A Bonneville conundrum

[1fatcat]

I've been contemplating selling my car. I don't want to sell it due to any mechanical problems or anything, just that I eventually want something different to drive. Something new (to me). I've been driving this car now for about 4 years and while I absolutely LOVE this car, I feel that I am growing a little bored. The problem is not selling it, but what to replace it with? I don't want to downgrade, as I have always upgraded (IMO) to a "nicer than the last one" car. I have had some nice cars in the past, but I honestly think the Bonny outshines all my old ones. I have been eyeballing some BMW 7 series cars, but I would have to go with an older model (93 ish) for it to fall into my price range. I have never went backwards in year or mileage when "trading" cars in. What to do? I am afraid I will sell the Bonny and buy whatever (maybe a BMW, maybe a Lincoln, maybe a Cadillac...I don't know?) and I won't be happy. I'm afraid I will miss my Bonny! It is truely a wonderfull car to drive! What would you do?

[01bonneSC]

Get a lincoln LS (V8 of course) or a Marauder. Wanna keep the four-door i guess is a question? G8 if you wanna stay commited to the arrowhead? OOOOOO!!! Caddy CTS-V!!!!

[1fatcat]

OOOOOO!!! Caddy CTS-V!!!!

DROOOOOOOL! But out of the price range.

[94SilverSSEi]

You could get a 95ish 7 series beamer as they are getting pretty cheap
How bout an eldorado? (black on black of course)

[Gumball]

idk, your 98SSE is a pretty sharp looking car.

Hey! how about a 2000+ bonneville

[93 SSE 4 ME]

My '05 is by far my favorite every-day driver in almost thirty years of vehicle ownership. I'm with Gumball, take a look at a '00+.

Mark

[Tricked-T]

G8 GT or the first body style CTS-V or STS-V

[J Wikoff]

G8, new Lacrosse, new Equinox, Magnum RT

[SSEimatt93]

I'd be tempted to get an Aurora myself. 01+. Price might still be higher on those though.

[Gumball]

G8, new Lacrosse, new Equinox, Magnum RT

I think your missing the point of his budget range, im sure if he could buy brand new he would be driving it by now

[J Wikoff]

Well, I said new to indicate the newest models, not necessarily unused, though. What's a 93 7 series go for, so I can get a feel for budget?

[1fatcat]

Yes, that is beyond my budget. I will be looking for a G8 once they are 10 years old, so in 8 or 9 more years. Maybe it will be my next, next car.

[PRD2BDF]

I sold my Bonneville after almost 5 years for a SAAB, love it.

[1fatcat]

Oh, I had been looking at a 93 BMW 740il that had the dash removed and needed to be put back together for $1000 w/very negotiable price. So probably around $800? Book value is $4000, but $3500 is more realistic for what a nice one sells for in this area. It would be about the same book value as the Bonny, but I was looking to upgrade the vehice ride quality and refinement to a higher end brand. No offense to Pontiac guys, I realy love the bonny, just craving something nicer yet. That is why I say I'm not sure if I should in fear of loosing something better than that which replaced it.

It would be nice if I could get something for the same or less than I sell mine for. Kind of like a trade in that doesn't cost anything, other than the time and parts to get it going again. I would say about $4000 is the max budget, but I am looking for BMW, Caddilac, Lincoln. Open to suggestions, Audi, Jaguar, Mercedes, Lexus? Something big, powerful and comfortable. That is what I want.

[olblueeyesbonne]

Unless you plan on parking the car for the winter, stay far, far away from Lincoln LS's.
They are sh!tty in snow/ice. They also have a problem with the alternator (PITA to get to also) that keeps drawing current from the battery after the car is shut off.
Also, the coil (over plug) is a problem.
I have two brothers that have/had these.
Both had the battery drain problem, and they both are crap in snow, even with blizzaks.
One brother got lucky with his LSE, selling that in October to a 28 year old guy from Duluth who just got his DL and this was his first car -my brother and I have a running joke whenever it snows we ask each other "I wonder which telephone pole the Lincoln is wrapped around?"
One thing that guy probably didn't have an issue with was the coils -that car never had one fail in the 25k/3 yrs my brother owned it.
The other brother who still has his LS has replaced every coil at least 2-3x since he got the car in September 06. He's put 30k miles on that car so, literally figure every 10k you'll have cycled through all the coils.

[WhiteArrow3800]

The way I understand it is, basically you're getting bored of the Bonneville, yet you love it so much. What if, rather than looking for another car, you "spice" up the Bonneville little bit, get more excited about it. Are you looking for something that would perform better or feel better to drive?

To be honest, about the '00+, I can deal with their quirks, but some people can't. I feel the '92-'99 was a much better car, if you're looking to "upgrade" in a sense maybe an '00+ isn't for you...
I'd stay away from the Lincoln LS though, they look nice but from what I've gathered they are quirky and not all that reliable.
The Mercury Marauder though, that would be on my personal list of alternates to the Bonneville, or a CTS-V of course.

[sandrock]

I'd go with a Panther platform as well. They're proven to be rock-solid, though the fuel mileage on them isn't stellar. Many Panthers were doomed thanks to the CFC program. Stick with locating A Crown Vic LX Sport or a Marauder. The Grand Marqs also have an LX Sport equivalent trim, though I don't remember what it was called. The newer models actually got a tach installed as standard equipment.

[Jrs3800]

Not sure what to say Fatcat...

Possibly Mod the Bonnie a little? I don't think you will find another car that you know so well and like.. And I am going to guess that you own it outright anyhow.. If you had any issues I am sure you could rebuild or replaces the parts..

Maybe a Cam or some rockers... Some SC porting... Just a few go fast goodies...lol

[BonneMe]

Unless you really need the extra space of the 7, why not check out a 5 series?

[SingsCountry1967]

I went from the 2000 SLE (super sexy car pic'd below) to a 2004 monte carlo. The monte is sexy in it's own right, but I have a special love for the SLE. I don't regret the change due to the miles I put on each year...but if I had gone to any other 'less sporty' of a car, I would not have been happy. Sounds like you may feel the same way... so stick with something sporty.