New to the forum, but a former owner of a 1996 SLE that I loved.

Here's the deal:

I'm considering a 2001 SSEi among the cars that I've been looking at recently. Probably the biggest concern I have is for the mileage. This jewel has 270K plus miles on it.

Seems like everything works and it looks to be in pretty good shape. I'm just wondering how much more life the old girl has in her. I'm not looking to turn this car into some sort of collector's item. Just wondering if it has another 100k miles in it.

I was first drawn to the Bonneville for the engine. As an engineering consultant, I took part in a design review session on the supercharger back in the 90's. Fell in love with the combination and have secretly longed for one ever since.

Phil

How much are they asking? Can they prove its highway miles?

Personally Id look for something with less miles on it.

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Unless it has a newer engine and tranny, or they are basically giving it away, I would walk. It doesn't have much more life left in it.

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Andrew - owner/operator of Bonnevilles Unlimited

2004 Bonneville GXP | 60k | White Gold Tricoat | custom built supercharged 3800 hot rod | garage queen
1997 Corvette | 55k | Silver Metallic | Z06 wheels | Date-night Hauler/Parts runner
2014 Town & Country Limited | Cashmere Pearl | 95k | Family Hauler
2002 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Sport | Black| 260k | Official Bonneville Hauler

The engine should be good to 350-500k IF CARED FOR properly, and that's an IF you can't verify.

The car is probably on its second or third transmission by now. Any documentation? If not, walk.

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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

You should be able to find something with half the miles for a decent price. Unless they have well documented maintenance records going way back, I'd look elsewhere.

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Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock

Being a guy who has looked at high-mileage cars before and bought one that was in excess of 220k ('91 Bonneville), even I would feel a bit shaky about buying a car that high-mileage. Granted, that's a pretty decent number for the odometer and says something if the car has the original motor (well-maintained usually), but then again, it could just be THAT much closer to death.

I'd say find something lower. With enough searching, you'll find something clean and low-mileage for a fair price

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1992 Chevrolet Lumina base:TOTALED (died at 110k)
1989 Buick Reatta:SOLD (sold at 105k)
1991 Pontiac Bonneville LE:SOLD (sold at 225k)
2001 Cadillac Seville SLS:SOLD (sold at 140k)
1998 Pontiac Bonneville SE:CURRENT (bought w/ 145k)