if you knew the 00+ had this many problems before you ...

[seekinhighhp]

Purchased it, would you still buy the car and roll with the punches and fix the problemsor bought the 92-99 or something totally different?

[00Beast]

I knew about the issues, after I joined, and totalled my 00 SSEi. There's just something about these cars that nothing else can match. I haven't had too many issues, so I'm extremely happy.

[willwren]

This isn't a topic about a mechanical problem. Moving to General Chat.

Steve, after so many years on the Forum, I have to ask you again to read the forum descriptions. This section is for mechanical problems ONLY.

[myfirstbonnie]

Yes, I would have still bought it. Most of the issues are minor and easy fixes for people who are able do do them on their own. If I were in a position to pay the dealer everytime something was wrong, I would probably have a different opinion.

On another note, I have not had a lot of issues with this one. the biggest issue I had was when the moon roof broke. A part from Andrew (which came from Ed's car) and a little labor of my own.

[93 SSE 4 ME]

After spending $2500 last month on a Jasper transmission, this is a hard one. I'm a big fan of the 3800, and have a pro-GM bias. That being said, I'd consider a Maxima or V6 Accord if I could go back to January of '08 and spend ~ 12K on something in the 40,000 mile range, knowing what I know now. Other than the tranny and a few minor switch glitches, it's been a good car. Just got back from a trip to Ohio with my son, and got 27 MPG with the cruise set at 75 for a 400+ mile round-trip. Still looks good at 93K except for the front end being chipped to all hell. But too many little things crop up. No radio display except at night. Most of the minor switches either have partial or no illumination. The paint issues with these cars is terrible. But they are good runners. I'm a decent shade-tree mechanic and repair and maintain all of our vehicles myself. The Bonne isn't a bad car, but it isn't a great car either. The pre-2000 cars were decent as well, but no better or worse in my opinion.

Mark

[01bonneSC]

All cars have their problems. These are no diff. My one mistake is not taking the car for like a while day and really putting it through the paces to find out what was wrong. The dealership would have taken care of it all if I found stuff before I signed the line. Next car/truck I buy, I am keeping it overnight and going over with a fine toothed comb before I buy. These cars just have something that others don't, that's what drew me to it?

[seekinhighhp]

Well, I didn't know these cars could have that many issues. I only heard about the leaky trunk. The rest I didn't find out until I really started browsing the 00+ section. It's funny how 01bonniesc mentioned that these cars has something that others don't...this is true! What other luxury car has an air pump in the trunk, heads up display, power everything and is a sport/family vehicle? Sure isn't the Maxima, LOL! And yeah, I'd still buy it.

[wake]

even though i like both the 00+ and 92-99's equally for there own reasons, they both have issues and most of the time are worth fixing in my opinion

[01bonneSC]

Well, I didn't know these cars could have that many issues. I only heard about the leaky trunk. The rest I didn't find out until I really started browsing the 00+ section. It's funny how 01bonniesc mentioned that these cars has something that others don't...this is true! What other luxury car has an air pump in the trunk, heads up display, power everything and is a sport/family vehicle? Sure isn't the Maxima, LOL! And yeah, I'd still buy it.

Lincoln mark VIII's are nice in the same way. Big car, 2dr, rwd, dohc motors. They have quite the following as well.

[willwren]

Well, I didn't know these cars could have that many issues. I only heard about the leaky trunk. The rest I didn't find out until I really started browsing the 00+ section. It's funny how 01bonniesc mentioned that these cars has something that others don't...this is true! What other luxury car has an air pump in the trunk, heads up display, power everything and is a sport/family vehicle? Sure isn't the Maxima, LOL! And yeah, I'd still buy it.

Maybe you should have read that BEFORE you bought the car? This is what, your 5th or 6th Bonneville? You joined this club originally in 2004?

[Ken_W]

I'm looking to buy two more! (SLE's -- one for me, one for son, then sell SSEi due to poor gas mileage and need for Premium fuel) Knowing the issues and how to fix them means that I can buy a car with issues at a better price and get a better value.

That being said, there are a few things that will make me pass on an 00+ Bonne, and in fact I've passed on the eight or so that I've looked at recently. However, as far as the known issues go, these are not a turn-off for me.

Ken_W

[repinS]

I walked into the 00+ knowing all the issues, and also knew the fixes (up to and including bodywork). The fact of the matter for me was that the 92-99 was getting older. *shoot* is gonna break and wear out eventually.

[1oldman]

All mechanical things have issues. Even the Japanese cars, or especially. The oldest son purchased a Cavalier and a some kind of Mitsubishi new back in the mid 90's. As soon as the Mitsubishi was out the warranty, a lot of major things broke on it, and the dealer wasn't able to repair them. The Cavalier ran without any major issues until he was hit in it and it was totaled. Even when GM was building some real junk, ours always lasted over 150K miles. We're talking 70's, & 80's. - BC

[Jrs3800]

I do not love the 00+... I like the looks... Handles pretty good... And loaded too... Now with that said, Would I buy that 03 SLE all over again? You bet your A$$ I would... The price I got was way way too good to pass up at the time...

To date I have had what I see as minor issues...

Replaced the
ABS / Traction Control Pump( Ed Morad $70 )

Both front wheel hubs( common failure )

Front motor mount( common failure )

Upper intake( APN ) Preventative

Lower Gaskets( GM Aluminum ) Preventative

Brakes all the way around( normal wear )


Now the HVAC Blower motor is on its way out... Wear item...lol

Car is at roughly 80,000 miles...

[2003BlackSapphireSLE]

i have had all kinds of problems since i bought it. but once i sorted them all out, its a great car, and i cant stop from just staring at it, i love the way it drives and looks. but if i wasnt a mechanic i would have went broke paying a shop. i would have bought it all over again. maybe even an ssei.

[wdean]

My 01 SSEi is sitting dead in the driveway needing a tranny after owning it for only 7 months. I have changed the supercharger idler pulley and belt after it seized, and the front air bag sensor at a cost of $200. It needs a tie rod end, a hub bearing for the speed sensor, and a oil pressure sender, and I will replace the LIM gaskets because there gonna go at some point. Oh yes and before Winter comes again I'm going to fix the heated seats. Having said all that the body is perfect, as is the leather, when it drives I absolutely love it, so for me it is a car worth having and keeping even with its flaws. But then again tell me how many cars of this age and miles are problem free...not too many.

[wake]

My 01 SSEi is sitting dead in the driveway needing a tranny after owning it for only 7 months................Having said all that the body is perfect, as is the leather, when it drives I absolutely love it, so for me it is a car worth having and keeping even with its flaws. .

well said sir!

[2000GreySSEi]

I have owned 10 cars in the last 3 years because I get tired of them quickly lol. I usually sell my car & buy another within 3-4 months. But not my 2000 SSEi, this is the first car Im actually thinking about keeping & maybe giving to my brother when I get something newer. Sure I have my quirks when I bought it (saggy headliner, LIM & VC gasket leak, burnt radio bulbs, etc), but out of every car Ive owned I love it. I about to hit the 230k miles, but it runs excellent & Im getting 30mpgs on the highway Theres is no other car I would rather have right now.

[gweg_b]

It's hard for me to say, but I probably would have still bought the car, knowing of the problems. With my '01, it is a love/hate relationship. I love the looks, handling, power, and comfort (although the seats in the Bonneville can't touch the soft, cloud-like comfort of the seats in my '95 LeSabre). But all the issues I've had with the car have made me want to pull my hair out. I mean, 3 days after buying the car, it broke down (supercharger tensioner pulley exploded, at only 93,000 miles). First time I used the sunroof, it broke. Of course, it's also had all the other common issues - leaks, steering wheel position sensor, oil pressure sensor, front wheel bearings (although I managed to get both replaced with new GM bearings in the last month of the warranty, so I lucked out there), etc. Heck, the car even sat for 8 months last year because oil blew out everywhere near cylinder 1, and I didn't have the money to get it fixed.

If it wasn't for my brother helping me with a good number of the problems, I would probably be completely unhappy with the car. But, every time I get behind that wheel, and give it gas as I hop on the interstate, all is instantly forgiven . I guess I'm just spoiled by my LeSabre, as in the almost 11 years I've owned it, I've only had 3 major issues, and about 5-6 minor problems, and that was getting the car already with 245,000 miles on it (it now has almost 308,000, and still running great except for the ABS system is starting to act up).

So, yes, I still would have bought it, because I know someone that can help keep it running.

[J Wikoff]

After working on a Saab 9-5 and going to Saab forums and seeing all the common problems... 00+ Bonnevilles have nothing to complain about.