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Pontiac Bonneville

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Comments

  • dwgdwg Member Posts: 43
    I have a question for the Bonneville contingent. I presently own a soon-to-be-discontinued Intrigue and I am contemplating a replacement next year some time.

    I'd like to stay in the GM family but haven't found the successor to the Intrigue yet. I like the looks of the new Caddy CTS but I'm a little uncertain about the whole first model year syndrome and also not sure I want to push very far into the $30,000+ category yet.

    So Saturday I'm going to test drive the Bonneville. What do you folks think about your Bonnevilles? What do you like? What don't you like?

    All comments appreciated.

    dwg
  • mlm4mlm4 Member Posts: 401
    Ahh! Another victim! Great!

    This board is packed with kudos about our cars, but I guess it's not reasonable to go back through 2250 messages to find them all. So here's my short list:

    The Good: performance (the car is a blast to drive), engine (the 3800 Series II is a tried-and-true -- if somewhat less refined -- workhorse), styling (unique love-it-or-hate-it), and "value" (relative to the imports, which are not full-size sedans at this price point). Also, I've noted that there are relatively few complaints about the new Bonnies compared even with other GM products.

    The No-So-Good: GM build quality (not what it should be for the price), maybe not enough headroom for tall folk (especially with sunroof), too much torque steer, did I say build quality? I'm not saying plastic is bad, but it can be done better.

    The Bad: none. We love our cars! Any questions? :-)
  • dwgdwg Member Posts: 43
    I have an Intrigue so I'm used to living with the GM plastic parts bin. From what I've seen of the Bonneville thus far, it is at least comparable to the Intrigue. One thing I know I'll miss is the 3.5 litre DOHC in the Intrigue. That is one fine engine.

    Do you have an SSEi or one of the other offerings?

    One other question for the board in general: did anyone consider the Bonneville vs. the 300M? Just curious.

    Keep the comments coming. Thanks.

    dwg
  • tpkentpken Member Posts: 1,108
    Dan - I'm a 2000 SE owner from Maine and have almost 40K on the car today. It has been an absolute joy to drive and own and I'd buy one again in a heartbeat. The engine and tranny are great and the gas mileage for a full sized comfortable cruiser like this is fantastic. I never get less than 25 mpg and extended highway cruising usually runs around 30.

    The car was great in the snow last winter even with the OEM Firestone Affinities which are about to be replaced now.

    I do have a clicking of some kind that is felt in my brake pedal and steering wheel and I am not sure if this is the ISS that Intrigue and Impala owners have been plagued with. Time will tell. No one else has mentioned that here.

    Tire or wheel vibration at 75 mph became noticeable after my last rotation and better go away with these old tires or I'll be forced to consider alternative sources off warranty.

    As the others here, I can't say enough positive things about this car - the best I've ever owned.

    Best wishes in your car buying evaluations

    Ken
  • fantascpfantascp Member Posts: 175
    I have the same model as Ken- 2000 SE- we have the car since March of 2000- the car now has approx 24,600 miles on it-

    Problems 1. replaced brakes/rotors twice- replaced by dealership-under warranty- no charge- had wrong size pads on car- brand new from factory-now have over 17,000 miles on pads etc- no problems with brakes.
    2. front drivers side window jammed- replaced with new window modulator- under warranty- no charge.

    no other problems with this car- its a pleasure to drive, has plenty of power- even with the 205 hp engine in the SE- very good gas mileage- mid 20's per gallon and we love the looks and style of the car plus- you stand out- not too many of them on the road like everyone and their brothers are driving Honda's or Toyota's etc.
    Bottom line- its your choice- i would own a second one if i could afford another one, -
    you mentioned the Chrysler 300 M- comparison shop-test drive both vehicles, compare both vehicles on line etc-, read comparisons on both cars by their owners- Good Luck with your choice, whatever you decide to buy.

    Chuck.
  • tpkentpken Member Posts: 1,108
    Bet the Rockaway Mall is pretty crowded these days - even that back parking lot!!

    Ken
  • evandroevandro Member Posts: 1,108
    I bought my SLE just a few weeks ago, after evaluating many cars for about 6 months.

    The Intrigue was at the top of my list, but being an Alero owner then, I was finding it difficult to have it serviced and the steep depreciation turned me off.

    Anyway, a few things I discovered about the Bonnie when test driving it: the optional performance axle on the SE makes the car much more lively, perhaps because the tranny gets a new programing too; the SLE and up have thicker anti-roll bars and its behavior over undulations and in curves is more to my taste, yet it's still very comfortable.

    HTH
  • evandroevandro Member Posts: 1,108
    Without meaning to start a war, here are my impressions of the 300M relative to the Bonnie:
    - more expensive;
    - less roomy longitudinally, transversally and vertically, both at the front and at the rear seats;
    - not as well finished;
    - inferior number of accessories and features;
    - low torque at low revs;
    - nicer interior styling touches;
    - sportier transmission.
  • fantascpfantascp Member Posts: 175
    Ah- fond memories Ken!!!- you bet- its packed- especially like every other Mall during the Holiday Season- Thank God I don't shop that much- I leave that mostly to my better half- (please, any ladies out there- i'm not a sexist (LOL) - I just don't shop in mobbed malls if I don't have to!!)
    Anyway- glad you had a wonderful TG- same here!
    Good to see Kevin is posting again also.Maybe someday next year a re-meet at Rockaway with a better turn-out?

    Happy Holidays to all,

    Chuck
  • tpkentpken Member Posts: 1,108
    That Bonneville is far more reliable than the Chrylser? I haven't looked at the 300M thread lately but there used to be all kinds of issues over there, although those 300M owners did love their cars. Seems to me that I recall a forum sometime ago that was dedicated specifically to Bonneville vs 300M - probably archived.

    Ken
  • fantascpfantascp Member Posts: 175
    your right- I, personally, would not buy a Chrysler product- I did respond a couple of times to a forum that had the 2000 Bonneville SE fully loaded VS a 2000 Intrepid ES Fully loaded- thats also archived- the Intrepids also had problems with their engines and transmissions more so than our cars Ken. Prior to my getting the Bonneville, the Intrepid was a car that I was also considering, until my wife (she still has BAD BAD memories of prior Chrysler products that we owned)politely reminded me of all those "WONDERFUL CHRYSLER ENGINEERING" moments-- end of story- HELLO, PONTIAC!!!!!

    Regards,

    Chuck
  • stnelstnel Member Posts: 338
    I had a Chrysler back in the mid 70's and have had a bias against Chrysler ever since. I'm sure they've improved in 25 years but I still wouldn't buy one of their cars. What can I say--I've got a long memory.
  • evandroevandro Member Posts: 1,108
    I have a Dodge Stratus '97. When it came to replacing the Olds Alero '99, I went to Pontiac not only because of the nice bonus, but also because the Alero was flawless is the 3 years I had it. I can't say the same about the Stratus, although it's been behaving very well in the last couple of years. I did consider the Intrepid too but, although it's been reportedly reliable, I didn't choose it.
  • twobrownstwobrowns Member Posts: 52
    I would not hesitate to recommend the bonneville. I have a 2001 ssei which I now have driven 25000 miles(go to Fld. several times a year.) I only had one problem a steering groan which was fixed after GM redesigned the steering rack. The car is a joy to drive , confortable on long trips ' economical, and full size room. FUN TO DRIVE.
  • boosted1boosted1 Member Posts: 90
    I would also recommend the Bonneville. We have a 2001 SSEi with about 6500 miles on it.

    WE LOVE THIS CAR!!!

    I had some issues with the operation of the A/C climate control, but nothing major.

    I liked the looks of the 300M, but I know too many people that have had reliability issues with newer Chryslers, so we stayed away from it.

    Good luck with you decision. If you buy a Bonneville you will not be disappointed.
  • mfahey1mfahey1 Member Posts: 419
    Interesting you are asking about the Bonneville while you own the Intrigue. My son and his wife were here this weekend and the discussion got around to replacing their Volvo with 260,000+ miles on it. I told them that I had rented Intrigues and that I really liked them and would recommend it to them.
    For them, the Bonneville is simply too big as they live in Chicago with very, very tight parking at their condo. By way of example, two years ago as a sort of wedding present, I painted their Volvo for them. It lasted all of a month until a concrete pillar jumped out and bit it. The Intrigue seems to be about the same size as their 760 so should fit OK in their parking spot.
    We also have had more than our fair share of Chrysler woes in the past. However, we have a 2001 Grand Caravan ES and have actually had fewer issues with it than with the Bonneville. None of the problems have been particularly bad, save for an ignition issue on the Bonneville and overall, it is obvious that both vehicles are considerably better than their predecessors.
  • dwgdwg Member Posts: 43
    Really appreciate the feedback on the Bonneville and the comparisons with the 300M.

    I bought my Intrigue 2 years ago after looking at the 300, Passat and Acura TL. I wanted to go back to the General (long time GM family) and was really impressed by the Intrigue. I hoped that Olds had turned the corner but, alas, not enough for that marketing genius Ron Zarella. Now, I've got a car that will be extinct next year and I'm starting to look at other options.

    Out of the blue, I've really started to notice the Bonneville lately. It's good to read the positive comments, as well as some of the criticisms. They don't differ too much from my experience with the Intrigue.

    I'll be taking a test drive shortly and will follow this forum for a while. Thanks again.

    dwg
  • stnelstnel Member Posts: 338
    There was a lot of talk about tires awhile back but I can't remember if it was on the Bonneville or Grand Prix forum. If you're fixing to buy, are you going with Goodyear?

    All that discussion on tires had me confused so when it's time to replace my tires, I'll probably replace with the ones I already have. They're Goodyear but I don't remember exactly which ones they were. Dan recommended some Goodyears not to get and I do know I didn't have those tires. I may have Eagle LS but I'm not sure. I'd have to look it up.

    For snow driving, I'm sure you have to take a different approach. (When you get that bottle of cold air to send down south, you can leave out the snow. :>)

    Good luck on your tire purchase,
    Stacy

    P.S. When you talk about Rockaway Mall, was Rockaway where that plane went down. It seems it was "Rock" something. I've never been to New York so I'm not familiar with the area.
  • tpkentpken Member Posts: 1,108
    Rockaway NJ was the site of our Bonneville meet last spring - not the Rockaway section of NYC where the flight crashed.

    The tires I've ordered are Goodyear Aquatread IIIs which are highly regarded for wet weather traction and general long tread life, fairly decent handling and ride. I plan to use them this winter and may go for a real snow/ice tire set up next winter with steel rims as well, depending on my experience this winter.

    The Firestone Affinities on my Bonneville now have been fine and did well last winter through the stormy weeks but look marginal for this winter. I have a 'shimmy' that I'm hoping will go away with new tires.

    Ken
  • xavier64xavier64 Member Posts: 76
    I purchased my Bonnie back in July and have no problems to report. Mileage on the highway is between 25-30 mpg. The Bonnie is a Red Maple 2001 SE (could not afford the SLE or SSEI) and the car is a pleasure to drive. It is truly a highway cruiser and has a very solid feel to it when one is in the car. It is easy to go 65+++++ and the base engine has plenty of pickup {my last car for the past 11 years was a faithful 89 4cyl Escort with a 5-speed).

    I bought the car after I had test drove it and one factor I liked was that I was the first person to drive it since it had been built in June 01. I will be getting the first oil change down at the dealer (http://drivedavis.com/) and look towards many years of driving excitement.

    I wish you the best in finding a car that you will enjoy and I can reccomend the Bonnie as a solid choice.

    Ken, hope all is well. Checked my dealers web site, Davis Pontiac in Richboro, and they have 34 2002 Bonnies on the lot. Could this be the secret Pontiac site Area 52?! I don't know if this dealer sells a lot of these cars in the Philly area but I will find out Saturday.

    Does anyone know if one can get a air filter for the passenger side if one did not come with the car? I had opened up the plastic compartment under the hood and though about asking Pontiac about it. Is this an option on the SE or will I need to $$$ for it.

    Take everybody, back to work ZZZzzzzzz.......sxb
  • tpkentpken Member Posts: 1,108
    Where is that in relation to Philly? Seems like they must be hoarding those precious Bonnevilles!

    Bet you can get a great deal on a new one there.

    Ken
  • stnelstnel Member Posts: 338
    work out for you this winter. I looked on my tires and I do have the Eagle LS.

    I'm afraid I didn't get my first oil change until I hit the 4000 mark (instead of 3000). Hope that won't make too big of a difference.
  • xavier64xavier64 Member Posts: 76
    Ken, Richboro is a town located north of Philly, east of Montgomeryville located on Route 232. Only about 30-45 minutes away, depending on traffic. I will have to ask if the Philly area does well in sales for the Bonnie. It certainly seeems like it if they have this many cars on the lot.

    Well, will be glad to have Mom and Dad back from their Hawaiian cruise. When they are away, they are missed. Anyway, I still have time to clean up :)

    Have a safe weekend everyone, Ken, keep me in the loop for a Bonnie Fest at the Rockaway Mall in NJ....sxb
  • tpkentpken Member Posts: 1,108
    Must be fairly near where I go on biz then since I stay in Montgomeryville (Ambler Inn) and work inour office in Sellersville. I'll have to make a point to find that dealer sometime when I'm in the area and check it out. I've usually gone to the Pontiac Cadillac Honda dealer over in Lansdale (think that's where it is - off 309 and 463.

    Ken
  • jashoujashou Member Posts: 18
    I have owned my 00 bonne SSEi for for almost 1yr. now, I previously owned a 300m a yr-1/2. I put 30k mi on the m and had nothing but problems ie; electrical, transmission, replaced rack within rack n pinion steer. Good looking car, but have been much more satisfied w/bonne. Have had bonne in 2-times for warranty -trim issues (not a big deal). Enjoy the increased power of bonne as well as having a much smoother transmission. Would never purchase a Chrysler again.
  • bjasmundbjasmund Member Posts: 6
    My local dealer still has 3 2001 bonneville's left. 2 are the SLE and 1 is an SSEi. They've had them for a loooong time. The sticker on the SSEi is $34,400(?). I'm thinking I could get the dealer to really come off that price since they must be desperate to move it (plus the $2000 rebate). Thoughts?? Potential for a beautiful car at a steal?
  • mfahey1mfahey1 Member Posts: 419
    By all means, go for it. You'll truly enjoy the car whether the SLE or the SSEi. While I have had other nice cars in my time, I think I have probably enjoyed the Bonneville as much or more than any other although it was hard to beat being a kid right out of college and getting one of the first 1970 1/2 Camaros. Both very enjoyable cars for different reasons. One nice thing about the Bonneville is we never feel bad taking our friends in it for fear of stuffing their knees into their chins. Plenty of back seat room. I still can't believe that we used to cram our friends in the back of the Camaro when we went out to dinner. Of course, we didn't occupy as much space back then.
  • smfransmfran Member Posts: 432
    I'm a Bonneville fan as evidenced by my repeat (5 times) ownership. One of my few disappointments in my 2000 SSEi is the limited back seat (leg) room. I like to keep my front seats almost all the way back and find that the leg room in the rear is somewhat limited.
  • hengheng Member Posts: 411
    What Goodyear tire is on SSEi? It costs $280 a piece!

    Was having my car serviced at the dealer and was talking with the only other person waiting for their car.

    She got a nail through a tire on her SSEi and the dealer was the closest place to go. So they were bringing up the only available tire in this distribution area. She said they were charging her $280 for the tire. I didn't seek any details but she mentioned it was 17". She seemed comfortable with the situation.

    I was a little shocked but realized it must be some some high performance tire. So what tires are OEM on SSEi?
  • mfahey1mfahey1 Member Posts: 419
    Mine are Goodyear Eagle RS-A 235/55 17s. I didn't realize they were that expensive although she probably wasn't getting much of a deal from a dealer.
  • refinerrefiner Member Posts: 59
    My local Goodyear dealer wants $230.00 a tire for the Goodyear RSA. From Tirerack.com you can get them for $130.00. Quite a difference.
  • evandroevandro Member Posts: 1,108
    I myself am over 6' high and drive it with the seat all the way back. Still, the leg room in the rear seat is pretty good. I can't cross my legs there, but I don't get my knees squeezed against the front seat.

    AAMOF, the only car in which I could actually cross my legs in the rear seat was in the Intrepid. However, the Bonnie has more head room there...
  • evandroevandro Member Posts: 1,108
    Is there any chance to get some of SSEi's features programmed in the SLE's computer, such as rear view mirrors position memory and tilting when backing up?
  • mlm4mlm4 Member Posts: 401
    I think the programmable mirror features require more than software. The mirror motors have some sort of position encoder to tell the computer what orientation they are in. In order to have position memory and tilting, I think the mirror assembies would have to replaced with the ones used on the SSEi, as the ones used on the SLE do not have the position encoders. This is derived from the schematics in the Helm manual.
  • evandroevandro Member Posts: 1,108
    Are the mirrors really different? Anyway, I guess that the same applies to the seats memory... :^(
  • mfahey1mfahey1 Member Posts: 419
    I'm beginning to think that we have a secret target painted on us when it comes to ignition problems.
    After going through two rounds of them with the Bonneville, one of which was nearly 1100 miles from home, now the 2001 Caravan has done it to my wife. The key won't turn in the ignition no matter what. I know modern cars are highly complex, sophisticated machines and without question are better than in"the good old days" but this is getting frustrating.
  • fantascpfantascp Member Posts: 175
    Hey Ken, just want to reaffirm that which we already knew from prior posts- THE BONNEVILLE IS THE BETTER BUILT CAR- PERIOD!!!!!- NHTSA recalls- Pontiac Bonneville-year 2000- 1 recall for cars made in January of 2000- possible brake problem- year 2001 and 2002- NO RECALLS!- 2000 Dodge Intrepid- 7 RECALLS, 2001 Dodge Intrepid- 2 RECALLS, 2002- no recalls- Chrysler 300 M- year 2000- same 7 RECALLS and same 2 recalls for 2001- no recalls for 2002-
    anyone who wants to read these , just go to www.nhtsa.dot.gov and click on recalls etc.

    Chuck
  • rdl40rdl40 Member Posts: 60
    I'm in the market for a new car and one of my top choices is a 300M special (18" wheels, HID lights,
    dual exhaust etc..) I just happened to come across your comments on the 300M, it does have me concerned. I've never owned a Chrysler product before and your comments are important.

    However, I did drive a Bonne ssei and was impressed with the performance. But the interior felt cheap, Pontiac uses alot of plastic on this car and my concern is that thing will start to fall apart. Also this platform has been around along time and is starting to show signs of aging.

    The Grand Prix GTP shares the same powertrain and is better looking of the two cars and is less expensive. I think the Bonne. days are numbered.
  • evandroevandro Member Posts: 1,108
    As for the plastics, it may look cheap to you, but every car in the world uses plastic. The 300M, the ES300, the S80, the E420, the A6, the 530, all use plastic inside. No, that's fake wood or just a laminate over... plastic. One cannot say that one uses more plastic than another.

    In conclusion, it's more about looks than anything else.
  • jashoujashou Member Posts: 18
    I would agree the 300m interior is classier than the bonne. It all comes down to what is important to you in owning a vehicle. To me the exterior looks of the bonne is just as attractive as the M. The major differences that appeal to me with the bonne over the M are the HUD, increase of power, smoother trans, lack of road noise and probably most important the reliability factor. Maybe the M has improved since I had mine but being burnt once is enough for me. Good luck in whatever you decide.
  • xavier64xavier64 Member Posts: 76
    Ken,

    Richboro is about 35-45 minutes away ( depending on traffic). Took the Bonnie in last week for the first oil change and I am good until March.

    Not only did they sell the new 2002 Bonnies but they had 6-8 late 90's and 2001 left overs. I did check out the Grand Prix and Grand AM and they looked very nice. It was great to be surrounded by all those Bonnevilles.

    I hope everyone is getting to enjoy the extended summer weather and it is nice to put the windows down, the music up and go cruise'n.

    Have a safe holiday and remember our country's veterans on this the 60th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor.

    Steve
  • boosted1boosted1 Member Posts: 90
    We all seem to be seeing more and more new style Bonnevilles on the road.

    Today I pulled up to a stop light next to my twin, a Dark Bronzemist metallic SSEi. Unfortunately the other driver didn't seem as excited as my wife and I were. I don't think they even realized. Oh well.

    Love the ride.
  • smfransmfran Member Posts: 432
    I know what boosted means about others on the road not as exited as we are when seeing a twin/sibling. Today I passed a sibling to my 2000 Midnight Blue SSEi; the identical car but an SE. The driver didn't even acknowledge me even though I know he saw me. I'm surprised when a driver in cars like these doesn't show appreciation of like minded owners. We are a unique group and should pay attention to each other.
  • rea98drea98d Member Posts: 982
    Hmm...One thing I always liked about my '78 Mercury was that I almost never saw one like it. Very rarely a Grand Marquis of the same body style, and never one in the same color. It was a bit unique, and I liked it. Now, granted, the new Bonnevilles are out in much greater numbers, and still being produced, but some people just feel like lemmings when someone pulls up beside them in an identical car.
  • smfransmfran Member Posts: 432
    When I see my identical car, it surely is a rare event. I would think all new style Bonnie owners would also recognize this and pay tribute to others in this very small group. I don't think we are in danger of becoming lemmings due to the "love it or hate it" aspect of this body style.
  • mlm4mlm4 Member Posts: 401
    Whenever I pass or stop alongside another Bonneville, especially an SSEi, I look over at the other driver to see if he notices (I've only seen one or two female drivers of these newer cars in the past two years). The one and only time there was any recognition was back when I first got the car in March 2000. I was following another new, black SSEi and pulled alongside at a red light. Both the other driver and his passenger (wife, I'm guessing) were thumbs-up to me. That was cool, but it was the only time it has happened. I don't expect it from the SE drivers (no offense) because they are mostly rental cars around here. But the SLE and SSEi owners just don't seem to notice, or care. Not that I expect everyone to be as enthusiastic about their cars are we are, but you'd still think that an SSEi owner would be a "special breed" (I don't know what that means, but you see my point).
  • tpkentpken Member Posts: 1,108
    Hi all - between being sick (this intestinal flu has had me 3 time in 4 weeks - just won't let go!) and working till all hours on the budget at work I've had no time for keeping up here.

    Thanks for the post on recalls Chuck - surely confirms the status of the car's reliability although I do believe I have something going on in my steering shaft these days - but no time to check it out yet.

    Steve - I still havent had a chance to check out inventory at my dealer but have seen a number of new SEs on the road recently. Rentals? Maybe.

    I notice new gen Bonnevilles every day around here and agree that most do not similarly recognize another 'Bonneville cuzin'. What's wrong with these people? lol

    Take care all - stay away from this flu bug if you can - it's no fun!!!

    Ken
  • gweilogweilo Member Posts: 118
    The Bonnie might share the intermediate steering shaft(ISS) from the Impala which has just had a new part issued to fix a problem...a clunk when turning amongst other symptoms. Appears to be one of those "lubed for life" parts that doesn't live up to its label. The lube winds up at one end of the part. Some Impala dealers are going the route of adding grease fittings to the original part. Not sure if this makes the old part identical to the new replacement part. Also too early to tell if it is a long term fix.
    Are you the only one here who has had a steering issue?
  • mlm4mlm4 Member Posts: 401
    Ken,


    You may be right about the ISS on your car. The Bonneville is affected. See this:

    http://service.gm.com/gmtechlink/Nov2001/articles/steeringshaft.html

  • tpkentpken Member Posts: 1,108
    This is the first I've seen of a direct tie of the ISS issue to Bonneville.

    Thanks for the link, Michael. I'll print it out and have it in hand when I get to the dealer (whenever I can manage to do that)!

    Ken
This discussion has been closed.