New 2005 GXP Owner

[Reb0urne]

I would like to introduce myself as a new member of this forum. I have been lurker ever since I owned my previous Bonneville (2002).

I'm a 32 year old guy that had the itch to purchase a weekend car, and just purchased this 2005 Pontiac Bonneville GXP (White Gold Tricoat).

I have owned 3 previous generation Bonneville's 1988, 1996 and 2002 SSEi black on black (My favorite out of all 3)

I have always been a Bonneville guy and loved the GXP ever since I first laid eyes on it at the Chicago Auto Show when it was still a concept car.

Here is a picture when I picked her up from a 60+ year old car enthusiast. Very clean inside and out.

Bought it with 60K miles for $9k Good deal? This will mainly be my weekend car, and I look forward on helpful insights from members.

[nos4blood70]

Looks like a pretty good deal to me, and very well kept.

[1oldman]

Very Nice! Welcome, and glad you joined us. Please post more photos of your GXP. - BC

[CMNTMXR57]

Are you in Chicago?

[Reb0urne]

Thank you all, I will try to upload a few more pictures. They're all cell phone pics for now, but will do a photoshot with a DSLR in the upcoming weeks.

..and yes, I'm in Chicago!

[CMNTMXR57]

Will (SSEiMan), Carl (Nos4Blood), and a few others, and Myself are also here.

[Reb0urne]

That is great to hear, and look forward on additional info on this car from the locals.

Initially I wanted to get back in to an 02 or 03 SSEi like the one I use to own before I traded it in back in 2005 for an Acura, but for the life of me, i couldn't find

one with low miles or in great condition, and I 've always wanted the GXP, and still decided to get it eventhough it has a high maintanance Northstar engine.

Since this will be mainly a weekend car and not a Daily Driver, I figuered I'd give the V8 GXP a chance.

[CMNTMXR57]

Good luck. With 60k on it, you have plenty of window of useful life out of it.

[1tinindian]

Great looking GXP.
My wife has a 2004 SLE that same color.
The sound the Northstar makes is intoxicating, isn't it?

Enjoy the hell out of it, and keep in touch with us all, here.

Leon

[nos4blood70]

If you ever need help with anything, I would happily assist. Although, I don't know too much about the N*, I have the rest of the 2000+ problems down pretty good.

[bobgto65]

Nice looking car and a reasonable price for 60K miles. Enjoy it.

[Reb0urne]

Thanks everyone!

Just gave it a fresh new oil change yesterday evening, and I'll be doing a flush and replace the coolant this weekend.

When I owned my previous '02 SSEi, I replaced Dex-cool once, and had no issues with sludge or anything for that matter.

My question, would it be wise to flush it completely and switch the coolant to green?

I know this would be a personal preference, however which coolant would you guys prefer using on your pontiacs?

[nos4blood70]

There's nothing wrong with Dex as long as you monitor it and make sure no air gets in the system. I personally flushed and replaced it with green on my SLE. There's no harm in doing so on the N* either.

[CMNTMXR57]

What Carl said about Dex. I know the overall anti-Dex feelings most have, but without doing it properly with a machine to ensure ALL Dex is out, then replace it with Ethylene-Glycol (green), you run into other issues as the two aren't really compatible.

As long as you're vigilant with routine checks and maintenance, and fix any issues that arise (making sure that the system never has any leaks over pro-longed periods of time), a Dexcool run engine will have zero issues.

I've never had issues with Dexcool myself and from working in service, most customer cars never did either. Those that had issues, especially on 3800's was when air become present in the system. Air becomes present in the system due to something coming "unsealed" (I.E. LIM gaskets), and then being left for 100k (as Dex is an extended drain fluid), because most owners being completely inept at vehicle care, are clueless, is when the damage occurs.

[Reb0urne]

Thanks for the info guys, just thought I’d ask as I’m trying to properly maintain and baby this car, as I want it to last me a long while. I will be Keeping Dex and properly maintain and change as I would with green (2-3 years). I have two other cars and probably will only put 5-6k miles a year on this car, as it will be mainly driven on the weekends.

Back when I was in the market for a caddy before getting the SSEi , several warned me about HG issues with caddy’s/Northstars (But it’s my understanding that the issues had been addressed and fixed in the later models?). My boss has a 2003 STS closing in on almost 200K, so I’m assuming there might be some truth to this?

It’s a very nice looking car, and feels good being back in a Bonneville. The way it drives, handles, and the suspension is better than I can remember in my ’02.

[PontiacFan]

Nice lookin' new ride!
I'd like to find something like that, low miles, great condition, ..., & a low dollar investment really!
Uhh, wanna sell it?!? :o)
It appears you know how to take great care of your vehicles, ..., so if your car runs as well as mine has, ..., I'm at 212k miles already!

[Reb0urne]

Woah!!! 212K miles is encouraging!

Thanks, the GXP is really a great car. While I do miss that power surge from my previous SSEi supercharger, I got to say the Northstar engine really picks up fairly quick and verrrry smooth. It honestly feels like a whole new car.
I really do hope I could end up like you and be able to put over 200K+

*Bonus*
Was looking through the glove compartment and found all maintenance and service records from the previous owner. Below also is a picture of the original factory MSRP sticker. Didn't know the GXP's were almost $40K out the door!! Looks like mine has every available option minus the 12 CD changer. I also did not know the White Gold Tricoat was an additional $750 premium paint color. (This color by the way, is absolutely gorgeous).

[CMNTMXR57]

Yea, and that was expensive then. Today it's the norm...

[rmmartel]

With 60k on it, you have plenty of window of useful life out of it.

What would you say is the "best by" date for the GXP/Northstar Bonneville? Wondering how soon I shold think about getting out of having it as my regular driver. Bought that car from my mom who bought it new - so I know its history and up until recently it has been pretty problem free.

[bobgto65]

It should be pretty reliable as a DD as long as you keep up on the maintenance and change the dex cool every 5 years. The transmission is the heaviest duty FWD transmission GM ever made and the engine suffers from oil and coolant leaks sometimes but should go 125-150,000 miles. You may encounter the usual problems as noted in the 2000-05 Bonneville Sticky post, but most of them are easy to fix. Engine repairs tend to be expensive if you are not a DIY person and are best performed at a Cadillac dealer.