Hi everyone! I am newly registered here and this looks like a cool place. My wife and I have decided that the Pontiac Bonneville is probably, for the bucks, one of the best cars built. We currently have a 1990 LE with 183,000 miles and still goes strong. Our last similiar car was a 1990 Olds 88 Royale with a VIN C 3800 and it made it to 201,000 miles before I foolishly traded it for a 1999 Malibu (unwise) Its currently apart from a massive gasket failure which just about ruined the 3100 engine. We have agreed to get a second Bonneville since its just such a cool car, but I read here that newer ones have PLASTIC intakes? Definetly don't want one of those. We thought about trying to find a clean 1990 or 91 SSEi that we could baby over. Also kicked around trading the Malibu in for a 01 or 02 model also. OF course I happier NOT making car payments LOL. Any years, engine types to avoid?

The white ones.

i'd stay away from the k motor based on the plastic intake manifold, plus its not SC'ED

LOL...Jay..

I agree with zzzzeke, any Series II NA between 80 and 100K...move on

Spend the money and go supercharged...or get a 2000+ SE or SLE, at least you can prevent upper intake failure

still a k motor...they still have their problems

LOL...white ones, must be true, the Malibu is white. Bonney (like my wife calls her) us light blue. The 88 Royale was deep maroon, really shined when I got it in 1995, when it still had paint. I am really partial to the 90-91 SSEi but they are harder to find in clean shape. 92 and 93 are NICE too. If we go too much newer then we have to finance it LOL. So the SC'ed models do not have the plastic intake then?

I would just avoid any with high miles. Chances are the trans has wear and tear on it. All the years and trims are good, it all depends on what kind of power you want, and how much you want to spend.

FYI, my trans is original with 175K miles on it.

No such thing as a 90-91 SSEi, you'll have to go with a 92-93 if you want one!

I think they are pretty durable transmissions if cared for. I never had any trouble outta the Royale or this Bonney, Had this one for 5 years and at 183k I am just starting to notice it hunting a little at highway speeds. We will be keeping this one for a backup, spare, fun toy, whatever it can be called. I had to change the fuel filter recently and noticed that most of the belly of the car was still VERY bright and shiny. Strange it doesnt seem to have much undercoating:( Maybe I am just very disappointed in the ride and performance of the Malibu when compared to the Bonneville. Even for a 14 year old car with 4 square tires still rides better than that Malibu when we got it (at 33k a little over 2 years ago) Quieter too.

no SSEi in 1990 and 91? what were the trim levels then?>

I may be dreaming but I swear I have seen a 1989 SSEi. maybe it was just very sporty and I assumed.