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Looks like I am going to have to get rid of my Bonneville
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Author:  Cat [ Wed Nov 01, 2017 6:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Looks like I am going to have to get rid of my Bonneville

Bottom line: Hubby's friend is selling a 2004 Mercedes-Benz E320. Hubby wants it. Therefore, one of the other cars has to go. That means MY car, the Bonnie, has to go. I am very, very upset. I HATE MERCEDES-BENZ! So this means that he will have that car and I will have to drive the 2010 Charger. I know it sounds crazy, but I like the Bonneville best of all. I can't believe that I am going to have to say goodbye to my car. I have had it since 2002. I am going to miss it so much....

Author:  CMNTMXR57 [ Wed Nov 01, 2017 7:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looks like I am going to have to get rid of my Bonnevill

Get rid of the *shoot* Charger.

Author:  Cat [ Wed Nov 01, 2017 10:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looks like I am going to have to get rid of my Bonnevill

I agree. I think that the Bonneville is a better car than the Charger. He doesn't agree....

Author:  rustyroger [ Fri Nov 03, 2017 11:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Looks like I am going to have to get rid of my Bonnevill

If I was in your shoes then if he wants the Mercedes then HIS car goes.

Or you also go when the Bonneville goes...

Roger.

Author:  Cat [ Sat Nov 04, 2017 5:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looks like I am going to have to get rid of my Bonnevill

Or you also go when the Bonneville goes...

I wish that my Bonneville and I had somewhere to go.

Author:  redfury [ Thu Nov 09, 2017 8:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looks like I am going to have to get rid of my Bonnevill

Sounds like he wants his cake and eat it too....My wife gets to drive what she wants to drive, I get to drive what I want to drive, we compromise only if it's to suit the families need, otherwise we get to drive what we want. I got rid of the van for the Bonneville, she got rid of the car and got the Sport Trac. She wants a Mini Cooper now...guess we are getting a 3rd vehicle... :D

Author:  MattStrike [ Thu Nov 09, 2017 11:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looks like I am going to have to get rid of my Bonnevill

These are my thoughts...

First, in my household, I maintain the vehicles. That means that I get to pick them out. That doesn't mean I'm a car nazi, but it does mean I get to pull the trump card when it's needed. I know what I'm capable of, and offer her choices based on that. Then, I stick with that car until it's use-able life is over. So far, she's loved every car, and aside from the Saab saga I haven't forced her to sell one or move on... (The Saab over one year cost me $1500 in parts and sat for weeks at a time waiting on those parts to ship, and was involved in several 'rescue missions'). Though, for the record, I liked the Saab a lot. I wish I'd had the time to make it a proper 'fix all the BS' project.

I am probably more capable, or more willing, to endure the punishment of maintaining a fleet of vehicles. That's everything from oil changes and engine swaps to borderline insanity. So I have a very high tolerance for going outside and fixing the car that just broke. That much being said, anybody that can turn a wrench with the right guidance and ability to communicate clearly can use this forum to keep any H-body or '00+ equivalent going until they either rust into a million pieces or are totaled in an accident.

As the primary bill payer, my main criteria is that the daily drivers are reliable. But to me the most important part is that the wife unit has a car that can have a bazillion warning lights going off at any given time yet still start every morning and drive down the road. Because I never want to have to go out on a rescue mission or tow her car home.

So I can honestly understand the situation you're in. But have to say, if a Bonneville is too hard to maintain, you shouldn't be allowed to own a car (that's not meant as a slight against you, rather your husband lol). At the end of the day, if my wife had wanted to keep the Saab as much as you want to keep your Bonneville, I would still have the Saab.

Author:  Cat [ Wed Nov 15, 2017 9:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looks like I am going to have to get rid of my Bonnevill

Thanks for your honest thoughts on this matter. You've given me a lot to think about.

Other than my misfiring cylinder #2, the car runs well. I haven't fixed the cylinder because everything regarding the cars has been up in the air and no final decisions have been made. My husband bought the Mercedes but has not registered it yet. He is not sure if he is going to keep it. Whether he keeps it or not, I have decided that I am keeping the Bonneville. The insurance is cheap enough and so is the maintenance. What's he going to do? He does not own me and cannot make me get rid of it. If something major goes wrong, that is another story. But for now, I still want it to drive my car to work, etc. I don't want another car.
I'll keep you posted on how this ultimately plays out. I've got to fix that cylinder, though, because the car is not riding right. Very rough and hesitating.

Author:  CMNTMXR57 [ Thu Nov 16, 2017 3:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looks like I am going to have to get rid of my Bonnevill

To be honest, I would stick with the vehicle(s) that are the newest, most reliable, and cheap to maintain, fuel and insure regardless of the brand on the grill. Could it be the Bonneville? Maybe. Could it be the charger? Maybe. I would wager against that, but maybe.

I mean, you've gotta step back a little, your Bonneville is pushing 20 years old.

Author:  Ghosthawk [ Thu Nov 16, 2017 5:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looks like I am going to have to get rid of my Bonnevill

I do maintenance and repair at my house for most minor items but heavy repairs go to the local shop. I've dealt with the same guy going on 20 years now, and if his boys wont work on it, I don't buy it. Basically rule out VW, BMW, and yes, Mercedes.

I owned a 2005 Magnum, which mechanically is the same guts as the Charger, and it was not a reliable vehicle. I hated getting rid of it because it was spacious and comfortable, but not worth the constant nagging problems. Chief among those was the penchant for eating front end parts. Knock, thunk, and rattle was the order of the day...everyday.

The Bonneville had its share of issues, but in most cases they were easy to repair, and the car got far better fuel mileage than the Magnum could muster rolling downhill. The Magnum won on cargo space but between a Charger and the Bonnie, the Indian wins on looks and driving fun.

I miss both cars, but I still fawn over a Bonneville every time I see one.

The other far more important thing...my wife lets me play with my cars without complaint, and in return I HAPPILY maintain her vehicle. I make suggestions and recommendations about what to buy, but ultimately she gets what she likes in our budget range (and I'm willing to spend far more on her than she wants to spend on herself!)

Bottom line...I will NEVER force a car on her she doesn't want to drive. I cannot in good conscience praise and value the driving experience so much for myself and deny that to her, no matter if it means less in her eyes.

Author:  Ghosthawk [ Thu Nov 16, 2017 5:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looks like I am going to have to get rid of my Bonnevill

I do maintenance and repair at my house for most minor items but heavy repairs go to the local shop. I've dealt with the same guy going on 20 years now, and if his boys wont work on it, I don't buy it. Basically rule out VW, BMW, and yes, Mercedes.

I owned a 2005 Magnum, which mechanically is the same guts as the Charger, and it was not a reliable vehicle. I hated getting rid of it because it was spacious and comfortable, but not worth the constant nagging problems. Chief among those was the penchant for eating front end parts. Knock, thunk, and rattle was the order of the day...everyday.

The Bonneville had its share of issues, but in most cases they were easy to repair, and the car got far better fuel mileage than the Magnum could muster rolling downhill. The Magnum won on cargo space but between a Charger and the Bonnie, the Indian wins on looks and driving fun.

I miss both cars, but I still fawn over a Bonneville every time I see one.

The other far more important thing...my wife lets me play with my cars without complaint, and in return I HAPPILY maintain her vehicle. I make suggestions and recommendations about what to buy, but ultimately she gets what she likes in our budget range (and I'm willing to spend far more on her than she wants to spend on herself!)

Bottom line...I will NEVER force a car on her she doesn't want to drive. I cannot in good conscience praise and value the driving experience so much for myself and deny that to her, no matter if it means less in her eyes.

Author:  Cat [ Sun Nov 26, 2017 6:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looks like I am going to have to get rid of my Bonnevill

You guys must be sick of me and my Bonneville by now. Well, I am sick of EVERYTHING by now. After being forced to drive this car with the misfiring cylinder #2, it got progressively worse. Now I have bad hesitation and stalling. (Bear in mind that my husband had the ability at the beginning to fix the misfire.) I got sick of hearing about this car and the browbeating that went along with it not only from him but his friends. That's enough. Told him to get rid of it. I would take the GMC Canyon because I do not like the Charger. Instead, he registers the Bonneville for another two years and decides to fix it today. Only now there are TWO CODES instead of just one. He has demanded that I ask you guys what the new code (P0420) means. I am really ready to take a sledgehammer to this car and smash it to pieces. :evil:

Can you tell me what these codes mean? P0302 (Cylinder 2 misfire detected), and the new code P0420 (Catalyst system efficiency below threshold bank one) What does this mean?.

Thanks for all of your help.

Unhappy :sad: Cat =^..^=

Author:  redfury [ Mon Nov 27, 2017 1:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Looks like I am going to have to get rid of my Bonnevill

Probably the cat being damaged from not fixing the misfire. My guess would be a leaky injector that is flooding the cylinder, allowing too much fuel down to the cat and has caused it to melt. The cat needs equal parts of fuel and air in order for the catalyst to function properly ( keep the proper temperature to burn off excess fuel ) Too much fuel will cause it to overheat and melt itself down/crack/get damaged.

Author:  Cat [ Tue Nov 28, 2017 4:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looks like I am going to have to get rid of my Bonnevill

Thanks for your help. I appreciate it. I told him and he said that he is going to fix it.

Sorry for the drama, but I was really upset. I will try to keep it more objective from now on.

Cat =^..^=

Author:  Roadrunner [ Sat Dec 02, 2017 4:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Looks like I am going to have to get rid of my Bonnevill

I would fix your misfire problem first. There is a chance P0420 could have only just been triggered from prolonged driving with misfire and cat may still be OK. From what I’ve seen with these cars, if cat is original it’s pretty hard to damage. Aftermarket ones are not as robust and you don’t want to replace OEM one unless absolutely necessary.

All cars can be frustrating at times and it can be difficult to balance sentiments and practicality. My wife & I have always had a Bonneville since ’94 and are on our fourth. Although you may not want to hear it at this time, the problems you are having sound relatively minor with cheap/easy fixes (especially when compared to other cars).

Author:  Cat [ Mon Dec 04, 2017 7:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looks like I am going to have to get rid of my Bonnevill

Here's the latest:

You remember that the scan said misfire on cylinder #2. He switched the coil from cylinder #2 with cylinder #6. Scanned it again and it said misfire now on cylinder #6. He figured that it was the coil, so he bought a new coil and put it on #2. Scanned again and it is still said misfire on cylinder #2. Thinking that maybe the new coil was bad, he switched the new coil on #2 with the #1 coil, but scan still said misfire on cylinder #2. (The other code P0420 did not come up.) Bottom line, he could not fix the misfire.

He wants me to take the car to our mechanic tomorrow to see what he says. If it is a cheap fix, he will agree to do it. If not, he wants to get rd of the car. Whatever. I am fine with the GMC Canyon.

I will let you know what happens.

Thanks again to all of you for all of your help. And thanks Roadrunner. I am encouraged by what you said about the cat.

Cat =^..^=

Author:  Roadrunner [ Mon Dec 04, 2017 10:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looks like I am going to have to get rid of my Bonnevill

Did he change spark plug wires and check gap on plugs? Wires are usually first to go. Then coils and then sometimes ICM.

Author:  Cat [ Sun Dec 10, 2017 5:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Looks like I am going to have to get rid of my Bonnevill

No, he did not change spark plug wires or check gaps on plugs because he said wires looked good.

Anyway, I brought the car to my mechanic, and all that he had to do was re-position the coils. Apparently, my husband did something wrong when he was switching the coils around. It cost me just $95.00 for the one hour of labor and that was it. At least it was a minor fix. Still, I wish that my husband had kept things straight and positioned the coils correctly so that this trip to the mechanic would have been unnecessary. Oh, well, it could have been worse.

Even though I said that I didn't care one way or the other, it felt really good to be back behind the wheel of my favorite car. :)

Thanks again for all of the help and support.

Cat =^..^=
"On the road again...."

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