Hey all,
This thread is about my '87 bonnie which was my first car and I've driven all of my driving life.
I had a much longer detailed post until my computer crashed and I had to start over.

Basically, I decided yesterday that I am going to get a replacement for my '87 bonnie.

This is due to continuing repairs I've had to do and, more importantly, to damage done to its suspension (by my brother who was eating a burger when he ran into a curb with the right wheel at ~35mph... never let other people drive your car..)
Furthermore I can feel new halfshafts beeing needed soon which aren' ttoo expensive but I just can't justify repairing the car when ultimately no amount of money could really fix the permanent suspension damage..

I learned everything i know about cars through working on this one. I fixed it when people said I should get rid of it. It NEVER left me stranded in the road. It kept me safe when a pickup truck smashed into my driver'* door after he ran a stop sign! I love my car and it'* loved me.
That is why it is with great sadness that I announce that I am looking for a replacement for it. On top of all that, it was my late father'* car in his last years with us. I'm sure he won't mind me getting rid of it from where he is now but it only adds to its sentimental value.
Also, it'* engine and trans work great.... which makes it all the worse. I hate to see a car walk to its junkyard grave on its own running 4 wheels...

The car introduced me to the bonneville model and to the world of cars. I have since purchased a '65 Bonneville which was meant to co-exist with my ailing '87.

I guess this thread helps me in the healing process more than anything else as I truly do love the car.
I'd like to get you guys' take on this type of situation:
Who else has had to give up a car they loved for whatever reasons?
What should I do with the car?? I couldn't get much more than a hundred, if that, so i'd rather part it out so it'* parts can help other bonneville lovers' cars live on. I would just store it in a garage as a future project but I don't have any garage to put it in and I can't leave it outside or I'd get ticketed come November when inspection is up....

Here'* to you: my beautiful beloved '87 Pon Bon.
http://filebox.vt.edu/users/mikediaz/87Bonnie.jpg
http://filebox.vt.edu/users/mikediaz/87bonne.jpg (don't mind my cousin'* head in that shot).

Mike Diaz
p.*. I titled the thread Close to Mourning because the car isn't dead yet. It'* still fully operative and should last long enough for me to get my next car. PM me if you need any '87-91 parts, just in case I do part it out :(

The first car is always the one that most people are fond of. If it time to move on, and it sounds like it is, you are making the decision that is best for you.

I am sure that having a club like BC hasn't made it any easier...not only are the members here important, but everybody'* car becomes part of the club as well.

Best wishes to you fellow BCer!!

Thanks echo, surprised there weren't too many other comiserators but I'm sure they just didn't have the words in them.

I appreciate your reply and am now on my search for my next car: a '79 trans am 4spd. Or else I may just get a 2000+ bonnie! I'll never (hopefully) let go of my '65 bonnie. Bonnevilles are forever the best cars on earth!

Definately stick with the Bonneville. You'll never find one as comfortable with the same amount of attitude which makes Bonneville great

My god... that is exactly my first car! I had a white '87, with no hubcaps like yours, even the rusty lower doors and white-wall tires! Just look at my sig pic... Good luck with the search man.

Mike, it sounds like this car has been very good to you and doesn't owe you anything. Many people don't allow cars to become part of their lives, they have other interests and see them as merely means to an end. I've found that they can be part of the journey...
I would have expressed this earlier, but just saw this thread for the first time, even though it is 1-1/2 weeks old.

The '87-91s are much loved by a number of people on here and if you do decide to part it out, I suggest you list it in the "For Sale" section, either whole or as parts. I know there are some folks looking for good early parts.

Thanks to everyone who read or replied to the post I appreciate it.

I don't know what sort of tax break I'd get for donating the car but if it doesn't look too good then I might just part it out. Interrrior on it is in very good shape (driver'* and psgr'* seat just a little worn, no dash cracks whatsoever, i protected the interrior with my life as it was always my major holding ground against the effects of time : ]