I owned a couple of 88-91 bonnies,and having to move i had to get rid of them one the oil pump went causing the engine to seize up.

So Im looking at a 1997 Bonneville SSE for 3,000, she has 80,000 or so miles, needs a inspection sticker (mainers are @$$ holes when it comes to those). Needs some muffler and exhaust work and the guy told me that it leaks some anti freeze.


I mean, those are minors repairs that i could take care off. I just wanted to your insight wherther these are "fast" cars. I mean..2 Ton car with a 3.8 isnt going to pull a 0-60 in 6 seconds, but I'm looking for a relativly roomy car, with some balls.

6 seconds? Not a chance. The L36 has long legs, but if you want to get into that realm, buy an SSEi, not an SSE.

Be very careful with that coolant leak. It could be an upper intake failure. Very bad news, especially for lower engine internals if not dealt with swiftly.

to answer your question directly...YES!

I agree with willwren, if there is a coolant leak you need to find and fix that pronto! Dexcool is UV recative so go out when its dark and look for it. If you can't find it I would suggest that you get the upper manifold and gaskets replaced as well as the lower intake gaskets.


yeah they have balls, the only thing that would seriously help them is RWD.

A Series II n/a will be a rocket ship if you are used to series I N/a'* in comparison. 35 hp difference is a whole lot.

the series II, is loads of fun (even the N/A). tons of bottom end but they do lack a little up top.

SSEi'* have the big balls......But the SSE'* have a good pull to them.

I checked that bonnie again..turns out it was a SSEi

and that coolant leak, seems to be comming from underneath the radiator.not from the engine itself.

I test drove it...took it for a beater run before i bought it, she shifted great..into OD at 48-50... at 46-48 mph uphills she was humming at 1600 RPM'* and still picking up speed ( a semi small incline) I'm very impressed with this car!!
Then as I was pulling out of the Local drive way..just floored it, no hesitation.no harsh shift even at 4500 or so RPM'*..shifted into 2nd at about 35-40, and i was at 60 in no time!! This is while leaving a good 40+ foot tire strip.

This car has some balls, also noticed BRAND new coil pack! with the empty box in car, new wires and assuming new plugs, the tranny fluid was cherry red.

This car is mine!
the guy wants 3,000$..I offered him 2700$ and left him a messege earlier today!

A 1997 SSEi with 80K for only $3000?! You lucky bastad. Thats a Series II Supercharged under that hood.
If its supercharged it shure will go from 0-60mph between 6-7 seconds. The 97' SSEi only weighs 3680lbs. Take it to the dyno and see what you run. I ran 262hp and 337ftlb. in virtually stock form. 97' seems to be a strong year for the ser 2 L67.

I have a 89 5.7L Trans Am that can get to 80 everytime from a standing stop at this certain place I used to time it on the way to my old job. From the intersection to the seam in the road, 80 every time. My ssei, 99 with a SLP pulley, hits 78 every time at the same spot. (God bless HUD)

The rated 0-60 on my T/A was 6.5 in 89. It has hit 14.80 repeatedly at the track. Looking at my 'TEST' that makes my SSEi some where in the high sixes to 60 and probably 15.0 in the 1/4 mi.

Not bad!

Jay

Ok

Im buying the car for 2800$ USD, I drove to the local shop to see what she will need, turns out all she needs is blinker light and possibly 2 tires, I think he will let it slide, oh yeah.

I timed 0-60 ,less than 7 or so seconds. This car has some balls..This is redline shifting too!