I am new to the Bonneville Club but am a long time Pontiac nut, I have '68 GTO'* Catalina, Lemans, '77 Can Am, 3 Fiero'*. Looking for a 2000-2005 SLE or SSEi for 120 mile daily commute, gut feelings say SLE but really would like a Supercharger and HUD. Had a '97 40th Aniversary loved that car. I saw the comments about the Premium vs Regular gasoline in SC Bonn'*, but is it okay to run 89 octane? Is 27 mpg realistic hwy. mileage for a SSEi? Anyone around NC know of a good car to buy within 300 miles I may be interested. I really like the '04 Crimson SLE! Thanks David

Welcome to the family,

I don't know about the MPG on the SSEi, but I love the 35-40 (highway) MPG I've pulled with my non-supercharged SE.

Personally I think the HUD is a bit overated, but if I was to buy a newer Bonne I'd probally end up opting for an SSEi just to have the boost and up around my parts the differance between regular and premium gas is only $0.30, not that big a deal as long as the gas mileage isn't to bad (and since my wife uses the car for work it'* a write off )

But you'll have all kinds of boost nuts giving you all the info you need in a little bit, so stick around, there'* lots of helpfull people here.

I have a 02 SSEi and I get 290 miles to the tank in the city on a 16 gallon tank and almost 400 highway miles to the tank. never really figured it out but im guessing its around 18/27 or so. And i run Premium gas always!

Oh, and welcome to BC!

for highway driving the HUD is overrated. for city driving where the speed limits change constantly its underrated, Never been pulled over with it for accidently speeding in the city.


a couple bucks a fillup for premium? why would you not use it in a SSEi?


I've gotten 29MPG (485 miles on a tank) on my ssei, and some newer series II ssei'* have seen over 30mpg on the highway, dont expect more than 22mpg from any bonneville in the city.

i find the HUD very handy for high speed runs when i dont enjoy taking my eyes off the road

Premium fuel (91 octane minimum) is REQUIRED. But worth it. I've hit 32mpg in one of my SC 'villes. But both of mine are lighter than a 2k+.

I also own one with a HUD and one without. Go HUD. IT ownz.

Yes, always use premium in the SSEi. It will also help your fuel economy.

I never had HUD until this car - now, I wouldn't want to drive without it.

A trip to Detroit this past summer, temps in the 90'*, A/C going, I easily averaged 29 MPG so, what you're asking for is not unreasonable.

Welcome to our little corner of the net.

Again... HUD rules and SE/SLE'* drool for it.

In stock form.. 97 Ei is perfectly capable on trips of 30mpg. After some power adders... 27 mpg solid is still no problem. And that theory was tested from CT to OR this past summer.

welcome... huds are the kats azzzz..... took me a while to get use to it not being there anymore..... but on my sle bville i was gettin about 30/32 mpg highway and was gettin bout the same outa my charger GP......

I would just like to add that my comment about the HUD being overrated is not because I don't have one in my SE, I HAVE driven Bonnevilles with them But to each their own right?

Again, welcome to the family. I for one would really like to see some pictures of your Catalina