Please keep this on topic.( Bonneville related so I posted here)

What would you or have you done in order to buy a car??

I am finally looking at another Bonneville. In order for this to happen, it looks like I will have to sell my bike that I put quite a bit of time and $$$ into it to get it on the road and never had the chance to ride it since I just got the tires after waiting all summer. Along with buying a riding jacket for safety and taking the Motorcycle course ( not cheap)

It started like this


and finished like this ( except the rims are black now)




Would you do this for a car??

Keep in mind I have a 2003 Malibu, and am just about to put an 83 chevy pickup on the road. I am only one driver. Am I nuts??

I think that truck and Malibu need L67 swapped in, and you'd be just fine.

Really, though, you seem to have done really well with the bike. See if a friend of yours can buy it, and you'd be able to hang out with it quite a bit. A friend of mine recently got a 99 Regal LS, but he doesn't know much about cars and lacks respect for the 3800. He says the car is a lemon and breaks down all the time. With all crazy bias aside, I honestly believe there can be some bad 3800-powered cars out there because of poor wiring, bad transmissions, unregistered wrecks, warped heads, etc. Look even more closely than usual at the Bonneville you want to buy because you don't want to get rid of such an awesome bike for the sake of consumerism.

Please, admins, don't ban me.

If you truly want a Bonneville because it'* the best choice for you, and you don't want to get it because it'* representative of something you had a while ago, great. If there were something else up for trade instead, like a junked 60s-era stove no one will ever use again but has phenomenal sentimental value, I'd be all over the idea of you selling that thing. However, the bike seems to have great potential, and you've already got two cars. Maybe you should get rid of the Malibu? Which engine is inside, the 2.4L I4?

If your love for Bonnevilles is that large and you feel it'* the best idea... I'd say go for it.

Here'* what I'm seeing. A 500 is fast enough to get me in plenty of trouble. (one of the reasons I've never owned a bike). At one point I put a little cash into a 5.0 Mustang and it went very well. After a short while I traded it for an old semi beat up pick up, on the basis of my speeding habits in the car.

This is an interesting situation.
As someone who is dying to own another Bonneville, I understand where you are coming from.
On one hand, you would be replacing the bike with something way more practical (fuel mileage aside). That is usually a good decision.
On the other hand, you already have one practical vehicle in the Malibu, and a second in the truck. Both have their advantages. SO, you really don't have the need for a third practical vehicle.
I agree with Boosty in that there are definitely safety/speed issues to consider with with Bike. (although I hear that woning a Bonne has not slowed him down).
Another thought, can you get out of the bike even close to everything you have into it?

I think I tend to agree with radomirthegreat'* post, could you possible replace the Malibu with the Bonne?
Seems to me the most logical solution.

I'm going to remember this on the 17th.

You're going to slow down on the 17th?

Back on topic, please.

I still say keep the bike if you can, I'd hate for you to regret giving it up.

personally, i would keep the bike and wait til next summer and then ride it for a little while and decide whether or not you want a bonneville more or not.

or if possibly, trade the malibu for a bonneville

If a Bonneville is what you want, then do whatever it takes to get one.
The bike is underpowered, and the engine is too noisy. Sure, you can get a ticket on it, but then my VW Beetle could exceed the speed limit too.The cool kids with 4 banger sport bikes are going to run off and leave you.
Keep the truck.
Trade the Malibu for a Bonneville.
Trade up for a bigger bike.