keep it?

[shelfont]

Hi group. I have a 1990 SSE that was bought new by a mechanic. It's a high miler, but most of the miles are on the highway. All original parts, no rust, no accidents. But the transmission has gone south on me.

It's pretty much decision time on the car. Do I fix it, do I restore it to the original glory, or do I just part the stupid thing out? I know that the car was a state of the art fashion statement from Pontiac in it's day, and it's a joy to drive. Who knew that a V6 could replace the big blocks that I was used to?

Are these cars destined to be worth anything down the road? I don't even know how many of them were ever produced.

[InfiniteRiddles]

I for one have a love for Pontiacs and am sad to see any good car go down the drain. If it has a solid frame and the body has no rot it may be worth it. I have seen plenty of eye candy cars have alot of hidden cancer. Only you know whats went into that car as far as replacement parts and upkeep. Is it worth it to you? To me personally I would if it was an SSEI but I am a speed freak.

[shelfont]

I got the Bonnie by chance, after a string of Buicks with the 3.8. Love the engine, love the car for that matter. It has all the toys including a moon roof. And up until last week it was a 'gas and go' scenario. But the thing is 21 years old, and there must be some point of drawing the line. Is this a classic 'keeper' that I put a ton of money into, or a used car that served it's purpose in style? I'm sure that the people in the group could steer me into a similar car for less than the cost of a transmission rebuild.

For what it's worth, my thought is that GM should have dumped Cadillac and kept Pontiac. It was always their cutting edge platform.

[BonneMe]

If you spend ~$2,000 you're looking at another high mileage 3800 car, which could be miles from a bad transmission as well, especially the later 4t-65e models in a majority of the series II cars. To get something under 100,000 miles you're atleast over ~$4,000.

If you or some friends are mechanically inclined, swapping in a junkyard/used unit could be possible for under ~$1,000. A few new parts to freshen things up and you'll be good for quite a while.

If you have replaced a lot and the engine is running great, burning no oil, then it's very easy to suggest keeping it. If the car is very solid rust/body wise, then that's a big check box as well.

[shelfont]

I suppose that I could source out another H body platform and pull the tranny from it. Get the Bonnie workable enough to sell it off.

But a couple of years ago, I put over $2K into the car. Mechanic thought I was nuts, and he may have been right. But this is just such a way cool car. Better than my Trans Am or my T-Birds. My thought at the time was that if I just went through the car from stem to stern, I'd end up with something that nobody makes anymore. And you know that goofy leathertte pouch with the emblem on it that goes in the trunk? I have that.

[Hotwheels]

If you spend ~$2,000 you're looking at another high mileage 3800 car, which could be miles from a bad transmission as well, especially the later 4t-65e models in a majority of the series II cars. To get something under 100,000 miles you're atleast over ~$4,000.

If you or some friends are mechanically inclined, swapping in a junkyard/used unit could be possible for under ~$1,000. A few new parts to freshen things up and you'll be good for quite a while.

If you have replaced a lot and the engine is running great, burning no oil, then it's very easy to suggest keeping it. If the car is very solid rust/body wise, then that's a big check box as well.

I agree completely. If the tranny went south on my '91 Olds 88 (basically the same vehicle), I'd probably replace it. Would I send it to a shop to get rebuild for almost $2k? Probably not. Mine's probably worth no more than $1500 max, so I'd just swap out the tranny for another used unit. But....this car (and yours too, I'm gathering) is so smooth, comfortable, reliable, and economical, (not to mention great condition too) I couldn't find another one in as good of condition or that I trust as much for the money. If you "know" the car - it's history and reliability, and it's solid and reliable, with no major repairs needed, I would repair it. Especially if it's rust-free. Junkyards are filled with LeSabres, 88's, Park Avenues, and Bonnevilles of that style, that you could get a transmission for $300-500. Like BonneMe said, spending $2000 only gets you an unproven car that you have no experience with that could have the same problems on the horizon. I'd love to see another 1st gen SSE saved from the scrapheap, and you've only got a few more years till it 'technically' can be a collector car. I'd try to see how long my Olds 88 will last, and preserve it for someone who in the future will appreciate it. Rust will be the determining factor in how long it makes it. But, I KNOW it won't be nearly as cool, interesting, or valuable as your SSE if we saw either one parked at a car show 20 years from now.

[99BonnevilleSE]

TBH I'd love to see the car. I'm saying replace the trans, those are so cool. We had 1 in my school, it ended up in the junkyard. But

[BonneMe]

Didn't address this initially.

Are these cars destined to be worth anything down the road? I don't even know how many of them were ever produced.

Nope... The old SSE has some neat stuff for a bonnie accicianado, but 90's era FWD cars will pretty much never jump up in value.

[shelfont]

You guys are making this decision somewhat difficult. Because I love this car, and you're pretty much preaching to the choir. So I look at the options and think to myself, "I could just scrap this car and buy a Lincoln Town Car (something I always wanted to own for no rational reason) or I could spend a lot of money to go through this top to bottom and end up with a 1990 SSE that's better than new.".

The thoughts of my late father (a mechanic) are running through my little brain. "You can put a lot of engines into a car for the cost of buying a new one.". And I look at the ads for an Aveo from GM with 'employee pricing' and say to myself - this really isn't a car. And it's over $10K.

By the way, I could have put 'classic car' plates on the Bonneville last year. Rule where I live is anything over 20 years old that can pass a safety inspection is no longer a used car. It has it's own rules.

[wake]

You guys are making this decision somewhat difficult. . . . . . or I could spend a lot of money to go through this top to bottom and end up with a 1990 SSE that's better than new."..

hate to make it more difficult for ya..but if it were me..id hold on to a car like that..there aint that many left

[Jrs3800]

I have had thoughts about this one lately...

I have a 91 I want to bring back to life... There was a lot of thought about updating to the newer 3800's with the 97+ PCM and either a 4T60E or 4T65E... This is still a thought in my mind, but making it happen is a different world...

If I had a 1989-1991 SSE in good shape I would do my best to hang onto it... The 88-91 SSE has become a pretty rare car... Not really worth anything, but rare and still eye catching...

soon I will be messing with a 98-99 PCM with a 98-99 wiring harness with the PCM set to control a 4T60E instaed of the 65E its intended to control.. already made the patch connector for the 4T60E... If I ever want to go to a 4T65E all I have to do is unplug my patch cable and flip the correct parameters in the PCM and go...

The THM440-T4( 4T60 ) is also getting harder to find in good shape with low miles, unless you can find an SRTA Reman unit, even that is hard to come by..

Personally, I would be very tempted to rebuild it myself... But I have already done a few 4T60E's so this really would not scare me...lol.. And I would be learning about the 440T4...lol

If you really like it, and can afford it keep it... Thats my Vote...

[shelfont]

Alright, we're all Pontiac people and we all think that GM did the wrong thing to kill the nameplate. As the saying goes, 'you can't fix stupid'. They killed the history of GTOs, Trans Ams, Bonnevilles and GPs to save Cadillac? My father bailed out on Cadillacs 10 years before he died. And that was all he had ever owned until he discovered a Grand Parisienne.

But the '90 SSE will live to drive some more miles. I may be not too bright in doing this, but at least I'm in good company with you guys. And I'm probably going to be back looking for some more advice.

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

Yeah, I'd keep it. Even if it's just for a spare car, it's worth it. Swap the transmission over time if you have a second car, then drive the wheels off of it.

[shelfont]

Years ago, I had a '72 Dodge Charger 340 Magnum that I had decided to give to my nephew when the time came. Along came a guy with a '75 T-Bird who wanted the Charger so badly he gave me his car and a chunk of cash. Nephew kind of got screwed on that one.

My nephew has a kid of his own. And I'm thinking that maybe, just maybe I can right a wrong. It would be kind of cool to hand him the keys to a better than new SSE on his 16th birthday. Because he can wear off all the shoe leather he cares to, but he's never going to find a car like that anywhere outside of Barret Jackson.

[InfiniteRiddles]

this is such a tear jerker I miss lassy

[shelfont]

I would have sold Lassy for a '63 Corvette split window, sold my soul and emptied my piggy bank in the process. Let's not get stupid here. This is a 21 year old car and a distant relative. A nice fairy tale ending, but I'd look good in a Lincoln Town Car. GM lost my vote when they killed Pontiac.

Before the Bonnie, I drove T-Birds. Before Ford rebadged the Fairmont and called it a Thunderbird, that was the only car I ever considered driving. And my nephew's kid may well end up with a big block '65 Bird. Because I know where one is sitting.

[InfiniteRiddles]

Def should have got the vet. I will Never go Ford unless its a sweeeeeeet mustang. Yes GM killed Pontiac Division BUT lets keep showing them just how loved they are buy upping their re-sale average over other choices. Hell Pontiac technically is not dead. They didn't sell it to the japs or chinamen like Obama sold America to China. Its just in Moth Balls and there are PLENTY of Great Pontiacs out there. I have a few cars left on my to own list. GTO being on the near top. I want to move on to weird customizations like a 2 door bonneville. Easy to do with the 90s monte carlos, change the front and rear clip from a monte to a lumina and boom 4 door monte, tho it would be tuffer with a bonne. Maybe I am wrong. AH I need to make this into a curious thread : Can you put a bonne front and rear clip and insides in a 2 door prix News at 11

[shelfont]

Ever wonder what would have happened if Pontiac had locked the guys who came up with the GTO, the T/A, and the Bonneville SSE series into a room together? Anything they came up with I think that I would want two of. Just because whatever came out of that room would just be awesome.

[1oldman]

The 1988 SSE is the car that made me fall in love with Pontiacs all over again. If the engine and body are in above average shape, I'm afraid I'd have to figure out a way to keep it running. I don't really know much about that model other than I really love the looks and interior. I saw one for sale (88-91) not long ago (don't remember where). If I had the spare cash and wasn't afraid of the "boss lady" running me off for buying another "old car", I would have sprung for it. - BC

[Backhoe]

Personally, I crossed the reality line quite a while ago, I know I'll never get what's into it, but I love it. The ride on my LE's are ultra soft, and lots of room is a big plus for me. Not to mention a great proven motor, and awards like top ten greatest engines, and car and driver top ten for 87 I think, (LE anyway) GO FOR IT! I would probably never have done it if I had shop rates to contend with, and had not found this fantastic site, but I have an amazing buddy with a vast mechanical knowledge, and I don't mind getting dirty to save a few bucks.
If you decide to do it, i would make finding another donor car my priority, as I don't see them very often where I live. Good luck!