A Bonneville conundrum

[Skippy1827]

Be very careful of any pre 2000 Cadillac. The N* in them have head gasket issues. The CTS-V is RWD and beyond your price i would imagine.
What about the Regal?

[01bonneSC]

Be very careful of any pre 2000 Cadillac. The N* in them have head gasket issues. The CTS-V is RWD and beyond your price i would imagine.
What about the Regal?

Whats wrong with RWD? And itll have an LS engine, much more less prone to failure and def probably cheaper to fix. But yes around 20000 for first gen 2004 or so. You can get a Marauder for around 12000 and be part of a much more exclusive group since they only ran for a couple years, Panthers are the bomb for a more door full-size car....if I would have not been so awe struck buy my Bonneville on the lot and had remembered the newish cousin for my 64 Merc, I may have not known of the BC. Those Mod motors LOVE forced induction, and Kenne Bell is the BEST!

[Steelworker26]

We upgraded to our 2000 SSEI from a 95 trans am then from a 98 Sebring.

Power windows, locks, sunroof, Bose, heated seats/mirrors, 2 person auto chairs, fake leather, supercharged, kick arse gauge lights with a cool startup gauge check, HEADS UP DISPLAY, huge back seat, huge trunk, good fuel economy, drives (aside from the standard minor issues and my current fuel problem ) like a dream. Multiple 12+ hour drives and no aches or pains caused from the car...

Plus I know this car better than anything other than my Jimmy and I know its history. Not a car from a banker who changes his oil when he thinks about it etc.

We have had this car for 5 years used and I don't want another car.

These bonnies later and earlier are awesome cars. Put some good cruising tires on her, get her detailed...maybe change out your radio and speakers. Even change the interior or re-pad your seats/new steering wheel wrap. There just aren't any good cars for the price when you look at all the options. And a BMW/MERC which my family has owned older models cost a lot for parts. Even more than a 2000 Pontiac supercharged which is too freakin expensive.
But then again, I almost cried when I sold my 02 GXP.

[l67poweredlss]

Steer clear of import luxury cars that are 10+ years old. Any little repair will cost you. Pads and rotors for a 90s BMW will cost you $2K easy! If you do the work yourself it will be a little cheaper. But, believe me, its a PITA to work on those cars. If I were you, wanting a quick luxurious 90s prestigious car, i'd go for a 97-98 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC. It has Ford's super reliable Cobra DOHC 4.6L V8 with 280hp, and important transmission improvements over the 93-96 models. Any repair you may have will be half of what you'll pay for an import.

[harofreak00]

Pads and rotors for a 90s BMW will cost you $2K easy!

[93 SSE 4 ME]

Can't speak for a BMW, but as I was sitting at the parts counter last week ordering a fuel line for my DMax, a tech came in for Subaru WRX STi brake components. New rotors and pads were $2400 for that car, the whole way around. And thats not BS.

Mark

[BonneMe]

Can't speak for a BMW, but as I was sitting at the parts counter last week ordering a fuel line for my DMax, a tech came in for Subaru WRX STi brake components. New rotors and pads were $2400 for that car, the whole way around. And thats not BS.

Mark

That's a parts counter for you, whatever they don't stock they make a killing on as they're special ordering the parts. STi has factory Brembos, getting them from a Scooby dealer or performance shop is a better bet.

Reading back in the thread... A Monte Carlo is sporty?

[00Beast]

Even the S/C Monte's are lame. Although as a Bonneville Owner, I shouldn't even be talking....

[l67poweredlss]

Okay little buddy, how much are they?

[harofreak00]

95 BMW 325i

Front pads - $25
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalo ... entId=44-0

Rear pads - $25
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalo ... entId=44-0

Front rotor - $40
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalo ... entId=44-0

Rear rotor - $40
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalo ... entId=44-0

Total: $210

[repinS]

I did a quick look on Rock Auto, and even if you select the most expensive options available, pads and rotors all around for a 1995 740iL are easily less than $400-500.

[l67poweredlss]

I did a quick look on Rock Auto, and even if you select the most expensive options available, pads and rotors all around for a 1995 740iL are easily less than $400-500.

No joke. I went to a bachelor party last May 09 and talked with a buddy whose dad is a reputable Mercedes/BMW mechanic. My whole life from 1st grade to now (20)yrs, he always told me those cars are sweet but to avoid these cars unless wealthy. When I was 19 I wanted a BMW 740iL. He turned me against it and said i'd be better off with my 93' Olds 88 and i'd spend $2K on a full brake job with a BMW 740.

But I can't deny your links. Facts are facts. I guess times change. His last name is Proudfoot. Should be able to google it, though I haven't tried.

[SingsCountry1967]

Reading back in the thread... A Monte Carlo is sporty?

In my opinion they are....everyone loves my red 2004 ...of course, maybe that's because I'm in it. Look, everyone is entitled to their opinion...you don't see me questioning your choice in cars...but you'd never catch me driving one either.

[1fatcat]

I just got my car back today (it was borrowed to a customer) and I must admit, I missed it BAD! So I think I will keep it for a while longer.

[malatu]

I went from a 92 Bonneville that I drove for 15 years to a 2006 Cadillac STS awd. It is sweet. As much as I loved that old girl, I'm loving the new ride! Good luck! The older version of the sts (seville) are some of the best values in the market right now. Do your research. Some of the models pre 2003 had head gasket problems.

If comfort is a priority, I suggest not getting a 2000 + Bonneville. I still have a 2002 and my 1992 was way more comfortable. Did you ever think you already have "your car"?

[BonneMe]

Reading back in the thread... A Monte Carlo is sporty?

Look, everyone is entitled to their opinion...you don't see me questioning your choice in cars...but you'd never catch me driving one either.

I'm not questioning the choice..

[01bonneSC]

Reading back in the thread... A Monte Carlo is sporty?

It "is" cause it has 2 doors.....

I went from a 92 Bonneville that I drove for 15 years to a 2006 Cadillac STS awd. It is sweet. As much as I loved that old girl, I'm loving the new ride! Good luck!

Wow. Lots of things happened to the auto industry in 14 years .

[cml37]

Looks like you made up your mind to keep (a VERY good choice by the way to keep that car). But just in case...

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 second this! My '04 never really grew on me.. kept it for 2-3 years and got rid of it. I don't really miss it...

I also agree about what others have said about BMW and Mercedes. Neither brand is really know for reliability.

My first choice (well, at least before all of the fiasco) was Lexus (i.e. GS350). But even changing the oil in those cars can be a pain from what I understand!

Honestly, if I had to buy another car right now, I would be totally lost! Everyone says that Ford has gotten better, but I don't believe it...

[Jrs3800]

And I'll say it too... I like my 95 Bonneville more than the 03... Sandrock feels the same way iirc... My own mother says she likes the 95 Better as well..

The 03 Drives good, runs good and what not... But I would rather drive the 95 on trips...

[malatu]

I gotta chime in on this. I bought a 1992 SE used in 1995. In 2005 I bought a 2002 Ssei because the 92 had some engine problems and I didn't want to put 1200 bucks into it. So I'm driving my new ssei (while the 92 is parked in the drive) and wife is driving here 94 Accord. Of course, my wife drove the 2002 a few times and all of the sudden her 94 Accord was no longer suitable to her..... surprise, surprise. Now, I've been driving the the 2002 for about two months and really never really got comfortable in it. Literally, the seats were too hard for my liking, didn't support enough of my legs and I simply couldn't get comfortable in it. Long story short... I gave the car to my wife, sold the Honda and got the 92 repaired and drove it for another 5 years until December of 2009.

Even though we still own the 2002 Ssei, I like the 92-99 Boneville better than the 2000+ Bonneville. .....of course IMO