lets talk public perception

[Mad Myche]

The GP (1 early 90s, 2 late 90s) guys seem to like it. My sister and my girls like it. The cops don't pay attention to it.

I have noticed people are more likely to pull over for it with lights/siren running than the old dodge shadow

[LeSabreUltra]

People always loved my LeSabre if they stopped to look at it, but no one gave me a second glance driving down the street. It was pretty anonymous.

Aside from the truck's exhaust, I've never really gotten random compliments from people about a car I've owned until I got the Malibu. That car tends to get stared at and questioned about, particularly if they catch a look at the interior. It doesn't look like a Chevy or GM car at all, aside from the bowtie up front.

I still like the looks of the 00+ Bonnevilles, particularly the GXPs. Those look like they could still be selling them today. Most of it has to do with the lovely 18" wheels that they came with, and the exhaust tips.
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[BonneMe]

BMW gets some looks... However, nothing like the solstice, especially when it was new.

[devin1986]

Nobody notices my lesabre other than people occasionally asking me what's wrong with it/why does it whine? My gf likes it, and most car guys compliment me for being unique and having a supercharged lesabre.

[gweg_b]

I've gotten a few compliments about my SSEi, but only by people who actually know what it is (although one guy claiming he was a car guy - mostly GM - called it a GP, and I just rolled my eyes). I've had a few people take longer looks at the car when it's shiney (or if I get the whine up and going), and have had people in the past watch me as I take pictures. Other than that, I don't really hear much on the Bonneville (even though 00+ are rare around here).

With my LeSabre, I constantly get the "but that's a grandma car" statement, or "why don't you but some 22's on it". I even had one guy (way back when I was in school) say I should replace all the chrome with gold - I had to laugh about that one. After I modded the car, I have gotten a lot more interest by on-lookers, especially when I get into it. Of course, I still get the question, when I talk about my mods, "why would you do that to a LeSabre [grandma] car?", and I reply simply with "why not?".

Of course, anytime I have a problem with either of the cars (Bonneville currently has a terrible misfire (again), and the LeSabre leaks more fuel than a racehorse), people ask why I don't sell them and buy something more reliable, like a Honda or Toyota. That will send me over the edge. They're my cars - I own them both and I will do what I want with them. The Buick has 310,000 miles, and 85% original parts, and I have a love/hate relationship with the Bonneville (and probably will till the end of time).

As for the females around here - ha, they'd rather be dead than caught anywhere near 'grandma' cars. But, I love them both, and that's all that matters to me.

[MattStrike]

A deep, throaty exhaust note grabs a lot of attention
In the last 2 days, I've had more random people turn to look than this car has had in the rest of it's life combined. Of course, they're all probably thinking "What a @#$%@" or "is that tranny whine?" or "why is the front end 2 feet in the air?"...

I'm with you on keeping the good ol' American car. Everybody I see driving the foreign cars baby's them. Nobody drives their camry like I drive my LeSabre (even with the LG3), and I personally have put over 100k on the car (80k on the LG3). And how many people really appreciate the amount of time and effort go into a car before it even hits the showroom floor, let alone hit 100k?

[Ludichris]

Well, my previous Bonnie, my '97 SE in green with gold lace wheels, was nothing special to look at, at all. It didn't garner any attention because there was nothing special about it. People that rode in it though always commented about how smooth the ride was, and even my girlfriend, who doesn't like more than a couple hours on the road, went with me a couple times on 4+ hour road trips and she was fine, she loved the smooth ride.

My new to me '05 though, even though I've only had it about a month, has grabbed some attention from people, and I think it has a lot to do with it being an SE with SLE/SSEi wheels. Even my girlfriend's Mom, who has an '02 SE said to me, "Your wheels are different than mine, yours look better.", to which I had to laugh and asked her if she planned on putting 22's and some subs in her trunk! It's a clean car (except for that dang cracked rear bumper cover from someone backing into me 46 hours after I bought it) and it does look pretty sharp if I do say so myself. All in all, for what it is, I'd say it's getting noticed. I'll say this much - I'd still take the look of the 00+ Bonnies over most of the domestic stuff that's coming out now - it's almost TOO futuristic looking, especially on the interior, to me. Our Bonnies may be starting to look a little "old school" on the interior compared to what's out now, but I'm 100% okay with that, and in fact prefer it. On the outside...especially SLE's/SSEi's...who can argue that they look cool if it's a clean one that's well maintained?! If they can, I'd venture to say they may have a preference issue, but that's just me.

[SSEiMan01]

I'd venture to say they may have a preference issue.

A lot of people seem to have a certain prference nowadays.

While I can't say I don't like some non-domestic cars, I still prefer American branded cars.

[gweg_b]

I have had people say how comfortable the seats are in my LeSabre. I've had people in that car on long trips that weren't even tired, fall asleep because of the softness of the seats (I have a hard time fighting that a lot myself). And, since I have some big and tall friends, they love how much leg room there is in the back. Now, I've had those same friends complain about the lack of leg room in the back of the Bonneville (and I have noticed there is a lot less room compared to an older H-body).

I grew up in a GM family, and that's what I learned to like (although my brother is part Mopar guy) - even most of the neighborhood had or still has American branded cars. A lot the guys I work with over the past couple of years have traded in their American branded vehicles for smaller, non-domestic cars. As much as they have commented on how cool my cars are (and for those lucky enough to ride in the Bonneville, commenting on how fast it is ), they sometimes as me why I don't get something else that gets like 34mpg on the highway. I always have to look at them and ask if they are serious or not, as I have no problem getting that on the highway with the Bonneville (town is a different story, but it can be so hard to control that pesky boost sometimes). I feel safe and comfortable in my big sedans. I rode in a co-worker's new small non-domestic branded car (not naming names here), and it felt like I was sitting on a slab of concrete, and I had to put the seat all the way back, and still didn't have leg room (and I'm not a tall guy).

Anyway, I'm just rambling now, but as others have said, it's public perception. I guess most people nowadays don't understand that an older, bigger (and sometimes more powerful) car can be fuel efficient, fast, and cool all at the same time.

[yonkerse]

Its kinda funny to me. Everyone wants these smaller, sportier, compact cars that get good good gas mileage. These people are also the ones picking on us for keeping our Bonnevilles and wondering why we don't upgrade (or down-grade in my book) to smaller cars. But, when your going on a trip with these guys, they ask us to drive since our cars are large, roomy and comfortable for 4 people while still get good mileage.

I will keep my Bonneville and continue defending it against newer compacts.

[SSEiMan01]

I will keep my Bonneville and continue defending it against newer compacts.

Well said!

[bonniegirl]

Ok so coming from a girls perspective I love the Bonnevilles and I like the Grand Prix too But mostly just the 97-03 body style. When Im driving and I see another Bonne or GP I have to look at it. I get disappointed if I see one that someone has beat the crap out of and just doesnt care. It makes me want to take it and clean it up and fix it so it looks nice again. Kinda like a lost puppy dog lol. I personally could not mistake a Bonne for a Grand Prix but thats cuz Im not a typical girl. I like cars and grew up in a GM family I love the fact that people aka ricers look at my Bonne or even my old 03 Grand Prix 4 door and laugh..that is until I beat them in a race I work for a VW/Audi dealership and when I told a couple of the techs that I bought a Bonneville they laughed at me. Which is fine cuz they have to drop like $5000 on their cars to add the same amount of hp as I would for a few hundred dollars.
Anyway I know Im rambling but I just want you guys, and the few of us girls on here, to know that I respect all of your cars and know how much you appreciate them and thank you all for your help when I have questions about mine

[RogueSSEi]

My Bonneville does turn heads, considering it looks kinda like the bat mobile and "Murdered out"... My dad said it looks kinda like an undercover cop car and a drug dealers car
"They see me rollin', They hatin', Patrolling and tryin' to catch me ridin dirty" lol

[devin1986]

I was playing around with a buddy with an h22 accord the other night, and he said "I'd go again but it would only turn into masturbation". I'll take that as a compliment.

[yonkerss]

This thread hit a little close to home for me. When my brother Eric said he wanted a bonneville before he bought his I instantly thought and I think I said why one of those?! At the time I drove a '98 Ford Escort - great mileage too small of a car. After being educated by Eric as to the mileage and excellent track record the 3800 has and seeing / riding in his '05 SLE, I started slowly learning more and reading this board and others. Well now I own one.....

Only had my car for around a month and have just gotten the standard 'nice car' compliment. I suspect as mods are done it will start to turn a few heads or get noticd a bit more. Reguardless I LOVE IT!

[00Beast]

Only had my car for around a month and have just gotten the standard 'nice car' compliment. I suspect as mods are done it will start to turn a few heads or get noticd a bit more. Reguardless I LOVE IT!

Don't bet on it. To everyone else, my car is "just a Bonneville".

[SSEiMan01]

To an average Joe, some of our cars are too subtle to look different, Ed. Eric's car has a lot of different things about it, mostly lighting which really stands out.

[deano55]

well, I am a grandpa and I like it, even my grandchildren like the whine of the S/C. Its a very comfortable car to drive and feels very surefooted to me. My 10 yr grandson wants me to give it to him when he's 16 and I might just do that, (mods will be off for him though). lol

[yonkerse]

To an average Joe, some of our cars are too subtle to look different, Ed. Eric's car has a lot of different things about it, mostly lighting which really stands out.

I agree. My car gets looks mostly because its unique and people aren't sure what it is because of its unique lighting..not really getting looks because its a Bonneville.

[sethjamesrimrodt]

Chicks dig the tri coat white and comfort, guys love the performance, but everyone thinks its a GP...