That would be me. What'* up, Shawn? Fancy meeting YOU here. :P Yes, there were 124 '88 STEs equipped with AWD as an option (still had the older style to it; 2-tone paint, black rubber moldings, chrome trim, flat back window, etc), and all 1,376 '89 STEs (last year of that designation for 6000s before it was moved to the GPs; mono-tone top to bottom with gold trim, notch back window, etc) came standard with it. There were an unknown number of '90 SEs that also got this option. The only way to tell an AWD STE and SE apart external were the badges. Interior-wise, they were worlds apart. The AWD 6000s can be mistaken for the '88-'91 Bonny SSEs easily at first glance. They were only available in dark saphire blue, or dark garnett red (colors that were available on the SSEs). They featured an AWD specific spoiler, which is identicle to the SSEs, but shorter. They had the same gold trim, and trunk key hole latch/cover. They also had identicle steering wheels, seats (though the rear ones were shorter to fit the smaller 6000), center console (minus the AWD "Lock" switch ), and accessory kit in the trunk (which 6000 STEs were equipped with since '83). So if you just kinda' caught it out of the corner of your eye, I could see how one might initially think it was a Bonny. But then obviously taking a good look would point out that they look nothing alike. I could write a book on these cars, but anyway...

As for the implication that 6000s were a "bad" idea.....I suggest you read up on some Pontiac history. They may not seem like much today, but the introdution of the 6000 STE in '83 is LITERALLY accredited with single handedly bringing Pontiac back from the dead. Pontiac even concurred with this in no uncertain terms on their 75th anniversary website when it was up. It was the first offering in a long time from this GM division to give a decent amount of performance (for its time), and luxury. Enough so that it actually made Car & Driver'* top 10 3 years out of its 9 year run for holding its own against the likes of its much more expensive import competitors. Pontiac is now trying to accomplish the same thing with the G6. In fact, there was an article written not too long ago comparing the G6 to the STE. Hmmmm......6G(6000), G6. I wonder......J/K. But let'* give credit where credit is due. The STE literally saved Pontiac from the financial catastrophy it was in at the time. In other words, if it weren't for the STE, you may not be driving your Pontiacs today.

nice write up

Isn't it interesting. Just about the time you think you know a car maker and most of the cars they put out. Something catches your attention and you learn all about a one off that they did and then you say. Those are cool...I'd like one too!

I almost bought a 6000 STE back in 1987. They were great cars for thier time. Not bad looking (Very similar to the Bonne), lots of gizmos, and a very nice ride. I don't remember the one I was looking at having AWD, but it did have the Self Leveling Suspension. Sweet car!

The only thing that stopped me was that I was about to leave for Korea and noone would finance me. Probably a good thing, tho, since my wife at the time totalled the car we did have while I was gone.

There was a thread here somewhere. I think I can find it again......

My parents had several Pontiac 6000 when I was a kid . My father said it was a good car for the day. I remeber the digital dashboards and all the other gizmos it came with. i wish the still afford digital dashboards today :(

i know it'* not an STE or and SE..but my uncle had a 6000 safari..you know the wagon..2.8 sister car to the Chevy Celebrity wagon....and believe it or not ..that was a nice car....i honestly wouldn't have minded driving it myself. it was an 87' or an 88'

James

::Please exuse this story if you are a Pontiac 6000 fan::

Back when I was 15 my cousin had a 6000 STE AWD, I remember thinking it was a pretty sweet looking car, and it handled really well, but we had fun in that thing. It was used for more back gravel road rally racing and off roading than any car ive ever been in. I remember once there was a road closed because it was flooded over, so of course my 17 yo cousin egged on by me (15 yo) decided to see how deep the water was. When the water started coming in the bottom of the doors he decided it was too deep and we needed to back out of it. So he throws it in reverse and starts to back out, when all of the sudden the passenger side (MY SIDE!!) of the car starts sinking. Im like oh sh*t he just backed off the road and into the ditch beside the road...all UNDER WATER water at this point was up to the bottom of the windows. So what does he do but turn the steering wheel and hit the throttle, pulling us right back out onto the pavement and then back on to dry ground. AWD rules! But sorry to say that 6000 was driven into the ground within a few months of that incident. Im pretty sure the thing blew up. But it was pretty torn up anyway, after letting a kid have it. He then proceded to wreck 3 pickups and another 2 cars.......never went to jail either....lucky bastard

Oooooohhh......I'm sure I could list QUITE a few GM oddities from that era that most don't know about. I certainly have a long list for myself that I'd like to pick up. But any further car buying will have to wait till I get a house....with one of those garage thingys. My apartment management isn't too pleased with the idea of a single guy in a one bedroom taking up 4 parking spaces.


The digital dash is what first drew me to them, when I was a wee little lad that knew nothing about cars:



That'* only part of it. The rest of the gauges are to the right of the DIC. It'* pretty fun. Even today, the interior of my AWDs continues to draw comments like "DUDE....WTF??"

BonEvil: I was trying to come up with some more eloquent words, but.....your cousin should be shot, plain and simple. I mean....if it were an ordinary, run of the mill 6000, that would be another story. But an AWD STE??? Why do cars like this end up in the hands of people like that?

Even on Bonneville club you have to make me jealous of your goddamn cars..

too bad you couldnt get leather in them... that was the only draw back to me buy this 88 that i saw for sale... it was the garnet red....