I am thinking strongly about getting either a 1993 bonneville SLE or SSE, so I was hoping you could give some answers to my questions about that car'* road manners,etc.

1. How does it compare to other GM cars (mid 90'* W-bodies)

2. Does the 93 SLE'* exhaust system sound the same as the SSE/SSEi ? (I thought the SLE'* was a slightly different system than in the SSE)

3. Is the steering as stiff as many of he reviews say, how is the steering feel?

4. Is understeer pronounced as with many other FWD cars?

Understeer isn't bad for boaty FWD cars. These cars certainly can't turn sharply.

The standard suspension on an SE/SLE would be the FE1 suspension. It'* a no frills good setup, that works well over everything.

FE2 is standard on SSE'*, they're a heavier car, and the springs are heavier. You're sway bars are bigger as well i believe, and the steering is quicker.

F41 is the stiffest ride, but will turn the best. It'* rare, and an option for all rides.

These codes FE1, FE2, F41, are RPO codes, that can be found on the spare tire cover.

Exhaust is different. The SLE in 93 had a higher flowing exhaust compared to the SSE. It'* noticably louder as well, and has a lower, deeper sound. It'* recognizable by the double outlets on one side. Both are 2.5" piping with a cat, no res, and then the different mufflers.

W bodies are lighter, and smaller they'll win everytime i bet.

Go big. Boost is the way. Mid 90'* W bodies? They never had a supercharger until 97.

SSEi'* will have a slightly meaner exhaust note, but still muted. The blower actually has an effect on the sound quality.

The steering is amazing. This car handles like nothing I've ever driven. It hugs the corners, and was the best handling car at the recent West Coast Bonneville Fest. The cornering is on par with the F-bodies, so close in G'* on the skid pad, you'd have to flip a coin. Any 93 can amaze you assuming the suspension is in good shape. $50 will replace the swaybar endlinks and bushings at all 4 corners.

Understeer? An SSEi from 92-99 won't give you any complaints. The steering rack is different than the SE, SLE, or SSE.

The 93 is also the last year the 'flash' feature was offered for extracting PCM fault codes without a scantool. It was also the last year for panel-accessed codes from the electronic climate control.

A supercharger pulley upgrade will net you immediate gains of around 25hp and 30-40 ft/lbs of torque. These things are torque monsters.

Had my 92 Bonneville SE for about a month now, no complaints.

Lucky for me I have the F41 suspension ride is alittle stiff, but she flattens out the curves nice.

I also have the N10 exhaust, larger pipe twin outlet tailpipes, you can hear fairly well inside the car. Looking to upgrade the system when it wear out.

Good Luck!

Simply upgrading the carpet pad in the trunk with household heavy pad will quiet down the internal exhaust reverb.

I thought I was the pnly one that noticed that. Some SSE'* and SSEi'* DO have stiff steering.( Please, I know the difference between no power steering or low power steering fluid). I can remember 4 being like thiss, excluding my 93. But they were 92-95 that had hard, stiff steering. Most of the steering in a bonneville are loose. Fingertip steering. Go witht the 96 or 97 and you will get MAnasteer. That is the best thing GM did for steering.

I've loved the way mine'* driven since I worked on it the first time, F41 rules... Now If only I could get up and put the springs in....

My 93 has some stiff steering, someone once said my PS pump seeemed to have some oil on it, but there isn't anything since i've cleaned it. I like it, it has TONS of feedback. As a "driver" type of driver, this is great, i can feel exactly what the car is doing. I can tell immeadiatly if i'm getting close to loosing grip.

However even an 83 that i recently drove, has lighter steering. The steering in our 98 yukon makes this look like you need a pry bar...

thanks for the info, it is very helpful to know these things, the more opinions the better!

I believe all of the SSE and SSEi models in 93 came with the variable assist power steering. It takes away some of the assist over 23 mph for a better road feel.