performance. The '02 Pontiac Bonniville delivers on all counts.
You also enjoy quick steering response and the ability to go in the direction pointed, thanks to traction control that helps you get-and keep-going when rain or snow covers the pavement.
Four-wheel ABS, front and side air bags and such amenities as air conditioning and power doors/windows/mirrors.
What more could you ask for?
What we would ask for is a major styling overhaul. Bonneville was last given a fresh look for the 2000 model year, but the car has not aged gracefully.
Bonnevelle looks a little saggy and baggy and needs to sport a more muscular design in keeping with its performance character. Pontiac excitement is supposed to start when you take your first look, not after you take your first drive."
Gee, you think we look "saggy and baggy"?
I guess that, as always, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Considering that the reviewer mentioned "superb handling", did the '02 SE add a rear stabilizer bar that the earlier SE's didn't have?
Mark
Can't argue with his summary of the ride and handling. Mine is just the way I like it. BTW, my Aquatreads have been on for almost 2 weeks now - had one rain storm to try them out in - very grippy. Dry handling seems ok too but at 80-85mph you can just barely hear a bit of tire whine as Tirerack suggested. No snow here to try out that handling yet.
Happy New Year to all.
Ken
Saggy and baggy indeed. Cancel my subscription.
Oh Well,
Everyone- have a safe,happy, and joyous NEW YEAR!!
Regards,
CHUCK
The Maple Red Bonnie has crossed over the 3500 mile barrier and is working fine.
Can one purchase the passenger side air filter at any auto store and install it themselves? As far as I can tell, the unit just drops in. At the dealer, the service tech said it cost about $75.00 or so.
Have a safe holiday and take care...Steve
Best wishes
Ken
I have designed a Limited Slip Differential (LSD), and I can tell you that it virtually eliminated the torque steer issues in my car. And more traction never hurt anyone!
At this moment the car has about 340 horsepower and 395 foot-pounds of torque at the crankshaft, and 3.69:1 final drive ratio.
I tried to post some of the links to ClubGP, but I don't know enough about programming to shorten the links so that Edmunds will let me post them. Sorry!
Happy New Year to all!
Scott A. Cook
Westerville OH
2000 SSEi
13.438 @ 101.89 MPH (2.013 60' time)
If you have the SE model like Ken and I do, according to my Pontiac Dealer- even if you put a filter into the empty passenger compartment-it won't do anything- you have to have the separate Climate Controls for it to work on the passenger side. Anyone else agree/disagree???
Happy New Year again to all,
Chuck
Scott, I'm certainly impressed with your design efforts. I know that traction control is supposed to take the place of limited slip differentials but having had three vehicles now with traction control, I personally think it is a poor substitute for positraction. Certainly for outright acceleration, traction control is working against what you are trying to achieve but even in normal use, too much foot or even not all that much foot easily results in unintended tire spin.
As far as the final drive ratio goes, to show you the difference between today's cars and those of yesteryear, my Bonneville turns 1000rpm/33mph or thereabouts. My 70 Camaro, on the other hand, runs 1000rpm/24mph. The Bonneville weighs more,outaccelerates and gets about double the fuel economy of the Camaro. People can gripe all they want about the new cars and all of their technology but to me, there is no comparison between today's cars and those of the "good old days".
Mark
P.S. Any plans to market your design?
Thank you for the input on the air filter. Has any one done this yet and will it make some difference?
Hope all have a nice day.......Steve
The questions still remain
1. Does it work/and air quality improved?
2. What is the cost of the filter?is it worth buying versus any benefits?
Any help from the members is appreciated!!!
Thanks,
Chuck
Chuck
Ken
sorry to hear about the scratches- i can relate to how you feel- we had the car since Mar of 2000-in July of 2000- down the Jersey Shore-shopping mall at night- went to a movie- when we came out car was parked in a well lit area- on the lower right rear panel- ART WORK!
someone had actually drawn a figure 8 and cut into the panel!!! talk about wanting to CHOKE
the Hell out of the one who did it!
I can never get over why someone would take great pleasure in VANDALIZING another persons property
etc- Good luck in repairing it-
Just some advice- I tried GS27- It did not work!
you did not say how bad it really was- maybe you take it to a body shop for an estimate and file a claim with your Insurance Co instead of trying to fix it yourself?
Chuck
Said hello to Dennis(Homer2000) on the 70-81 Camaro site. He said he hardly even thinks of his Bonneville now that he has his Camaro.
BTW - the new Aquatreads are running beautifully. Nice and smooth - no more vibrations, handles just fine and I can't wait for a real downpour some night on the way home!
Best wishes to all. Thanks for the kind words of support.
Ken
Was happy with the traction with the Affinity tires and got the car home in one piece. Must admit, was not sure how the car would handle in the snow but I am impressed. Steady and slow will get you home...
Ken, sorry to hear about the scratches. It is hard to see this happen when one tries to take care of one's auto.
Everyone, take care and drive safe...sxb
Ken
I've been looking for a website dedicated to the Pontiac Bonneville, but haven't found one that really "fit" me (no offense to Edmunds). Therefore, I decided to make my own. If you're interested, check out http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/
Cheers,
Jeff
Ken
At 20k miles now and have yet to do any of the mods I once was considering. Maybe next summer...
All the best gang! Cheers!
ice
Have a great year.
Ken
Good luck
Ken
Ken
You have already noted the "change" which is the addition of the banners at the top of the page and the additional links on the left sidebar. There is a link on the front page to a letter from our Community Manager, Jonah Brown, explaining what's up. I believe it was posted Wednesday evening. http://townhall.edmunds.com/
I made that post earlier Wednesday before the announcement was posted.
Sorry for any misunderstanding, I was just kidding around.
:-)
Pat
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