After a misfortunate mistake of buying a 95 Intrepid (electrical gremlins up the ***, and i swear that climate control computer has a mind of its own) she wants another car. Grand Prix is to small, as is just about every thing else but the Olds Aurora, so I suggested a Bonneville. So a few questions about both generations of Bonnevilles.

I have heard great things about the 3800 II engine, but how about the previous 3800? How much room is there in the back seat for say a 6' person on a long trip? How reliable is the Bonneville in general, honest answer please? Remember this is for my mom who does take care of cars unlike others, but if it requires more then an oil change then she is not happy. What milage do people get on the 3800 engines and transmissions (she had a 93 mercury sable that she put 350k on in 4-5 years)? All this is for the NA 3800, I kinda smiled and suggested the */C version, but "gas is too expensive".

Thanks all

Well as an owner of 2 generations of Bonnevilles (87 & 92) here'* some points. First off my 87 I sold last fall with 254,000 Km on it. It was the second best car I ever owned (my present 92 SE being the best). I did have to put a trans in it at 250,000 km when the old one died of nateral causes (burnt out OD). My 92 SE has been great to me until recently. I just resealed the intake gaskets on a series I with 155,000 Km on it. Now I've got a burnt valve in 1 cylinder (common problem for an EGRless engine in 92 BTW) & a cracked exhaust header too. Besides that it'* been a great car for the last 2 years with ZERO money put into it up to now. The 3800 engines are great near bullet proof engines (Both series I & II'*). The 4T60-E trans are not bad, but, the 4T65-E'* & 4T65-E HD'* are better built for more torque. All that really is needed with these cars are regular maintenance!

For no hassle and no problems go with a 99 or as close as possible. You can go older but age is a certain way to increase the chance of problems. Great car no problems and it takes my extreme abuse and comes back for more.

TY

My first Bonnie ( 93 SSE ) was running great until 120,000 miles, at which point it had an untimely demise in a parking lot by way of Avalanche. The only things I replaced on it were two wheel hubs. It had a Series I engine.

My current Bonnie ( 95 SSE ) runs great with 147,000 miles. It needs a brake job and probably a CV joint, but other than that, it'* perfect. It has the Series II engine.

I say, Get one! Bonnevilles are great cars: very reliable, roomy ( I fit comfortably in the back seat and am about 6'1" ), loaded with features, and look great.

Hey Jeff! Are you talking about the Bonneville or yourself? LOL

Both, of course!

a coworker has an 88 SSE with 370,000 km on it and the engine and transmission are still perfect. nothing digital or electronic works on the inside and 3 of the doors don't function, but you can't complain when it'* that old and has that much mileage.

i see very few 3800 engines in the junkyard here. i've only seen 3 bonnevilles, all there because of crashes, and the odometers read well over 200,000 km on every single one of them. same with the lesabres.

i would recommend getting a 92 or newer car. the fuel economy is "ok" (i get 18-20 mpg or 12 L/100 km) but i also beat the crap out of the car doing pizza deliveries with it. it'* definitely comfortable and can seat tall people great.

best of all there'* cupholders coming out the wazoo. i count 5 in mine.

Around here in Edmonton, there is no Bonnevilles in the junk yards! I've seen 1 Regal with a 3800 (L27) engine though. 3800 engines up here are a very HOT comodity! :o

i have a 95 sse that i love. I have owned it for 3 years now. It has 120,000 miles on it and the only thing that I have had to replace so far are the 2 front wheel hubs. I think just about every bonne owner with high miles has had to do this. Anything else i've replaced/upgraded is due to my own decision/bad decisions. I will get another bonneville without a question.


Lee

I would agree with buying a Bonneville. But try to get like a 99 or newer years, I have never had problems with my car and I would buy it again since I got such a good deal. And plus I will and have been beating my car pretty good and she holds together. Nothing like doing some drifting on mountain roads.