Hey all, I've been lurking and reading / studying up for a while now and wanted some advice. I'm really thinking about buying a late model Bonny SSEi. I think I could have a 'best of both worlds" set up while being able to drive it all the time, i.e. a fast car that I can put my family in & drive daily.

The thing is to get one (gain wife'* blessing) I'd have to sell my beloved triple black '93 Mustang GT convertible that'* a garage queen. I love this car and it'* in almost mint condition but as such I hardly ever take it out. In fact in the last 5 years I've owned it I've only driven it 1,000 miles and 400 or so of those were when we took it on our honeymoon. I'd also sell my current daily driver which is a '97 Camry with 210K miles.

Like I said I'd be looking at a later model Bonny SSEi or possibly GTP with the supercharged 3.8L. Being who I am I'd probably also do some mild mods, hopefully getting to around 300 whp. My main question is whether a car like this, and with a few mods done would be a good daily driver / family car (occassionally have our 2 young sons in there, but wife mostly hauls them around & does the grocery shopping). I'm also particularly concerened with living here in Ohio & having to drive in snow. If it gets too bad I have a Super-Duty 4x4 but don't like driving it a lot in the winter for a bunch of different reasons, which is why my Camry does almost all my commuting.

The SSEi will be a better family car, the GTP is a bit smaller. Putting down that kind of horse power isn't that hard. I'm over that and still take the kids to school.

Thanks Dan! I see you live in Wisconsin. Do you drive yours in snow? I'm thinking since the car is FWD and a lot of the power is made via super-charger it should do OK in snow. Can U or anyone give me some input on that?

Actually it drives very well in the snow. Better them my wifes last 3 vans.

That'* what I was hoping for, and how I figured it would be, but a 300 hp car isn't usually something that does good in snow. I wouldn't even want to try to drive a car like my old '97 Cobra which was 305 hp in the snow. Of course front wheel drive is a whole different animal than a rear wheel drive car, especially a RWD sports / muscle car.

Bonneville'* and GTP'* are both pretty good in the snow. My GTP is mildly modded, and I drive it year round (in Wisconsin). The only thing I do is take my nice chrome 18" rims off for winter and put the stockers back on. Not sure what my car pushes at the wheels, but it'* getting up there, and I still get around in the snow just as good (if not better) as everyone else. And both the GTP and Bonneville are excellent, reliable daily drivers, even when they are modded.

I have no say on the snow thing, but I'd say, go Bonneville. More room to put people and stuff in.

I'd say it depends on your price range, and which one feels better for you. A Bonneville is built better than any w-body (grand prix, monte carlo, regal), but its also a larger and heavier car, and doesn't get as great gas mileage. The difference is probably minimal though. If you have a family of 4, then a grand prix would do fine, but if you have a family of 5, you'll appreciate the extra rear space that the Bonnevilles have.

I own a 95 Regal and a 05 Bonneville GXP, and due to the Regal being lighter and having a heavier front weight distribution, it does better in snow conditions, although the Bonneville does decently well. A grand prix will be easier to make fast than a Bonneville partially because of the difference in weight distribution, and overall weight, but with that extra weight comes more comfort, more room, and better safety ratings. I'd also argue that the Bonneville'* interior feels higher quality than that of the grand prix. There are a lot of things to consider, and it really depends on what you're looking for and what you can find in your price range.

All I have to say is IF you have a family of four, ABSOLUTELY get a Bonneville. Stay away from the Grand Prix Coupes especially. Life lesson that I'm still trying to learn!