I'm Looking For Some Advice
10-31-2011, 11:32 PM
#1
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I'm Looking For Some Advice
You've all gotta help me! I've been driving a Ford since July! I sold my Silverado Z71 of 5 years back in the middle of July in the hopes of finding a nice Bonneville. Well I've been looking that whole time (though also busy with a new job) and no luck! Nothing worth really considering. I finally got my eye on one and gave it a spin today. It would be perfect if it was black, but other than that, it'* got all that I want. However there'* a few things I don't.
The Specs:
2003 Silver Bonneville SLE
205,000kms/127,000 miles
Newer tires (good brand) and brakes are a year old.
Chrome factory wheels
Kijiji ad: http://windsor.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ325969378
Issues:
1) The Driver'* Heated seat doesn't work. Is this a costly repair? You press the button and the light comes on for a second while the relay clicks on and off under the dash. Can I get a new element, or is it more involved? The car does have remote start (which I was going to install anyway).
1) The Air Bag Light is on. He said he replaced the middle sensor in the bumper, because the dealer told him that should fix it. It didn't. How bad can this be on these. I test drove another one that I passed on with the same issue. Is it common?
Other than that, there'* some wear and tear on the body, but nothing serious. The driver'* seat is in pretty good shape (leather) the leather steering wheel looks a bit worn, but feels OK. There'* one bad spot on the interior black plastic that bothers me, but I might be able to paint it something. Not sure. I've wanted a Bonnie for years! I first looked for one seriously in 2005, but they were too new for what I could spend then. I ended up with a Saturn coupe. Then when I bought my truck I really wanted an Envoy, but actually got a loaded up used Silverado for cheaper than a similar Envoy. I've been driving my girlfriend'* Ford Escape for months, and although it'* not a terrible car, it'* not me. It'* not GM, it'* just not right!
HELP!
bs2
The Specs:
2003 Silver Bonneville SLE
205,000kms/127,000 miles
Newer tires (good brand) and brakes are a year old.
Chrome factory wheels
Kijiji ad: http://windsor.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ325969378
Issues:
1) The Driver'* Heated seat doesn't work. Is this a costly repair? You press the button and the light comes on for a second while the relay clicks on and off under the dash. Can I get a new element, or is it more involved? The car does have remote start (which I was going to install anyway).
1) The Air Bag Light is on. He said he replaced the middle sensor in the bumper, because the dealer told him that should fix it. It didn't. How bad can this be on these. I test drove another one that I passed on with the same issue. Is it common?
Other than that, there'* some wear and tear on the body, but nothing serious. The driver'* seat is in pretty good shape (leather) the leather steering wheel looks a bit worn, but feels OK. There'* one bad spot on the interior black plastic that bothers me, but I might be able to paint it something. Not sure. I've wanted a Bonnie for years! I first looked for one seriously in 2005, but they were too new for what I could spend then. I ended up with a Saturn coupe. Then when I bought my truck I really wanted an Envoy, but actually got a loaded up used Silverado for cheaper than a similar Envoy. I've been driving my girlfriend'* Ford Escape for months, and although it'* not a terrible car, it'* not me. It'* not GM, it'* just not right!
HELP!
bs2
11-01-2011, 06:41 AM
#3
Senior Member
True Car Nut
welcome to the site
1) https://www.gmforum.com/showthread.p...ht=heated+seat
2) if they told them that was the problem they likely scanned it and that was what it said,and he replaced the sensor. if its not the sensor its likely the wiring or connector to that sensor.
1) https://www.gmforum.com/showthread.p...ht=heated+seat
2) if they told them that was the problem they likely scanned it and that was what it said,and he replaced the sensor. if its not the sensor its likely the wiring or connector to that sensor.
11-01-2011, 08:12 AM
#4
Senior Member
True Car Nut
The most likely cause of the seat heater issue is a broken wire in the seat cushion. If you have any mechanical abilities at all, this is not an overly difficult repair. Let us know when you are ready to work on it.
The Air Bag Light being on is not an overly common issue for the Bonneville. Like JW said, if the sensor was replaced I would look at the connection and the wiring. Due to its location, that connection is exposed to a lot of crappage (technical term).
The Air Bag Light being on is not an overly common issue for the Bonneville. Like JW said, if the sensor was replaced I would look at the connection and the wiring. Due to its location, that connection is exposed to a lot of crappage (technical term).
11-01-2011, 08:47 PM
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Thanks for the tips. The thing is both of those had me worried, because my good friend is a mechanic and was at a GM Dealer for quite a while. He worked in the Saturn shop, but the dealer also had a big P/B/G dealer attached. In fact, it was the dealer this car was sold as new and as Optimum used. I would be the 3rd owner. He wasn't sure about the seat heater but knew some Saturns could be pretty easily fixed for the issue, but knew some of the other GM cars needed the whole seat cushion replaced.
As for the Air bag light, I've test driven 2 Bonnevilles and they both had it on. Not having working Air Bags isn't a huge deal for me, I drove for several years without them, but my friend was saying it could be the BCM (Saturn term, not sure if the Pontiacs have the same set-up) and that is pricey to replace. About $1000+, plus programming and installation. But like I said he didn't work these directly and I'm sure when he heard stories from the other guys, they were the worst of the horror stories. So he had me a little scared.
Now there'* a bit of a wrinkle in my plan for this car...I found a black SSEi for quite a bit less money on Auto Trader. However, it'* like 5 hours away from me and I'm waiting to hear back on some questions I had. That car would be perfect, especially if the miles are lower and the seat and air bags work. And my girlfriend and I are planning a trip to Niagara Falls (still 2 hours from where the car is in the other direction) if I can get a day off work. I'll keep you posted and thanks for the help. Hopefully I'll get my Bonnie and need some more
And normally I'd search for these sorts of things myself, but I'm a bit pressed for time and have been busy at work (and the web security blocks this site
).
As for the Air bag light, I've test driven 2 Bonnevilles and they both had it on. Not having working Air Bags isn't a huge deal for me, I drove for several years without them, but my friend was saying it could be the BCM (Saturn term, not sure if the Pontiacs have the same set-up) and that is pricey to replace. About $1000+, plus programming and installation. But like I said he didn't work these directly and I'm sure when he heard stories from the other guys, they were the worst of the horror stories. So he had me a little scared.
Now there'* a bit of a wrinkle in my plan for this car...I found a black SSEi for quite a bit less money on Auto Trader. However, it'* like 5 hours away from me and I'm waiting to hear back on some questions I had. That car would be perfect, especially if the miles are lower and the seat and air bags work. And my girlfriend and I are planning a trip to Niagara Falls (still 2 hours from where the car is in the other direction) if I can get a day off work. I'll keep you posted and thanks for the help. Hopefully I'll get my Bonnie and need some more
And normally I'd search for these sorts of things myself, but I'm a bit pressed for time and have been busy at work (and the web security blocks this site
).
11-08-2011, 07:07 PM
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OK, so the saga continues...
I passed on the silver Bonnie. It wasn't what I want. Too many issues and I want a black one, dammit.
So I go out to another dealer with a 2004 Black SLE. 84,000kms (~52,000miles). It'* got some scuffs on the paint (one big but faint one on the front bumper) but nothing serious. The miles are low, so the interior is mint. I take it for a drive and it'* great. Minor vibration in the rear, I think it'* just brakes, no biggie. I haggle on the price and end up paying $1000 less than they were asking. This was on Saturday. I sign the papers, and on Monday after work I can pick it up. I'm ecstatic!
Then the love of my life dumps me
...moving on...
Monday comes around, I pick it up and I got the $1000 off because it wasn't safetied. I bring it to my friend'* place because he'* going to safety it for me the next day at work. I get there and he asks me "why did you buy a car with an engine knock?" I get out and listen and the thing is knocking...LOUD! Worst I've heard. I'm shocked! We go out for a drive to check it out and sure enough, it'* got the "Death Rattle."
We get back to his place to check it out and it looked like it had some work done around the head/intake. Fresh silicone. He opens the rad cap and it'* a chocolate milkshake in there. I'm crushed. 
So I call the used car dealer I bought it from just minutes before they close. The guy is still there. He'* shocked. I really believe he was, he thought the car was mint, I did too. No evidence of a knock on the test drive, but it probably never got warm enough. I drove about 20mins to my friend'* house. He even gave me his home address before I left with the car, so I could drop off his dealer plate. I don't think a guy that just sold someone a car for $7000 with a blown motor would give that person his home address. So he says bring it back, he won't cash the cheque and he'll have to figure something out. So I dropped it back off and headed home. I was so depressed I called my ex on the way back to the dealer.
So he calls today and his mechanic confirmed, the motor is pooched. He'* trying to see how it will be to fix and see if he can eat the cost, or the majority of the cost and honor the deal, or if he'll cancel the deal and put it back on the lot for more and sit on it until it sells.
I'm not sure what to do. I really really really want this car. I'm even willing to pony up a bit more cash (if it'* reasonable and he takes the big hit) just to get it. Am I crazy? It'* so clean, the miles are low and the dealer I usually buy from has the identical car on their lot (same mileage, no sunroof) for $10,000! I know they're not going to budge on that price. My only major concern is how many miles will the replacement motor have?
P.*. Because if you're car guys, I know you're wondering...there was a milkshake in the radiator, but the oil was clean and looked pretty new. My guess is whoever traded the car in knew they pooched it, patched it up, replaced the oil, but didn't flush the rad. Probably put some additives in there to quiet the knock for at least a bit. It was bad though once I heard it. No way I would have missed it before. I always listen for knocks.
I passed on the silver Bonnie. It wasn't what I want. Too many issues and I want a black one, dammit.
So I go out to another dealer with a 2004 Black SLE. 84,000kms (~52,000miles). It'* got some scuffs on the paint (one big but faint one on the front bumper) but nothing serious. The miles are low, so the interior is mint. I take it for a drive and it'* great. Minor vibration in the rear, I think it'* just brakes, no biggie. I haggle on the price and end up paying $1000 less than they were asking. This was on Saturday. I sign the papers, and on Monday after work I can pick it up. I'm ecstatic!
Then the love of my life dumps me
...moving on...Monday comes around, I pick it up and I got the $1000 off because it wasn't safetied. I bring it to my friend'* place because he'* going to safety it for me the next day at work. I get there and he asks me "why did you buy a car with an engine knock?" I get out and listen and the thing is knocking...LOUD! Worst I've heard. I'm shocked! We go out for a drive to check it out and sure enough, it'* got the "Death Rattle."
We get back to his place to check it out and it looked like it had some work done around the head/intake. Fresh silicone. He opens the rad cap and it'* a chocolate milkshake in there. I'm crushed. So I call the used car dealer I bought it from just minutes before they close. The guy is still there. He'* shocked. I really believe he was, he thought the car was mint, I did too. No evidence of a knock on the test drive, but it probably never got warm enough. I drove about 20mins to my friend'* house. He even gave me his home address before I left with the car, so I could drop off his dealer plate. I don't think a guy that just sold someone a car for $7000 with a blown motor would give that person his home address. So he says bring it back, he won't cash the cheque and he'll have to figure something out. So I dropped it back off and headed home. I was so depressed I called my ex on the way back to the dealer.
So he calls today and his mechanic confirmed, the motor is pooched. He'* trying to see how it will be to fix and see if he can eat the cost, or the majority of the cost and honor the deal, or if he'll cancel the deal and put it back on the lot for more and sit on it until it sells.
I'm not sure what to do. I really really really want this car. I'm even willing to pony up a bit more cash (if it'* reasonable and he takes the big hit) just to get it. Am I crazy? It'* so clean, the miles are low and the dealer I usually buy from has the identical car on their lot (same mileage, no sunroof) for $10,000! I know they're not going to budge on that price. My only major concern is how many miles will the replacement motor have?
P.*. Because if you're car guys, I know you're wondering...there was a milkshake in the radiator, but the oil was clean and looked pretty new. My guess is whoever traded the car in knew they pooched it, patched it up, replaced the oil, but didn't flush the rad. Probably put some additives in there to quiet the knock for at least a bit. It was bad though once I heard it. No way I would have missed it before. I always listen for knocks.