I am looking at purchasing an 00+ SSEI in the very near future. I haven't owned one yet, so I haven't been following their trends as closely. I am trying to arm myself with as much info before I walk into some of the dealerships to look at them. Here are some of my questions...

1) Are there any known recalls or service bulletins on these years?

2) Are there any known common issues (eg: rear window regulators, coolant elbow under the snout, etc...)?

3) Where is the common "normal" body damage / wear on these models?

4) What am I missing?

_________________
Owner / Admin

1995 SSEi / 2002 SSEi / 2001 Sierra C3 DENALI

http://ww w. pon tiac bonnevillefo rum. c om /

I know the guy who owns that site.

_________________

Click here for mod list for both cars
93 SSEi, 95 SLE (supercharged) 97 Buick LeSabre Limited
PontiacDad at WCBF '04: Cruise control? That's like surrendering!
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting, rebuilding, and modifying Eaton Superchargers

Well, they tend to leak (trunk seals, door seals, etc). Also intermdiate steering shaft clunk is a common issue. And as with any 98-02 4T65E, you gotta watch out for PCS issues. I think some of the early ones (maybe just 00) tended to have paint problems on the hood. That's what I can remember off the top of my head.

Personally I'd try to find an 03 cause they have better seats, updated trans (no more PCS issues!), and just generally fewer issues, plus that's the last year of the SSEi. I am no expert on the 00+ though, this is all just absorbed information from my various forum lurks.
.
.
.

_________________
-Dan
_


2012 Nissan Maxima SV Premium • Super Black • Charcoal • VQ35DE • Bose • Factory HID • 5000k LED Int/Ext
_
__I n n o v a t i o n__T h a t __E x c i t e s

Bill, I know a good site too

Although I've never sat in the 03 seats, I have heard about them being much better. I do also recall now about some of the leaks in the trunk and those pesky sunroof drain tubes. My ideal car that I am looking at is an 03 SSEi, but final price that I can walk away with is a big factor still. Also I know some have the rusted out gas filler area too.

_________________
Owner / Admin

1995 SSEi / 2002 SSEi / 2001 Sierra C3 DENALI

Gordy, IIRC, you have sat in 03 SSEi seats, when sitting in the Aurora. From what I've heard the 03 SSEi seats are the same as 00+ Aurora seats.

_________________
DHP Powrtuner & Tech 2
1998 GTP Coupe
1999 SSEi 70k miles
2000 Silverado 2500 Ext Cab 4x4/6.0L/4L80E
2000 Trans Am WS6 LQ3 (LQ4 w/LS3 top end) 4L60E
2001 SLE
2002 Monte Carlo SS Top-swapped FSIC Gen V TOG's, Mezeire.....
2002 GTP 40th Anniv Ed Coupe
2004 GTP Comp G 'Bottom-swapped'

Just buy from Haro and you're set.

_________________

That is one on my list to look at, if he has one ready when I am ready to spend.

_________________
Owner / Admin

1995 SSEi / 2002 SSEi / 2001 Sierra C3 DENALI

Only some 03's got the revised PCS stuff. Mine didn't, according to the number on the the PCM, according to Brad (sandrock). Look at the bottom rears of the back doors, they're probably torn up from rocks, etc. unless the car had mudflaps. Front end will probably be chipped up, too. Check and see if there's Dex in there, and when you do get one, budget in an LIM job soon after.

_________________
Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock

I think being on this site for quite a while it's safe to say from what I've seen they also suffer from water leaks/fishbowl syndrome. I'd probably check for that...

Window regulators suck. I've done one on my brothers 2000 lesabre.... And the steering column clunk is something you'll probably be able to feel right away.

Look underneath the hood to see if it's got paint issues or signs of repaint.

I remember a handful of members having the *dang* time tryinG to get tires to balance for whatever reason. They would run into issues in the 60-70mph range iirc.

_________________
Jason Z - Exposed Autos

2001 BMW 330i - Titanium Silver - Sport Package - 3 Pedals - Koni Yellow/H&R Sport
2006 Volkswagen GTI - (gone) Tornado Red - DSG, Stage II~280hp/325tq
1993 Pontiac Bonneville - (gone) Purple Pearl H4U/SLE. Loud

...and that could be in relation to the control arms...which is another thing to check for (thank you for reminding me)..check the control arm bushings.