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Comments
I also took a buddy from work who's also into cars down to the garage to see my GXP, and he just went ballistic over the car--claimed it was the best styled domestic on the road! He owns an 00 Caddy STS, but I got him thinking of a new GXP!
I'll be switching to a new 2005 Mustang soon - a V6 premium coupe with 5 spd manual is on order - probably arriving after Christmas. Sure a GT would be great but I'm going to have my teenagers driving this car in addition to the Bonneville so I went with the lower testosterone edition!
Best wishes to all - keep loving those great Bonnevilles!
You're getting a new Mustang for your teenagers to drive!!! Wow. Mine's gonna be lucky if he starts driving in a 98 LeSabre in 4 more years. I always thing old, big, and cheap to replace is best for that first accident from overconfidence.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I also read a "hot" news item in the last High Performance Pontiac magazine that said an '05 Grand Prix is coming with a 5.3L V8. Anybody know anything about that?
According to GM 26% of Sept. retail sales were the GXP. 26% of 2884 would be 749, however the release did say RETAIL sales so I do not think that 26% of 2884 would be the correct number. I believe GM separates sales as retail and fleet. They do not break sales down as retail and fleet but rather report the combined number.
As for the GP - I believe for 2006 there will be a Grand Prix GXP that will have the 5.3 V8. This vehicle will most likely take the place of the Bonneville. I have heard that 2005 is the last year of production for the Bonneville, maybe 2006.
My parents gave my sister the SSEi when mom got a '00 LeSabre in August, and after putting 3k miles on it already, now she's having a problem with it missing. I'm describing the problem as she's told us about it, I've not seen her or the car since she took it home to NC on Labor Day.
When accellerating normally...not lightly nor flooring it, it jerks and vibrates, she described it as running over the grooves on the interstate when you go outside your lane or when approaching an intersection that has the grooves in the pavement before you get to the stop sign. Her husband replaced spark plugs and plug wires, but the problem is still there. We always had a problem with it missing from the time we got it in '96. But, it was never as severe as she's describing it. What could it be? Any ideas?
However, since your "Dark Blue Metallic" was offered across the Bonneville line, have you seen any '04 SE's or SLE's in blue with this problem?
I finally sat inside and thoroughly checked out an '04 GXP (at the long island auto show) and here are my thoughts:
-I loved the interior. My father owned a 2000 SSEi, essentially the same car (chassis, interior, shape, etc.) and Pontiac did a very nice job dressing up the inteiror (with the suede leather, carbon fiber-like trim, etc.) with the GXP. I was VERY impressed with the quality and feel of the interior over the 2000 SSEI's.
-The color I saw was like a dark crimson red, and I didn't care for it - a color I think that is probably marketed to the 'senior' crowd. I'd like the car in a black or silver.
-Sticker price (at $37+K) is still too high. I realize that there is a healthy incentive from Pontiac, but given the car's (and most american makes, for that matter) depreciation, I would definitely wait for a 2005 slightly pre-owned GXP if I was in the market to buy the car. Sit in a '04 or '05 Acura TL, you'd be won over at $32K.
(I'm still biased towards the Bonneville and would take it over the Acura TL if I had my pick).
-jbm
again and told them - they said they are closing their file and marking it unsatisfied. They won't let me speak to a manager. I explained I just wanted to meet with the rep. and show him what I'm unhappy with - they said NO. I tried to bring it to the dealer a second time ( In NY you must let the dealer have the car three times before you can apply under the lemon law) and was told by the service manager that they could not write the car in again per GM.
I have purchased 13 New GM's since 1984 - one every 18 mths and they can't give me the time of day. I currently have a 2003 Z-71 Suburban, MSRP $47,000+ , 2000 Buick Regal GS , MSRP $28,000+ and the 2004 GXP, MSRP $37,400 and this is the way they treat me ? By the way, I have now found three other Midnight blue GXP's owners with the same problem and in checking the internet , while there are plenty of other colors I can't find a blue one in NYS
I have 12,000 miles on my GXP now. Still getting 17-18mpg in town and 23-24 on the highway. Only modifications have been a K&N air filter and Mobil One. Just had the intermediate steering shaft replaced. Same problem as I had on my '03 SSEi--a series of "knocks" came through the steering wheel when turning either direction. Felt like bad bearings.
The only other problem I've had was with the auxiliary air inflator system--it didn't work. They worked some magic with the computer system to get it working.
One of my early concerns was with the suede inserts on the seats. I thought they would start looking worn or discolored prety quick, but that hasn't happened. Still look like new. A pleasant surprise was the fact that on 100-degree days this summer, the leather part of the seats was hot but the suede inserts were noticeably cooler.
Chaps, sure hope you get the paint problem resolved. What a bad thing to detract from an otherwise great car.
My 02 SLE developed the binding feel in the steering shaft early last spring. During the summer months it was not as noticable, now with the return of cool weather, it started again. Took it to the dealer and they sd they are now replacing the shaft rather than lubricating it. They claim the lube process was only a temporary fix. They replaced the steering shaft (with a new design so they say). Now, with the new steering shaft, the feel is much tighter...almost too much so, since on a recent trip on the interstate, it seemed as if I kept over correcting the steering. It cd be I'm just not used to the tighter feel yet. Also, I had both tie-rods replaced, dealer claimed they were worn.(?) (28,000 miles). I had noticed the front suspension was a little noisier lately. Anyway, all seems fine now, just hope I get used to the tighter feel of the steering column.
Was wondering if anyone else has had the steering shaft replaced and if so, noticed any difference in the "feel". BTW, my 02 SLE is the Dark Blue Metalic and I've not noticed any problems with the paint. Appears to be good quality and looks great under all lighting conditions.
P.S. I still love my Bonneville. Barrels of fun, still looks sharp. New Mustang: tempting me.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I had a 05 Chrysler 300C (HEMI) on the weekend and it averaged 13mpg city and that is with me flooring the throttle 75% of the time.
Yet, my 3800 impala averages 17mpg city and that is when I am not driving it hard. I would hate to think what kind of mileage I would get when driving the impala really hard. It would probably get me 14mpg and a real slug compared to the 300C. I accelerate slowly and yet it's not that great. I don't really care how great the mileage is on the highway since where I live most of the driving takes place in the city. I only think this engine shines on the highway.
Otherwise it's average at best.
Best mileage I got was 45.5 in this car at 55 mph on level highway. (There was a 40 or more wind from the right rear.) I still like to use that story to make the Honda fishermen take notice.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
My heavier Bonneville gets between 20 and 24MPG around town, just like Imidazol97. My wife makes short trips through stop-and-go traffic, getting the 20MPG above, while I get some highway in my commute too, yielding the 24MPG above. A couple of years ago, on the highway from TX to CO and back, it averaged 29MPG over 3000mls.
However, although I'd agree that this engine fares better in fuel economy on the highway, its punch is found around town.
For the sake of comparison, my Intrigue is quite the opposite, with its punch being found on the highway and consuming more fuel than the 3.8 around town (about 22MPG with me), but doing better on the highway (about 32MPG).
I immediately noticed how much better the driver's seat was compared to the 96 Olds LSS that I own, which IIRC is similar to the 99 Bonny platform. The seats in my GXP are far superior, I really like the cockpit feel, and yes, I believe it is a tad smaller than my LSS. But my point is I drove before I bought. And that drive sold me on my purchase. Maybe a test drive would have helped this person decide the 04 SLE was NOT the car for her. Oh well, hope it works out.
This forum has been very quiet lately. Maybe everybody is out driving and enjoying their Bonnevilles and haven't scheduled much time to enjoy and share them with their online friends here at the forum??!!
Well, I am calling EVERYONE in from out of the streets in their Bonnevilles to come back and discuss the car of the hour here because its future is GRAVELY at stake within the bowels of GM right now. I have come upon a very disturbing article in which the General Manager of Pontiac is laying out what may happen to the Bonneville in the next six months, and it ain't pretty!
Please read the article link below and start posting your thoughts right away about what you want to happen to your favorite Pontiac sedan. We need to let GM know what we think about their decisions and that we are expecting a continued, bright future for the beloved Pontiac flagship.
So, don't let this opportunity pass you by. Let your voice be heard LOUD and clear now!!!
Bryant
http://www.freep.com/money/autonews/bonneville25e_20041125.htm
I have driven both.
My sense is that if FWD is not an issue for you, in a relatively powerful car, the TL is attractive.
I prefer RWD with that much HP / TQ - so the G35 appeals more to me.
- Ray
Wishing you good luck with the repaint and / or buyback . . .
However, with only 270HP, it manages to show so much torque steering that one can change lanes without moving the steering wheel.
Kudos to GM for making cars as powerful with much more torque with barely any torque steering.
Nothing against FWD, but torque steering is a big issue for me. I'd go with the G35.
Certainly in my case, the tires seem to have been the culprit even when rotated.
Now if the intermediate shaft fix were as simple or the multitude of squeaks coming from the front end.
Anyway, I looked at my "favorites" today and thought it would be fun to check in and say the SSEi now has 62,000 miles, never been in the shop except for a oil changes and a new back bumper (*&^(!@^ guy in a Suburban while the SSEi was parked... we caught him). It is a great car.
It's stablemates have been replaced, the '89 GrandAm by a '02 GrandAm GT1 and the '98 Corvette by an '05 Corvette.
Obviously I tend to stick with my choice in cars (except the SSEi replaced a Chrysler) so I'm disappointed to see the note on the Bonnie's possible future.
Yesterday I test drove a 500 with CVT after I got an invitation and an offer of $50 to do so ;-). The car was smooth and quiet, but I was impressed with how roomy it is in all directions and in all seats, including vertically. The fit and finish were OK, as were the materials. However, that engine is barely adequate, while the CVT is not only weird, but also ineficient, with a weak pick up off the line. a well equipped one can probably be got for less than $23000 out of the door.
As I was at it, I also test drove the La Crosse with the 3.6 V6. This engine was just amazing, with all the qualities we appreciate of the 3.8 V6 and those of the 3.5 V6 (as in the Intrigue), namely a punch off the line and plenty of passing power at high speeds. The fit and finish were very good and the materials, above average. However, the rear seat space was not generous at all and the sun roof robbed vertical space there. It's not cheap, probably requiring about $27000 to take one out of the parking lot.
Sad to read the same message re the Bonneville in other publications also. My '04 SLE is near perfect for what I like and need. Only a couple of modifications/improvements would make it perfect. One would be a folding rear seat back so that longer items can be hauled home from Home Depot etc. The second would be some improvment in the lighting of the DIC and the radio dials. In AZ when the sun is beating down in the summer and sun glasses are an absolute necessity, both items become almost impossible to read. And lastly, I would like some additional control over the transmission.
Having said this, I still love the car. As soon as the RSAs wear out, I will replace them with a set of Michelin Pilots and we should be good for many more miles.
GM has been making some questionable decisions lately. While I could be specific, I don't want to get into a word war with others. But dropping the Bonneville is definitely another questionable decision. My perception is that a lot of GMs decisions are what I call "spreadsheet" decisions and have little to do with what makes cars sell.
Bob