New Memeber, My 97 SE, mostly stock
11-11-2002, 04:11 AM
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New Memeber, My 97 SE, mostly stock
Hi, I'm new to the group!
My Bonny is a 1997 SE with the 16" 5-spoke alloy wheels and cloth interior. I have to say that I really prefer this model over the SSEi. I think the stock 3800cc engine has plenty of power, and I don't need to buy premium fuel. I don't like that the 9-way buttons for the seats on the SSEi sit beneath the armrest cupholder so they get dripped on, and the 9 buttons are confusing. The compasses never seem to have the right direction, and who navigates by compass anyway? And I've never missed not having a HUD. I also like the look of the front end on the SE better than the SSEi, which looks like it should have tusks. I like that I don't have a center console, I can fit three people up front if I need to tote 6 people around. And I like the cloth interior better than leather, which I find to be too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter.
The only changes I've made to it are the stereo, alarm, and the tires. I put the Pioneer DIN-and-a-half head unit in it, with a 12 disk changer in the trunk, Boston Acoustics 3-way 6x9 rear speakers and Boston Acoustics separates mids and tweeters in the doors, all driven by an Alpine 4 channel amp in the trunk. I had a Clifford alarm installed, wire into the factory keyless entry circuits. I replaced the Goodyear Eagle LS tires when they wore out with Dunlop Sport A2'*, which hold the road better and have much less road noise.
My 97 has had lots of repairs, but many of them were things the dealership "found" during regular oil changes. I'm quite certain they invent things to be wrong, because I have an extended warranty. Real things that needed fixing were:
Water pump at around 45,000 miles
Battery, Alternator, and Battery Cables at 55,000 miles
Left Front Wheel Hub and Bearing
One trunk hinge nut fell off and had to be replaced.
Things the dealership "found" and fixed:
Replaced Gas Tank (they said it was leaking)
Replaced Rear Main Seal (they said it was leaking)
Replaced some sort of transmission/engine seal (they said it was leaking)
Replaced the Intake Manifold Gasket (they said it was leaking)
. . . hey, am I detecting a trend here?
Replaced front brake pads (they said they were almost worn out)
I'm at just under 60,000 miles and my extended warranty is about to expire. I really like the stock configuration of the Bonneville SE.
I also have a 78 Bonneville Coupe. Rebuilt the stock Buick 350 once, rebuilt the stock tranny twice. It'* not very sporty, but it'* been a good car.
My Bonny is a 1997 SE with the 16" 5-spoke alloy wheels and cloth interior. I have to say that I really prefer this model over the SSEi. I think the stock 3800cc engine has plenty of power, and I don't need to buy premium fuel. I don't like that the 9-way buttons for the seats on the SSEi sit beneath the armrest cupholder so they get dripped on, and the 9 buttons are confusing. The compasses never seem to have the right direction, and who navigates by compass anyway? And I've never missed not having a HUD. I also like the look of the front end on the SE better than the SSEi, which looks like it should have tusks. I like that I don't have a center console, I can fit three people up front if I need to tote 6 people around. And I like the cloth interior better than leather, which I find to be too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter.
The only changes I've made to it are the stereo, alarm, and the tires. I put the Pioneer DIN-and-a-half head unit in it, with a 12 disk changer in the trunk, Boston Acoustics 3-way 6x9 rear speakers and Boston Acoustics separates mids and tweeters in the doors, all driven by an Alpine 4 channel amp in the trunk. I had a Clifford alarm installed, wire into the factory keyless entry circuits. I replaced the Goodyear Eagle LS tires when they wore out with Dunlop Sport A2'*, which hold the road better and have much less road noise.
My 97 has had lots of repairs, but many of them were things the dealership "found" during regular oil changes. I'm quite certain they invent things to be wrong, because I have an extended warranty. Real things that needed fixing were:
Water pump at around 45,000 miles
Battery, Alternator, and Battery Cables at 55,000 miles
Left Front Wheel Hub and Bearing
One trunk hinge nut fell off and had to be replaced.
Things the dealership "found" and fixed:
Replaced Gas Tank (they said it was leaking)
Replaced Rear Main Seal (they said it was leaking)
Replaced some sort of transmission/engine seal (they said it was leaking)
Replaced the Intake Manifold Gasket (they said it was leaking)
. . . hey, am I detecting a trend here?
Replaced front brake pads (they said they were almost worn out)
I'm at just under 60,000 miles and my extended warranty is about to expire. I really like the stock configuration of the Bonneville SE.
I also have a 78 Bonneville Coupe. Rebuilt the stock Buick 350 once, rebuilt the stock tranny twice. It'* not very sporty, but it'* been a good car.
11-11-2002, 08:40 PM
#2
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Sweet..
You have a 78
?? Pics please Pics please.. :P 
welcome to the forum.... if you have any question.. post away.. just a warning though.. it'* a lil looney in here.. 
And when you have time.. could you kindly fill in your signiture, and don't forget to check out Gatherings... there is Bonneville Chapters popping out everywhere, and we'd all be more than happy if you can join.. especially next summer in the 78
...
You have a 78
?? Pics please Pics please.. :P welcome to the forum.... if you have any question.. post away.. just a warning though.. it'* a lil looney in here.. And when you have time.. could you kindly fill in your signiture, and don't forget to check out Gatherings... there is Bonneville Chapters popping out everywhere, and we'd all be more than happy if you can join.. especially next summer in the 78
...
11-12-2002, 02:01 AM
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If I had the things I don't like, would I trade it for the one I have now? WOW! Good question, and a definite TRUE test of how much I really like it!
When I bought my SE, I test drove three of them, one a step down (stock steel 15" rims), the one I bought (SE with factory 5 spoke alloy 16" wheels) and an SSEi with all the stuff I say I'm glad I don't have, and I chose my SE. The Supercharged SSEi definitely had more power, but the SE didn't feel at all lacking in that regard, so I chose it.
Since then I've test driven even more of them (I always check out used ones on my dealer'* lot whenever my car or my wife'* car is in for one of those repairs) and I *Still* don't like the leather interiors. (The hot/cold thing). I wouldn't completely mind the center console, except that I keep recalling the time I needed to cart me, my wife, my sister, her husband, and their baby to the airport for a flight, and I fit all of us and our luggage AND a friend to drive my car home from the airport in it, and I think "How would I do that with a center console?" And it isn't that I wouldn't LIKE the supercharged engine. More power is always more fun, but then every time I'm at the gas pump, I remember how much more I'd be spending on premium fuel. The leather, the HUD, the 9-way seat buttons, and the digital compass I'd definitely trade for my SE.
Yep, I've also got a 78. Not a really great year for bonnies actually, it'* a big, steel GM family clone car. One of my friends refers to it as an "Oldsmobuick.: Still, with a Buick 350 in it, it'* still fun. One of the few left on the road.
Can somebody tell me how I should fill out my signature?
Thanks!
When I bought my SE, I test drove three of them, one a step down (stock steel 15" rims), the one I bought (SE with factory 5 spoke alloy 16" wheels) and an SSEi with all the stuff I say I'm glad I don't have, and I chose my SE. The Supercharged SSEi definitely had more power, but the SE didn't feel at all lacking in that regard, so I chose it.
Since then I've test driven even more of them (I always check out used ones on my dealer'* lot whenever my car or my wife'* car is in for one of those repairs) and I *Still* don't like the leather interiors. (The hot/cold thing). I wouldn't completely mind the center console, except that I keep recalling the time I needed to cart me, my wife, my sister, her husband, and their baby to the airport for a flight, and I fit all of us and our luggage AND a friend to drive my car home from the airport in it, and I think "How would I do that with a center console?" And it isn't that I wouldn't LIKE the supercharged engine. More power is always more fun, but then every time I'm at the gas pump, I remember how much more I'd be spending on premium fuel. The leather, the HUD, the 9-way seat buttons, and the digital compass I'd definitely trade for my SE.
Yep, I've also got a 78. Not a really great year for bonnies actually, it'* a big, steel GM family clone car. One of my friends refers to it as an "Oldsmobuick.: Still, with a Buick 350 in it, it'* still fun. One of the few left on the road.
Can somebody tell me how I should fill out my signature?
Thanks!
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