2004 pont bonneville gxp first time bonneville buyer

[bsd406]

2004 pontiac bonneville GXP 74,500 miles he's asking 9000 and told me kbb'ed it for 10,900 which I didn't find when I kbb'ed it.claims it gets 25 highway and 18-20 around town. has a salvage title because it was "hit in back" how do you feel about the price? Im a first time bonneville purchaser, I currently own a pontiac grand am SE. What are some things i should think about when i go to test drive it? is it a good idea to buy a vehicle with a salvage title? and could i put 17's on it that were for my grand am?

[harofreak00]

Usually, salvage title vehicles are valued at 60% of normal book value. It does book at $10,900 in excellent condition, but you shouldn't pay more than $6500 for that car with a salvage title. Ask to see pictures of the car before or during the repair process. If he doesn't have them, you are basing it off his word, which isn't worth much these days.

Check out the Common Problems and Solutions article: http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 18&t=25362

I personally wouldn't have a problem with a salvage title vehicle if I did the work myself and didn't plan on selling it (which is exactly why we have a tan 2000 SSEi), however, if you ever plan to sell it, good luck getting what its worth.

AFAIK, early Grand Am's have a different bolt pattern. Why would you want to put Grand Am wheels on a GXP?

[CMNTMXR57]

In addition to the above, and putting aside the crash and the salvage title, the way I see it, is that you will have roughly 25,500 miles of relatively troublefree life with it. Get to 100k or more with a Northstar, in this layout, expect to be nickeled and dimed to death with simple maintenance. Maybe more like $5 and $10 to death. Not because it's a bad car or engine, just that it's a size 10 engine in a size 5 dress. Any labor on it is exponentially more than a 3800 V6 version, due to lack of room and ease of repair on it.

And before the "I got 100k or more on mine..." crowd jump in to discuss, it's not that it is a bad engine or will leave you stranded. It's just a more preventative maintenance specific type of engine once that mileage is attained. Statistics seem to follow that.

[7tcatvert]

2004 pontiac bonneville GXP 74,500 miles he's asking 9000 and told me kbb'ed it for 10,900 which I didn't find when I kbb'ed it.claims it gets 25 highway and 18-20 around town. has a salvage title because it was "hit in back" how do you feel about the price? Im a first time bonneville purchaser, I currently own a pontiac grand am SE. What are some things i should think about when i go to test drive it? is it a good idea to buy a vehicle with a salvage title? and could i put 17's on it that were for my grand am?

I say its worth 5000...if you tried to trade that car in no dealer would want it... if you sell it outright you cut the market for people who would want it in half. Spend an extra $1000 and buy one without salvage I paid 10500 for an 05 with 68K 3 weeks ago from a dealer....There are deals on the GXP out there....

[dpnewfie]

And before the "I got 100k or more on mine..." crowd jump in to discuss, it's not that it is a bad engine or will leave you stranded. It's just a more preventative maintenance specific type of engine once that mileage is attained. Statistics seem to follow that.

Are you pointing your finger at me? lol

I can attest to the fact that after 100k this thing is going to start costing you. Even if your a good DIYr this thing will $5 and $10 you to death.

My advice....run!

[CMNTMXR57]

Nope. I was just waiting for the firestorm of "I've got 3 trillion miles on my N* and it has never had a problem..." type of comments, because you know it's inevitable.

[repinS]

I don't know if there are actually that many on this forum

108k on body, 34k on my N*!

[CMNTMXR57]

Are you using kilometers? haha!

[repinS]

175,000 km on body, 55,000 km on motor

[ChilinMichael]

Why don't we just be honest and talk about the head bolts backing out?

[repinS]

Because that's honestly not really on the radar for 2004/2005. Not after the thread pitch change.

Gaskets/leaks, sensors, mounts, and the general "Size 10 woman in Size 5 Dress" fitment of the motor are the main issues for these years.

[CMNTMXR57]

Yea, I thought they got the head bolt issues fixed in 2000/2001 time frame. Not to say doing the aftermarket kit wouldn't hurt if absolutely necessary, as I believe it's a stronger fix than GM's redesign, but still something you don't want to do unless you have to...

[dpnewfie]

Nope. I was just waiting for the firestorm of "I've got 3 trillion miles on my N* and it has never had a problem..." type of comments, because you know it's inevitable.

I see your point.

[CMNTMXR57]

Like death and taxes...

[RBL9014]

2004 pontiac bonneville GXP 74,500 miles he's asking 9000 and told me kbb'ed it for 10,900 which I didn't find when I kbb'ed it.claims it gets 25 highway and 18-20 around town. has a salvage title because it was "hit in back" how do you feel about the price? Im a first time bonneville purchaser, I currently own a pontiac grand am SE. What are some things i should think about when i go to test drive it? is it a good idea to buy a vehicle with a salvage title? and could i put 17's on it that were for my grand am?

I wouldn't pay more than 7k with that kind of title, otherwise if it looks good and drives good, go for it. I purchased my '04 GXP back in October and I feel like I'm still on my honnymoon with my car. Absolutly love it and wouldn't trade it for anything on the road. Not only is it a great car, but I also love how rare it is. I live in Houston and with the millions of cars on the road down here I still haven't seen another GXP Bonnie since I bought mine. I was lucky enough to find one with only 42k on it, but I would have still bought it with the mileage you're looking at. As was previously stated, you can probaly find one with a clean title for not much more money of this seller won't work with you. Good luck!