Pontiac Bonneville

rjs200240

Was turbocharged, not supercharged. Turbos tend to make much more boost than a supercharger.

I believe Consumer Reports in its early days was the brainchild of Ralph Nader. This goes a long way towards explaining their environmental/safety bias as well as their anti-domestic car bias...

sse97bnvlle

I'm new to this board. ive been reading them for a while but this is the first time Ive posted. Ok, here's my problem. I bought a 97 bonneville sse about a month ago. Great car. It started surging the day after I got it. Today leaving work when i started it smoke came out the exhaust. I heard the egr valves occasionally need cleaning in this engine. To me it sounds like that would make sense and explain my problems. Its a pretty easy and inexpensive fix what do you guys think?

smfran

My 2000 SSEi surges whenever I accelerate up an incline. I was told it is catching in between gears and previous to downshifting. I am also told this is normal. My '97 SSE did it also. I do not get any smoke and overall performance is fine. I know nothing about EGR valves.

mfahey1

Let me guess. The dealer's service department told you that it is normal for a car to surge and that "they all do it".
You might be due(prematurely, perhaps) for new plug wires. However, the EGR valve is also a likely culprit. Our 2001 Caravan has been doing this on very light acceleration and going up hills and to the credit of the dealer, they called Detroit on it because there were no codes set for any problem. Detroit said they were aware of the problem and that it would in all likelihood require recalibrating the EGR valve.

mfahey1

Boost is boost. I realize that the Grand National was turbocharged but my point was that GM built an engine that took a much higher amount of boost than the L67 engine gets now. Perhaps the supercharger would have had to have been enough larger to have caused underhood packaging problems.

smfran

I did mention plug wires to my dealer when I brought it in, but not EGR valve. I'll try that approach and see what they say.

sse97bnvlle

Well I took off the egr valve and kind of did a crappy quick job of scraping out the buildup and guess what? The check engine light quit coming on. It doesn't surge in park anymore, but when its been sitting for a while and u start it, there is still a little bit of smoke but not much. Could that maybe be because the egr valve wasnt cleaned out completely? Thats my guess. It still surges when driving sometimes but my guess is it needs an early tune-up. Also, its about time for some rear struts. Any ideas?? I dont know where to get them. I had a bad experience w/ struts on the lumina i had. The car didnt bounce at all and i was told they had to be "broken in", but I was told when i got new front struts on my car now that it should ride like normal w/ the new struts. I just dont want to waste a lot of money and end up in the same situation I was in w/ my last car. I have the self-leveling rear suspension and Ive found all kinds of different struts for that but its confusing as hell. I dont have the computer command ride but it seems like all the self-leveling struts I find also have that.

mfahey1

You didn't mention how many miles you have on your car but struts just don't seem to wear out like shocks used to. My daughter had a 92 Bonneville with close to 130,000 miles on it and a tire shop tried to tell her she needed all new struts. I took it to an independent repair shop whose opinion I trusted. He said that they were fine. You might want to get a second opinion.

sse97bnvlle

my car has about 85000 miles on it. The mechanic told me thats not unusual for a car to need new struts around then. My lumina I had before the bonneville had 170,000 when I got new struts on it. Who knows, maybe its normal for them to last around 80000 miles. I know its the struts though, because when I had the front struts on the bonneville replaced it rode A LOT better. With the bad ones it felt like when you hit a bump the front suspension kind of "crashed" if that helps explain it. Now the back end is doing the same thing. After I got the new struts on the front when I hit the same bumps it just went right over like it was nothing. Sucked up the bumps perfectly.

derrick080

Well guys/gals.... it's been one hell of a ride. Just replaced 4 tires today. Not too shabby on Goodyear RSA's??? 20,000 more then the 45,000 rated at. Anyway.... can somebody PUHLEEESE help me find a headrest cushion for my car. My only damn complaint, and I can't sew worth a dime! LOL!

bonneluvr

I saw a post from a different folder where someone asked about the accelerator sticking on start up when the car is cold.

Though I don't drive my 95 only in the summer, I have noticed this same problem. The dealer can not figure it out and I didn't see where anyone responded to the first post. After I went through 200 posts in this folder, I decided just to post it again and see if anyone could help me.

Thanks in advance, if you can.

dboyd3

Just a reply to derrick 080.

My solution, while not elegent is quite functional.

Went to the local Meijer superstore, bought a travel pillow and pillow cushion (about $5 for the total), a roll of velcro tape (about $2.50) and a box of safety pins ($1).

I attached the velco strips to each end of the pillows with the safety pins (I don't sew either), put the pillow against the seat rest, trimmed the proper length of velco and was finished (about 10 minutes worth of work). The pillow functional, cleanable (drop in pillow case in washing machine) and cost effective.

Not the prettiest on my leather interior but my wife is the only one using it when we travel, not all the time. It does help correct an engineering error in my opinion. My 95 Bonny had much more functional headrests.

Hope this helps!

satellitedavey

Does anyone know what could be causing my check engine light to come on and also there is a chugging motion or a fluttering in the engine. Appreciate any help.

joelippard3

I've heard some of you guys talking on here about changing the supercharger pulley to increase boost/power. Where do you find one of these pulleys? and how much benefit is installing one? Appreciate any help

smfran

I bought my headrest pillow through AAA marketplace. You can call your local AAA office to get a catalog. It secures to the headrest with elastic bands and comes in various colors. My wife uses it all the time. It was worth the $30.00.

Congratulations on your mileage and tires. I have aproximately 60,000 on my 2000 SSEi and the original tires.

theiceman

Wow! I have only about 23k miles on my RSAs and I'm thinking replacement by this fall - or around 32k miles. The tires are fine but my concern is related to tread depth and how it handles wet roads in the summer and fall and snow-covered ones in the winter. I just don't see these RSAs having enough of a tread to give me confidence through a third winter. And since ice and snow are common hazards where I drive, I want that confidence.

My options are:
change my tires every two years.buy a second set of alloy rims and winter tires - this would likely double the years and miles that I could get out of my tires.buy a cheap set of steel wheels and a set of winter tires - that would save about $500 over the 2nd set of alloys options but would cheapen the look of the car for 5 months a year (November to March)buy a set of winter tires and change them twice a year on the factory alloys - there's a good chance of damage to the rims by having tires taken off and replaced twice a year (I've been there).

A while back, I crunched the numbers and concluded that, if you owned a car for 20 years, then buying a second set of cheap alloys for snow tires (and buying 8 new tires every 4 years) would finally be as cost effective as simply buying 4 new quality all season performance tires every 2 years and installing them on the factory rims. Any duration of car ownership less than 20 years, the advantage goes to simply replacing your tires as frequently as you need to keep a good tread on the road.

THAT BEING SAID...I I wanted to move to say an 18" wheel and a low profile tire for the summer, I could keep the factory 17s for the winter - I just wouldn't be justifying it on financial grounds.

derrick080

just remember that profile tires are just that: profile. They're not meant to be driven on normal roads. I test drove the Saab 93 convertible Vigan(sp) the other day. Had 17in wheels and profile tires. So I asked to sales man what the warranty was: 25,000 miles. So I asked, "in city driving?" Response: 12,000 miles. How much are they? Roughly $1000 for 4. A lot of money to look good! :-)

pinstripe1

I have a 2001 SSEi and have just replaced the stock RSA's with B.F.G. G-Force T/A KDWS 255/50 ZR17 on the front. Wow! I had been reasonably pleased with the traction of the RSA's; but they were very noisy on the relatively poor roads here in New Mexico. The new tires are significantly more quiet and have improved the ride and handling in a remarkable fashion. They are a bit pricey ($167 ea. at Discount tire), but seem to have tremendous traction. They are M+S rated and appear to have a superior set of side sipping for snow grip.

evandro

Fared pretty high in JD Power's 2002 Initial Quality Survey.

Can anybody spot Consumer Reports' beloved Toyota Avalon? :^D

theiceman

Was certainly a good news report for GM. Initial quality (a reasonably sound measure of quality assurance/control) is steadily improving.

twobrowns

I have both a bonneville ssei and an avalon. My wife drives the avalon. In my opion they are different kinds of cars. The avalon is a very nice car, quiet ride, smooth (a grey poupon kind of car). Boring to drive.The bonneville is a fun car to drive, excellent handeling, and pontiac excitement.The bonneville will run rings around the avalon .Hard to believe only 30 more hp.I notice no difference in build quality and in fact the bonneville seams to be tighter.If you want a sport sedan and enjoy driving get a bonneville . If you want a quiet boring ride to the store get an avalon.

pat

The Town Hall is about to take on a new look in an effort to make content more easily searchable and accessible.

Have you seen the Letter from the Town Hall Manager on the Town Hall Welcome page? If not, you might want to follow that link to have a look.

And hang on to your seats. Change is never easy - for any of us - but resolving the Search problems we've had will be worth the pain.

Pat
Sedans Host

benjohnson

If any of you current 2000+ SSEi owners desire to buy a new one, but, you are interested in seeing some radical performance and appearance changes for 2003, you may want to do what I've done which is to send a letter to Lynn Myers who heads up Pontiac / GMC.

I still annoyed at the inclusion of Ivory White in lieu of the brighter Arctic White, as well as those enormouse uncovered cup holders.

Why is the 2003 being limited to 270Hp while the new Grand Prix is 280Hp?

Do any of you who may have had a 1998 SSEi feel that the seats in the 1998 gave you better support than those in the current model?

In my letter I stated my belief that going with the same philosophy of 1992-1999 of keeping the car essentially the same wouldn't sell the car.

Looks like the Bonny will only be around through 2004, and I would like to see it go out in style.

I'd like to hear your opinions posted here.

Thanks.

theiceman

I think you've got the primary concerns nailed down. Sometime ago, we all aired our gripes. Off the top of my head, they were:

glove box too smallsmall cup holders positioned too close togetherprefer covered cupholders on the '00 and '01 to the '02.squeaky front door panels.

And some wishes:
more headroom (let the driver's seat go down another 1/2 to full inch)HID headlampscruise controls on the steering wheel - could do without half the stereo controls to make waywant extendable sun visors (like in LeSabre)bigger trunk pass-through or even a fold down in the rear (I can dream, can't I?).

The big wish:
make the G/XP. Yeah, we'd all like to see the Bonneville have the same power as (or more even more than) the GP GTP but most of us would be happy with 270 out of the box. We like the elegant exterior look of the G/XP concept so just make it dammit! I'm already working on my wife (and Pontiac sales manager) about it...

bigdaddycoats

I agree with you. I am curious about where you sent your letter. I tried to send a letter to her twice in Jan. but it was returned both times.
Thanks.

benjohnson

Nice to see a couple of other "stirred up" owners.

If you write letters, be specific and let it be known how you like the car and that you would like to buy another one, but.....

Here's the mailing address

Lynn Myers
Ponitiac / GMC
GM Headquarters
100 Renaissance Center
482-A32-A26
Detroit, Michigan 48265

mem300m

The cruise control on my 94 Bonneville has quit working. I've checked the fuse behind the passenger kick panel and verified that I'm getting good vacuum to the servo.

Are there any other diagnostic checks that I can do or is the only recourse to take it to the dealer?

Thanks,

Mike

pontiacrick

My 2002 SLE came with the single in-dash CD player unit. It did not have the optional 12 Disc cd trunk mounted unit. I would like to add at least a 6 CD trunk mounted unit. I checked with my local dealer and they said the GM 12 disc stack with installation would work with the cars original radio/cd setup, but would cost...get this.. a whopping $950-$975 to buy and have installed. I called Crutchield and they said they did not have a compatible unit that would work through the current radio. Has anybody added an after market CD stack that worked through the original equipment radio/cd unit? And does anyone know if the wiring is already in place in the trunk??
Thanks!!

mlm4

Unless something has changed, your dealer is wrong -- the OEM CD changer CANNOT be added to the car if it was not original factory equipment. There's a TechNote out that the service department should take a look at, and it says that it cannot be done. Why?, who knows (maybe a Delphi engineer). Even if you could add it, that price does not surprise me. Hope my changer doesn't fail after the warranty is up!

mfahey1

We're back from our nautical adventure in Australia. We survived 50mph winds and some monsoon rains and thoroughly enjoyed Sydney. While in Sydney, I tracked down a Holden dealer within walking distance of the hotel and while my wife was shopping, went to take a look at the new GTO.
Overall, I liked the car. It seemed to be about the size of an Olds Intrigue and it actually resembles the Intrigue at first glance. It is a two door only with a back seat good for double amputees or a couple of preteen ankle biters. It is also rwd and seemed very nicely appointed inside. The engine is a US built 5.7L at around 350 hp(whatever 255kw translates to). There appears to be a base Monaro and then there is also the GTO. The salesman said that, much like the SVO team at Ford, Holden has a group that takes a Monaro and converts it to the GTO.
Holden also makes a full size car called the Statesman that is very reminiscent of a cross between a Lexus LS400 and an Infiniti Q45. Also rear wheel drive, it was a very attractive car that I would think would do well here.

mlm4

From what I've read, that 5.7L is a derivative of the Camaro/Corvette engine. It's also a done deal - the Monaro will be imported to the U.S. as a Pontiac GTO. Can't wait to see what it will look like in goat clothes!

So does this mean the engine will be built here, shipped down under, assembled into the vehicle, and then shipped back again? Well traveled they will be! I know GM sends Suburbans built in Texas to Australia, but how long does it take to cross the mighty Pacific? It's way further than Asia!

Mark, thanks for checking the Monaro out for us! Any photos?

mfahey1

Sorry, no photos. Our film camera croaked the night before we left and I couldn't extract my son's digital from him that day.
The car I looked at was badged as a GTO so unless there is a redesign between now and when they bring the car here, what I saw is probably what it will be.
As a guess, I would have to say that those of us who are used to the size, room and comfort of the Bonneville won't opt to switch. Not to say that the Monaro doesn't have those but it is just that they aren't in the same league as the Bonneville. I would think that GTP owners would be much more inclined to switch because the cars are closer in size. Depending on the tires and axle ratio GM chooses, my guess on performance would be in the range of 5.0-5.5 in the 0-60 and easily in the low 13s for the 1/4.
It is also important to realize that unlike the Beatle or the Thunderbird, there is no resemblance of the new GTO to the old.

Mark

jptuck

I too was hoping to add the changer but was told factory option only. But any changer that runs thru an FM modulator should be able to work - Alpine has some. The cd connects thru your fm antenna - you change to a blank tuning area usually 88.5-90.5 and get your tunes on an unused channel. It comes with both a wired control box and a remote. Haven't done it yet but I'm going to talk w/ my Alpine dealer about adding the one that also takes the new XM Radio box as well. Would love 100 channels of radio w/o the commercials. Also have replaced the stock tires - found them abismal. Had some Potenza S-03's on my 2000 Maxima SE and got the same with rims from TireRack. Stickiest tires I've ever used. I have about 15k on the Max when I traded and the tires looked barely worn. Have been unable to get the drive wheel to spin at all under full throttle starts since the tire change. Have snows on the original rims that I'll save for winter. My SSEI came with the chrome wheels - can't stand them - wish it have come with the stock 17" rims.

lamronh49

El correcto, Consumer Reports like many other institutions has been politicized and they blatantly put out some politically correct notions. Remember their huge Alar issue a few years ago? They also blather on about lobal warming. Also they don't question or investigate the human element in reliability reportings, such as differences between Sable and Taurus or Concorde and Intrepid, which have gotten different ratings in the past but are mechanically identical. That indicates a difference in the psychological makeup of the owners, which skews ALL surveys and is difficult to correct for. --LAMRONH49

smfran

What would be the basic differences to set these two apart? Why would Pontiac offer both?

mfahey1

From what I saw, the Monaro GTO is about one thing, performance and all the things that entails such as straight line acceleration, handling but also with a bit of the luxury touch thrown in. You have to assume that they are also looking at the success others have had with popular old badges such as the Beatle, Thunderbird and now the Mini Cooper and figure they'll get in on the game. I would be hard pressed to think that in this country, the GTO would be considered a "family" car whereas the GTP is certainly large enough to be used as a family car. Also, simply put, the SSEi and GTP are simply not in the league of the GTO in the performance area nor could they ever be with fwd. From what I saw of the GTO, it would be a worthy rival, in terms of performance although not panache, to the BMW 540i whereas neither the Bonneville nor the Grand Prix can come anywhere close. Since the Grand Prix fills the mid size segment for GM and isn't going away, having a GTP is simply a line extension for Pontiac and thus easy to do even with the GTO's presence.

tpken

Mark - did you attempt a RHD test drive? I'm not sure I'd be up for it - and I certainly would not want to sit in the passenger side on the left. I'd have to shut my eyes every time I saw an oncoming car.

mlm4

Actually, Ken's comment leads to an interesting point: was the Monaro designed to be easily configured for left-hand drive? I assume that it is since everything I've heard is that the import car will only have minor differences from the Monaro. If not, how much is GM spending to re-engineer the vehicle for LHD?

The one and only time I was in Tokyo on a business trip I was with a bunch of colleagues -- all Americans -- and we were using a company-owned Toyota Sienna (or whatever they call it in Japan). After a few days of observing I was tempted to take the wheel, but I didn't for two reasons: one, I didn't have an international driver's permit (and the Japanese don't take kindly to foreigners involved in auto accidents), and two, one of the guys I was with, who had spent much more time in Japan than I, strongly suggested against trying to drive there. He said that even if you think you can handle it, your brain will resist especially when making right-hand turns and all of a sudden there's traffic coming at you. It takes a lot of concentration, and even the guy who was driving made one mistake and started going the wrong way down a side street. If you havn't read Bill Bryson's book "In A Sunburned Country" about his adventures in Australia, it's a fun read. He talks about the challenge of driving on the left.

rjs200240

is built off the same platform that the Catera was. So it has been converted to left-hand drive. I suspect it won't be a big engineering effort for the Monaro.

Someone mentioned the engine, and as far as I know it will have the Camaro version of the LS-1, not the Corvette version. This means about 300-305 hp.

ezrapon

Just read a road test on the new Monaro GTO. It is rated at 302 HP. 1/4 mile comes at 14.9 0-60 @ 6.8. Price...upper 30's. Sorry boys, my SSEi will beat these cars like a rented mule. No back seat to speak of. The styling is a bit too much like the Monte. The 3.8 supercharged engine is an option down under, but will not be offered here. I feel this is a nothing but a fat firebird and the SSEi is much closer (sans rear wheel drive and 2 doors) to the GTO concept that put Pontiac on the map back in 1964. Of course, that's just my opinion and I could be wrong.

theiceman

You might be right. In the meantime, GM has a hoard of non-traditional enthusiasts actually eagerly awaiting a new Pontiac - as rebadged as it may be. Hardly a bad thing - even if it isn't as good as it could be.

ezrapon

Ice...As a former owner of many old GTO's, I am skeptical at best of how they use the badge. I'm stuck in the 60's I guess. I'd rather see something like a rear wheel drive 6 speed SSEi instead of a BMWesque non-North American car take the name. Lutz did say that this would be the center piece of the Pontiac line. The numbers may get better, but the Bonneville is so much nicer with many more options. PAT (HOST) how do unpleasant people with a name that (this afternoon's ugly post) even get on a board like this. Appreciate the quick zap. What is the world coming to.

dmckeown

I kinda think the GTP is more the front wheel drive version of the old GTO of the 60's then the SSEi.

ezrapon

In overall status, you are correct. The Tempest was the low end car with a big motor, as is the the GTP. I guess I'm looking at pure dimension. My SSEi shared a garage with my 67 goat for a couple of months before the T/A came along. Take the model year 1967, the GTO was a bit more upscale with more options and creature comforts like the SSEi. The 67 Firebird was kind of like the GTP then... less comfort more grunt. I believe they even had a HO 428 Bonneville in the mix as well. What have you been driving since the untimely death of your SSEi? I'm just a bit protective of the old name badge... does anyone remember the Korean Lemans, the Japenese Challenger/charger, the Aspen/Roadrunner, or the 130 HP 442? At least the SSEi has always been true to itself and always seems to be getting better... it just lacks the lineage and heritage of the old cars... actually, in a quick retrospective moment... it has already outlasted the GTO, roadrunner, charger, Mach I, and the SS Malibus. Gentleman, we are driving future classics!

dmckeown

Roger your memery of the 60's is great. I have a 69 convertible Firebird I'm doing a Trans Am clone on. I had a 69 TA coupe when I was 19 but sold it not realizing what I had. But there was only 8 convertible TA's made in 69 and I always wanted one. At 150 k or more that they bring now (all 8 still exsist) I have to clone one.
I still drive my 93 SLE Bonny but to keep my hands in the L67 crowd I have been hanging with the GTPers in the Grand Prix club here. I've changed many pulleys and installed lot's of CAI units for the new guy's. I have a 98 GTP for my own L67 fun.
Keep those "Weber kettles" smokin under your front fender's so the Stangs in St Louie only see the south end of your Pontiac!

wazooworks

I'm just going to ramble.

Now that I have a couple thousand miles on my SSEi I'm convinced that I am a very lucky man. I simply love this car. Most days I go to work at 4 am and the only thing that makes dragging my butt out of bed remotely pleasing is the thought that I get to get into it and DRIVE.
I love the sound it makes. I know a lot of you wish it had more of a growl (or a roar, depending) but I like the fact that its muscular purr allows you to sneak up on things. I've accidentally hit two birds, something I've never done in any other cars which either have announced their approach with a noisy engine or parts falling off.
I'm blessed with the decision I made to stick with the stock wheels. They go perfectly with the granite color. This car is gorgeous in its understated beautimousness.
Things which make me wonder: Why, considering that there are TSBs going back several years on the trunk leak problems, do these things still ship with leaks? Hmmm. And yes, the front plastic panel inside the trunk plopped off just like many of yours. Factory just quit at the trunk, or what? Both fixed.
I've never raced. Never had a car *to* race. This car makes me want to race. I'm sure many cars could beat me to a pulp, but the fact is every time I drive it I note how remarkable it is that such a big-[non-permissible content removed] car can do the things it does.
One question: Shortly after I bought it I installed the K&N air filter. Wonderful. But I noticed for a day or two after I blew a little smoke on startup...I assume perhaps the filter may have had a bit too much oil? Make sense? It went right away, and have been running clear and clean and strong since.
Anyone reading this who's trying to decide whether to look at a Bonneville, better do it.

alaskanhotrod

Hi All,
I just finished putting my first 5k miles on my 2002 SSEi. I LOVE THIS CAR! I have a couple of questions...
1) I bought the aftermarket pulley. Can it be removed without the $150 puller.
2) I also purchased the 7" cone K&N filter. To mount this your PCM is open to the outside. Has anyone mounted one if so How? Or is everybody just putting the flat replacement in?

2) has anyone fond a replacement stainless steel muffler for these cars. I am having a stainless steel system built, but the mufflers these guys use are to big in diameter to fit in the tunnel.
Thanks for the help in advance.

kw_carman

on another board that the Bonne is being discontinued soon. I hoped that it would be around when I stop being a younger adult and become a middle aged adult. (the Deville DTS would come after retirement while I work as a Walmart greeter)

Between a Maurader, a 300M, and a Bonneville, I would choose the Bonneville hands down, despite the fact that it's a GM.

smfran

Welcome to the world of Bonneville owners. I installed the flat replacement as it fits in the housing perfectly.
Good luck with your new Bonnie!

xavier64

Welcome to the Bonnie Clan. Glad to hear you are enjoying the car and hope you have many miles to go..

Steve
'01 SE