Preferred Generation Bonneville? And Why?

[Jfridge92]

I've never driven any so I can't comment from that respect, but I love the way the 92-95's look. The grill is a lot meaner to me, and it just looks nice all around. I love the 00-03 ssei's, and of course the GXP styling, but I think the 92-95's take it for me. Of course since I own a LeSabre, I have to take it in that direction for a second and say that the LeSabre t-type's take the cake

[00Beast]

My favorite is the 10th Generation. The G8.

But seriously; I've only ever had any real seat time in 00+, and they were nice, and ours haven't had *too* many issues.

As much as any of us bitch about the 00+, we all have to remember: They're a lot better than a LOT of other similar age cars...

[SSEiMan01]

My favorite is the 10th Generation. The G8.

IF you want to get technical, the G8 is an eight generation Grand Prix. It replaced the GP and the Bonneville was discontinued in 05. G8 actually signifies 8th generation Grand Prix. Just like G6 is 6th gen Grand Am. But we all knew that right?

[94SilverSSEi]

My favorite is the 10th Generation. The G8.

But seriously; I've only ever had any real seat time in 00+, and they were nice, and ours haven't had *too* many issues.

As much as any of us bitch about the 00+, we all have to remember: They're a lot better than a LOT of other similar age cars...

Very true, think about all those imports

[00Beast]

My favorite is the 10th Generation. The G8.

IF you want to get technical, the G8 is an eight generation Grand Prix. It replaced the GP and the Bonneville was discontinued in 05. G8 actually signifies 8th generation Grand Prix. Just like G6 is 6th gen Grand Am. But we all knew that right?

I had no idea. I figured 6 was to signify mid-size, like Audi's A6, and 8 was to signify full size, like A8...

[SSEiMan01]

I know that's true for the G6 and G8, not sure but it's probably safe to assume that G5 is the 5th gen Sunflower and the G3, awful thing that it was is the only one that is partly incorrect if I'm right. The Aveo had two gens, and then the Pontiac version could have been the third? But like I said the G8 is the eight gen GP for sure.

I know, it's hard to believe that Pontiac ACTUALLY named their cars an abbreviation that had a meaning, right?

[bobgto65]

Pontiac tried using number series for some models in the early 80's there was the 6000 and J2000. The only result was poor sales because buyers wanted to identify with more classic names like the Grand Prix and Catalina. Calling a Grand Am a G6 and a sunfire a G3, a Grand Prix a G8 or whatever also caused loss of name recognition and hurt sales. It may have led to the demise of Pontiac.

[1tinindian]

Pontiac tried using number series for some models in the early 80's there was the 6000 and J2000. The only result was poor sales because buyers wanted to identify with more classic names like the Grand Prix and Catalina. Calling a Grand Am a G6 and a sunfire a G3, a Grand Prix a G8 or whatever also caused loss of name recognition and hurt sales. It may have led to the demise of Pontiac.

Agreed.

And we can forget about the T1000 (Chevette) and the early-mid 80s Bonneville "G" model based on the Lemans of the period, before the Caprice based Parisienne. (sp)

Pontiac sure had a bad way of tripping over their own dicks when it came to renaming cars.
I'll admit we even had a 6000LE (Goolie).
The 1960s were the best for Pontiac names, IMHO.

Leon

[rustyroger]

Ist generation for me. Although they are an Olds 88 and Buick Le Sabre I think they could be included in this thread.

I prefer the more angular styling, but then I'm in the UK and I want the "American car" look. Later models look more European IMO.
Plus I find them easy to maintain, not that I've had any major problems with either of mine.

Roger.

[redeyesbonnie]

I'd have to say 88-91 style would be my favorite. Highway cruising in those leather seats is like sitting on a cloud. I've driven an 88 LE, my 91 SSE, a 97 SE and my 2000 SSEI. They each have there own qualities, but to me nothing beats the ride and comfort of a well taken care of 91 SSE, however I really like the styling of the 2000+ bonnevilles with the centered fog lights and ground effects, it makes for an aggressive look. There aren't to many like it out there, plus it's got the added torque to roast up some rubber when needed . I'd take the 91 SSE on the nice long cruises, and the 2000+ for the daily grind. I guess i like them all..

[RJolly87]

Problem I have is that they never made my dream car.

My favorite gen for looks is the 92-95 SSE/i, but I never did like the fogs high on the bumper. Series 1 is also a blast because of the diff shredding torque in the L67. I prefer low to mid speed runs myself, so its strengths play in to my favor.

88-91 looks are starting to grow on me as well, especially the SSE's, but, then again, it is a dated drivetrain, begging to be swapped. The seats also would need to be updated to AL7's.

96-99 I could never fall in love with the looks, but the drivetrain is where it's at.

00-03 The SSEi/SLE reminds me of Jay Leno's chin. The SE wasn't much better. Plus the common issues laundry list is retardedly long.

04-05 GXP the Northstar sounds like a great engine to drive, but doesn't sound like something I would want to own.

You also forgot the other brothers, including the C Bodies. But again, there isn't something I don't have complaints about. '91-96 Park Avenue, the front of the car is a beauty, but it seems like the tail lights were an afterthought.

I would want:

91 SSE with Series 2 L67 swap, and AL7's
05 GXP with Series 2 L67 swap if I had to pick something newer, but I bet stupid things would kill it for me, wheel hubs, window regulators, etc.

[MattStrike]

My favorite are the '92-'93 SSEi. Although underneath my '93 is slowly transforming into a compilation of the best parts of the '85 Seville, '86 LeSabre, '98 SSEi, '02 SSEi, '02 Camaro, '98 Grand Prix, '05 Cobalt and '07 G6, not including the part's I've made for it... Lately it's been fun seeing how people react when I give 4 random cars at the parts counter for 4 different parts and then tell them I'm working on a Bonneville.

[nos4blood70]

If my car is a zombie then yours is a frankenstein.

[younggunls1]

2000+ for me.... Why? Because they look the best. No offense to any of you other generations.

As for reliability mine has been great.. Ya little things like window motors, intake gasket, seat heater, water leaks etc.. I've had them but really it's not that bad. I've never once thought the car was un reliable or required too much work.. It's just a used car and sometimes you gotta fix things. now that I've fixed things the car is better than ever.. That'sthe way iIsee it.

[Evan0801]

92-95 because the split tail lights look better, the seats are better, and the L27 is a brick. The less options you got the less that will go wrong

[KelvinVV]

I have to say, I love the 92-95 sse/ssei seats better. They look a lot comfier and supportive.

[1oldman]

Both reasons I bought the 2005 Bonneville in August are related to health. If it wasn't for that, I'd keep the '92 I have. My favorite FWD Bonneville is the '88-91 SSE. My all time favorite Bonneville is the '65 2 door hard top. My parents owned one in the early 70's and I always wanted that car.

As for water leaks, the '92 has leaked most of it's life. Drives me crazy just finding and fixing them. Fix one and it starts somewhere else. Thankfully it has spent most of it's life in a garage. - BC