2003 SSEi with 68k possible purchase

[willyg1997]

Yesterday I came across a 2003 Bonn SSEi with 67k mikes, dark blue with charc gray int. $7500 asking price from a privet party with a blue book $6800 for excellent cond. Today I took it for a test drive, and a top to bottom, in and out visual inspection. For the most part it was in excellent condition, except for some rust starting between the lower body pinch seam, not bad just caught my eye. No leaks on the motor/tranny. Motor was tight and smooth, tranny shifted nice, and it drive down the road and straight. The owner replaced the front hyd motor mount with a solid mount, said the hyd mount was a common problem. The only thing that didn’t give that warm and fuzzy was that it seamed like I could feel the motor in the shifter under light hyw acceleration. It wasn’t a vibration just a light feel of the motor. Not sure if this could be related to the solid mount or something to be concerned with. I understand it is tough to give any suggestions without actually feeling it, just thought I would throw it out there.

The owner may come down to 7k, and I know this is high dallor for a 2003, but with 67k mile maybe the price is justifiable. What do you think. go for it or keep looking.

thanks for your advice
Bill

http://s675.photobucket.com/user/bon2k2 ... 003%20SSEi

[1oldman]

Wow! that looks like Andrew's wall! If this car is for sale by Andrew, you should be good. He is one of our go to guys on the FORUM. He goes through his cars with a "fine tooth comb" to do everything he can to make they sound and dependable. He has numerous repeat customers. I have purchased a couple of minor things from him and he has always been more than fair. - BC

[willyg1997]

Wow! that looks like Andrew's wall! If this car is for sale by Andrew, you should be good. He is one of our go to guys on the FORUM. He goes through his cars with a "fine tooth comb" to do everything he can to make they sound and dependable. He has numerous repeat customers. I have purchased a couple of minor things from him and he has always been more than fair. - BC

Thanks for the reply, where is this Andrew located?

[crash93ssei]

I agree, looks like one of Andrews cars. He may ask a premium price for them but I will say with confidence that it would be worth it, he goes through everything and makes sure they are perfect before selling, no hack work, no ripoffs, just good clean cars.

[nos4blood70]

Yes, an Andrew flip is a bulletproof car for years to come. What you felt in the shifter handle is the solid mount. It truly is a common issue. I've had a solid mount myself for almost 4 years now.

His username on here is harofreak00. His company is called Bonnevilles unlimited. I'm sure he'll see this soon and maybe say hi.

[willyg1997]

thanks guys for the info on this

[willyg1997]

Yes, an Andrew flip is a bulletproof car for years to come. What you felt in the shifter handle is the solid mount. It truly is a common issue. I've had a solid mount myself for almost 4 years now.

His username on here is harofreak00. His company is called Bonnevilles unlimited. I'm sure he'll see this soon and maybe say hi.

Ya, that is what i was leaning tawords on the shifter feel. I have solid steel mounts on my stang and that thing feels like a sledge hammer on the shifter, but she's putting down 700+ rwtq.

thanks
Bill

[harofreak00]

Hey Bill, Andrew here.

Like I said, if your only concern is the front engine mount, I can replace it with a brand new stock one in only a few minutes. Here is some info on the solid mount I installed: http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 44765.html

This is one of the nicest cars that I have done, you shouldn't have any issues with it.

[RJolly87]

Andrew is a real standup guy too.

This thread helps you see the man you would be dealing with, and how he thinks: http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 16830.html

Of course, your mileage may vary, but he is definitely not a 'snake oil then sell' kind of guy. If he thinks there could be a problem, he fixes it before turning it around.

More madness threads:
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 23227.html
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 36550.html
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 37050.html
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 37597.html
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 37167.html

[vogie01]

Yeah, you should buy this car before I do. My wife says I can't but I might. It is a clean looking ride. I swear I saw it for sale before he bought it but I am not sure if it is the same car.

Buy it as is. If you have him put the stock mount on you will be replacing it in 30,000 miles or less. I got all my parts from him and my step-dad still has his Bonneville work done by Andrew.

[willyg1997]

Hey Bill, Andrew here.

Like I said, if your only concern is the front engine mount, I can replace it with a brand new stock one in only a few minutes. Here is some info on the solid mount I installed: http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 44765.html

This is one of the nicest cars that I have done, you shouldn't have any issues with it.

Thanks Andrew! Sounds like you are a respected forum member. We’ll work out the details on the side.

That custom mount is a pretty nice design, I like it.

[willyg1997]

[quote="vogie01"]Yeah, you should buy this car before I do. quote]


Now that wouldn’t be very nice to buy it out from under me. But if you do, make sure you have some good insurance on it and don’t leave the keys in the ignition.

I see your from St. Cloud, I'm just a click up the road from you in Motley.

[willyg1997]

Thanks to everyone that chimed in on my thread. Looking forward to the outcome of this SSEi.

My current DD ride is a 1997 SSE black with that tan leather, pushing the 400k mile mark, minimal rust. Still runs strong, orig motor, new gm certified tranny 20k miles ago, and of course all the other misc maintenance up keep repairs. I really like the car 97, hopefully this 2003 will give me the same Pontiac reward.. At least now, I will have the time to rebuild the sub-frame on the 97, and maybe a light rebuild on the motor (for another 400+ miles).

Bill

[nos4blood70]

My OEM style replacement mount failed in less than 10,000 miles. I don't drive like a maniac, but not gently either. Just something to consider.

If you like the 1997, you'll love the 2003. I love mine. In terms of its internal and external appearance, there isn't really anything else on the road that looks similar. At least around here. Plus the reliability and comfort is pretty awesome as well..

[willyg1997]

My OEM style replacement mount failed in less than 10,000 miles. I don't drive like a maniac, but not gently either. Just something to consider.

If you like the 1997, you'll love the 2003. I love mine. In terms of its internal and external appearance, there isn't really anything else on the road that looks similar. At least around here. Plus the reliability and comfort is pretty awesome as well..

Ya, I will keep the solid mount.

I am a Pontiac diehard. My wife's 2000 Grand Prix GT just turned 200k and never EVER seen salt/winters. The car is perfect condition not an ounce of rust or corrosion anywhere, and runs like a dream. Underbody and even the pinch seam are rust free, its like working on a car off the show room floor. We just picked up a Caddy CTS AWD 30k miles for her last fall, which is also in storage for the winter (she's not too happy about storing it, but..). Probably going to store this SSEi in the winter as well, once I have had a chance to do some work on my 97.

[vogie01]

Yeah, you should buy this car before I do. quote]


Now that wouldn’t be very nice to buy it out from under me. But if you do, make sure you have some good insurance on it and don’t leave the keys in the ignition.

I see your from St. Cloud, I'm just a click up the road from you in Motley.

I come to Motley two weekends a month to pick up and drop off my daughter. I meet her mom at the DQ in town. We should meet up sometime.

[willyg1997]

Done deal! Purchased the car tonight and I am very pleased with everything. Andrew swapped out the motor mount with a new OEM mount so I could test drive to confirm that feel I was seeing in the shifter. Bingo, like mention above what I was feeling was the solid mount. 100% warm and fuzzy! Car drove like a dream and I am very please with the purchase.

Andrew, thanks for working with me to make sure my concerns were addressed, you have my recommendation.. Ya, and I just about flipped when he shown me his used part inventory.

[bobgto65]

I havd a 2002 SSEi I love that color. It's hard to find such a low miles example. Enjoy your new ride!

[00Beast]

You'll probably be going back to Andrew's soon to have him replace that mount with the solid one, lol. Andrew's a great guy, glad to see you got a great car.

[kpopbonn]

Dam that looks nice. You are going to love that car. I don't know Andrew personally, but read enough on these forums to know that he knows Bonnevilles. and thats about as good as it gets. Enjoy your new ride.