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Pontiac Bonneville
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Comments
http://newforum.clubgp.com/ubb/clubgp/Forum1/HTML/011554.html
I will probably do it as soon as someone give a favorable report.
I called my friendly neighbourhood dealer on this guy's behalf to see if they could match/beat the deal (they said "no way", under $17k+tax was just too good a deal) and they speculated that the car had been designated for rental service and somehow got diverted to a dealership. My colleague looks to be buying the car because it's just too much car for the money for him to ignore but the lack of remote trunk release is going to bother him (he's looking into a dealer-installed kit). I just find it weird that they would make them at all without that most basic of "options".
Are there other SE owners out there with similar experiences?
Still, I think it's at best odd and at worst unconscionable that a Bonneville would ever have been offered without a remote trunk release.
I want to add that yesterday was the first time that I actually sat in an SE model and I was pretty impressed. As I said earlier, this is a LOT of car for the money. No wonder it's the biggest seller in the Bonneville line.
Re. Marty's fuel range feat - I gassed up this morning and tried it myself and couldn't get it past 471 miles. Perhaps our terrain here is too hilly (that kills the fuel economy) or perhaps I just didn't drive it long enough. I had also read somewhere that the SSEi's tank was 1 US gallon larger than the SE/SLE's tank (although Pontiac's own literature would indicate that this is not so).
Marty: how long did you have to drive before you achieved your phenomenal 522?
Keep in mind that the fuel range is a function of the amount of gas actually in the tank and the current MPG. The only way to achieve a reading of 522 is to have a completely full tank of 18.5 gallons and immediately experience 28.2 MPG.
Once the amount of gas in the tank reaches 18 gallons, the MPG needs to be 29. As I see it, the only way to get this reading is to have a completely full tank and get up to a sustained 50 MPH quickly and efficiently (no heavy foot). You could exceed Marty's record by filling up and then immediately hitting a downhill stretch.
Thanks again Stephen - once again, your words are sage. It does, however, beg the question about fuel tank capacity. The Bonneville brochure I have lists the tank at 70 litres or 15.4 imperial gallons (that would be 18.5 US gallons). Yet, for some reason, Edmunds lists the SE and SLE as having a 17.5 US gallon tank whereas the SSEi has 18.5 gallons. I do not know where Edmunds is getting their info but, if true, it would partly explain why, on a full tank, I couldn't muster anywhere close to the SLE's claimed 555 mi. max hwy range (that would be 18.5 gallons x 30 mpg).
CAI
I have read about this subject before and know of only one person who actually did a poor man's CAI modification. He put this aftermarket pipe/scoop which went downwards and towards the front. Apparently, one downside is that it would collect road crud - and he had to be careful about snow, slush, ice, etc. - but he claimed that it gave his (get this) Cavalier an extra 10 ponies! I haven't heard from this guy in years, so I don't know if he stuck with it or if he had to clean/change his air filter more frequently or had longer term engine trouble (and warranty arguments with GM). However, a true CAI kit is another thing altogether. Apparently makes a bigger difference for turbochargers than for superchargers - with normal-breathers at the bottom of the impact list. Have I got this right?
As to why GM doesn't do this upfront (or make it an option), I'm sure that it has to do with costs but if they thought that the market was there, I'm sure it could be developed as an option - but I wonder if they would have to tune out the resultant increase in torque steer....
If you drive the car the same (not likely) you should notice a slight improvement in mpg. Emmisions is unaffected. I ran my car through Maryland emissions the other day for fun (a friend of mine works there and was curious what my mods had done). The car appears to be running with lower emissions than stock.
If your car is super'd you will hear the supercharge a lot more.
Also on colder days you will hear the exhaust gasses being recirculated by the EGR valve for a bit.
Hope that helps.
ONe of the main reasons GM does put one on stock or any other manufacturer is sound and cost.
Hey! I came across a review of the Bonneville on a CHRYSLER fan site and - get this - it's positive towards the Bonneville SLE (not even the SSEi!) as a competitor to their beloved 300M. Check it out at: www.allpar.com/reviews/2000/bonneville.html .
There's a nice pic of a red SLE there (I have never seen this colour up close and personal & I think it looks quite nice):
I hope these links work here.
M62 supercharger
2000 SSEi wheels and tires
2000 SSEi sway bars
3.25" and 3.5" supercharger pulleys
My email address is AdvGauging@aol.com in case anyone wants to compare inventories...
Scott A. Cook
But as if we Bonneville owners need any more convincing in the Chrysler vs. GM debate, check out this link which I posted in both the "Bonneville vs. Intrepid" and the "Aurora vs. 300M" fora:
www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/summary_lgfam.htm
The 2000-01Bonneville/LeSabre and 2001Aurora get the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety "best pick" designation for large family sedans. Thanks Pontiac for protecting my kids! Conversely, the Intrepid/Concord gets an "Acceptable" designation whilst the 300M cops an abysmal "Poor" rating. Yeesh.
By the way, neither of those chat groups referred to above have much activity any more. In ezrapon's words, "there is nothing left to argue ... GM has smoked the lesser car and it would be a fool's issue to argue the facts. I only hope if I happen to hit another car, it's one of those soft Chrysler products." Here here!
Scott: Were you able to do follow through with this past weekend's scheduled mods? If so, we're all ears. Plus - are those leftover wheels the alloy or chrome ones. I've been thinking about moving to the chrome ones as I can get them at cost but it's still a bundle.
Thrasher ported and polished cylinder heads, with oversized exhaust valves
NGK TR55IX Iridium spark plugs, indexed, and gapped at .065"
Home-ported lower intake manifold
S-ported supercharger
3.0" pulley
RAT Stage 2 MAF sensor
RAT throttle body spacer
RAT underdrive accessory pulleys
Caspers AFPR
Grand Prix dipstick
The car feels VERY strong, but I can't get any quantitative numbers until we have some dry roads in Ohio.
Next weekend's work includes slotted brake rotors and carbon fiber brake pads, experimentation with static fuel pressure settings, etc.
My leftover wheels are N93 - multi-laced aluminum.
Scott
When you get a chance how about you rate the mods by apparent performance and ease of install.
I am dying to see your trap numbers in april.
Hope your skies are sunny
Ken
GM has put out some great sedans beginning in 2000 and both the Impala LS and Bonneville SE offer lots of bang for the buck, great quality, unmatched performance and driving pleasure for the dollar and excellent safety records.
Intrepid? Mopar? Chrysler? Sorry but their already STALE cars and products simply suck....the 'Cab Forward' non-sense has many problems inherited in that design scheme, lousy performing engines (Look good on paper but somehow the numbers don't translate to the asphalt), automatic transmissions that don't last beyond 50,000 miles and a plethora of build quality issues that the Bonneville simply doesn't have. Add to that a troubled DCX company and weak resale value.
Go GM!
I live in Miami and last september me and my wife went to Disney World...we went to GM's Test Track ride and it rocks!!! Too bad, the ride breaks down too often (It is mighty complex I might add) and the lines are very long unless you decide to split and go into the "Single Riders" lane or get ahead early in the day and get the Disney's FastPass.....
You both are welcome to participate in the Impala forum and club right here in Edmunds.
Love my Impala! ;-)
Wish I was there in Fla today - this is a monster storm!
Ken
Scott:
Yes, we have the chip for your car. Prices are as follows:
ASE Chip $449.00
Installation $90.00
Stock chip $30.00
Plus shipping
You need to send us your ECU to make the installation, you can expect 15-18 HP more to the wheels (actually your engine delivers 190-195 HP to the wheels). The ASE chip also removes the top speed limit and increase the shift points by 600 RPM.
Feel free to contact me if you need more info.
Best Regards,
Alex
This email was from ASE Chips - (714) 632-9344. I can't wait to get rid of the speed limiter!
Scott
This New England storm is really something. Unlike Ken I worked the last two days. The SSEi handed great.
I sing the praises of Pontiac, they have converted us with 8 booming speakers, rear air conditioning, and snazzy programmable remote car keys that set the seats and more for his and hers riding. (Not that she lets me drive it much...)
- Mason
I wonder if the girl was impressed, that he had to work so hard to beat a family sedan :-)
I know this is not the forum for this- but i just wanted to add my own comments in regards to that of teo and the iceman- re- 2000 bonneville vs 2000 intrepid- Pontiac is the better vehicle-
any doubts- Chech out the NHTSA site-under RECALLS- -Intrepid has 5 recalls for their 2000
vehicle so far- Pontiac Bonneville has 1. Also- As mentioned by either teo or the iceman- on Crash Test Results-again- Pontiac has the better ratings.
Better built- better safety -a better car- PERIOD.
Chuck
By all means, throw your 2 cents in that forum, fantascp - between ezrapon, teo, and me, we've got that debate going again. Let those DC boys know why you went GM. Hey, consider it a public service to all of those misled by the ads for $279/mo. Intrepids.
Don't ask where I get these links. I do use the internet and I am researching the purchase of a 2nd car. At times, the mind wanders back to the Bonneville....
(Anyway, despite the chrome wheels, I've concluded that the above car is an SLE rather than an SSEi).
Also, do you know what the 1 recall is that fantascp mentioned?
Have you had any issues to fix on yours? I've got a new rear window on order since the rear defroster produces interference on the FM radio band and doesn't clear properly.
I'm also curious about your seat - do you have buckets or the available bench? I find that my bucket is not comfortable for long hauls and am trying various remedies.
Welcome to the forum.
Ken
Relative to censorship it's curious to me that on radio broadcasts today there is much vulgarity allowed (e.g. I-man morning program etc.) and in the Boston market we have an afternoon talk show that you really can't let kids listen to despite the very interesting topics and conversation - it's just too vulgar at times.
Edmunds seems to be ensuring that this venue remains kid friendly. I've noticed on my own posts that as long as the potentially offensive word is not completely spelled out it may not be removed. I'm in favor of keeping the forum 'PG' rated.
Ken
Ken
SLP did not want to sell me the system since they had never tried to interchange the Buick 3.8 with the Olds 3.5; it will also fit any Intrigue 3.8.. Cost of the system shipped to Detroit from Jersy was $391.00.
SLP Eng does performance/dress-up goodies for the F bodies and W body Pontiacs.
This my 2nd Intrigue and has about 38k miles to date; my original 98 Intrigue 3.8 GLS model was repurchased by GM at 26k miles due to various concerns.. The 3.5 engine is a screamer above 60mph; glass smooth and loves to run.. My bag is the higher end of the cruise limit; with 0-60 a non-item event..
The Intrigue is a noisy car, stiff suspension, some steering maladies, and brakes which wear quick. Resale value sucks; but then you V-6 Pontiac users should go over and try the 215 hp 3.5 V-6. With the SLP exhaust in place, we probably added 10hp.. I didn't install the system until 36k miles and yes; I have an extended warranty GM Major medical!!!! My initial run with the new system on a 23 degree day over 198 miles of interstate at 80++ netted 29.22mpg.. Increase of 3/4mpg..
The Olds line will be discontinued in the next couple of years and the rebates offered along with the 5/60 warranty are outstanding.
Please note that I would have had a GTP loaded but they were scarce; no deals so I ended up with Olds.
I am looking to the Bonneville for my next adventure. My other car is a Deville Northstar and has a stock exhaust system. It must be my Hoosier hertiage that drives me to upgrade the exhaust. Too many Donzis..
The 3.5 has not had a wrench on it in 38k miles!!!
The 3.8 is a great engine and the charged one has the premium innards for abusers. I would like to see the Bonneville body cleaned up with less outer space plastic outside panels.
As for the censorship issue, Iam for a clean site,and I would not use a 4 letter word or direct vulgarity at someone, but what I said was way too mild to raise an eyebrow on any network TV show or some cartoons.
I understand that confusion may be caused by the hosts' recent crackdown. In the past, we hosts often let incidental, "mild" and context-compliant usage of profanity ride. In the interest of consistency, we've been more strict in our enforcement of the TOU with respect to profanity. I apologize for any confusion that this may cause. Some hosts were more strict than others in the past but most guests would like to see the same rules enforced from board to board and we are working to ensure that.
Thanks,
L8_Apex
Host
Sedans Message Board
(Of course, since the car is spinning, the stabilitrak - not available on the SLE - must be malfunctioning. Groan...)