PontiacBonnevilleClub.com

A friend of mine is shopping for a car...and I'm trying to sell him on a used Bonneville. He wants something relatively new and with lower miles (70k or less). We found a 2003 SSEi with 62k on it, and a 2004 GXP with 57k on it - the mileage difference is not a big deal. What is a better vehicle, overall, in your opinion and why?

He won't be modding at all, so leave the "the 3800 has more performance mods available" out of the equation. He just wants a good, quality daily driver. He's not so much concerned with performance (he's a Sheriff's Deputy and a strict follower of traffic laws, lol) but he wants decent handling and a good ride.

Hard to say, I'd go for the better deal/car in better shape. They are very similar cars. GXP wheels look cooler.

I'd look at some 04+ GPs though too.

They're really very similar in condition and priced within about $2,500 of each other. Same options as well, with the exception of the different engines.

SSEi. Better gas mileage, parts cost less money for maintenance and much easier to work on.

SSEi, better reliabiliy and less maint. than the N* and also better gasmilage

Its going to come down to his choice and what is more important to him. Both cars have their pros and cons, if he wants an N/A V8 with a sophiscated and very capable powertrain with a cleaner and better looking front and rear end, he'll go GXP. But, if his intentions are to modify, have a SC'd V6 and he rocks the boy-racer look of the exterior cladding then its 03 SSEi

SSEi, better reliabiliy and less maint. than the N* and also better gasmilage

I'll argue the real world "gasmilage" any day of the week. My 12 year old 4.0 gets better mileage then my 04 GTP. "Reliabiliy"...I see enough issues stacking up in the 00-03 forums here to refute your claims of the "perfect and unbreakable L67"

For looks, I'd go GXP. Cheaper maintenence (ease of getting cheap engine parts and cheaper braking components)... go SSEi.

Jim W wrote:Its going to come down to his choice and what is more important to him. Both cars have their pros and cons, if he wants an N/A V8 with a sophiscated and very capable powertrain with a cleaner and better looking front and rear end, he'll go GXP. But, if his intentions are to modify, have a SC'd V6 and he rocks the boy-racer look of the exterior cladding then its 03 SSEi

SSEi, better reliabiliy and less maint. than the N* and also better gasmilage

I'll argue the real world "gasmilage" any day of the week. My 12 year old 4.0 gets better mileage then my 04 GTP. "Reliabiliy"...I see enough issues stacking up in the 00-03 forums here to refute your claims of the "perfect and unbreakable L67"

But when a N* breaks, it's expensive and requires a Dealer, or a technician who knows the N* fairly well in and out. If he has an inkling of mechanical ability, he can do maintenance on an SSEi. I do agree with the sophistication of the GXP being better than the SSEi, but it doesn't sound like this guy is going to be driving to a big Gala or anything. Most GXP drivers average 20-21 mpg. I get that in my SSEi when I beat the living crap out of it for a tank. On the highway, the GXP gets anywhere between 26-29 (this is taking a long trip at 70-80 mph) an SSEi will get 29+. It all depends on what he wants.

It all depends on what he wants

At the end of the day, we're all repeating ourselves

Jim W wrote:

It all depends on what he wants

At the end of the day, we're all repeating ourselves

LOL, ultimately it's his decision, I'm just trying to help him make an informed decision.

As I said in my original post, he WONT be modding at all. He's a law abiding Sheriff's Deputy, so racing around isn't very important to him. The point about maintenance being cheaper on the SSEi is definitely a good point, I'll mention that to him.

The GXP is more refined in NVH + Power deliver, and handles better. It should also be worth more down the line.

If he's not going to be fixing it up, or modding it, GXP IMO.

Here's what the dealers are paying...should give you a good idea of the cost.

Search: ____________________
Make: PONTIAC
Model: BONNEVILLE
Style: 4D SEDAN SSEI
Year: 2003
Engine: ____________________
Miles: 76,491
Above Average Below
Retail: $7,150 $6,250 $5,325
Wholesale: $6,150 $5,325 $4,475


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REPORTED WHOLESALE AUCTION SALES - With Exact Matches Type Miles Price Sale date Auction Engine T
R Cond Color Sample
4D SEDAN SSEI 60,011 $6,700 12/23/08 MINNEAP 6G A Abv BLACK Y
4D SEDAN SSEI 70,755 $6,000 12/11/08 GTR TMPA 6G A Avg BLACK Y
4D SEDAN SSEI 93,780 $5,000 12/18/08 CHICAGO 6G A Avg SILVER Y
4D SEDAN SSEI 81,418 $4,850 12/30/08 LOUISVLL 6G A Avg SILVER Y
4D SEDAN SSEI 76,762 $4,000 11/18/08 COLORADO 6G A Blw WHITE N
4D SEDAN SSEI 190,127 $1,800 12/17/08 MILWAUKE 6G A Blw BLACK N

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R E C A P
Make: PONTIAC
Model: BONNEVILLE
Style: 4D SEDAN SSEI
Year: 2003
Prices High: $6,700
Low: $1,800
Average: $4,725


Average Miles: 95,476
# of Vehicles: 6

VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Search: ____________________
Make: PONTIAC
Model: BONNEVILLE
Style: 4D SEDAN GXP
Year: 2004
Engine: ____________________
Miles: 66,526
Above Average Below
Retail: $10,150 $8,450 $6,725
Wholesale: $8,950 $7,350 $5,775


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REPORTED WHOLESALE AUCTION SALES - With Exact Matches Type Miles Price Sale date Auction Engine T
R Cond Color Sample
4D SEDAN GXP 38,368 $10,500 12/23/08 ST LOUIS 8G A Abv SILVER Y
4D SEDAN GXP 38,050 $8,500 12/11/08 166 8G A Avg SILVER Y
4D SEDAN GXP 73,551 $7,700 12/19/08 MANHEIM 8G A Avg BLACK Y
4D SEDAN GXP 67,524 $7,200 01/08/09 ALBUQUE 8G A Avg SILVER Y
4D SEDAN GXP 114,137 $6,500 12/10/08 NADE 8G A Avg BLK Y
4D SEDAN GXP 67,523 $6,400 01/07/09 ALBUQUE 8G A Avg SILVER Y

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

R E C A P
Make: PONTIAC
Model: BONNEVILLE
Style: 4D SEDAN GXP
Year: 2004
Prices High: $10,500
Low: $6,400
Average: $7,800


Average Miles: 66,526
# of Vehicles: 6

WWHERE DO YOU GET THAT info lol

I voted for the Ei. Simply for the support he would get by joining our forum.
Most of the gearheads on here are driving an Ei. That should say enough.

SSEi. I loved mine (yeah, it was much older than 03). Never really had any issues with it. One thing I don't understand is why the GXP was so hyped up. Looks like a Bonneville with an underpowered V8 to me. Has there even been more than a handful of owners on here at any given time?

Well...generally there really wouldn't be much more than a handful of owners at any given time. The GXP only sold for 2004-2005 in very limited numbers, when compared to the SLE and SE.

I have owned a few of these cars, various years and trims and currently have a 2000, 2002 SSEi and an 05 GXP. I really liked my 02, daughter drives it now, but the GXP is a unique car. The power band of the Northstar seems a bit smoother than the SSEi, you can really feel the SC kick in on the SSEi, where as the GXP just pulls smoothly if that makes sense. Overall, I just think the GXP is a much more refined car.

The bottom line for me, I'm an old guy, there is no substitute for the growl of the GXP exhaust. No matter what you do to a V6, it still sounds like a V6, even with the SC whine.

if he is looking for a basic ride out of the two. If it was i would both version are the car is really good. but with price of gas i would have to pick the SSei because it is cheaper on gas and the gas mileage is better then the GXP. The GXP has the looks and power and get somewhat good gas mileage.

Owned a 04 GXP and drove MANY SSEi's. Once you get into a GXP feel the power and hear the exhaust it just gets you. Its a unique car and I voted for the GXP. Dont get me wrong something but whine makes me crazy though, and yes the Torque down low is nice. You can't go wrong though