If you had to replace your Bonneville with a used car that has similar features - what would it be?

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*Gone, but not forgotten* - Black 2000 SSEi, HIR Headlights, Angel Eyes fogs, 3rd brake light overlay, hi-flo cat, 180 degree thermostat, HS 1.9 rockers, LSx yellow springs, Intense FWI, PCM, shift kit, push rods, and 3.4 Pulley. ZZP Power Log.

- Cadillac STS-V.
- Cadillac CTS-V
- Pontiac G8 (preferably GT or GXP).

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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 never really drove the Bonneville I had for a short time and it'll be a few more years before I get a new DD.
Once I do replace the Regal though the car would have to be something with at least as many features (ie. heated seats, auto climate, auto dimming mirrors, bluetooth, etc.)

Right now if I had to get a new DD I myself would probably be looking at the newer Regals (there's a wagon coming!) or an ATS (would be cool to get one in a stick).





Both are relatively cheap used compared to new and can come in sticks or AWD with a decent amount of power and a decent aftermarket. They're a bit smaller than a Bonneville though.

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2009 Chevy Silverado 2500HD crew cab, 6.0, Z71. The project mover.
1999 Buick Regal GS 3.4" pulley,SLP headers, fwi, pnp, gemini chain w/ other trans mods, 12" brakes, GR2's, STB's, 34mm front sway bar; The Summer DD
1982 Pontiac Grand Prix L36 and an hx35 turbo; It's pretty quick Mod list here

The Bonnie - couldn't do it.
The daily i30 - 07/08 G35s 6MT sedan.

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95 SLE... a keeper. 241k miles. Low and Slow.
97 BMW 528i
98 Infiniti vq35'd i30: 13.3@104mph, 30MPG Hwy
02 Jag X-type
07 Infiniti G35s 6MT
07 Ducati Monster S2R 800 with DS1000 swap
05 Suzuki DRZ400S
83 Yamaha IT175K
72 Yamaha DS7: '74 RD250 swap, JL chambers

Info on dropping a 92-99: Here.

I didn't directly replace my LeSabre with my G37 (went through my G20 first), but in terms of space, practicality, price, and power, I'm in love with the car. It's honestly more comfortable in terms of ride quality, seat comfort, and adjustability than the LeSabre was, and that car was like driving on a couch.

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Joseph

Current: 2013 Infiniti G37 Journey
1999 Infiniti G20T - Sold
1999 Buick Lesabre - Race Couch - gone but not forgotten

I'm also going to answer your question ignoring your request for similar features...

Buick Cascada. I wouldn't sell any of my cars for it, but I'd DD it.

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Blow all the things! Wait, I meant boost. Boost!


Runs:
'93 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi - Twincharged, manual, and lots more! Build thread
'97 Chevy Camaro - 3800 supercharged, T5, T-tops
'05 Cadillac STS - V8, AWD, her DD
'92 Olds Trofeo - Fair weather DD
'84 GMC Sierra Classic - Twin turbo 3800
'97 Buick LeSabre - L67 winter DD
'92 Pontiac Bonneville SSE future project

Doesn't run:
'87 Buick LeSabre T-type - future victim
'67 Buick LeSabre - future victim

Keep it GM...

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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

All of the vehicles that I've owned have been GM, except for one. A Chrysler Concorde. That was a mistake. As my diagnostic, and other tools are for GM vehicles, I'll likely stay with them. Anyone have experience with the Cadillac XTS, this one?
http://www.koolgm.com/VehicleDetails/used-2014-Cadillac-XTS-3.6L_V6_AWD_Luxury-Grand_Rapids-MI/2973270743

Thank you everyone for your input.

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*Gone, but not forgotten* - Black 2000 SSEi, HIR Headlights, Angel Eyes fogs, 3rd brake light overlay, hi-flo cat, 180 degree thermostat, HS 1.9 rockers, LSx yellow springs, Intense FWI, PCM, shift kit, push rods, and 3.4 Pulley. ZZP Power Log.

I love them. Tons of rear seat legroom in the Epsilon II (same with the Impala).

Same high feature V6 so read up on some of their issues, however, being a 2014, many bugs have been worked out. You've got AWD with this one, however, I believe the "luxury" trim is the lowest trim package on the XTS. So you'll be slummin' it. :p Standard PITA, maddening CUE system of course. Although once you get used to it, it's fine.

It does have ~80k on it though in 3 - 4 years though...

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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

If I were keeping it gm I'd pick one of the caddys (probably ATS) or Regal GS.
If I weren't I would have to go German but only VAG vehicles. I already went the Passat route for a daily and aside from HUD it's got everything a bonneville would, and you could have a wagon too. If I had to replace that I'd go with an Audi A4 or A6.

There is no replacing the GTO.

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-Ryan
2004 GTO....LS1, 6MT
96 SSEi...September 2010 COTM........GONE
04 GTP comp G.... December 2015 COTM........GONE
2001 Volkswagen Passat, 1.8T 5MT......winter beater

Harbles warmed.

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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 was mostly aware of the earlier versions problems, some of which apparently still exists with that year. Mainly oil consumption, and its pitfalls. I found this article about it.
https://www.motor.com/magazine-summary/gm-3-6l-engine-problems-eye-electronics-november-2013/

There are a couple of features missing. The one that I'd miss the most seems to have done away with, and that's the HUD. It is a fair amount of miles for that year. I'm sure that I'd get the standard "But, they're all highway miles". They do have a 2016, but that's $9000 more. I might also consider a Buick.

_________________
*Gone, but not forgotten* - Black 2000 SSEi, HIR Headlights, Angel Eyes fogs, 3rd brake light overlay, hi-flo cat, 180 degree thermostat, HS 1.9 rockers, LSx yellow springs, Intense FWI, PCM, shift kit, push rods, and 3.4 Pulley. ZZP Power Log.

There was also some cam chain/tensioner issues if I recall on the early versions.

I have some, or should I say, an early version of that "weather station" on mine. I have barometric pressure sensors, a specific MAF that prevented mis-reads from blow back, and a special OEM air filter to counter blow back. It looked like a piece of cardboard rolled up and glued.

_________________


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

There was, and still is, to a degree. Listed as being caused by letting the oil level get too low. I guess they no longer find it necessary to have a sensor for low oil.

_________________
*Gone, but not forgotten* - Black 2000 SSEi, HIR Headlights, Angel Eyes fogs, 3rd brake light overlay, hi-flo cat, 180 degree thermostat, HS 1.9 rockers, LSx yellow springs, Intense FWI, PCM, shift kit, push rods, and 3.4 Pulley. ZZP Power Log.

Many don't have low oil indicator systems.

I wonder if what is playing into this, is that I know on LF4 versions (in ATS-V's), the factory fill is listed as 6 quarts in all service info. However, that is incorrect. It's actually 7. Other versions (like LFX), might be 6.

But what plays into this, is those phasers and tensioners require a high level of oil pressure to maintain proper tension on the chains. I know this is the case with mine and is one of the reasons I have nearly 9 quarts and a filter the size of a small coffee can is because of the amount of flow, and the pressure achieved by the gerator style pump. On a fully warmed engine, normal RPM's will have it in the 80+ PSI range. On cold days, 120+ psi is common.

The point I'm getting at, is that if the wrong quantity is put in to begin with, you're already fighting an uphill battle if you catch what I mean.

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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

Gotcha. Would your show overfilled on the dipstick, or would the larger filter take care of that? I have to decide how much $$ I want to put into my current car, versus buying another. Then, which one. If I go with an XTS, I'll get more details. Newer STS and CTSs around here are outrageously priced, and so many vehicles have the 2.0L turbo set up.

_________________
*Gone, but not forgotten* - Black 2000 SSEi, HIR Headlights, Angel Eyes fogs, 3rd brake light overlay, hi-flo cat, 180 degree thermostat, HS 1.9 rockers, LSx yellow springs, Intense FWI, PCM, shift kit, push rods, and 3.4 Pulley. ZZP Power Log.

The dipstick would've shown a ~quart low. What was happening, was lazy a$$ techs, not doing any form of a post oil change, oil level check to verify and then people complaining that they're low on oil 3,000 miles out, not realizing they started out a quart low.

This has happened many times on many GM vehicles. The service info says one thing, but reality is another. Heck, even the LS4 in my Impala is 6.5 quarts. But after fill, it's still ~1 quart low on the dipstick. So I fill with 7.5.

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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 imagine that they just go with what the book says, and say good enough. I've seen some at some shops do the same. I have to admit that at times, I've done it. But, I know what mine takes.

_________________
*Gone, but not forgotten* - Black 2000 SSEi, HIR Headlights, Angel Eyes fogs, 3rd brake light overlay, hi-flo cat, 180 degree thermostat, HS 1.9 rockers, LSx yellow springs, Intense FWI, PCM, shift kit, push rods, and 3.4 Pulley. ZZP Power Log.

I know you're probably aware already, but in case you aren't, check out my thread when I was searching. I would steer clear of the 2.0T motors based on what I read and what I experienced first hand. Post 11

http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/forum/lounge/topic50765.html

The XTS is a really comfortable vehicle. We rent them in our luxury fleet at work a lot, and granted they're the lower trim levels, they are a really nice driving car. +1 though on the oil, it seems like a 50/50 chance when we get them back from service if they're underfilled or not.

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Joseph

Current: 2013 Infiniti G37 Journey
1999 Infiniti G20T - Sold
1999 Buick Lesabre - Race Couch - gone but not forgotten

Thanks. Now that you pointed it out, I do recall reading that. I'm not to excited with anything that says 2.X. Soured by the problems with my wife's 2010 Equinox, with the 2.4. That thing almost spent more time at the dealer (including having the engine rebuilt) than on the road. Luckily under warranty. So far, the 2013 is holding up well, but takes forever to get moving.

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*Gone, but not forgotten* - Black 2000 SSEi, HIR Headlights, Angel Eyes fogs, 3rd brake light overlay, hi-flo cat, 180 degree thermostat, HS 1.9 rockers, LSx yellow springs, Intense FWI, PCM, shift kit, push rods, and 3.4 Pulley. ZZP Power Log.