So I have had my 03 bonneville for over 2 years now. It's a florida sold and owned car according to previous records. I'm a diesel mechanic, so I know how to keep maintenance up and repairs on my own. I purchased the car for under 1K with a bad upper intake manifold gasket issue. Replaced the UIM gasket and Dexcool the next day after driving the car 5 miles to my home. Changed oil, filter, air filter, transmission filter, transmission fluid, and replaced both front wheel hub bearings before actually driving the car. I have replaced both transaxles, tail light assemblies, tail light sockets and bulbs, brakes and rotors, battery, wiper motor, rear air shocks, 180° thermostat, upper radiator hose and a few things I cant remember at the moment. The front struts are bad and the cars need tires very soon. A few interior defects, glovebox wont latch, a few dings and scratches on the outside, but overall a decent car. I'm just to the point where I'm getting sick of working on it honestly. I know Pontiac went under for a reason. Should I keep the car or trade it in on something newer? Thanks for yals time ladies and gents!

With all that you have done, I'd suggest keeping it.

_________________
*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 agree with Archon.
With all you have done already I would put struts and tires on it and drive it.
With being a Florida car it should be pretty rust free.
Drive it and recoup the time and money you have invested in it.
Just curious.
What is the mileage?

Pontiac went under because GM's badge engineering got ridiculous, things got cheaper due to their money situation, the Aztek's existence (which should never have been a Pontiac), and many other things. It came down to the fact that Pontiac wasn't making GM any money at the time, whereas all the current brands were at the time.

But about your car, I'd keep it at this point. You've put a lot of time and money into it. Due to its age, I'm not surprised at the many repairs needed.

_________________

'02 Pontiac Bonneville SE 108,539 miles, N/A, SSEi exhaust system, boat roller mount. Gone, but not forgotten.
'13 Buick Regal GS 102k miles, 270 hp, 295 lb/ft, ZZP intake.
(yes, there is a story behind my avatar.)

With how much you have done, as the others have said, drive the wheels off of it. They are easy to work on, and rust is usually the killer most of the time. In your region, that shouldn't be an issue.

_________________
-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 247k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 98k miles

keep her!! You drove the car: what other car can compare for the price?

Plus, the PO neglected her so once you get her up to par, you should have thousands of worry free miles - Keep her!!

_________________
poverty forces one to do unorthodox things

2000 SSEi
past rides:
1996 SSEi
1992 GTP
1987 Grand Am

Thanks for all the advice club! I think I will keep her. She has 140xxx miles and climbing BC I drive it everyday. Im an aggressive driver per se, so I am rougher on her than the old lady before me, but I believe she can handle the abuse. The car has zero rust, but has severely bad clear coat thanks to the sun down here lol. Doing my KYB struts right now, hopefully all goes well. And every part I've replaced has a lifetime warranty with autozone thankfully! And as to driving something else, nothing newer really entices me besides the new f150s and how they handle better than a car IMO. So for now, I will keep her. Transgo shift kit is next after the tires. Is that a good idea for a not yet sluggish transmission that has been flushed regularly with minimal shavings after the first change? Thanks for the input everyone!

Also wanna mention that I love how much the seats hug my bigger frame 6'4" body. And any input on aftermarket stereo options or should I just opt to get new speakers?

I agree Keep it. I bought an 03 with 112,xxx two years ago, I've probably put $1800+ in it in parts alone (I do all my own labor/work). is the car beautiful, no is it fast, no. but it's dependable, and rides like a brand new car (pretty much new suspension and steering from front to back).

_________________
2003 Pontiac Bonneville SSEI
3.8L V6 SC, 180*T (Drilled),
Custom PCM w/Perf Shift,
SLP Ceramic Coated Headers,
Thrasher Cold Air Intake,
GXP Tails, Interior Door handles, Trim pieces etc.
40th Aniv Grand Prix GTP Wheels (Very Shiny & Very Annoying )

What tires do yal suggest for the 17" cast aluminum stock wheels? The Falkens that are on it now are $890 plus alignment. My budget is closer to $500, any ideas?

I would do BF Goodrich G-Force Comps. Tire Rack has a close out at $90/tire. I've had these on two vehicles and they live up to the Tire Rack stats.

_________________

95 SLE... a keeper. 241k miles. Low and Slow.
97 BMW 528i
98 Infiniti vq35'd i30: 13.3@104mph, 30MPG Hwy (RIP)
02 Jag X-type
03 BMW M5
05 Chevy Cobalt LS
07 Infiniti G35s 6MT (Sold)
07 Ducati Monster S2R 800 with DS1000 swap
83 Yamaha IT175K
72 Yamaha DS7: '74 RD250 swap, JL chambers

Info on dropping a 92-99: Here.

UPDATE!
I purchased brand new Firestone all season 235/55R17's and an alignment after I put on both new front struts. There is still a light vibration coming from the car. And from a stop I hear a light thud when i take off and sometimes turning. I've literally replaced everything on the front end, and rear, minus the rear traction links I believe is what they're called I maybe wrong. I replaced the front tranny mount a month ago as well. Would the other tranny mounts cause this issue? Thanks in advance peeps!

Did you replace the strut top mounts? If so, what brand?

_________________

95 SLE... a keeper. 241k miles. Low and Slow.
97 BMW 528i
98 Infiniti vq35'd i30: 13.3@104mph, 30MPG Hwy (RIP)
02 Jag X-type
03 BMW M5
05 Chevy Cobalt LS
07 Infiniti G35s 6MT (Sold)
07 Ducati Monster S2R 800 with DS1000 swap
83 Yamaha IT175K
72 Yamaha DS7: '74 RD250 swap, JL chambers

Info on dropping a 92-99: Here.

Yes I replaced both front struts and mounts. I reused the rubber pads that seat the spring on top and bottom though. I'm suspecting the other tranny mounts at this point, bc of the slight clunk at acceleration and the very light vibration in the front. It wouldn't be the first time I was wrong if I am. I wanna do the hockey puck mod but I want more reassurance that they're gonna hold up rather than a poly mount setup. Thanks in advance

I've had the puck mount and the boat roller mount and they hold up but they introduce a bit of vibration depending on the RPM.

_________________
-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 247k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 98k miles

I also tried the boat roller mount.
I was getting vibration like I had a wheel out of balance.
I went back to the OEM type mount and it took care of the problem.
Pretty easy change.
Took about 30 minutes.

I'm leaning towards the OEM mounts, due to my account at Autozone, everything I buy is usually a lifetime warranty. My glove box door is also broken, I've tried velcro and double stick tape. Besides yanking an original one outta a junkyard car is there any mods for this issue?

where is it broken? - if at hinge, - glue a door hinge on the inside

if its the lock, replace switch

_________________
poverty forces one to do unorthodox things

2000 SSEi
past rides:
1996 SSEi
1992 GTP
1987 Grand Am

It is both. I'm waiting on a junk yard car to come in my local area so I can just do a swap. That's probably the best way to go

Hit up Harofreak00 (Andrew) on here. He more than likely has what you need, along with lots of 2000+ Bonne parts. Look up Bonnevilles Unlimited on Google!

_________________
-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 247k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 98k miles