Preferred Generation Bonneville? And Why?

[GotBonneBWitMe]

So for those of you that know (I posted a topic), I have the 97 40th Silver Bonneville SSE. I really love my car, I really do. But I like the 2000+ bonnevilles too, and I really want a supercharged Bonne. But I have seen a few comments where the people that do own the newer Bonnevilles said they would go back to an older one (92 - 99 model years). Im not sure of who owned both generations. But for the people who do or have.. which do you like better? And why? Cause even though I love mine, I wouldn't mind giving it up for a newer supercharged model.. provided I come across one that I like.

[94SilverSSEi]

For every person you ask, you will get a different opinion. To be perfectly honest with you. I LOVED the Bonneville GXP I had, albeit for a very short time. It was a very fun car. Would I buy one again? No way! To many issues and the Northstar is a bear.

Currently have 2, 2000+ SSEi's. (That are undriveable, hmm, coincidence?) And I think between the two of them, they have or had every issue listed in the common issues/fixes. Yeah, they are nice cars but I wouldn't buy one again.


1992-1999, they are rock solid. In the 40,000 miles that I've put on my 1997 it really hasn't needed anything. That's why we currently have 3 of them and everyone is daily driven and never misses a beat.


The upside to the newer ones is that it is much easier to find them in good shape with lower miles.


IMO, I would just stick with what you have and just run it till the wheels for off, or you feel you need boost....

[ga93sle]

I like the 92-95s, I think they are more muscular looking than the 96+, and the L27/L67 is just a bulletproof engine, IMO...

[repinS]

92-99 for sure.

[KelvinVV]

I know I'm going to get hate mail and broken knee caps for saying this, but I like the 2000+ way more than the 92-99. I just feel like its a lot 'sportier'. Once again, refrain from death threats, but then again, its just an opinion. I understand that the 2000+'s get a lot more flak for having more issues come up, but to me, putting a little work into a car is pretty fun.

As for 58-70 Bonnevilles, they all look gorgeous to me, and its a personal goal to own a 69 Pontiac Bonneville coupe eventually.

[gweg_b]

Mechanically, most of the 2000+ models are fine. The problems you begin to run into is mostly related to electrical and water leaks. The amount of time I've spent on my '01 trying to stop leaks has basically made me decide I never want one again. I spent more money on trying to keep my Bonneville running in the first 2 years than I ever did in the first 10 years of owning my LeSabre. As others have said, 92-99 are solid cars.

From what I understand, a supercharged 96-99 actually handles better than a 2000+. Stock 2000 and up FE2 seems to have some body roll to it.

Ultimately, it comes down to what you really want. I like the looks of the 2000+ models, but not the problems associated with them. So, you might be better off keeping what you currently have. Of course, if you like a challenge and don't mind constantly working on the car, then go for a 2000+.

[SSEiMan01]

For me I love anything but the 00+. But I did own one and I will say it was a tank with the exception of all the piddly issues that nudged me to sell it. 96-99 is ideal for me because you can have a Series 2 with the older body style which were simpler and seem to be built better. My 96 with 234k is in just as great a shape mechanically as my 01 was with 85k. I'd say if you want boost, find a boosted 40th like you have. Or at least 96-99. They might look like a platypus in front but they're mostly infallible compared to a 00+.

Not to bash a 00+, remember I loved mine when I had it. But all the things that kept frustrating me killed the love I had for it. They do perform and ride well and they are beautifully styled though.

[SSEiMan01]

From what I understand, a supercharged 96-99 actually handles better than a 2000+. Stock 2000 and up FE2 seems to have some body roll to it.

It does handle better, or at least it feels lighter on its feet (because a 92-99 IS lighter than a 00+). But they still handle corners like Rosie O'Donnell.

[CMNTMXR57]

Like 94silverSSEi stated, ask a dozen people, get a dozen answers. I like them all from the FWD generations. Each gven has positives and minusses.

From a styling perspective, I prefer the 2000+, especially in GXP flavor. It looks much more modern, and has the musclar stance. I never really cared for the styling of the '92 - '99's (although I had an Olds 88 LSS of this vintage), but I liked the '87 - '91's a lot. Probably because I was a young kid then, and all the fancy doodads that Bonneville's and 6000 STE's had gave me a chubby.

All in all though, they all have the same heart (for all intents and pursposes), so it boils down to little piddly sh*t like Will points out.

[nos4blood70]

Looks wise and styling, 2000+ is the clear winner. They still look like they're 5 years old only. I dislike the 96-99 looks wise and would much rather have a 92-95.

From a strictly mechanical standpoint, the 96-99 generation are the best. Although I have to say, I feel that 2000+s handle better than the previous gens. Lighter or not.

[SSEiMan01]

Although I have to say, I feel that 2000+s handle better than the previous gens. Lighter or not.

They're rather close I must say. Don't base it from Ryan's 96 at Autocross for sure. Or even mine with Monroes. I'm going by how my 01 handled with 40k miles stock suspension vs my grandmother's 97 SSE with 70k mile stock FE2. As they age and parts get replaced any difference they had fades I think.

[repinS]

The GXP handled better than the 95 (obviously because of FE5 and GXP goodies), but the 95 definitely had the better steering feel. Also the 00+ felt like it had a slower rack ratio combined with a larger diameter steering wheel, so it was more boaty-like in tight maneuvers.

[GotBonneBWitMe]

Hmm. Yeah, see I like working on cars, but not to the point where I have to constantly do it. I had an older Maxima that rode well, but even though the engine was solid, it had so many other little things 'breaking' that I had to get rid of it. I like the 92 - 95 Bonnevilles as well, but I only really like their rear end the best. My front end is much better IMO since they rounded it off. So I guess ill just stick with mine after all, I really like it. I just want a supercharged. So maybe I can find a SC engine, and the trans to go with it sometime in the future and do a swap.

[motopsyco]

There ya go, just swap out for an sc engine and trans. Great looking bonne by the way. I havent owned the 00+ model but test drove a couple a few years back, and was kinda dissapointed on how loose it all felt, suspension seemed nice, but lots of rattles and sqweeks. I do like the looks of the 00+though they have a much more modern look to them. But after lots of consideration on what kind to get, I picked up a rusty old 92 se for $900 and completly love it. I love it to the point that I picked up a 94ssei just to use as a parts car. Someday I'll upgrade to the better and more performance optionable series II, but for now I just love my 92.

[xcbullet]

I loved my 95 being a sse it had the best seats of any car I ever owned. Then I got a 2000 & the ride quality is so much better it felt like I was driving a beater compared to the new one. Owned them both for a year, would of kept the 95 for winter but I wrecked it. U will not be disappointed in the newer chassie.

[DarkShadow]

88-91 SSEs for me. the interior was better, and styling was better imo.

[Zeik75]

I agree 87-91 is my favorite by far. Don't get me wrong I love my 2000, but it could never replace my 88. They both look great styling wise, especially an 87-91 in SSE cladding, they are also completely different in the way they feel and drive. The 2000 does have some squeaks and rattles and the interior seems cheesier to me, but IMO all new cars are like that compared to my 88. it does have some col features the 88 doesn't, like HUD and a Boost gauge

Overall they both have their advantages, but I have to say the 88 wins over all years for me.

[bobgto65]

I had an '88 SSE that was brand new. It lasted 220,000 miles until my daughter totaled it. Of course I had just rebuilt the front and rear suspension just before it was totaled and found new taillights because the old ones delaminated. By then it was 2002 and I bought a 2002 SSEi new. It just passed 200,000 miles last week. I think there were a few more problems with the 02 but my extended warranty from GMPP lasted until 116,000 miles and most of the expensive stuff went bad during that time and cost me nothing to fix. I like the styling better on the 00+ than the 92-99 and since about 150,000 miles there have not been any major problems except a bad transmission valve body. I am selling my '02 soon and bought a low mileage '04 GXP because I like the cleaner look. I never owned a 92-99 but I like the styling a of the 00+ a little better. Besides, we hade haro to sell us parts on the cheap whenever something dies.

[95naSTA]

94-95 SLE for me.

I love the lines, not too many options, but just enough to be sporty/classy, it's crazy comfortable, easy to work on, plenty of pcm to work with and tune on the fly capable, forward compatable drivetrain wise, plenty of suspension options (I've had 3) and brake options, and also the fact that I've owned or been driven in a 95 SLE for 17 of the last 18 years.

I'll see people I haven't talked to in 5+ years and one of the first things they ask is if I still have that car. No doubt I'll be saying yes to that for quite a while.

[1tinindian]

I feel qualified to post, as I have owned all of the FWD gen Bonnevilles.
91, 97, 04, and 05.

The 91 was a good car, but suffered from electrical bugs, (ie, locks unlocking, dome lights coming on and truck opening all with no input from human hands, instrument panel with a mind of its own). With over 160k on it, it was time to pass the headaches on to someone else.

The 97 was bought with a $2500 warranty added to the purchase price, and we used more than that in claims before it expired. (ie, all 4 hubs replaced, PCM replaced, rear main seal replaced, A/c bracket bolt broken off in the block (twice), CD player died, power antenna died, (eliminated on the 2000+) and the biggest PITA was the self leveling air ride that NEVER worked, even after being looked at by 3 different dealers under warranty.)
The transmission also had a lag in engagement going into reverse that I hated.
The styling was ok, but I always thought the front had a buck-tooth appearance and preferred the 92-95 look better.

The 04 that my wife drives has none of these problems and we like the car above all the past generations. The only thing that needs attention is the front motor mount and the drivers seat heater is inop. Other than that, the body styling is the best of all the gens, very aggressive and modern/ up to date.

The 05 being my GXP is a wonderful car. I love the Northstar, the extra aggressive looks, and the handling of the FE5 is by far the best of any of our past Bonnevilles, and that really appeals to me. That, and I just love the sound that sucker makes!


We were going to keep the 97 for our son to drive, be he didn't care for the looks of it, (thought it looked like a "grandma car", his words), so he ended up with another 2004 like my wifes and he has been very happy with it, and it's going on 170k and the only thing we have done to it was replace the heater core.

The air ride works great in our 2000+ cars, far better than the 97 ever did.

It's clear to me, that after owning all the different gens, and owning more than one 2000+ that I would say they are my favorite, but that's just me. Try owning them all and make your own observation like I have.

Leon