If You Needed a Replacement Vehicle...

[Jfridge92]

The 2.4 in my wife's '12 Malibu seems to have been holding up well, no problems in the 40k she's had it (at 72k now) but here's to hoping it stays that way. Lots of strange issues on that generation of motors from GM.

Also, just a fun tool that I saw someone else post recently here. Vehiclehistory.com gives a very basic but free "carfax" type report if you plug a VIN in. It doesn't always show everything that a carfax would, but when you're shopping, it's very handy to plug in and see if the car has been in any accidents. It helped me narrow down my search quite a bit, and then the dealer I bought my car from purchased a legit carfax when I started the negotiation process. That site still weeded out about 20 different cars that had been involved in accidents. Happy car hunting!

[Archon]

I'll do that, as the time comes closer, thanks.

[Bugsi]

When my `97 Bonneville SE daily driver got wrecked in late 2015, I replaced it with a 2005 Mercedes Benz S500 4Matic.

I'd say that my short list was either an S500 or S430 from either 2005 or 2006 specifically, just because they got a trim refresh before the W220 body style changed to the W221 in 2007.

As a 10 year old used car, the Mercedes cost less than what my Bonneville cost when I bought it in 1999 at just 2 years old.
The Mercedes has better ride quality and comfort and more power. The downside is premium fuel and it's difficult to expand the stereo.

[Sirius]

While I like my G8 GXP, it certainly doesn't have the ride nor is it as well equipped as the SSEi. I don't drive it in the winter either, so I can't say how it would do in the snow but I'm inclined to think it would suck.

Someone mentioned getting an Audi A4 or A6. They are dang nice cars, but I've heard they are terribly expensive when things go awry.

Matt Figel replaced his SSEi with a Buick Regal, I believe. Last I talked to him he quite liked it. IIRC he got the turbo 4 and said it was respectably quick. I'm thinking that would have a decent ride and all the options the SSEi has (maybe not a HUD).

Actually, I love my GXP.

[Sirius]

Ok, so after blabbering about the Regal I went out and looked on Buick.com.

And found your car...

http://www.buick.com/regal-mid-size-lux ... erformance

2018 Buick Regal GS. V6, AWD, Brembo brakes, air conditioned seats, HUD...go ahead and lay down the extra cheddar for this bad boy.

[Sirius]

O...M...G! It has racing inspired, dual exhaust outlets!!!

[Sirius]

...and the seats can give you a massage!

[CMNTMXR57]

My Wife said the same thing, but funny how she "broke" and is very expensive to fix for some reason. :p

[Archon]

I tried the link for the Buick. It just kept saying "loading". The styling of the Regal doesn't particularly appeal to me.

[Sirius]

You could probably find it on buick.com

[Archon]

Sure. Pick the easy way.

[Archon]

Following up on this..as much as I hate to, it is time to get rid of the Bonneville. The rear upper spring seats are virtually rusted away. Cost estimates for repair are well more than I would want to put into it.

After a lot of searching, I came across a 2014 Cadillac XTS, Vsport Premium for a good price, and bought that. It needs a good polishing of the paint, and whomever tried to clean the windshield did a terrible job.

Now, I'll see if I can find someone interested in buying the Bonneville in its current condition, and to find a good Cadillac forum.

[CMNTMXR57]

I think the one most of us are on is www.cadillacforums.com

[Archon]

Thanks. I'll check that out.

[00Beast]

Don't leave us Dick!! Congrats on the pickup, the Vsports seem very nice, I seem to recall sitting in one at a dealer in about 2014. Definitely faster than a Bonneville. Enjoy it!

[Archon]

Thanks, Ed. I'll be around to bug people now and then. A friend of mine still owns a Bonneville. so even though most of the activity seems to be on Facebook, i'll be here. too.

The Vsport does want to move out. This will disappoint a few, but I have yet to take it WOT. I got the AWD version, also. Main things that I wanted were: HUD, rear view camera, and AWD. The dual turbo engine was a plus.

[Namrepus28]

I've only had my Bonneville for just over a month, but I'm much happier with it that I expected. Aside from the blower motor currently being on the fritz (have a new one, having a hell of time getting it out, especially in this weather) the reset button not working, and the rear end wanting to jump dance and spin on slippery roads, I'm loving everything else about it. I was only planning on keeping it for a year or two, but I might look at hanging onto it for longer than that now.

All that being said, if I was ready to replace it, I'd probably be looking very intently at a Dodge Challenger. Nice big, fairly comfortable ride. (Except for the front end component failures. I know.) Still plenty of trim levels with all sorts of options for that luxury performance feel, etc. And of course the styling.

[Bambuk]

I will ask the same question as the OP but will add some conditions: it should be SUV or crossover (just for extra cargo space, not for AWD).
I will be looking to replace my 2002 SSEi in a year or two and will be looking for 3-5 years old vehicle which would make it models 2014-2017.
Also the price is an issue so I will be looking for models that lose a lot of value in the first 3 years and/or because of high mileage. I don't drive much (maybe 2000 miles a year) so buying 3-5 year old car with some 80K+ miles on for less than half of its sticker price it makes sense to me.

I want something similar to the Bonneville. I test drove many sedans before buying the Bonneville and I just didn't feel comfortable in them. Either there was no place to rest elbows or the seats were too firm or something else. The Bonneville was perfect for me. So I would much prefer something similar comfort wise : soft seats, quiet ride, good acceleration. HUD is a must.
Any suggestions? TIA.

[CMNTMXR57]

Keep it GM

Traverse/Enclave/Acadia.

And of course REAL SUV's like Tahoe's/Yukon's/Suburban's.

[00Beast]

I think the Acadia has HUD, but you're going to be hard pressed to find cheap. Just depends on your budget...