Best year Pontiac bonneville

Chat about all things Bonneville (and related cars). Off-topic stuff should be in the lounge, and all mechanical problems should be posted in the proper forum.
Jnegrea93
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Best year Pontiac bonneville

Post by Jnegrea93 »

I currently have a 00 Pontiac bonneville ssei and was thinking about buying another one and was wondering what bonneville model is the best and what year?
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Re: Best year Pontiac bonneville

Post by SuperHbody »

Best run was within your year, 2000-2005. Those would be the best refined of the generations. But I'm biased, I love my 88' and feel the 1987-1991 are the most fun.
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Re: Best year Pontiac bonneville

Post by xcbullet »

I would say 2004 & up. Or at least 03. They have the hardened 4th shaft. The 03 was a mixed year for trans clutch plates, not really a big deal just have to tear it down before ordering clutch plates to see if there sprag or paw type. But I do like my 2000 it's a gem, if the shaft does go bad & I lose forth I'll just replace it & while in there do the PCS. I to would like to find another the main thing is getting low miles so all the fluids can be changed before it's starts getting nasty. Every thing is changed but the power steering fluid on this one, need to get it by next summer.
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CMNTMXR57
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Re: Best year Pontiac bonneville

Post by CMNTMXR57 »

Best is often a subjective matter. What are you considering as "best"?

Looks?
Reliability?
Ease of service?
Interior accomodations?
Power?
Modability?

Really each gen has their plusses and minusses.
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Retired Bonneville Owner and former GM Tech:
2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP: Black/Ebony *SOLD*

Summer Toys: Combined 827 RWHP / 877lb/ft RWTQ
2004 Pontiac GTO: Impulse Blue Metallic/Black/M6: lots 'o mods, 415 RWHP / 405lb/ft RWTQ!
2006 Cadillac STS-V: Light Platinum Metallic/Light Gray/A6 - Spectre CAI, Magnaflow exhaust, Speed Inc. tune, 412 RWHP / 472lb/ft RWTQ

Daily Drivers:
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Limited: Mommy's new RGC
2015 Chrysler Town & Country Limited Platinum: Kids new RGC
2011 Camaro SS
2009 Pontiac G8 GT: L76, Sport Red Metallic
2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD: Victory Red - 8.1L Big Block and Allison
2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500: Doeskin Tan - 8.1L Big Block... RIP
1999 Chevrolet Suburban: Sunset Gold Metallic - RIP
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Re: Best year Pontiac bonneville

Post by MattStrike »

'93 with a series 2 swap is the best.
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'99 Montana - top swap 3800
'04 Sierra 2500HD - LLY Duramax

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Re: Best year Pontiac bonneville

Post by nos4blood70 »

I'd say the best stock model was the 2003 SSEi.

In terms of a balance between performance, handling, reliability, and style.
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Re: Best year Pontiac bonneville

Post by CMNTMXR57 »

In terms of style though is that exterior or interior? If interior style, I would have to say other than '04 & '05 GXP's, the 92 - 99 had a better interior.

See O.P. This is a never ending debate...
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Retired Bonneville Owner and former GM Tech:
2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP: Black/Ebony *SOLD*

Summer Toys: Combined 827 RWHP / 877lb/ft RWTQ
2004 Pontiac GTO: Impulse Blue Metallic/Black/M6: lots 'o mods, 415 RWHP / 405lb/ft RWTQ!
2006 Cadillac STS-V: Light Platinum Metallic/Light Gray/A6 - Spectre CAI, Magnaflow exhaust, Speed Inc. tune, 412 RWHP / 472lb/ft RWTQ

Daily Drivers:
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Limited: Mommy's new RGC
2015 Chrysler Town & Country Limited Platinum: Kids new RGC
2011 Camaro SS
2009 Pontiac G8 GT: L76, Sport Red Metallic
2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD: Victory Red - 8.1L Big Block and Allison
2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500: Doeskin Tan - 8.1L Big Block... RIP
1999 Chevrolet Suburban: Sunset Gold Metallic - RIP
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Re: Best year Pontiac bonneville

Post by 94SilverSSEi »

The first year and the BEST year. 1957. End of debate.

This charcoal grey also happens to be 1 of 3 known to exist! I'd love to have one.

http://www.kennagelclassiccars.com/1957 ... eville.php

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Re: Best year Pontiac bonneville

Post by CMNTMXR57 »

Well, I'll throw out 1966. I'm partial to 1966 Full-size Pontiac's.
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Retired Bonneville Owner and former GM Tech:
2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP: Black/Ebony *SOLD*

Summer Toys: Combined 827 RWHP / 877lb/ft RWTQ
2004 Pontiac GTO: Impulse Blue Metallic/Black/M6: lots 'o mods, 415 RWHP / 405lb/ft RWTQ!
2006 Cadillac STS-V: Light Platinum Metallic/Light Gray/A6 - Spectre CAI, Magnaflow exhaust, Speed Inc. tune, 412 RWHP / 472lb/ft RWTQ

Daily Drivers:
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Limited: Mommy's new RGC
2015 Chrysler Town & Country Limited Platinum: Kids new RGC
2011 Camaro SS
2009 Pontiac G8 GT: L76, Sport Red Metallic
2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD: Victory Red - 8.1L Big Block and Allison
2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500: Doeskin Tan - 8.1L Big Block... RIP
1999 Chevrolet Suburban: Sunset Gold Metallic - RIP
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Evan0801
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Re: Best year Pontiac bonneville

Post by Evan0801 »

92-99 for me, but id prefer the 92-95 than 96-99.
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Re: Best year Pontiac bonneville

Post by RJolly87 »

There wasn't really a bad year in the 87-2005 lineup. There were some years that have some quirks that are more annoying than others, but it may be a good idea to get another one of the style you have, for parts and maintenance reasons. You only need to know how do a job one way with the same part, vs 2.
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Re: Best year Pontiac bonneville

Post by nos4blood70 »

92-95 > 00-05 > 96-99. If we are talking about the modern era FWD cars. Sadly, the 87-91 are pretty much dead and gone.
-Car Guy Carl
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"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 101k miles
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Re: Best year Pontiac bonneville

Post by CMNTMXR57 »

How are you splitting the '92 - '95 & '96 - '99. It's the same generation at the core of the vehicle.

Oh, and I heart the '87 - '91's also.
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Retired Bonneville Owner and former GM Tech:
2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP: Black/Ebony *SOLD*

Summer Toys: Combined 827 RWHP / 877lb/ft RWTQ
2004 Pontiac GTO: Impulse Blue Metallic/Black/M6: lots 'o mods, 415 RWHP / 405lb/ft RWTQ!
2006 Cadillac STS-V: Light Platinum Metallic/Light Gray/A6 - Spectre CAI, Magnaflow exhaust, Speed Inc. tune, 412 RWHP / 472lb/ft RWTQ

Daily Drivers:
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Limited: Mommy's new RGC
2015 Chrysler Town & Country Limited Platinum: Kids new RGC
2011 Camaro SS
2009 Pontiac G8 GT: L76, Sport Red Metallic
2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD: Victory Red - 8.1L Big Block and Allison
2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500: Doeskin Tan - 8.1L Big Block... RIP
1999 Chevrolet Suburban: Sunset Gold Metallic - RIP
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Re: Best year Pontiac bonneville

Post by nos4blood70 »

CMNTMXR57 wrote:How are you splitting the '92 - '95 & '96 - '99. It's the same generation at the core of the vehicle.

Oh, and I heart the '87 - '91's also.
I split them because the 96-99 looks like a 92-95 got melted by a house fire. :ballkick:

87-91 SSE, gray. Unffffffffffffffff
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"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 101k miles
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Re: Best year Pontiac bonneville

Post by CMNTMXR57 »

An '87 SE or say a '91 SSE gave me the chub as an impressionable young teenager at the time.
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Retired Bonneville Owner and former GM Tech:
2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP: Black/Ebony *SOLD*

Summer Toys: Combined 827 RWHP / 877lb/ft RWTQ
2004 Pontiac GTO: Impulse Blue Metallic/Black/M6: lots 'o mods, 415 RWHP / 405lb/ft RWTQ!
2006 Cadillac STS-V: Light Platinum Metallic/Light Gray/A6 - Spectre CAI, Magnaflow exhaust, Speed Inc. tune, 412 RWHP / 472lb/ft RWTQ

Daily Drivers:
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Limited: Mommy's new RGC
2015 Chrysler Town & Country Limited Platinum: Kids new RGC
2011 Camaro SS
2009 Pontiac G8 GT: L76, Sport Red Metallic
2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD: Victory Red - 8.1L Big Block and Allison
2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500: Doeskin Tan - 8.1L Big Block... RIP
1999 Chevrolet Suburban: Sunset Gold Metallic - RIP
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Re: Best year Pontiac bonneville

Post by MattStrike »

96-99 definitely slacked the styling from the 92-95. I never cared for the '87-91 Bonneville.
Boost addict
Image

The Fleet:
'93 SSEi - Twincharged + manual Build thread
'97 Camaro - Top swap
'05 STS - V8, AWD, her DD
'92 Trofeo - Fair weather DD
'99 Montana - top swap 3800
'04 Sierra 2500HD - LLY Duramax

Current project:
Something cool, trust me.

Upcoming projects:
'92 Bonneville SSE
'87 LeSabre T-type
'67 LeSabre

Gone to greener pastures:
'84 Sierra Classic - Twin turbo 3800
'97 LeSabre - Top swap

RIP:
'86 LeSabre - pictures
'93 SE - L67
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Re: Best year Pontiac bonneville

Post by rustyroger »

Best Pontiac year?, 1968 imo.
Best Bonneville year?, 1960 imo. We are talking about Triumph motorcycles aren't we?. :)

Roger.
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Re: Best year Pontiac bonneville

Post by 98SSE »

Personal preference really. I've owned a 93, 98, and 01, all have been/were good cars. Depends on your taste though. I'm torn between the 96-99 models since I've always liked them since I was young and the 00+ SSEI/GXP models cause they are so *dang* sexy.
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Re: Best year Pontiac bonneville

Post by 1oldman »

Best looking? Tie between 1965 and 1988-91 SSE. Dependability? I'd say anywhere from 1988 to 2005. I don't like front wheel drive cars, but I gotta say they are by far the most dependable, at least from my experience. Merry Christmas! - BC
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2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport ..... 1992 Bonneville SSE 1SB 170 HP L27 4T60E retired/sold to MattStrike ..... 2005 Bonneville SE 1SC 205 HP L36 4T65E - retired/salvage yard ..... PBCF user 2321
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Re: Best year Pontiac bonneville

Post by redmetrix »

My favorite has always been the 94 SE and 94 SLE for a few reasons.
1. Last year for the L27 in a Bonneville which from my experience has proven to be my favorite 3800. It has a great balance of refinement, power, and reliability.
2. I like the 92-95 styling the best out of any Bonneville
3. 4T60e transmission which is super dependable and I like how it shifts more so than the newer 4T65e or the older non-electronic 4T60 used 1991 and earlier.
4. 1st year for R134 refrigerant
5. 1st year for the newer style Delco Radios (I like to use stock head units in my cars)
Chris
97 SLE with L67 (1 of 354!) * 90 Grand Prix SE * 1992 SSEi * 99 Buick Regal * 2006 Chevy Uplander
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