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Comments
Hello , hello , , , hello , , , , hello
Getting lonely up here Dan !
best of luck - and I sure like the melodrama of the whle thing. I'm just a curious kinda guy though . .
next time i head to Ottawa - I'll shoot you a line.
Dennis
Dan- you'll be back!!!!
Regards,
Chuck
I'm still alive and kicking around here, although quiet lately.
Hey, I just noticed the other day that the knobs for the light delay and dim push in and out. Is this just to make them easier to turn? Or is there an actually something that happens when they're in/out? I haven't noticed anything.
Stan
I have the standard, (non-Bose) system and noticed that like most other GM cars I have owned, the rear speakers sound kind of flat when the fader is shifted toward the rear. The stereo sounds great, but most of the range is from the front 4 speakers.
I haven't had a chance to look back there yet, but was hoping someone could offer some hints that might save some time, etc.
One more thing, I notice the load leveler tops off after every start regardless if someone or something is in the back. Usually after I back out in the driveway and start to pull away. My friends Bonne does it too. I assume this is normal.
sounds like a great Photo Op for Pontiac for a Red and Green Bonneville X-Mas picture.
The only problem I have since I washed and waxed the car is that the local bird population is using it for target practice!!
Plan on taking the Bonnie out to Gettysburg next week for Remembrance Day and get some more highway miles on the car. Do you think you will be done this way in the next two months? Let me know if your in the area.
Enjoy the weekend everyone,
Steve
I went out today to do some errands, one of which was to get the car washed. I slapped the car wash swipe card, which is the size of a credit card, on the cup holder cover and went to take off. Slick as anything, the cover popped up and the card slipped quietly into the abyss in front of the console storage area. I could see it but no way was I going to be able to fish it out of there. Had to track down my smallest torx socket and take apart the storage area to retrieve it. As if limited functionality of the holder itself isn't bad enough, it being an unintentional repository for all things thin is possibly worse. Maybe Pontiac should include a torx socket in their emergency roadside kit.
Ken
Ken
So here are the highlights from my own perspective:
Pontiac - saw the first FWD car to exceed 200 mph - a 2001 Bonneville (and it was Spruce Green!!!!!) with 600hp - check this link http://www.pontiac.com/bonneville/speedrecord.html
Buick - Loved the concept Cielo - slide away top, suicide pillarless doors, gorgeous luxury interior, magnificent car.
Chevy - had a great video look at the concept Nomad sports wagon. Based on the 50's 2 door version - this car would give PT Cruiser a run for it's retro styled life.
Cadillac Escalade EXT - one of the most popular vehicles at the show (more luxurious version of Chevy's Avalanche conversion truck/SUV) - the most perfect example of conspicuous consumption I've ever seen. No thank you
New Altima by Nissan - yawn - looks better in photo layout than in person.
New Lexus ES300 - I'll take mine in any color offered - absolutely MAGNIFICENT automobile - a true luxury car at 32-38K
New Camry - cheaper version of above and a big feeling car now - seems like an avalon inside. Going to be HUGE success. With leather and loaded, the GLX is 31K, a bit pricey when a few bucks per month more buys the Lexus - but dramatically better than prior model.
New T-Bird - Show car was T-Bird blue (like ice blue with a hint of aqua. In contrast to the Altima, this car is far better looking in person than the (great looking) pics suggest. A winner for sure.
Exotics - Bentley Azure convertible - only costs $360K now. Can still buy water front property for that!!
OThers too numerous to mention - It's a great way to check out every car you want to see. Perfect way to car shop.
Best to all
Ken
Teo's analysis of the two cars over in the Impala forum is on the mark. I bought mine 6 months old and saved about 7K in doing so - thus the price to feature came out in favor of Bonneville for me whereas new pricing goes the other direction. I did get a car with 18K already on it - which was fine with me since I had really been looking for a preowned Impala LS and couldn't find one.
One noticeable difference in driving Bonneville vs Impala LS - the LS has quicker acceleration than the Bonneville SE or SLE. I prefer the measured yet responsive feel of my SE to the feather light touch you would use on the Impala from a stand still. Not a problem for one driver to get used to but I worried a bit about my wife going back and forth from it to her less responsive Suburban. May not be an issue for you.
How much travelling and cargo carrying do you expect to do? Impala has the fold down rear seat - Bonneville just a pass through. However Bonneville has the automatic load leveling which is not included (or available?)in Impala.
Good luck - you will enjoy either car immensely and if I were to trade today it would be a tough choice again for me. I do love both cars.
Ken
With almost 2200 miles, I am enjoying the ride.
Hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday.
Steve
if memory serves - you are in the Toronto area aren't you?
maybe we could meet sometime?
(no, this isn't a bad attempt at internet dating)
I dont get back here as often as I'd like anymore
- but if you want to - just let me know.
Dennis
Stan
http://media.gm.com/events/olympics/
Ken
There had been some talk earlier about what people would move to if the Bonneville were indeed discontinued. My brother's in-laws were also there with their Cadillac DTS. I must say that I thought it to be a very handsome car. I don't know if I would pop for the extra dollars but it goes on my list of cars to be considered.
We also had dinner with several old friends of ours, one of whom has a 2000 SE. He rode with me while the rest were in a different car. Anyway, I had to give him a demonstration of the differences between the SE and the SSEi. While I made a very quick lane change to demonstrate the handling differences, I also stomped on it whereupon his jaw dropped open. This is a person not easily impressed with a performance car since when I first knew him, he had a 67 Corvette. While I'm certainly not saying the two cars are comparable, it certainly opened his eyes. This got me to thinking that really, the SE and the SSEi are two different cars that just happen to be similar in appearance. Viva la differance.
Gee Mark - I bet those two lovelies were just trying to think of an excuse to talk to that refined 'mature' gentleman with the good taste in automobiles! Don't you think????
Ken
Ken
By the time we are ready to get a new car I have a feeling that GM will have discontinued the Bonneville. I think that we would look closely at the Cadillac Deville DTS. We rented a 2001 Deville once and I was very impressed with the power and feel for such a large car.
Maybe GM will come to their senses and keep the Bonneville around.
Now let's see, this may be how the conversation goes. Dear, we really need to go back to St. Louis. And why is that? Well, the Bonneville has been acting a little doggy lately so I need to do some more work to it. Whatever you say as long as you drop me off at West County Shopping Center or Crestwood Plaza. Actually, we are due to come back for sure in April when my other nephew plays in an Easter baseball tournament at Washington University.
For the money you paid for the puller, I certainly would have thought that it could remove the old unit without trashing it.
Good luck on the cat back. Did you go with the Raven mufflers last year and if so, what has been your opinion of them?
I get out of getting up early to cook turkey this year (since the oven is broken) to say nothing of the cleaning detail! Looking forward to a STRESSLESS day!!
We as Americans will certainly remember to think of those who are less fortunate this year - there will be many empty places around the various tables in the greater NY and D.C. areas. Let's say a prayer for each of our servicemen too.
Best wishes to all
Ken
Ken, I am sure you will agree that this car is a great highway cruiser and I checked my dealers web site (Davis Pontiac) and they have 10-12 Bonnies on their lot. One can hope GM will wake up and promote a great car.
All the best and take care of all one's friends and family this holiday season.
......sxb
Interesting that so many Bonnevilles are on the lot when there are scarcities on others. The Impala board mentioned sparce pickings on new Impalas and my local Chevy dealer has just one. Haven't stopped by Pontiac to check their inventory. They usually have no more than 2 Bonnevilles in stock. Will have to see.
Hope all had a great Thanksgiving. Ours was very relaxing.
Ken
I don't know if anyone keeps track of the annual buying guide for Consumer Reports but it gave stellar ratings to the 2000 Bonneville. The only areas it fell down in were electrical, which I can certainly vouch for with two ignition module failures and body integrity which has had a number of comments from other posters. Overall, though, I thought it was an outstanding rating.
Consumer Reports: I only use Consumer Reports Online when I'm getting ready to make a purchase and then cancel it after a month. Don't know about recent ratings for the Grand Prix. I think when they give the GP the "Recommended" rating it's for the 3.8 L engine. I've got the 3.1 so I don't really know how it rates but I do enjoy the car.
I don't know if we're ever going to have a winter here in the South. We're still having highs in the 70's--sometimes close to 80. I'm ready for some cooler weather!!
Stacy
I'd be glad to send you a can full of cold air someday - we grow a lot of it around here!
Hope everyone enjoyed the TG holiday. I sure did!!
Ken
Last week I had to drive the family to Atlanta, GA for a funeral service. My SSEi performed perfectly! It was the first time that I've driven that far (900 miles and 16 hours each way.)
Too bad they don't have separate roads for tractor trailers!
Peace.
KZM
BTW, before the holiday I got a survey from JD Power about my Bonnie. It started with something like "you've had your car for a few weeks now..." and went on to enumerating possible problems. I had two: the seats were a little dirty on delivery and the headliner needed a slight trim where it meets the rear window.
;^)Not that I am complaining, just wondering aloud. I just hope that if there are any recall or service notices (hopefully there will not be any) that I am still on their mailing list. The car has been running great and the only problem I have had to repair so far was a burnt-out fog lamp. Still have a small rattle in the right front door panel, not bad enough to fuss about. The rough idle when hot has pretty much gone away by itself, but not completely. Again, not bad enough to worry about.
Earlier this year I bought two front-end covers, one for the Bonnie and one for the Alero from an Olds dealer. The quality, construction and fit of the covers is very good; they were about $82 each. I have not used the cover on the Bonnie yet (other than to test fit it), but I did put it on the Alero when my girlfriend took two trips from Orlando to Pensacola. The cover did it's job of keeping the bugs off the front end, but the hood section left a scuff mark along the trailing edge where apparently it was flapping a bit. I tried to polish it out by hand, and it is mostly gone but not completely. It may need more agressive treatment. But it worries me to put the cover on the Bonnie now for that reason. Instead I just carry some quick detailer and clean the bugs off every day practically (a necessary nuisance in Florida).
Ken
I'm waiting for some of that cold Maine air for you to bottle up and send here. We are suppose to get a cold front in a couple of days where the high will be in the 60's. I hope we're not in for a warmer than usual winter because the bugs are always worse that way.
Ken
I'd love some of that Maine air too (when you get it back, and I'm sure you will), but I don't think my friends here in Florida would appreciate it so much. They moved here to get away from that frosty stuff (not me, I came for the job). So I guess I'll just have to settle for visiting my relatives in Boston and Portland, Maine, to get my share of the cold air. Just got a new set of Goodyears for the 4x4 Tahoe, I'm living in denial that it will never snow here. :-)