My neighbors and friends love to tease me about my 1990 Bonneville. The car looks immaculate, painted only one time with the original Claret Red color / clear coat. When cleaned up, it glows like a polished Ruby. What they can't believe is the smooth ride, low maintenance and 243,000 miles showing on the odometer! Even the interior holds up incredibly well with my 4 kids and the family dog. The large trunk, plenty of passenger space is just amazing! The 3800 engine has to be one of the best GM has ever designed. The car just lasts and lasts and lasts... while our other cars nickle and dime us to death, no other vehicle in the family fleet is as reliable and wear-resistant as the Bonne. What a great car!

I've read about that engine going to 400,000mi and beyond. Hence, be prepaired for another 5 years of carefree motoring.

GM probably has mixed thoughts about this engine. It'* so reliable and lasts so long, GM ... or Buick ... has something to really be proud of. On the other hand, they lose money, because nobody ever needs these cars with these engines fixed, or replaced.

That'* why they make new cars so crappy .

On a serious note. jmiles is correct. The 87-91 Bonnevilles are some of the best cars out there, in terms of ride, power, and reliability. Even the early days of the LG3 [87] are great cars. A friend of mine has an '87, and the transmission doesn't have OD, or TCC lockup, but he drives that car everyday, and it is nearing 300,000 miles. It shakes at idle like nothing I have seen, but it starts every morning, so I don't think he cares.

You are very lucky too, my paint is horrible, and my clear coat is coming off.. but I still love my '89. Wouldn't trade her for the world.

I'd wax that car daily, have her shine all day and night, and give 'em a look at your tails at a stoplight . I too, get made fun of my car. But I get fun of, by people that drive cars with 5hp lawn mower engines, and spoilers bigger than my hood, tailpipes bigger than my pistons, and fascias bigger than my whole car itself. I know in the end, they are the ones burning themselves.


-justin

Thats why they came out with the plastic upper. What better way to kill an good engine.

Well, it was really the EGR design that killed it. But yea, I see the point your making.

The local cab company here has 3800 series 2 motors in its cabs and one of them is up over 350,000 miles. I know the mechanic who services them and He is amazed at how well the motors have aged. Cast heads and forged crank make for a long lasting performer

Nothing like a good ol American iron engine, proudly built in Flint, MI.

3800 > Energizer Bunny

I'll drink to that!