I'm back in a Bonneville!

[98SSE]

So I've made it back to a Bonneville. Selling my 98' GTP to my cousin as her first car so I've been looking for a replacement. Found this gem on craigslist for $1500 so I sent an email and set up a time to look at it. When I went to look at it it was running rough and needed a battery for sure. After some haggling I got him down to $800 and drove it home. Within 30 minutes I had it running good just by changing the coil packs (Accel's) with some OEM and Bosch plug wires with AC Delco's. Cylinder 1 & 6 wires were shot so it wasn't any surprise it was running awful. Spent the rest of the day washing the car, degreasing the engine, and wiping the inside down. I also changed the oil, battery, and cleaned the MAF. I'll grab some more pictures of it throughout the week as I work on it. Looking to have it on the road come this Saturday so I can get the GP to my cousin by the time school starts. I think the thing I'm most happy about is the AC working lol.

When I first got it.


#6 plug wire


Engine after quick cleaning and intake installed

[dadofone2011]

Looks good and love the color

[MattStrike]

I'm a little bit jealous of those center caps.

[zuper8]

ooo my favorite color on 00+! Great purchase :D

[nos4blood70]

Amazing, what a bargain!

[crash93ssei]

Hell of a deal for $800! Clean the headlights up and it will really make it look good!

[1oldman]

WOW! What a car! Close to the color of my '92 SSE (and John Deere Boy's). For $800, that WAS A DEAL! - BC

[Z-type]

Maybe I've been under a rock, but I don't know if I've ever seen this generation in green! Haha. Very good price, it looks great!

[Saturn Simon]

Great colour and looks amazing for the bargain price!

Some elbow grease on those headlights with some bicarbonate of soda solution (or a proper headlight polishing kit if you must) will improve the appearance of the car too.

[98SSE]

Wow, thanks for all the good vibes. I'm definitely looking forward to how this one will come out. Put about 50 miles on it today and didn't miss a beat. Spent most of the morning installing my hockey puck mount since the original was trashed and went to the junkyard. I picked up a set of SLP mufflers and tips off a 99 GTP for a mere $24 and found a Craftsman ratchet and sockets on the floorboard of another car. All in all it was a good day. Tomorrow I'm going to replace the fuel filter and transmission fluid/filter and install a shift kit. Pictures will follow.

[Zeik75]

Wow that color looks great shined up! Should turn into a great daily driver!

[1oldman]

Sure looks like you're having a lot of fun! - BC

[98SSE]

Wow that color looks great shined up! Should turn into a great daily driver!

Thanks, its definitely a solid platform for DD duty. The SC just adds a little fun

Sure looks like you're having a lot of fun! - BC

I'm really enjoying myself with this one. I've had 3 bonnies before but never one of this generation that was fully loaded.

Spent most of the day cleaning up the car and installing a shift kit/trans fluid/filter. Also installed 2 new hood props as my old ones were shot and I had to use vice grips to hold the hood up lol. Got a chance to wash the car again and shine it up a bit before I leave for training. Coming together piece by piece. Grabbed some pictures of the not so good places that need tending to.

The not so good.








The good.

[98SSE]

Recently went out of town for training and I'm pleased to say the car didn't miss a beat. Put around 400 miles rounds trip. I came home and purchased some more HP Tuners credits and unlocked the SSEI and my wifes GTP. After resting Friday night I got back out there this weekend and started fixing more things. Started with the AC issue where the driver side was hot air and the passenger was cold. I pulled the driver blend actuator and what do you know, the gear was broken. I'll order a new one this week but in the mean time I removed the broken drive gear and left the vent on cool so I can utilize my AC this week. Afterwards I decided to tackle my headlights which I am very happy with. On my down time I also copied over some transmission settings and other various things through HPT. Updates will follow as things progress.

[dadofone2011]

what did you end up using on your headlights

[nos4blood70]

Looks so much better with the headlights cleaned up!

[98SSE]

what did you end up using on your headlights

Wetsanded using 600,800,1000,1500,2000 grit then used 50/50 mix of Helmans wood stain (clear) and mineral spirits.

Looks so much better with the headlights cleaned up!

Thanks, I am definitely pleased with the outcome. Makes the car look a lot fresher.

[dadofone2011]

Now it's time to clear them corners

[98SSE]

Now it's time to clear them corners

Ask and you shall receive.

[nos4blood70]

Such a simple change, but so sweet.