My first Bonneville

[GoldPan]

This is what I found on Craigslist, 2003 Bonneville SE just over 120k miles. I got her just over a month ago for $2200.
This picture was taken about 10 minutes after I bought her.

Her she is a month later. I haven't done much to her yet. I did an oil change, replaced a front hub assembly, and I started to polish the headlights..

[00Beast]

Welcome!!! Looks good!!!

[Bing]

Welcome to the club, lots of good info here to keep your bonne running in tip top shape.

[SSEiMan01]

Not bad!
Welcome to the club!

[nos4blood70]

Looking good! Nice job with those head lights!
Welcome to the club.

[yonkerse]

Welcome to the club! Look forward to seeing the car around for years to come!

[38kronik00]

Welcome to the club. Lots to learn here whether it be keeping your car running sound or making it into a mustang killer you will find it here.

[Mad Myche]

Looks nice

[1oldman]

Great find especially at that price. Looks like you've done a really good job of cleaning things up. Here are some tings that might help you care for your car, in case you haven't located them yet. I suggest 00Beast's list first. - BC


Care and feeding:
viewforum.php?f=45

00Beast’s suggested list of things to do:
viewtopic.php?f=19&t=26860&p=270794&hilit=list#p270794

1987-2005 Bonneville / Buick 3800 Maintenance List

Run Seafoam, Chevron Techron or Gumout Regane through gasoline every 5,000 miles.

Grease: Ball Joints, Tie Rods Every 8-10k ( Green Grease or Amsoil Grease recommended)
Air Filter Every 15k (Amsoil EaA, Purolator PureONE)
PCV Valve Every 30k
MAF Sensor Element Cleaning/TB Cleaning Every 50k viewtopic.php?f=48&t=1661
Fuel Filter Every 15-25k (Purolator, AC Delco, WIX) http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 45&t=23215
Spark Plugs Every 30-50k (NGK TR55, AC Delco 41-101 or Autolite 605) (Never Bosch)
Ignition Wires Every 30-50k (Napa Belden, AC Delco, Autolite Pro, NGK) (Never Taylor or Bosch)
Oil & Filter Every 5-6k or Every 6 months (Valvoline SYNPower, Pennzoil Platinum, or Amsoil )(Mobil1, Purolator PureONE, Amsoil EaO, K&N or WIX) (Never Fram) viewtopic.php?f=45&t=214
*Conventional Oil Every 3k/3 months(API SM/SN rating) (WIX (Napa), Delco or Purolator filter)
Tires: Check Inflation Pressure & Visually Inspect Monthly Rotate Every 6-8,000 Miles
Transmission Flush or Pan Drop Every 15-20k (Always make sure filter is changed when flushed) viewtopic.php?f=45&t=10193
Cooling System Flush Every 25-50k or 3-5 Years (Peak or Prestone Mixes-With-Any Coolant Only) (Never Dexcool)
Oxygen Sensor Every 80-100k (30k for non-heated) (AC Delco or Denso) (Absolutely never Bosch) viewtopic.php?f=48&t=794
Accessory Belt Inspect every 15k, replace every 100k, or as needed
Cabin Air Filter Inspect and Replace every 15k, or as needed in dusty conditions. (Note: 00+ Only) viewtopic.php?f=45&t=13626
Evap Core Cleaning Whenever Needed (Note: 99 and older only) viewtopic.php?f=45&t=2432
Brake Fluid Flush 3yr/50k
Power Steering Fluid Replacement/Flush Every 100k or 5 years

*Special Considerations*
All Series II/III 3800's RPO's: L36, L26, L67 & L32, especially important on vehicles factory installed with orange Havoline Dexcool Antifreeze/Coolant: http://www.dex-cool.net/
Lower Intake Manifold Gasket Replacement, every 80-100k (ignorance of this can allow coolant to enter your engine oil, this happening can cause irreversible lower engine damage, requiring replacement of subject engine)

[/b]Series II, Naturally Aspirated, RPO:L36:[/b]
Upper Intake Manifold Plenum Replacement, Every 80-100k (ignorance of this can allow coolant to enter your intake manifold, possible damage to occur can be hydrolock, irreversible damage to emissions devices, misfires, etc. Most times, engine replacement is required if ignored long enough.) viewtopic.php?f=53&t=1061

Series I, II, III RPO Code L67 & L32:
Change Supercharger Oil; Every 30-50k. (Intense Racing or GM Dealer) viewtopic.php?f=56&t=1690
Supercharger Belt; Inspect Every 15k, Replace Every 100k or as needed.

7/9/11 by 00Beast

[GoldPan]

Thank you, I have a long list of what I want to do to her. Money is holding me back right now. When I sell my truck (1987 GMC 3500 454 FI) (http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff3 ... /truck.jpg) most of the money will go to the Bonneville. I did notice a coolant smell, looks like upper intake behind the TB, will fix a.s.a.p.

I will start with sorry dad. Here is my dads Bonneville, we've had it for about 12 years it has over 200k miles. It has been a really good car, we have gone on many road trips with it. Some day it will get the needed body work and a paint job.
I had to take this photo today. Both Bonneville's and the American Flag.


He is the 1991 from several years ago.

[1oldman]

He is the 1991 from several years ago.

The SSE version of your dad's Bonneville is the one that I fell in love with. Bonnevilles were last "sexy" (IMHO) before that in 1965.

Off topic - When we flew into Portland last fall, driving from the airport to Olympia, WA on I-205 was a 1962 Bonneville 4 door hardtop, light tan/beige. I almost chased the car down, but had to be somewhere before 4pm. It looked almost new. It made me remember why I liked the 1955 through 1967 Pontiacs so much. - BC

[2002BonnevilleSE]

Welcome to the club fellow SE owner.
You'll find this site very helpful for any needs or mods for your Bonneville.

[Jrs3800]

the 91 Bonnevilles were the cream of the crop so to speak... the 91's had a lot of the updates structurally and electrically as its 92 plus siblings... The springs, struts, lower control arms among a battery of parts... The engine was more or less an L27 Block, even has the same EV6 stamped on it, but is minus a couple of bolt bosses... Even the frame of the car has the threaded bolt bosses for the torque axis mount that was not used in 91... So there were a lot of updates the 91's had that the 90 didn't have... 91 was the best of the 87-91 run......

I would love a 91 SE .... so few of those were made....lol