Just wondering how these compare?
Handling? Power? Etc.

Just overall how do they compare to the 92-99.

I have never had the chance to drive one and am wondering how they compare?

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Clay
1997.2 40th SLE-138k
1968 Bonneville 400ci w/TH-400-40k
1999 GMC Suburban SLT-191k
2005 Escalade 253k-GINA

If I'm not mistaken, they should be the same. I was under the impression that the 87-91's front and rear suspension is identical to the 92-99. I could be very wrong though... I've only been under one 87-91 H-Body.

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2012 Grand Cherokee Overland Summit - Hemi
1996 Thunderbird LX - 3.8

They are pretty much the same as long as you compare them to their equivalent counter part. My 89 LE handles about the same as my daughter's 95 SE. I upgraded the sway bars on the 89 and now it handles a lot better going through curves.

A lot of the changes were primarily for the cosmetics. New body, new dash etc.

of course the extra 40 hp helps too

Pretty sure 91 has the same suspension and stuff as 92+, but 87-90's were a little different. Don knows for sure.

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Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock

Ok. I was just wondering as I may end up with a disabled 1988 Electra park avenue.

Do these have any common issues like intake gaskets etc on the newer ones?

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Clay
1997.2 40th SLE-138k
1968 Bonneville 400ci w/TH-400-40k
1999 GMC Suburban SLT-191k
2005 Escalade 253k-GINA

Nope. Just keep it tuned up and change the oil regularly and she will run forever. Body wise, I have not had any issues other than the typical slow power windows.

Rear suspension is identical, front has a SLIGHTLY different strut design, and smaller brakes. Actual platform is 95% or more identical.

Change the transmission fluid, oil, and coolant on correct schedules, and drive it forever, and ever, and ever.

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John
Now: '15 Toyota Prius III | 134 hp 2ZR-FXE | Silver | 36k
Now: '03 Honda CR-V AWD | Slow 4-Cylinder | Dirt | 180k
Then: '07 Ford Fusion SEL | 221hp Gen I VVT Duratec 3.0 V6 | Tungsten Silver | 150k
Then: '99 Toyota Avalon XL | 200hp 1MZ-FE 3.0 V6 | Diamond White | 189k | Sold: July 2015
Then: '11 Ford Fusion SEL | 240hp Gen II VVT Duratec 3.0 V6 | Ingot Silver | 84k | Totaled: Oct 23 '14 (Rear-Ended)
Then: '96 Buick Park Avenue Ultra | 240hp Series II L67 | Medium Dark Lichen | Bought: JAN 11 @ 135k | Accident: FEB 3 '12 | Crushed: MAR 1 '13 @ 153K
Then: '98 Pontiac Bonneville SSE | 205hp Series II 3800 L36 | Topaz Firemist | Bought: NOV '09 @ 74k | Accident: MAY 28 '10 | Crushed: MAR 15 '11 @ 84k
Then: '93 Pontiac Bonneville SE | 170hp Series I 3800 L27 | Dark Yellow Green | Bought: JULY '07 @ 92k | Sold: JULY '12 @ 118k
Then: '89 Pontiac Bonneville LE | 165hp 3800 LN3 | Medium Garnet Red | Bought: JAN '05 @ 117k | Sold: SEP 30 '07 @ 152k

Until the salt eats it away.

Matt...don't make me conjure up some choice words for you and your time warp you call Oregon.

Not fair.

I need to move there.

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John
Now: '15 Toyota Prius III | 134 hp 2ZR-FXE | Silver | 36k
Now: '03 Honda CR-V AWD | Slow 4-Cylinder | Dirt | 180k
Then: '07 Ford Fusion SEL | 221hp Gen I VVT Duratec 3.0 V6 | Tungsten Silver | 150k
Then: '99 Toyota Avalon XL | 200hp 1MZ-FE 3.0 V6 | Diamond White | 189k | Sold: July 2015
Then: '11 Ford Fusion SEL | 240hp Gen II VVT Duratec 3.0 V6 | Ingot Silver | 84k | Totaled: Oct 23 '14 (Rear-Ended)
Then: '96 Buick Park Avenue Ultra | 240hp Series II L67 | Medium Dark Lichen | Bought: JAN 11 @ 135k | Accident: FEB 3 '12 | Crushed: MAR 1 '13 @ 153K
Then: '98 Pontiac Bonneville SSE | 205hp Series II 3800 L36 | Topaz Firemist | Bought: NOV '09 @ 74k | Accident: MAY 28 '10 | Crushed: MAR 15 '11 @ 84k
Then: '93 Pontiac Bonneville SE | 170hp Series I 3800 L27 | Dark Yellow Green | Bought: JULY '07 @ 92k | Sold: JULY '12 @ 118k
Then: '89 Pontiac Bonneville LE | 165hp 3800 LN3 | Medium Garnet Red | Bought: JAN '05 @ 117k | Sold: SEP 30 '07 @ 152k

Yeah the particularly one that I have ran into has 82,000 original miles and is extremely clean.

Only rust on the whole car are some paint bubbles on bottoms of the front doors.


How about rims and tires? Is the overall diameter the same? Im assuming the older have 15 inch rims where the newer has 16 inch rims. Could they be swapped interchangeably?

Also do the smaller brakes affect the breaking much?
Personally I think my 97 is a little lacking in the brake department...


x2 Its impossibly to find even newer cars that aren't starting to rot up here

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Clay
1997.2 40th SLE-138k
1968 Bonneville 400ci w/TH-400-40k
1999 GMC Suburban SLT-191k
2005 Escalade 253k-GINA

I have never tried putting any other rims on mine. It has the 15" on it. The brakes seem to work well for me, but it is not like it does a 14 second quarter either. They are good and trustworthy as long as you show them a little love.

The other thing to remember is the age and parts availability for them. It seems here lately that all the parts are in the warehouse and I have to wait a day for them.

I love driving mine, but now the kid has it all the time.

John, you are always welcome here, but next time you better stay long enough to have a beer and turn a wrench. only about the wrench part.

Yeah I plan on using it as the original owner did. Just a comfy reliable daily driver. I know its no race car and no need to beat on it. Thats what the 97 is for well kinda

_________________
Clay
1997.2 40th SLE-138k
1968 Bonneville 400ci w/TH-400-40k
1999 GMC Suburban SLT-191k
2005 Escalade 253k-GINA

It's been awhile since I've had my '91 LE, but I think my '98 feels very similar, except for the additional punch

Granted, my '91 DID have completely worn out rear struts and just went all over the place. I used to floor it when coming up this one downhill curve and as soon as the car hit the small hump in the road while turning, the *dang* thing just swung out about 2 feet and then back the other way about a foot before evening out again, lol. 225k and it was still going strong.......I want it back

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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)

There are some differences... For the most part the Unibody stayed pretty close from 87-99...

91 Did get the newer strut / Strut plate design.. As well the 91's also recieved the same structural improvements that the 92's had...( the C Body line was updated for 91, the 91 H Bodies have most of the improvements right down to the Maxifuse/Relay center under the hood )..

So the 91's were actually the cream of the crop for the 87-91 Run.. But I still love the 89 SE( F41 ) and the 89 SSE...

They're solid, dependable cars. A good friend of mine's dad bought a 1990 Olds 98 Regency brand new and put almost 400,000 miles on it. The engine and transmission were still going strong when he retired it because the body was getting dangerously rusted out.

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Daily Driver: 2011 Chevy Impala LT
Weekend Toy: 1995 Olds Aurora
Sold but not forgotten: 1997 Olds LSS 1995 Pontiac Bonneville SLE