Need Advice on 92 SE
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Kalamazoo, MI
Need Advice on 92 SE
A whole Club! Wow! I knew I loved my 1992 SE for a reason. 
I do need advice on wether or not I should buy it back! Sold the SE about a year ago for $600 to a friend that needed reliable, cheap, around town transportation. (I had to decide to sell either it, or a mini van. I chose the van because I had lots of landscape work/hauling to do.) I've missed it ever since. I'm not a mechanic or "collector" with lots of money to put into the car. But, the transmission just went in the mini van, and I would love to have the Bonneville back. It does need lots of work. (Breaks, wheel bearings, there are electrical problems — no brights switch)
My question is, will this be a reliable vehicle for me if I'm willing to put the dough into it? I know they go forever. And, I've never driven a better feeling, powerful car. Just wanting some advice from anyone on this forum willing to give it!
Thanks in advance!
I do need advice on wether or not I should buy it back! Sold the SE about a year ago for $600 to a friend that needed reliable, cheap, around town transportation. (I had to decide to sell either it, or a mini van. I chose the van because I had lots of landscape work/hauling to do.) I've missed it ever since. I'm not a mechanic or "collector" with lots of money to put into the car. But, the transmission just went in the mini van, and I would love to have the Bonneville back. It does need lots of work. (Breaks, wheel bearings, there are electrical problems — no brights switch)
My question is, will this be a reliable vehicle for me if I'm willing to put the dough into it? I know they go forever. And, I've never driven a better feeling, powerful car. Just wanting some advice from anyone on this forum willing to give it!
Thanks in advance!
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,448
Likes: 7
From: _Phoenix, AZ_ _WCBF '05, '06, '07 Survivor_ ____NEBF '07 Remnant___
Welcome to BC. really hard to say if you should buy it back. You are the best judge of what it needs and what issues it may have. How many miles on it when you sold it last time?
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,030
Likes: 2
From: Central Florida
Welcome to BC!
You picked the wrong crowd to ask that question, lol. Most of us here are really partial to our Bonnevilles for many of the same reasons you liked yours and probably more.
But, like Bob said, you need to evaluate the actual condition of the car as you know it. Then consider your capabilities when it comes to the repairs that it might need. Other than that, these really are great cars and many have seen 200K-300K miles from them.
Many parts of the country have plenty of them in the junk yards also, which makes replacement part scavenging a vialble option.
You can certainly consider that here at BC, we focus on helping members with diagnostics and providing information they need to repair and maintain their Bonnevilles.
You picked the wrong crowd to ask that question, lol. Most of us here are really partial to our Bonnevilles for many of the same reasons you liked yours and probably more.
But, like Bob said, you need to evaluate the actual condition of the car as you know it. Then consider your capabilities when it comes to the repairs that it might need. Other than that, these really are great cars and many have seen 200K-300K miles from them.
Many parts of the country have plenty of them in the junk yards also, which makes replacement part scavenging a vialble option.
You can certainly consider that here at BC, we focus on helping members with diagnostics and providing information they need to repair and maintain their Bonnevilles.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Kalamazoo, MI
Well thanks!
Yeah, I knew I was asking the right group for the answer I want! :o And, I do realize it is my call in the end. Thanks to all that responded and—so quickly!
My budget is limited ($2,000) and unfortunately, without the van, I have no wheels, so it'* kind of urgent. I have looked around for a newer Bonneville, but they either sell really fast, or dealers ask about $2000+ more than they're worth. I was looking for a source on-line when I stumbled across BC.
I know the '92 SE'* problems and the price is right, but am not mechanically inclined at all, so I'd have to pay someone for the work it does need. I didn't really word my question well. What I'm asking I guess is — are there known issues with this make and model. (Like the Windstar having transmissions that go at around 130,000 miles?) I think I can handle most of the repairs the '92 needs, but if transmissions, or equally expensive problems are an issue, I'll need to reconsider.
Thanks again for the warm welcomes and advice. I don't feel so alone anymore!
Yeah, I knew I was asking the right group for the answer I want! :o And, I do realize it is my call in the end. Thanks to all that responded and—so quickly!
My budget is limited ($2,000) and unfortunately, without the van, I have no wheels, so it'* kind of urgent. I have looked around for a newer Bonneville, but they either sell really fast, or dealers ask about $2000+ more than they're worth. I was looking for a source on-line when I stumbled across BC.
I know the '92 SE'* problems and the price is right, but am not mechanically inclined at all, so I'd have to pay someone for the work it does need. I didn't really word my question well. What I'm asking I guess is — are there known issues with this make and model. (Like the Windstar having transmissions that go at around 130,000 miles?) I think I can handle most of the repairs the '92 needs, but if transmissions, or equally expensive problems are an issue, I'll need to reconsider.
Thanks again for the warm welcomes and advice. I don't feel so alone anymore!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Kalamazoo, MI
Only $600-700. I sold it to him for $600 last year, but he had a belt or something go on it that cost around $450 to replace. He couldn't remember what it was, but says he'* kept receipts on everything.
Wow! Nice. I'm envious. I saw a '98 for $1,500 in last weeks paper, but it was gone by the time I called.
Wow! Nice. I'm envious. I saw a '98 for $1,500 in last weeks paper, but it was gone by the time I called.
. Yay another michigan member!
