lets talk public perception
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RBL9014
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- Year and Trim: 2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP
- Location: Houston, TX
Re: lets talk public perception
I live in Houston Texas where everyone drives a Truck or SUV. I had my GXP shipped here from a dealership in Austin. I rarely see other 00+ Bonnevilles and I've never seen another GXP. I get a little excited when I see ANY Bonneville with them meing so scarce here. While my car has been mistaken for a GP, I have gotten compliments from other Pontiac owners as well as Caddilac owners on my car. The best thing about having a Black GXP is that nobody had ever referred to it as a "grandma" car! 

_____________________
Black 2004 Bonneville GXP - 47,xxx miles
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razmatazz
- SSEi Member

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- Joined: Wed Oct 06, 2010 9:30 am
- Year and Trim: 1996 pontiac bonneville se
Re: lets talk public perception
i do get compliment for my 96 se. when it comes to females admiring my car. they like the room it has. the comfort it provides, and all the nice features it has. when a guy compliments my car its usuall goes like this "ahh that has a 3800 doesnt it. how many miles u got that engine up to"

http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z447/razmatazz1/Untitled-1.jpg
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jedwards83
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Re: lets talk public perception
I get more comments about the condition of the car given its age than anything else. Few people know it's even remotely performance oriented, and often it gets mistaken for a GP.
Had an ex from way back give me hell about driving a "grandpa" car when she rode with me recently-- The tan interior and the dashmat I put in does give it that "grandpa car" theme I suppose.
We have an intersection nearby in which the two lane road merges into one lane about 1/8 of a mile past the light. The right hand lane is really only to turn into the strip mall on the corner, but people use it as an opportunity to overtake the traffic by beating them to the merge after the light turns green. I get my jollies by smoking the unsuspecting douche in the right lane that tries make it there before I do. I've gotten a thumbs up here and there from that maneuver, and lots of middle fingers.
Had an ex from way back give me hell about driving a "grandpa" car when she rode with me recently-- The tan interior and the dashmat I put in does give it that "grandpa car" theme I suppose.
We have an intersection nearby in which the two lane road merges into one lane about 1/8 of a mile past the light. The right hand lane is really only to turn into the strip mall on the corner, but people use it as an opportunity to overtake the traffic by beating them to the merge after the light turns green. I get my jollies by smoking the unsuspecting douche in the right lane that tries make it there before I do. I've gotten a thumbs up here and there from that maneuver, and lots of middle fingers.
Inferno Red 2009 Dodge Caliber SRT-4 125k


Re: lets talk public perception
Haha, that's awesome. I always wished I had a big neon sign in the back window that I could put wording on for times like that. I'd be flashing up one saying "you're the douche in the wrong lane moron"
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keir
- SSEi Member

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- Year and Trim: 2000 ssei
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Re: lets talk public perception
Good thread but I've never heard the grandma term uttered around here....only seen it in car mags and on this site..Older GM cars, especially Grand Prix and Bonnies are pretty popular in this city,they are all over the place, so mine does not get much extra attention.I do get the occasional,"that's supercharged,I bet that that's really fast" when I pull in to a gas station or some drive up type store.
Black 91 SSE-Where it all started....
Red 95 Grand Prix SE-Gone but not forgotten....
Grey 00 SSEI -The current daily driver.
Dark Grey 2011 Dodge Charger-The new flagship.
Red 95 Grand Prix SE-Gone but not forgotten....
Grey 00 SSEI -The current daily driver.
Dark Grey 2011 Dodge Charger-The new flagship.
- SSEiMan01
- Certified Bonneville Nut

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92 SSE
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Re: lets talk public perception
Sorry, I got bored and felt there was a need for this. 

Will
91 Riviera | S2 L67 Swap/4T60E | 127K mi | Antelope Met. w/ Tan Int. | Saved From Death By Crusher
92 Bonneville SSE | L67/4T60E | 77K mi | Med Slate Grey w/ Two-Tone Grey Int. | Low Miles Time Capsule
92 Lumina Z34 | LQ1/4T60E | 177k mi | Torch Red w/Grey Int. | Rusty In Odd Spots
99 Tahoe LT | L31/4L65E | 276k mi | Spiral Grey Metallic w/Grey Int. | Truck for Truck Things and Portable Concert Hall
02 Bonneville SSEi | 171k mi | Black w/Neutral Int. | Backup and road trip car
03 Park Avenue Ultra | 212K mi | White Diamond Met. w/ Shale Int. | Southern Time Capsule
05 Acura RL | 165K mi | Carbon Grey Pearl w/Ebony Int. | The Super-Hooptie Daily
91 Riviera | S2 L67 Swap/4T60E | 127K mi | Antelope Met. w/ Tan Int. | Saved From Death By Crusher
92 Bonneville SSE | L67/4T60E | 77K mi | Med Slate Grey w/ Two-Tone Grey Int. | Low Miles Time Capsule
92 Lumina Z34 | LQ1/4T60E | 177k mi | Torch Red w/Grey Int. | Rusty In Odd Spots
99 Tahoe LT | L31/4L65E | 276k mi | Spiral Grey Metallic w/Grey Int. | Truck for Truck Things and Portable Concert Hall
02 Bonneville SSEi | 171k mi | Black w/Neutral Int. | Backup and road trip car
03 Park Avenue Ultra | 212K mi | White Diamond Met. w/ Shale Int. | Southern Time Capsule
05 Acura RL | 165K mi | Carbon Grey Pearl w/Ebony Int. | The Super-Hooptie Daily
James May wrote:Hello.
- dpnewfie
- Posts like an LN3

- Posts: 598
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- Year and Trim: 2005 GXP
- Location: Conroe, Texas
Re: lets talk public perception
I see plenty of 00+ bonnevilles but I've seen only two other GXP's in the 7 years I've been driving this thing.RBL9014 wrote:I live in Houston Texas where everyone drives a Truck or SUV. I had my GXP shipped here from a dealership in Austin. I rarely see other 00+ Bonnevilles and I've never seen another GXP. I get a little excited when I see ANY Bonneville with them meing so scarce here. While my car has been mistaken for a GP, I have gotten compliments from other Pontiac owners as well as Caddilac owners on my car. The best thing about having a Black GXP is that nobody had ever referred to it as a "grandma" car!
2012 CTS-V Coupe, 4k miles and counting.
2005 Bonneville GXP, 200k and SOLD!J Wikoff wrote:It has been an honor and privilage to have been serviced by you.
- yourgrandma
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 2425
- Joined: Mon May 26, 2008 6:56 pm
- Year and Trim: '02 SSEi
Re: lets talk public perception
I see GXP pretty often. Obviously SE's outnumber all other trims by a factor of 12 though. This is the first car Ive owned that isnt glaringly unique. Seems like once a week I see an exact duplicate of it. Ive been doing my best to fix that though.
More on the topic, I got some more crap about it the other day when I mentioned to someone Im putting a performance torque converter in with the tranny rebuild. The obligatory "why would you put all that money in that car" or "why not just drive it" seems to always come up. Thing with the TC is its not a whole lot more than a new stock replacement, and im saving 8lb of rotating mass on the engine. Seems like a no-brainer, but my mind is a little warped.
More on the topic, I got some more crap about it the other day when I mentioned to someone Im putting a performance torque converter in with the tranny rebuild. The obligatory "why would you put all that money in that car" or "why not just drive it" seems to always come up. Thing with the TC is its not a whole lot more than a new stock replacement, and im saving 8lb of rotating mass on the engine. Seems like a no-brainer, but my mind is a little warped.
02 SSEi-Turning money into tire smoke, very efficiently.


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00Beast
- Retired Site Developer

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Re: lets talk public perception
I see your point, and once you cam it will be perfect, IMHO.
Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock

RIP sandrock
Sirius wrote:Think about it. You’re tooling down the road in your Prius, knowing full-well that this thing being green is as big a sham as federally mandated ethanol-enriched gas, Russia pulling out of Ukraine, and Obamacare.
- GMC Guy
- Posts like an LG3

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Re: lets talk public perception
I usually get one compliment/ questioning per season its on the road.
This season it was the Valet at the parking garage. He asked lots of questions.
people usually ask what year and when i tell them its a 99 they are shocked.
most of the Bonnes here are not SSEi
mostly SE, in ottawa i have seen only one or two other dark cherry metalic ones
This season it was the Valet at the parking garage. He asked lots of questions.
people usually ask what year and when i tell them its a 99 they are shocked.
most of the Bonnes here are not SSEi
mostly SE, in ottawa i have seen only one or two other dark cherry metalic ones
Tinted 13% Front 3% Rear, MSD Coils and Wires, K&N drop in air and oil filter...more to come as things wear/break!!
Tint it so dark, you won't even know your name
Tint it so dark, you won't even know your name
- zuper8
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Re: lets talk public perception
Everyone loves my cars because they are really well-cared for/ detailed. Most 92-99s these days are beat and people have given up on their appearance, so folks don't realize that these were pretty sharp cars when they were new. Now that I've moved to New England, people just can't understand why I like such big cars, but they haven't sat in mine either 
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00Beast
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Re: lets talk public perception
[wayofftopic]
Those wheels look really good Rachel!
[/wayofftopic]
Those wheels look really good Rachel!
[/wayofftopic]
Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock

RIP sandrock
Sirius wrote:Think about it. You’re tooling down the road in your Prius, knowing full-well that this thing being green is as big a sham as federally mandated ethanol-enriched gas, Russia pulling out of Ukraine, and Obamacare.
- GMC Guy
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Re: lets talk public perception
RBL9014 wrote:I live in Houston Texas where everyone drives a Truck or SUV. I had my GXP shipped here from a dealership in Austin. I rarely see other 00+ Bonnevilles and I've never seen another GXP. I get a little excited when I see ANY Bonneville with them meing so scarce here. While my car has been mistaken for a GP, I have gotten compliments from other Pontiac owners as well as Caddilac owners on my car. The best thing about having a Black GXP is that nobody had ever referred to it as a "grandma" car!
My adopted brother lived in Waxatahachie (SP) the directions to his house included turn left at the stone fence drive 2 miles then hang a right look for the only house on the street WITHOUT a truck/SUV in the laneway, thats my house.
had to add that thanks RBL9014 fer the reminder
Tinted 13% Front 3% Rear, MSD Coils and Wires, K&N drop in air and oil filter...more to come as things wear/break!!
Tint it so dark, you won't even know your name
Tint it so dark, you won't even know your name
- nos4blood70
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Re: lets talk public perception
00Beast wrote:[wayofftopic]
Those wheels look really good Rachel!
[/wayofftopic]
- SSEiMan01
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 5766
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92 SSE
92 Lumina Z34
99 Tahoe
03 PAU - Location: DeKalb, IL
Re: lets talk public perception
nos4blood70 wrote:00Beast wrote:[wayofftopic]
Those wheels look really good Rachel!
[/wayofftopic]
If I only had a 92-99.
Will
91 Riviera | S2 L67 Swap/4T60E | 127K mi | Antelope Met. w/ Tan Int. | Saved From Death By Crusher
92 Bonneville SSE | L67/4T60E | 77K mi | Med Slate Grey w/ Two-Tone Grey Int. | Low Miles Time Capsule
92 Lumina Z34 | LQ1/4T60E | 177k mi | Torch Red w/Grey Int. | Rusty In Odd Spots
99 Tahoe LT | L31/4L65E | 276k mi | Spiral Grey Metallic w/Grey Int. | Truck for Truck Things and Portable Concert Hall
02 Bonneville SSEi | 171k mi | Black w/Neutral Int. | Backup and road trip car
03 Park Avenue Ultra | 212K mi | White Diamond Met. w/ Shale Int. | Southern Time Capsule
05 Acura RL | 165K mi | Carbon Grey Pearl w/Ebony Int. | The Super-Hooptie Daily
91 Riviera | S2 L67 Swap/4T60E | 127K mi | Antelope Met. w/ Tan Int. | Saved From Death By Crusher
92 Bonneville SSE | L67/4T60E | 77K mi | Med Slate Grey w/ Two-Tone Grey Int. | Low Miles Time Capsule
92 Lumina Z34 | LQ1/4T60E | 177k mi | Torch Red w/Grey Int. | Rusty In Odd Spots
99 Tahoe LT | L31/4L65E | 276k mi | Spiral Grey Metallic w/Grey Int. | Truck for Truck Things and Portable Concert Hall
02 Bonneville SSEi | 171k mi | Black w/Neutral Int. | Backup and road trip car
03 Park Avenue Ultra | 212K mi | White Diamond Met. w/ Shale Int. | Southern Time Capsule
05 Acura RL | 165K mi | Carbon Grey Pearl w/Ebony Int. | The Super-Hooptie Daily
James May wrote:Hello.
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yonkerse
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Re: lets talk public perception
00Beast wrote:[wayofftopic]
Those wheels look really good Rachel!
[/wayofftopic]
Totally Agree!! Thinking we need another photoshoot of your car!!
- wdudetocool
- SSEi Member

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- Location: osage ,iowa
Re: lets talk public perception
it all depends on which way you "flip" her.....vogie01 wrote:PRD2BDF wrote:You're doing it wrong. They should be complimenting the headliner and how nice it looks, not the dash.99BonnevilleSE wrote:A few said the dash reminded them of the bat mobile.
If you are using the center console as your work bench, then I could see getting a compliment about the dash.![]()
If you know what I mean.

- SSEiMan01
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92 SSE
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Re: lets talk public perception
For what it's worth,PRD2BDF wrote:
You're doing it wrong. They should be complimenting the headliner and how nice it looks, not the dash.
If you are using the center console as your work bench, then I could see getting a compliment about the dash.![]()
If you know what I mean.
/end threadjackSSEiMan01 wrote:"Real talent can do "it" with a floor console."
Will
91 Riviera | S2 L67 Swap/4T60E | 127K mi | Antelope Met. w/ Tan Int. | Saved From Death By Crusher
92 Bonneville SSE | L67/4T60E | 77K mi | Med Slate Grey w/ Two-Tone Grey Int. | Low Miles Time Capsule
92 Lumina Z34 | LQ1/4T60E | 177k mi | Torch Red w/Grey Int. | Rusty In Odd Spots
99 Tahoe LT | L31/4L65E | 276k mi | Spiral Grey Metallic w/Grey Int. | Truck for Truck Things and Portable Concert Hall
02 Bonneville SSEi | 171k mi | Black w/Neutral Int. | Backup and road trip car
03 Park Avenue Ultra | 212K mi | White Diamond Met. w/ Shale Int. | Southern Time Capsule
05 Acura RL | 165K mi | Carbon Grey Pearl w/Ebony Int. | The Super-Hooptie Daily
91 Riviera | S2 L67 Swap/4T60E | 127K mi | Antelope Met. w/ Tan Int. | Saved From Death By Crusher
92 Bonneville SSE | L67/4T60E | 77K mi | Med Slate Grey w/ Two-Tone Grey Int. | Low Miles Time Capsule
92 Lumina Z34 | LQ1/4T60E | 177k mi | Torch Red w/Grey Int. | Rusty In Odd Spots
99 Tahoe LT | L31/4L65E | 276k mi | Spiral Grey Metallic w/Grey Int. | Truck for Truck Things and Portable Concert Hall
02 Bonneville SSEi | 171k mi | Black w/Neutral Int. | Backup and road trip car
03 Park Avenue Ultra | 212K mi | White Diamond Met. w/ Shale Int. | Southern Time Capsule
05 Acura RL | 165K mi | Carbon Grey Pearl w/Ebony Int. | The Super-Hooptie Daily
James May wrote:Hello.
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01bonneSC
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1997 'maro (3.8L M5)
89 SkiDoo - Location: Sycamore, IL
Re: lets talk public perception
That's why I got a Tahoe....ha.SSEiMan01 wrote:For what it's worth,PRD2BDF wrote:
You're doing it wrong. They should be complimenting the headliner and how nice it looks, not the dash.
If you are using the center console as your work bench, then I could see getting a compliment about the dash.![]()
If you know what I mean./end threadjackSSEiMan01 wrote:"Real talent can do "it" with a floor console."
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Jordan
- LE Member
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- Location: Richland Center, WI
Re: lets talk public perception
I had a 1995 SSEi for a few months at the beginning of the year. I didn't really get much feedback from people about it, except a couple compliments on it from some people at school, and a lot of hate from my girlfriend. The car at this point was a pile of junk anyways.
There's not many Bonnevilles around my area, though. Grand Prixs are the cars that seem to be everywhere here.
There's not many Bonnevilles around my area, though. Grand Prixs are the cars that seem to be everywhere here.






