Just for info sake, this is the car that is presently haunting my waking hours

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale ... true&Log=0

Maybe someone else will buy it soon and I can get back to life as usual! LOL

(MY lordy it is beautiful, tho!)

_________________
2004 Bonneville SLE "Bonnie the Ghosthawk" or the 4dr Firebird...Gone but not forgotten


The Blog, http://www.tobthebat.wordpress.com

Luna LeMans on Smashwords
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/870754

Luna LeMans in Amazon paperback
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1983273589

I saw that one the other day too and almost pitched it to the Wife. When I got on the phone with her (for some other reason), she wasn't in a very receptive mood, so I figured it would be best off to shut my clam.

_________________


Retired Bonneville Owner and former GM Tech:
2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP: Black/Ebony *SOLD*

Summer Toys: Combined 827 RWHP / 877lb/ft RWTQ
2004 Pontiac GTO: Impulse Blue Metallic/Black/M6: lots 'o mods, 415 RWHP / 405lb/ft RWTQ!
2006 Cadillac STS-V: Light Platinum Metallic/Light Gray/A6 - Spectre CAI, Magnaflow exhaust, Speed Inc. tune, 412 RWHP / 472lb/ft RWTQ

Daily Drivers:
2015 Chrysler Town & Country Limited Platinum: Mommy's NEW RGC
2007 Chrysler Town & Country Limited: Daddy's beater affectionately called the Rolling Garbage Can or "RGC" for short
2009 Pontiac G8 GT: L76, Sport Red Metallic
2009 Chevrolet Impala SS: LS4 V8, Victory Red
1999 Chevrolet Suburban: Sunset Gold Metallic - Daddy's winter beater and plow truck

I'd love to have that car. I've always wanted Red/Gray but with our dollar being worth about 3 cents US right now, I won't be purchasing that one.

_________________


Bose Luxury Sound System w/Touch Screen Navigation, Addition of Factory XM, 2005 MY Antenna, OnStar Upgrade (3G),
RainSense Wipers, Backup Camera, '00 Style Door Panel Courtesy Lights, Heated Washer Solvent, 2X Remote Trunk Release,
Turn Signal Mirrors, Center Console Courtesy Lamp, Rear Outboard Heated Seats, PVD Chrome 18" Factory Rims, Upgraded
Carbon Fibre Appearance Interior Trim, Highly Modified Main Body Harness, Instrument Panel, Door, Door Panel & Headliner
Wiring Harnesses, Custom Fuse Box & Tire and Loading Information Decals, Additional Acoustic Insulation

I haven't even had the Magnum a year so it seems pretty foolish to consider swapping again...especially for a car that gets no better mpg, less carry space, less power, and probably not as reliable (Although I have discovered a few faults with the Dodge as well)

But the Bonne just looks so darn gorgeous! I said many times the Bonneville was what a Firebird looked like when it was all grown up, and this one surely fits that description.

I'm sure Harofreak spent a small fortune swapping his GXP over to the L67 but you have to feel like he truly struck the best of both worlds. Beautiful car with the best engine is definitely a win-win, then again, few of us have his resources at our disposal...but still doable at least.

_________________
2004 Bonneville SLE "Bonnie the Ghosthawk" or the 4dr Firebird...Gone but not forgotten


The Blog, http://www.tobthebat.wordpress.com

Luna LeMans on Smashwords
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/870754

Luna LeMans in Amazon paperback
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1983273589

It is a good looking car!

_________________

2004 Bonneville GXP Crimson Tintcoat- Casual fuel gauge | Brake Performance drilled/slotted rotors front and rear| Retrofit Morimoto mini H1 | clear corners | disabled DRL | 3000K HID fogs | 5% tint | K&N | Yakima rack with fairing, bike rails and kayak rack | Intermittent radio display
1995 Bonneville SSE Deep Amethyst Pearl- SSEI tails | 5% tint | 3 12jlw3v2 in custom enclosure -Gone
1991 Bonneville LE Blue- Alloy spokes -Deceased(deer)

LOL! I can definitely see why you would think so!! Its probably a good thing I don't have the liquid funds right now because I go on vacation in another week, and there would be a scary chance of my heading to South Carolina

Of course if I did that I'd need to locate a reputable mechanic that could perform the stud work. While the car only shows 29k miles, I've seen garage queens sit so long that seals and gaskets start going bad as soon as it gets back into regular use, especially in changing weather conditions.

The shop I presently go to is great for maintaining, tires, inspections and the like, but he doesn't get into heavy repair if he can help it. (He says it ties up his best guys for too long at a time)

_________________
2004 Bonneville SLE "Bonnie the Ghosthawk" or the 4dr Firebird...Gone but not forgotten


The Blog, http://www.tobthebat.wordpress.com

Luna LeMans on Smashwords
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/870754

Luna LeMans in Amazon paperback
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1983273589

Same as mine! but with considerably less miles haha

_________________
Forever Pontiac

1926 to 2010.
Gone.... but not forgotten.

I've read several older threads about GXP fuel mpg, and the figure of 20mpg average seems to come up a lot. I would assume that means the DIC displays the 19-20 figure. The Ghosthawk averaged around 23 but my Hemi Magnum consistently hangs in the 16-18 range on my mixed driving commute (I used the cruise regularly to let MDS do its thing)
The Hemi has gobs of power sure enough and thankfully fuel costs have been falling. I used 89 all the time in Ghosthawk so that hasn't been a transition and the Hemi runs much better on 89 over 87, but keeping the V8 growl with better mpg could be fun. My best on the Hemi so far on Hi-way run has been 22 except for the trip home from Maryland when it did 25...on one tank...just that once, and never again since! LOL

_________________
2004 Bonneville SLE "Bonnie the Ghosthawk" or the 4dr Firebird...Gone but not forgotten


The Blog, http://www.tobthebat.wordpress.com

Luna LeMans on Smashwords
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/870754

Luna LeMans in Amazon paperback
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1983273589

My DIC shows 20.1, but I know its a little better because the computer will still calculate in the Avg MPG when idling as 0MPG lol

_________________
Forever Pontiac

1926 to 2010.
Gone.... but not forgotten.

I've found that the DIC is about 5% optimistic in my car.

_________________
-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 180k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 59k miles

I would say I got 19 - 20 as a safe range on the highway. But I drive like an idiot, so my fuel economy is usually reflective of that.

If I were to do 70 - 75, on cruise, and stay in the right lane, I could probably get on the plus side of 20 mpg.

_________________


Retired Bonneville Owner and former GM Tech:
2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP: Black/Ebony *SOLD*

Summer Toys: Combined 827 RWHP / 877lb/ft RWTQ
2004 Pontiac GTO: Impulse Blue Metallic/Black/M6: lots 'o mods, 415 RWHP / 405lb/ft RWTQ!
2006 Cadillac STS-V: Light Platinum Metallic/Light Gray/A6 - Spectre CAI, Magnaflow exhaust, Speed Inc. tune, 412 RWHP / 472lb/ft RWTQ

Daily Drivers:
2015 Chrysler Town & Country Limited Platinum: Mommy's NEW RGC
2007 Chrysler Town & Country Limited: Daddy's beater affectionately called the Rolling Garbage Can or "RGC" for short
2009 Pontiac G8 GT: L76, Sport Red Metallic
2009 Chevrolet Impala SS: LS4 V8, Victory Red
1999 Chevrolet Suburban: Sunset Gold Metallic - Daddy's winter beater and plow truck

I wouldn't call it driving like an idiot. I used to be on team drive 55 and I got stellar fuel economy (32+) everywhere that I went. But then I realized that driving 85 everywhere, while it kills my fuel economy (brings it down to 25-26), makes me get everywhere much quicker. As much as I like driving, life is too short to waste going 55 in the right lane. Hahahaha!

_________________
-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 180k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 59k miles

THIS!!!

And Speed doesn't kill... It's the sudden stop.

_________________


Retired Bonneville Owner and former GM Tech:
2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP: Black/Ebony *SOLD*

Summer Toys: Combined 827 RWHP / 877lb/ft RWTQ
2004 Pontiac GTO: Impulse Blue Metallic/Black/M6: lots 'o mods, 415 RWHP / 405lb/ft RWTQ!
2006 Cadillac STS-V: Light Platinum Metallic/Light Gray/A6 - Spectre CAI, Magnaflow exhaust, Speed Inc. tune, 412 RWHP / 472lb/ft RWTQ

Daily Drivers:
2015 Chrysler Town & Country Limited Platinum: Mommy's NEW RGC
2007 Chrysler Town & Country Limited: Daddy's beater affectionately called the Rolling Garbage Can or "RGC" for short
2009 Pontiac G8 GT: L76, Sport Red Metallic
2009 Chevrolet Impala SS: LS4 V8, Victory Red
1999 Chevrolet Suburban: Sunset Gold Metallic - Daddy's winter beater and plow truck

LMAO!! You guys are a riot!

I think I fall in between you two. I'm definitely not the right lane 55-60 plunker, and I agree that making better time with more mph has its advantage, but I also enjoy the cruise control and bang-for-the-buck. After years of insane insurance premiums, I've kind of personally vowed never to waste my money on that crap again, so I learned to have some limits.

I find if the speed limit is 70, I can set my cruise on about 73, make decent time, get decent mileage, and pass parked trooper cars with no concern whatsoever. If there is one thing that makes my blood boil on the highway is when speed freaks jam on the brakes every time they see a patrol car...even when the bloody thing is already occupied by a stopped motorist. This chicken-game braking then sets off a wave traffic slow down that set my road rage on full tilt. If you choose to fly thats your choice and risk, but jamming on brakes is fools waste of time, by the time you see the trooper he's already got you if he wants you.

My other restraint is how many states have instituted this "Anything over 80mph = automatic reckless driving charge." No thanks, I cant remember the last time I was ever in that big a hurry.

For me, 70mph on cruise, relatively open highway, and a mellow exhaust note = driving bliss.

_________________
2004 Bonneville SLE "Bonnie the Ghosthawk" or the 4dr Firebird...Gone but not forgotten


The Blog, http://www.tobthebat.wordpress.com

Luna LeMans on Smashwords
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/870754

Luna LeMans in Amazon paperback
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1983273589

Rule of thumb around here is you can go 5MPH over the limit and nobody will care. So a 55 becomes a 60, 70=75 ect. has always worked for me. Staties sitting on I-90 between Springfield and Boston are some of the most anal guys too.

_________________
Forever Pontiac

1926 to 2010.
Gone.... but not forgotten.

Speed limits here are "speed suggestions".

_________________


Retired Bonneville Owner and former GM Tech:
2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP: Black/Ebony *SOLD*

Summer Toys: Combined 827 RWHP / 877lb/ft RWTQ
2004 Pontiac GTO: Impulse Blue Metallic/Black/M6: lots 'o mods, 415 RWHP / 405lb/ft RWTQ!
2006 Cadillac STS-V: Light Platinum Metallic/Light Gray/A6 - Spectre CAI, Magnaflow exhaust, Speed Inc. tune, 412 RWHP / 472lb/ft RWTQ

Daily Drivers:
2015 Chrysler Town & Country Limited Platinum: Mommy's NEW RGC
2007 Chrysler Town & Country Limited: Daddy's beater affectionately called the Rolling Garbage Can or "RGC" for short
2009 Pontiac G8 GT: L76, Sport Red Metallic
2009 Chevrolet Impala SS: LS4 V8, Victory Red
1999 Chevrolet Suburban: Sunset Gold Metallic - Daddy's winter beater and plow truck

Here in Michigan that rule doesn't apply. I94, I69, US127, I275, I696, it doesn't matter, I set my cruise @ 78 and still get passed while the State-boy sits in the median. They won't even pull out if you're under 80. And when you get closer to the D, watch out! Sometimes 90 isn't keeping up with the flow of traffic!!

_________________

2004 Bonneville GXP Crimson Tintcoat- Casual fuel gauge | Brake Performance drilled/slotted rotors front and rear| Retrofit Morimoto mini H1 | clear corners | disabled DRL | 3000K HID fogs | 5% tint | K&N | Yakima rack with fairing, bike rails and kayak rack | Intermittent radio display
1995 Bonneville SSE Deep Amethyst Pearl- SSEI tails | 5% tint | 3 12jlw3v2 in custom enclosure -Gone
1991 Bonneville LE Blue- Alloy spokes -Deceased(deer)

The only place I've ever driven where I felt comfortable driving those speeds was out west. Across South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, etc, where the speed limit was 80mph, it felt unusual to have the cruise set at those speeds. But then again, with so much space and dead-arrow straight roads to the horizon, there were times 80mph felt slow...and work zones were 65.

Here is Virginia, I-95 stays crawling or jammed up so often flow of traffic at that pace seems impossible.

_________________
2004 Bonneville SLE "Bonnie the Ghosthawk" or the 4dr Firebird...Gone but not forgotten


The Blog, http://www.tobthebat.wordpress.com

Luna LeMans on Smashwords
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/870754

Luna LeMans in Amazon paperback
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1983273589

20 over in Illinois is considered "Reckless". However, since most people already do 20 over just to flow with traffic (because as I said above, speed limits are speed suggestions here), it's up to officer discretion. If you're just doing 20 over, going with the flow of traffic, they don't give a crap. If you're doing 20 over, snaking through traffic, driving like a dooshwaffle... Different story!

_________________


Retired Bonneville Owner and former GM Tech:
2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP: Black/Ebony *SOLD*

Summer Toys: Combined 827 RWHP / 877lb/ft RWTQ
2004 Pontiac GTO: Impulse Blue Metallic/Black/M6: lots 'o mods, 415 RWHP / 405lb/ft RWTQ!
2006 Cadillac STS-V: Light Platinum Metallic/Light Gray/A6 - Spectre CAI, Magnaflow exhaust, Speed Inc. tune, 412 RWHP / 472lb/ft RWTQ

Daily Drivers:
2015 Chrysler Town & Country Limited Platinum: Mommy's NEW RGC
2007 Chrysler Town & Country Limited: Daddy's beater affectionately called the Rolling Garbage Can or "RGC" for short
2009 Pontiac G8 GT: L76, Sport Red Metallic
2009 Chevrolet Impala SS: LS4 V8, Victory Red
1999 Chevrolet Suburban: Sunset Gold Metallic - Daddy's winter beater and plow truck

About 2 weeks before Woodward I was coming back home, traveling west on 696 and though there were cars in the far right lane doing close to the speed suggestion, the majority were in the triple digits. We had almost taken her van but glad we didn't, we would have never been able to merge onto the highway!!

Even traveling with the flow (which was extremely smooth, almost as though it was the norm), where were still a few yahoos that had to be doing closer to a buck 10 or 20. I saw 4 cops within the 10 mins it took me to traverse that stretch of highway and not one of them EVER lit any of those guys up. Maybe they just figured they couldn't catch up anyway so why potentially cause chaos on the smooth flowing roadway???

_________________

2004 Bonneville GXP Crimson Tintcoat- Casual fuel gauge | Brake Performance drilled/slotted rotors front and rear| Retrofit Morimoto mini H1 | clear corners | disabled DRL | 3000K HID fogs | 5% tint | K&N | Yakima rack with fairing, bike rails and kayak rack | Intermittent radio display
1995 Bonneville SSE Deep Amethyst Pearl- SSEI tails | 5% tint | 3 12jlw3v2 in custom enclosure -Gone
1991 Bonneville LE Blue- Alloy spokes -Deceased(deer)