Please help in my decision re a 97 Bonne.

[Maymybonneliveforevr]

I've owned the 97 SSEi for just over 4 years with 360,000 kilometers or as you say 225,000 miles.

Problem;

Rusting pretty badly around both rear quarter panels and all along the bottom between front and rear door underneath the plastic covers.
Drivers side brake line leaking a bit
Sunroof gear is stripping so I don't use it anymore.
Clear coat pealing in several spots
Driver’s seat in bad shape due to severe wear so I put a seat cover over it.
A/C clutch is making noise although a/c works great.
Headliner is starting to sag
Needs tires soon.
Keyless entry does work
Body mount bushings are worn.


Situation;

I came across the exact same 97 Ei in the same Dark Cherry Metallic with 275, 000 kilometers or 172,000 miles that seems to be in better shape.

They have recently had new

2 all season tire
Brake lines, pads and rotors
Serpentine belt,
Starter
Valve cover gaskets


Owner claims it need:

Battery
Keyless entry remote
Trunk doesn't seem to work properly
Recent heat caused rear view mirror to become unglued.
Tie rod end is worn.
Driver’s side seat is worn but not as bad as mine


This is the only information I have and I don't know if the A/C works or what it would need to certify or emissions test.

To get it on the road it would cost

$90.00 safety inspection
$50.00 emissions test
$100.00 in possible taxes

To repair what is listed above I would remove whatever parts I could off of the present 97 Ei and purchase the tie rod end and get another remote keyless entry. I don't really know what else it would need until I do a once over. I was hoping my present 97 Ei would last another 3 years but I would probably have to spend another $500.00 in material to get me there and the body is looking pretty bad.

Question:

Do you believe it would be a good idea to purchase this car and swap over the parts and have a more reliable car with around a $500.00 outlay in parts, safety, emissions, taxes etc? This is not including the purchase price.

If you believe this is a good buy and if so what would you offer them?

See picture below.


[imghttp://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/Mjk4WDcyMA==/$T2eC16VHJGYE9nooiLK+BQPW5SG)Nw~~48_20.JPG][/img]

[MattStrike]

Rust can be a pain to deal with (I would still fix it if I liked the car), but I say get the new one and keep it from getting rusty!

First things first, before deciding, check for rust on the 'new' car. Don't be afraid to get under it and thouroughly inspect it.

[Hotwheels]

All of the issues on the 'new' one seem rather minor, and easily fixable. Rust is probably the only thing to look for, along with confirming that the tranny isn't about to go out, as at that mileage, if it hasn't had tranny work already, it probably will need some in the not-too-distant future. If it all seems solid, I'd say it's definitely worth somewhere in the low $2k range as it sits, if there's no other issues. If you can get it for less, all the better!

[repinS]

Buy my GXP.

[Maymybonneliveforevr]

First things first, before deciding, check for rust on the 'new' car. Don't be afraid to get under it and thouroughly inspect it.

Based on the information given, what would you offer?

All of the issues on the 'new' one seem rather minor, and easily fixable. Rust is probably the only thing to look for, along with confirming that the tranny isn't about to go out, as at that mileage. If it all seems solid, I'd say it's definitely worth somewhere in the low $2k range as it sits, if there's no other issues. If you can get it for less, all the better!

Other then a simple test drive I'm not sure how else to check for tranny problems. My next concern is if the A/C works. I'm thinking of offering less then $1000.00.

Buy my GXP.

lol....last I remember after our conversation I talked myself out of a 05 GXP that was selling for around $6000.00. I noticed another one that is around $7000.00 that's been advertised for several weeks. I noticed you took yours off of Kijiji. The GXP was to replace Cathy's car but I think you've now talked me into a G8 when the times comes.

[repinS]

My ad expired, but it was up with an astronomical price just for *shoot* and giggles. Getting a bit more serious on selling it now.

Depending on what mods you want, you could have mine for somewhere in between that price range!

[nos4blood70]

Rust is the deal breaker on these cars. Ask if the tranny ever had a rebuild. If not, if it shifts smoothly and without drama it should go for a bit longer. It looks pretty solid in the pictures. But you gotta get underneath.

[Maymybonneliveforevr]

Depending on what mods you want, you could have mine for somewhere in between that price range!

I really appreciate the offer as I know you'd give me a great deal, but when Cathy's car is going to be replaced, she wants either White or Red. As for this 97 Ei to replace mine, I would only do it if the price were well under $1000.00 and the a/c works and is in much better shape then mine.

Rust is the deal breaker on these cars. Ask if the tranny ever had a rebuild. If not, if it shifts smoothly and without drama it should go for a bit longer. It looks pretty solid in the pictures. But you gotta get underneath.

She told me that it hasn't had a tranny rebuilt since she's owned it. Last time I spoke to here I forgot to ask about the A/C and she doesn't know what it would take to pass safety and she told me it passed emissions last year. So far I've talked her down to $1000.00 but since mine still runs and is reliable I need to get it for maybe $800.00 or less.

[Hotwheels]

I'd totally do it for $1000!

[Maymybonneliveforevr]

I'd totally do it for $1000!

Thanks for the reply Hotwheels. Ya, since we're at $1000.00 that's a great starting point since it has potential but unitll I see it and know whether the A/C works and the subframe bushing aren't worn, and the tranny is good, etc. I'm still on the fence. I don't even know if the intake manifold gaskets have ever been changed and since she's not the original owner she doesn't know.

The Bonne I have presently I bought for around $900.00 about 4.5 years ago and needed about $1000.00 more in parts and a couple weeks labor, to repair all the items the previous owner never told me about so I'm hesitant this time around.


Thanks for everyone's comments.

[Hotwheels]

Even at that, a $1000 car will always be a $1000 car. If the motor or tranny blows up on the thing, you could still sell it to someone for $1000. These days, anything that runs & drives, and just barely functions properly you'll pay $1500 for, so there's really no risk in this. Even if you had to stick $1000 into it (which seems quite unlikely) you'd be in it $2000, which the car would easily be worth, if not more. Being a decked out SSEi, as long as it continues to stay in good shape, I think you'll always be able to get $1500-2k out it for years to come, it's really at the bottom of its depreciation - it can't go any lower really. Look at late 80's/early 90's 3800 full size GMs (Bonneville, Eighty Eight, Ninety Eight, LeSabre, Park Ave)....they're still commanding a good $1500 - most very ordinarily equipped, most in so-so condition, but they're a lot of car for the money, and very dependable. When you look at the alternative cars for $1500 (15-20 year old Cavaliers, Neons, and Grand Ams that have barely survived 3 or 4 teenage owners), you can also see why.

[Maymybonneliveforevr]

Even at that, a $1000 car will always be a $1000 car. If the motor or tranny blows up on the thing, you could still sell it to someone for $1000. These days, anything that runs & drives, and just barely functions properly you'll pay $1500 for, so there's really no risk in this.

Actually in our area that doesn't hold true, there is another 97 Ei with less mileage and they're asking $500.00 and it isn't selling. The one I'm looking at for $1000.00 isn't selling and the motor is running so there is a lot of risk since I can't sell mine for $500.00 and the a/c works.

Even if you had to stick $1000 into it (which seems quite unlikely) you'd be in it $2000, which the car would easily be worth, if not more. Being a decked out SSEi, as long as it continues to stay in good shape, I think you'll always be able to get $1500-2k out it for years to come, it's really at the bottom of its depreciation - it can't go any lower really.

There are a couple Bonneville Ei for under $1000.00 and they just aren't selling, therefore I don't want to purchase this one and put another $1000.00 into it since I know for a fact I won't get half my money back.

Thanks for chiming in and giving me a different perpective.

[repinS]

Yeah the Ontario market is different in that sense for the older, higher mileage Bonnevilles. Where you guys flatten out, we've yet to hit rock bottom.

[Maymybonneliveforevr]

I saw this one a whle ago and it made me wonder..........for $500.00 asking price.

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicle ... Z393595638

[repinS]

Because it needs the brake line I begin to question the rest of the car. The rockers and subframe mounts can't be far off if they're not gone already. Probably still worth a look though!

[Maymybonneliveforevr]

Because it needs the brake line I begin to question the rest of the car. The rockers and subframe mounts can't be far off if they're not gone already. Probably still worth a look though!

Agreed Jerry, the reason I posted that was based on Hotwheels statement re $1000.00 was a good price. The 97 Ei shown has been for sale for about a month and no offers at $500.00. Sure I could put $1000.000 into it but it wouldn't sell for $1000.00 afterwords.

Like you said, soft market, except when you get into the new to 2 year old cars.

[sandrock]

I see all this talk about subframe bushings like you can't get them anymore.
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Good thing I never installed the full set I bought for the SSE and *ahem* no longer need.

[repinS]

No point installing new subframe bushings when there's nothing to mount to on the body!

[Maymybonneliveforevr]

I also have a complete set of bushing with intentions of installing them but it would appear that's not going to happen now.

According to the poll everyone agrees that I should purchase the car so I'll send an email to see if it's still available. Maybe an inspection is in order.

Thanks everyone.

[tripscarcare95]

Good luck with getting the new one

No market in Ontario for Bonnevilles, thats for sure. I couldnt even give mine away and I had 30K worth of proof to back the car up