Thanks guys.

I think the Bonneville IS a tank actually, and not just regarding drivetrain reliability. Our cars are referred to as tanks quite often when involved in accidents too.

Bonnevilles can take quite a beating and "abuse." But driving it hard isn't quite abuse, even on a regular basis IMO. Abuse would be ignoring regular maintenance, especially oil changes, WHILE driving it hard. But with repeatitive hard driving can come some wear and tear, and reduced reliability as with ANY car.

Bonnevilles may not have been built with speed primarily in mind, but the SSEi is a different beast than the NA 3800. It was built for power and the trannies were upgraded to take it. Sure our trannies can break down, and sure we drive family sedans, but with some work, we CAN take out sports cars BUILT for the 1/4 mile.

I think the topic author is more asking if the Bonneville was built to be a sports car, and the answer is a flat "no." The Bonneville was built to be a family car, lets face it. It'* a four door car made for younger families and those who need a larger car, but don't want to give up decent performance and luxury options at the same time. "Luxury with attitude." Sound familiar? Basically, it'* in my opinion that the supercharged Bonneville came from those who still want to have some get up and go every once and a while, while still having room to go to the grocery store and buy a month'* worth of groceries while still having their kids with them in the back seat. When the 3800 powertrain was designed, I do not think that GM intended for it to be heavily modified and driven hard everyday. We're all just lucky that it'* a VERY strong engine and can take abuse from those who dish it out. If GM intended the Bonneville to be a sportier car it probably would have been two-door, have better brakes, have stiffer suspension (FE3 at the least), and more horsepower than they came with from the factory. Just my take, take it as you will, but, I don't think GM intended the Bonneville EVER to be a "sports" car.

I agree. And to add, it was designed to be the only car you'll ever need:

Reliable, safe, powerful, practical, luxurious, comfortable, attractive, all while being FUEL EFFICIENT. What more could you ask for in a car?

Just to add one more opinion, needed or not....

I do agree that these cars are some of the most reliable around ENGINE wise. The transmissions are nothing special, but the engines are OUTSTANDING. With normal maintinance these engines will last 300k easy. There are actually members here with engines at nearly 300k and STILL making cross country trips.

The transmissions, even properly maintinanced just will not withstand repeated abuse. And with the way you have described him treating that car, he is gonna find that out, REAL soon.

These are not "race cars" by any stretch of the imagination. These are large, near luxury, domestic sport sedans with a trim that happens to have a supercharged, ordinary, run of the mill Buick 3800. Simply for the person that wants to get to the supermarket faster. But obviously the majority of the active members at this club believe that they have more potential, and a few understatedly pushing the envelope.

If you can...show him this thread if possible. And maybe have him become a member so that some of the members can educate him to what his car is now, and with some work, what it CAN be. As well as let him know how long his fun is going to last if he doesn't treat the car well.

Maintinance is the absolute minimum, racing or not. IF it is properly taken care of at the proper intervals, racing is fine. But street racing is not. It is illegal and is most definitely not supported here.

By the way, everyone is welcome to be an active member here, bonneville or not. Stick around if yah like.

A lot of guys here are re-building engines and tranny'*, etc.... Guy'* here are tougher on their Bonnies than they say.

i LOVE to see one Person on here that had to rebuild the enging BECAUSE of the abuse....

The only engine replacements/rebuilds that I have seen are from catastrophic failures from an engineering defect, such as the Lower intake manifold gaskets failing, or the Upper intake plenum failing. That'* an engineering defect though, abuse has no factor in that happening. Transmissions, yes... Engines, Not so much.

Great point!