Looking for "new" Bonneville

[jedwards83]

Hey folks, the Bonneville bug never let go after I sold my last one, and I'm looking for another. I'll be buying at tax time, end of Jan / beginning of Feb most likely.

This time I'm widening my options. After seeing so many at junkyards, I'm partial to the late 90's style, mostly because of their smaller size and I like the old-style interior better. I wouldn't be opposed to a 2000-2003(?) either, but it has to have the L67.

My question more relates to how reliable the early generation is, and what the common problems are? I already know what to expect on the 00+ cars, as I'm pretty sure I encountered every possible problem they have. But I have no idea what to expect from the earlier generation, or how they compare to the newer. Obviously finding a well-taken care of, low mileage car is more of a challenge, but they're out there. They don't use road salt here in CO, so older cars are generally in good shape, though I don't mind traveling further south or outside the rust belt to find one. Ideally I'm looking for a '96(??) (when they introduced the Series II) to '99 with less than 150k. Don't the early cars use a 4T60E, and are they worth a s*it? Any info you can give me, pros and cons early versus new, would be appreciated. I have no qualms with getting the newer model, other than "been there done that." But I know I definitely want to be in a Bonneville. The altitude here sucks a N/A or supercharged engine dry (turbos shine it seems), but hopefully a smaller pulley and bolt-ons will compensate... Maybe someone from a high altitude will chime in!

[1oldman]

Have you considered one from harofreak00 (Andrew aka Bonnevilles Unlimited)? I didn't get my last one from him because it would have taken me at least 2 days to drive up there and 2 days to drive back. - BC

EDIT - Spelling Police

[J Wikoff]

In terms of little niggling problems, 92-99 is much more reliable. Powertrain, as you know is the same.

[MattStrike]

Both series 1 and series 2 L67 are fun. I haven't had a problem with our 4t60e trans, but that car is also not modded.

I didn't know the altitude had such a bad effect on a SC car. I thought they made the same power even though they didn't make the same boost (air charge being colder)?

[94SilverSSEi]

IMO, 1996 is the best year drivetrain wise. I'm partial to the 4T60 that the 1996 had and you get the series 2 motor. The 1996 that we had previously (now Will's car) got 180k out of the original trans before the original owner had it rebuilt so I would say they are pretty solid.

After owning a 00+ you probably know a lot about them. They have many more "quirks" than the older gen but it is MUCH easier to find one of them in good condition.


1992-1997 N/A - 4T60E
1998-2005 N/A - 4T65E

1992-1996 Supercharged - 4T60E-HD
1997-2003 Supercharged - 4T65E-HD


1992-1995 SSEi is my personal favorite but if you plan to mod I would say stick with the series 2, they are much more supported and mods are plentiful.

[jedwards83]

I don't know all the science behind it, but it's a huge difference here. I know the air is less dense, so you get less oxygen in whatever air the supercharger is stuffing in. Even with 1.9 rockers, 3.3" pulley, custom tune, headers, etc. I couldn't break the tires loose from a stop.. At sea level it was a whole different animal, where traction was a major issue when romping on it from a stop or even a roll in 1st gear. Boost lag here is very pronounced too, you really have to get into the RPM's before all the power comes on (turbo or supercharged). Hard to describe but it sucks.

In any event it is what it is..

I occasionally see low mileage older gen. Bonnevilles like this one:
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/4073218951.html

Ideally something like this is what I'd like to find, what do you guys think is a fair price? I think 4k is high even for this car, but I'm willing to pay a little more for something lower-mileage and taken care of.

[94SilverSSEi]

That car was actually discussed in a different thread. That particular car is not worth the money. Really it comes down to what do you want?

The 1994 SSEi, I picked up I know I paid well over bluebook value but it is exactly what I had been looking for, for a long time. So I paid for it.

Bluebook will tell you one thing BUT if that is the car you want or have been looking for, its well worth the extra money, IMO.