Everyone;
I have been LUCKY enough to find myself a 2000 Silver SSEI with 39,000 miles when I bought it. So far I have replaced the back air shocks and mounts, front rotors and ceramic pads, fixed front heated seat, new external temp sensor, new oil pressure gauge sender and rear stabilizer links on both sides. Also replaced the front motor mount with Advanced Auto mount. Lastly had 4 wheel alignment as well.

The car is a bit rusty underneath, but looks great under the hood and externally. My question.....Is there anything else that I should be concerned about. The car is still 13 years old. I know it has few miles and seems to idle and run well, but should I be looking at any bushing or other items? The tires still have tread, but they seem a little soft and I think might have some flat spots....maybe. The feel while driving it seems a bit akward because it does not seem to want to drive down the road always straight and it feels like it wants to track over bumps and uneven road instead of being stiff and sportscar like.

I plan to replace the spark plug wires and plugs as well as clean the MAF and get the oil changed. Should I look at replacing the transmission fluid as well?

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Love the car for sure, just not familiar with what should be reviewed with a car that is 13 years old with such few miles. Looks like the car was sitting outside based on the rust on undercarriage, but cosmetically above the car looks great.

TTERZ

i would change the fluids, the plugs and wires usually last a while longer, the tires i would replace because sitting messes them up even through they might have tread they still dont have the traction and are dry rotted. your handling issue could be your tires or front struts are likely original and bad from sitting. some kyb accel-g struts will restore the handling to a little better than new. and i like the bfg traction t/a they have good grip and are quiet. i think i would replace the tires first and see that may be all it is

I'd consider at least getting the tires balanced, inspect ball joint, and tie rods, if the ball joints and tie rods are good,replace the struts, and get an alignment when done.
If the lower intake manifold gasket has not been replaced, then I highly recommend changing it to the Fel-PRO Aluminum LIM gasket.

Find all of your soft EVAP hoses, and make sure they are not cracked or dry-rotted.

I'll second what William said. Get rid of those stock LIM gaskets and upgrade to the newer designed ones. That'* like #1 priority over anything else on that engine.

Thanks for the replies. Just took it over to the shop and had the oil changed. Was informed that the rack and pinion is starting to leak and that this is a common component that needs to be replaced. Looks like I will be shooting for rack and pinion replacement and BFG T/A tires before the winter hits.

Then will look to get the LIM gaskets, coolant and radiators hoses changed all at the same time as the third item to replace...then lastly the catalytic converter is starting to crackle, so that will need to be changed as well.

Nice to have a car with low miles, but sure can be costly to change some of these GM "quality" issue parts.

Thank you,
TTERZ

You might want to buy rear window regulators and keep them on hand. About $50 each on Ebay, over $200 each at the dealer. The regulators are a common failure item, and go without warning. Not to bad to replace. The issue is, when they go bad, the window drops. If you are traveling away from home- you have a expensive problem. Mine went while fishing with the family in Minnesota. I had to buy clamps and open up the rear door panel to secure the window in a upright position until I made it home and ordered the part.

When I see the word "track" in reference to handling on a vehicle, but especially uni-body cars that have been pre-owned, I wonder about collision damage. Did you get a Carfax on this vehicle? If not, you might want to consider taking it to collision shop that you trust and have them check it out before throwing money at suspension and steering parts that won't fix an underlying body and subframe alignment problem. Good luck with your new Bonne!

2004 Bonneville SLE
71 Chevelle SS

Garagerog;
Thanks for the reply and suggestion. Before I bought the car I did get a carfax report with it and it was clean with no damage or collisions. Car was owned by an older fellow who never drove it, he passed on, then one of his siblings drove it for 30,000 miles or so and they traded it in....

TTERZ