There are few significant differences between the 2000 and 2003 Bonneville SSEi except for the seats. I have always thought that the seats in my 2000 SSEi were quite nice, but today, after seeing the seats in the 2003, I was very pleasantly surprised. It seems that Pontiac has significantly improved the quality of the leather and the comfort of the seats since the 2000 model. However, that said, as far as durability is concerned, only time will tell. Can anyone tell me when, in fact, the seat change was made? Also, what is everyone else’* opinion/preference with respect to this issue?

As part of the change, Pontiac has also done away with the adjustable head rests. That will bother some. Of course, some were never happy with the head rests that came in the 2000+ anyways.

Sitting in a 2003, there are no other obvious interior changes. On the exterior, the only thing I noticed was the XM radio receiver (the hockey puck on the roof).

Jay

I have to agree with 2000_GalaxySSEi. I like the seats in the 03 better than the one'* in my 00. I know a couple interior things they changed. first was the cup holders they are offset to each other in the 03, and the TC button is now moved under the climate controls where the cubby hole used to be. I like the cup holder change; but not the loss of the cubby hole under the climate controls.

I never really noticed much of a difference when test driving the '03 last year (though I can kind of see the leather quality thing...I am in the process of deep conditioning mine now...I want them to be as soft as my friend'* '96 Bonnie and I suspect it'* age and wear that got them that way). I don't see what people are always complaining about though; I don't find them uncomfortable at all, and I love the headrests. I won't drive another '03 though, just in case...I don't want to be desperately wanting to change my seats!

The cup holders were changed in the 2002, so I did not mention that.

Aesthetically, I like the headrests that came in 2000 / 2001 SSEi’* better. However, from a functional standpoint, I think that the 2002 / 2003 headrests are a better design. Additionally, the only headrest adjustment that matters to me (the vertical height adjustment) is still present in the 2003 SSEi’*.

Noticeable differences present in the 2003 SSEi that differ from the 2000 model:

- Different seats (softer with seemingly better leather IMO)
- Different (more functional IMO) headrests
- Cup holders are larger, on a diagonal, and no longer hideaway
- Relocation of the heated seat / traction control buttons to underneath the climate control
- Deletion of the "cubby under the climate control" (to quote SSEi 2000)
- SSEi emblem on the front doors more italicized with red SUPERCHARGED writing
- 5-spoke chrome rims with less "sweep"
- Ovular exhaust outlets

Let me know if I missed anything…

How about the side bolsters...Did they bring that back in the 03? (Where you can adjust the 'squeeze' of the sides of the seat.) I had that in the 97 I owned, and miss that terribly.

I just drove a 03 Denali, and was surprised that it had the side bolsters that were adjustable. The Denali had the same controls on the side of the seat as my 00 bonne, except the up-down on the round disc controls the side bolsters, not sliding the lumbar up and down.

Make sense, or did I just talk in circles? :?

The only thing I don't like about the 00+ is the cup holders.. you can't fit to large drinks side by side without having to fight for them in and out.. whereas 96-99.. they have separate cup holders in both the front doors.. and a big *** center console one that will fit X-Large drinks ( but is proned to break it seems for some ppl ).. but hey.. can't nit pick.. I don't like the 00 headrest either.. again.. nit pickin