Im new here and have a TON of questions
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From: Canuk land
Great, are you guys and gals always this welcoming??? I was a little nervous about posting, especially in a car forum. Oh and thanks for the heads up on Drifter420, Ill watch my skirt....lmbo!
Originally Posted by willwren
Kimmers, 95 was right on with everything, and the 92SSEi was NOT egrless, just the SE and SSE. You won't have those problems with the SSEi. I THINK csprague (cameron) has the same car....same year and colors. Good luck, and watch out for Drifter420. Really. Tamara will tell you more!
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From: Canuk land
Re: Just gettin broken in
Hey, thanks for the advice, You can never have too much advice from someone who isnt makin a buck off it. These are the opinions that will stick with me while lookin at this car Sunday.
Im always reluctant to believe someones advice if they are being paid for it.
You guys are great, thanks for making a newbie feel welcome
Im always reluctant to believe someones advice if they are being paid for it.
You guys are great, thanks for making a newbie feel welcome
Originally Posted by BUCKMAN
I have a 97 and I've has almost 100,000 relatively trouble free miles. Everything these guys are telling you is right on. You can log onto trader online and input the VIN # and get a free lemon check. Then after you test driven the car if your still interested invest the $'* to get a full report. Have the car checked out by a local mechanic this will usually cost between $25 and $50. Get the name of the previous owners and phone number from the dealer. If they don't want to give it to you, you probably don't want the car. Good luck Bonnevilles are great cars.
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From: Canuk land
Hummmmmmm, ssei....top of the line eh?!?!?! That be the model Im going to see..... 
So the letters ssei dont really stand for anything then? I like to learn as much as I can, so when I buy this beauty I can fully explain him to my friends...
So the letters ssei dont really stand for anything then? I like to learn as much as I can, so when I buy this beauty I can fully explain him to my friends...
Originally Posted by 95BonnevilleSESC
Kimmers,
Okay, the six trim levels of the H body (that is what you will have) Bonneville are LE, SE, SLE, SSE, and SSEi. The LE was discontinued in 1988 or 1989 (someone can correct my on this if I am wrong). It was a base model. The SE (what most of us have on this forum--including me) is now considered the base model. It is usually without the performance features, although they did offer a supercharger for the SE as an option from 1995-1997. This option is very rare. To date I have the only on on this forum. The SLE is the more luxurious mid-level model, usually consisting of leather and other comfort/sporty features (depending on the year). Next you have the SSE (which was discontinued in 2000--again, someone can correct me if I'm wrong) which generally has the sportier-performance options without the supercharged engine (although Pontiac did offer a Supercharger as an option for some years). Finally, you have the top of the line--the SSEi. This is usually fully loaded and includes the supercharger.
A supercharger is a giant airpump that sits on top of the engine (usually) that is mechanically driven by a belt and pulley off of the engine'* crank shaft. This air pump forces air into the engine, which, along with more fuel, causes a more powerful explosion in the cylendars. Thus producing substantially more horsepower and torque. I believe that a 1992 SSEi produces 205 hp.
Finally, the HUD is a great feature. it projects your speed and various other information on the windshield of your car so that you don't have to take your eyes off the road. I believe that some fighter jets and attack helecopters use this technology. You may also look a the dash board cluster, as all of the guages are present there as well.
Congratulations on your prospective purchase.
Okay, the six trim levels of the H body (that is what you will have) Bonneville are LE, SE, SLE, SSE, and SSEi. The LE was discontinued in 1988 or 1989 (someone can correct my on this if I am wrong). It was a base model. The SE (what most of us have on this forum--including me) is now considered the base model. It is usually without the performance features, although they did offer a supercharger for the SE as an option from 1995-1997. This option is very rare. To date I have the only on on this forum. The SLE is the more luxurious mid-level model, usually consisting of leather and other comfort/sporty features (depending on the year). Next you have the SSE (which was discontinued in 2000--again, someone can correct me if I'm wrong) which generally has the sportier-performance options without the supercharged engine (although Pontiac did offer a Supercharger as an option for some years). Finally, you have the top of the line--the SSEi. This is usually fully loaded and includes the supercharger.
A supercharger is a giant airpump that sits on top of the engine (usually) that is mechanically driven by a belt and pulley off of the engine'* crank shaft. This air pump forces air into the engine, which, along with more fuel, causes a more powerful explosion in the cylendars. Thus producing substantially more horsepower and torque. I believe that a 1992 SSEi produces 205 hp.
Finally, the HUD is a great feature. it projects your speed and various other information on the windshield of your car so that you don't have to take your eyes off the road. I believe that some fighter jets and attack helecopters use this technology. You may also look a the dash board cluster, as all of the guages are present there as well.
Congratulations on your prospective purchase.
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From: Canuk land
Oh I hear ya, Im taking someone with me that will keep me straight, once you fall in love its really hard to see any problems, I will get in touch with the dealer tomorrow.
I will keep your recommendation in mind!
I will keep your recommendation in mind!
Originally Posted by speedyguy
Ok no matter what car you buy with miles like that remember you are taking a risk. it could last another 100000 km or die the day you take it off the lot. So make sure you are ready for the worst. Be ready to replace the drive train (engine and transaxle) and many of the electronic parts. Contact your local Pontiac dealer because they know all the costs and problems that could arise. Ask for repair bulletins for the 92. Don’t go to the dealer just phone service and tell them you own it. Then they will talk to you. Also get a good background check done on the car through carfax. There are many very nice Bonneville’* out there never Rush into a deal. Hope that helped a bit. If you are ready for the worst then you will be ok. Don’t ever do a shortcut repair. With the GM product of 1992 always look for the best upgrade as possible. Often common rebuild options for alternators and the like are not worth the trouble you encounter in the end. I hope this was not a downer. Just be ready that’* all. If you want first hand information go to Bonneville intensity at yahoo and talk to the guy running the forum. His name is Alan and he knows everything about that car intimately. Tell him Ty sent ya.
His e-mail. deathrat64@yahoo.ca
Ty
His e-mail. deathrat64@yahoo.ca
Ty
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From: Torrington, CT
hi kimmers,
good choice on a car. I'm a big fan old of the older SSEis (92-95). And I am partial to black too
In my experience the powertrains on these cars (engine and transmission) are very reliable if maintained. My own has almost 160k (been in the family since new) and I've never had a problem with either.
The only powertrain-related problems I have had were with the ignition system. I've had to replace an alternator, a starter, and a ignition coil packs three times. When you consider that'* over 160k, that'* pretty good. One thing: since you are looking at a supercharged version of the engine, find out when the supercharger oil was changed. If you don't change the supercharger oil, bad stuff can happen to the supercharger (haha - I'll let the supercharged guys elaborate on this). A rebuilt supercharger is like $1000 IIRC so its not a cheap repair either.
Now with the interior and all the little gadgets, it'* a GM. Stupid stuff breaks. Like right now, I have a power lock on my passenger rear door that just stopped working, for some reason. Dunno why. But anyway, little stuff will go wrong. It'* an 11y/o car.
Despite all of its fallacies I still really like my car, and would buy another one if this one ever got totalled or stolen. I'm sure you'll find a lot of Bonneville owners who feel the same way
good choice on a car. I'm a big fan old of the older SSEis (92-95). And I am partial to black too
In my experience the powertrains on these cars (engine and transmission) are very reliable if maintained. My own has almost 160k (been in the family since new) and I've never had a problem with either.
The only powertrain-related problems I have had were with the ignition system. I've had to replace an alternator, a starter, and a ignition coil packs three times. When you consider that'* over 160k, that'* pretty good. One thing: since you are looking at a supercharged version of the engine, find out when the supercharger oil was changed. If you don't change the supercharger oil, bad stuff can happen to the supercharger (haha - I'll let the supercharged guys elaborate on this). A rebuilt supercharger is like $1000 IIRC so its not a cheap repair either.
Now with the interior and all the little gadgets, it'* a GM. Stupid stuff breaks. Like right now, I have a power lock on my passenger rear door that just stopped working, for some reason. Dunno why. But anyway, little stuff will go wrong. It'* an 11y/o car.
Despite all of its fallacies I still really like my car, and would buy another one if this one ever got totalled or stolen. I'm sure you'll find a lot of Bonneville owners who feel the same way
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Cameron'* right about the Supercharger.....I should have mentioned something. If properly maintained, they will outlast 3 engines. If you buy this car, we'll take you through the oil change procedure. It'* a major no-brainer, and a good bit of insurance to buy! Your car (assuming you buy it!) is a 205hp Series 1, 3.8 liter v6, supercharged. It has some scoot, and is a ruggedly built drivetrain....I think 95bonnevilleSESC mentioned this. That was the first year for the new body style that was used until 99. Mine'* only one year newer. Best car I've owned. Look it over carefully....if you like what you see.......well, you'll like it! There'* a bunch of Ontario Bonneville owners up in your area. I'd bet one or more of them would look it over for you if you wanted!
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From: Bedroom, Ontario
Welcome to the forum... the SSEI model would definitely be the first choice of all model for 2 reasons. SSEI has the HD version of the tranny (Heavy Duty ) which means it'* beefier and handle more power then the standard. The second reason is that the L67 Supercharged engine compared to their N/A counterparts L37/L27 engine is more durable. The internal guts of the engine has also been strengthened, so in a sense has more reliablilty. Wow.. southern Ontario... should check out the Gatherings Forum, we have people from Fort Erie, Hamilton, Barrie, Markham, Burlington, Oakville, and the states too.
And you don't need to worry about me.. unless you have smooth soft legs.. ha ha ha.. Will is the one you should be concerned about.. he'* constantly having alcohol injecting through his blood via I.V. I on the other hand am just a Hippe... ha ha ha... j/k Will...
And you don't need to worry about me.. unless you have smooth soft legs.. ha ha ha.. Will is the one you should be concerned about.. he'* constantly having alcohol injecting through his blood via I.V. I on the other hand am just a Hippe... ha ha ha... j/k Will...
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From: Simi Valley, CA
So when I beat 95% of all the L67'* out there with my Forced Induction stock 100,000 miles L36, I will dispell the durability issue? Along w/ the durability of a 4T65E... I think ZZPerformance also has shows that with the Centrifgal Kit on the GP GT'*, Impala'* and Monte Carlo'*.
And Drifter420, the L67 is more durable because it has forged rods/pistons (8.5:1 CR) and a forged crank which is basically a no brainer on a factory */C engine. And just because it'* forged doesn't mean it going to be more reliable, actually it would be less reliable than a N/A engine.
And Drifter420, the L67 is more durable because it has forged rods/pistons (8.5:1 CR) and a forged crank which is basically a no brainer on a factory */C engine. And just because it'* forged doesn't mean it going to be more reliable, actually it would be less reliable than a N/A engine.
