Which years are the best?

[willwren]

For long-term reliability of the drivetrain, the Series 1 has shown it's best colors time and again amongst our members. It's a little more basic and robust in design, and doesn't have the complication of DEX issues unless someone really screwed up.

If you want ease of maintenance, get a 92/93 SSEi or SE/SLE/SSE. The OBD1 PCM doesn't require a scantool to diagnose codes, and it's a much simpler design to work on.

Other than that, everyone here is going to post their own PERSONAL preferences based on what they own/drive.

[putertopia]

The 1996 is the only year that has Series 2 and 4t60. However 96 is my favorite year for the same reasons you describe. You get the best engine with the strongest transmission from the factory.

Interesting. I assumed 97 as well because my 97 LeSabre has the 4T60E.
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For 97, If you were NA you got the 4T60-E... If you were Supercharged you got the 4T65-E

So... my 4t60 has an e on the end, even though line pressure is controlled through vacuum modulator?

[John Deere Boy]

I think it's easier to look at the disadvantages of each year or model. These are just things that came to my mind at the moment.

92 - EGR-less L27s are more prone to problems
92&93 - A/C will eventually need converted to R134-a
94 - Hybrid PCM. First year for ECC without driver accessible self diagnostics. No more scanner-free DTC's either.
95 - First year for the L36 with intake manifold problems.
2000(+) - Hood herpes, half shaft failures, window actuator failures

[Ol' Timer]

For long-term reliability of the drivetrain, the Series 1 has shown it's best colors time and again amongst our members. It's a little more basic and robust in design, and doesn't have the complication of DEX issues unless someone really screwed up.

Other than that, everyone here is going to post their own PERSONAL preferences based on what they own/drive.

x2

[wjcollier07]

I'm gonna vote for the 87-91s. Both the LG3 and the LN3 were insanely reliable. I personally drove on quite a few occasions an 87 LE with 396k, and my friend finally got rid of it because a rear brake line rusted through. Most of the car was rust, so he just said, screw it, but amazingly, someone else put it to service, and I saw it driving around for another year and a half, when it finally fell off the grid in 2007. Original engine, original transmission. Not exactly well maintained either. Another case, another friend, Blue 89 LE, has currently 410k, original engine, original transmission. He reports the transmission is finally getting a little loose...but the engine still runs SO well, its scary, I know, I've listened to it, its quiet and smooth. Next case is my 89 LE, rust finally made me get rid of it, but at 150k, after very ill maintenance, sitting outside for over 3 years not being driven, being run without a thermostat for about 10k, it reached me. I then put a thermostat in it, and it ran at 215 degrees at full operating temp for over a year...then the radiator finally kicked it, and it overheated, BADLY. That killed the MAF sensor. I had all the nonsense taken care of by 127k. Thats when it finally got driven with real maintenance. It got its transmission flushed once and the fluid changed 3 times, and even at 155k, when it got sold, that transmission shifted TIGHT.

Great car.

Common problems that I know of...cam magnet falling out, MAF sensor dying, crank sensor dying, and of course, bad oil pressure sending units :D There are a few other problems, usually with the EGR or pulling up a QDM code. Or of course, the crappy Teves ABS, but that's not really a reliability issue...that's just a PITA.

And then, next on the list, the LN3's younger brother, the L27. Few more problems it seems. Mine needed an EGR and cam sensor before I got it...and afterwards, it had its plastic LIM coolant port break, but luckily it was a mile from home and was replaced with a metal one.

Another pretty outstanding engine though.

As for the Series II...uhh..sorry...no takers here.

[mrbear3800]

There are a few other problems, usually with the EGR or pulling up a QDM code. Or of course, the crappy Teves ABS, but that's not really a reliability issue...that's just a PITA.

QDM? Is that the quad driver code? I used to get that in my 89 every once in awhile. Never was able to figure out why. Never happened in my 90, though. The 90 DID have that god awfull Teves II ABS system. I had to replace the splitter at the rear of the car and it was $100 bucks at the dealer!!

[Bonneville92V688]

92-95 SSE/SSEi FTW. By far the best looking SSE/SSEi made, 88-91 SSEs after that, then 96-99 SSE/SSEis.

I love opinionated topics like this. Everyone has a different response.

[gonzo4191]

65 bonneville are the best in every category

[firebuick]

the 95 n/a also got the L36 and the 4t60


also if you don't whant to mod youre car go L27 but the serie 2 is easy to mod lots of parts

[94SilverSSEi]

I dont really know all that much about working on cars so probably will not be doing very much modding if any but are there any mods or rather preventative maintence issues that should be taken care of right away and how hard would any of these things be for a newbie

Once again it looks like the L27 has been voted best although the 88's-91's which I was not previously looking at before sound kinda of good too anybody have any opinions on those

Also how about the Northstars I took a quick look and see these are LD8's or L37's comparing to the 3800's how do these compare even though they have more power do they last as long and Ive heard that the GXP's can be nothing but problems

[freneticburn]

everyone here is going to post their own PERSONAL preferences based on what they own/drive.

well duh . I'd say the majority of the people aren't going to be like, "I like 92's the best so I decided to buy and drive a 2002 ."

[BlackHawk99]

I've owned four Bonnevilles so I feel I'm somewhat able to judge...

92 SSEi
93 SE
87 LE (I think it was)
99 SE

Of all the cars I owned, the most problematic was the 92 SSEi. Too many electrical issues and I never had a secure feeling that it wouldn't fail me.

On the other hand.... The 87 LE was an outstanding car. We finally sent her to the bone yard at 261,000 when the fuel pump failed. When trying to drop the tank, the fuel lines snapped. The brake lines were toast too. Otherwise it was a VERY VERY good car. Even the A/C worked in 2003 when she was junked.

Between the 93 SE and the 99 SE, it's a toss up. I absolutely loved each car and put piles of miles on each. We sold each of them off at 175,000 and they were both on the original transmission and shifted fine. I never had to do anything to the L27 except change the oil. However, I did turn wrenches a lot more on the 99 thanks to three UIM and LIM gasket replacements.

But, if I had to do it again... I'd buy another L36 powered one. In an instant. Something about that L36 that I really like (and yes, I like it more than than the L67 in our GS).

[Sirius]

All y'all are up in the night. Everyone knows white '93 SSEs used to be the best until they get wrecked. Now, obviously, black 2003 SSEis are. Everybody knows this.

[94SilverSSEi]

Anyone have anything to say about the Northstars

[bill buttermore]

65 bonneville are the best in every category

Well gonzo reminded me, so....

We owned a car like this when it was seven years old. Ours was black lacquer with red vinyl interior, 389 4bbl. No air, roll down windows, but a beautiful car indeed. What a styling statement.

[wjcollier07]

Anyone have anything to say about the Northstars

They're an aluminum block, aluminum head V8 engine that has no aftermarket to speak of. It spins quick and sounds sexy, has a top end that kicks like a horse, but no real low end beef.

They don't wear out too fast, I've seen quite a few very high mileage ones that run perfectly still. It's an excellent GM Premium V8. As far as the transmission goes, the 4T80E is one of the best transverse transaxles GM has ever made in my opinion. Its pure BEEF. With proper maintenance of a Cadillac NorthStar drivetrain, other than sensors and the other normal crap that can fail, the actual engines are excellent. But I like them because I'm not really into modding too much...I like it, but I'm really take it or leave it.