1995 Pontiac Bonneville SE

[614justin]

I was smashed on rear bumber RR Side and pretty much RR quarter panel, pushed RR trunk corner & busted out R window.

Ive heard R windows are a pain in these? Can the RR quaryter panel be replaced or is whole rear from back of rear bench seat 1 whole piece? It kinda of wobbles a bit now also. I checked out underneath, no leaks. Exhaust got a few .25 size holes now.

It needs a RR Tailight also, a ford explorer hit me caddy corner going fast & it was down a 45 degree hill. Bonne is a tank for a subframe v6, not 4x4 & proabably a push bar or brush guard if some kind. Was a Explorer. Generation b4 current twin twin turbo cop car Explorers, hit & run didnt get plate so no coverage. This is a bs law in ohio. So it will be out of pocket if fixed.

[96 SSEi]

yes, that q- panel should just bolt off - remove trunk liner and look for mounting bolts for panel. - go to the junk yard and get one - you can maybe install yourself.

the wobble is prob. from the impact - something got bent .

thats how thieving ins. co. work - thieves!!

[Detailpro116]

With that much damage a car that old is a complete write off. Don't even waste your time and money trying to repair it with structural quarter panel damage.

Sincerely, licensed autobody technician.

[614justin]

I really like the car & its got many new parts but many only fit a 95 SE, motor & trans were spec. Thos year & its OBD 1.5.

Was looking into another 3800, only bad thing in Ohio is rust & thats a big problem in H & W bodies.

Are the 3100s decent? How much more milage would it get? The 3800 does decent by not reall by todays standRds.

Im a bigger guy & like thw grandma cars any suggestipns on new ride. Marquis i used 2 have got close mileage 2 Bonnie

[RJolly87]

Really depends on type of driving. Not sure on mileage, but 3100's don't typically have the lifespan the 3800's do.

I, being a bigger guy, feel like I am driving a go kart when in a W-Body. I wouldn't do anything smaller. H bodies are a dime a dozen down here, but then again, we don't have rust driving attrition down here.

What kind of money are we talking? I have even been looking at stuff like the Lucerne myself.

[614justin]

Attrition turns coal into number 10 on the Mohs scale. I dont want a payment, few grand at most. Was hoping 2 get another Bonne but can really only be a 95 SE soI could pick and pull parts if needed.

[Detailpro116]

How about Buick Regal/LeSabre/Park Avenue, Olds 88/LSS, Pontiac Grand Prix?

You can pick up a super clean Lesabre or Park Ave for cheap. Before my current Bonnevilles, I had a 2001 Lesabre Custom with 160k miles that I paid $1200 CDN for, so about 950-1000 USD, and the car was *dang* near immaculate. I paid $200 less for my 96 SSEi than I paid for an 01 Lesabre. Great ride, super comfortable, very reliable. You just can't go wrong. Plus I loved the bench seat and column shifter. Soooo much room. I'm not a big guy, I just like couchy cars lol.

[Bugsi]

Honestly, there are so many 92-99 Bonnevilles and related cars in junk yards for dirt cheap parts that I would totally not stay restricted to a 95 just because I had one for parts. Also, I think I've seen more Bonnevilles in Ohio than literally any other state I've ever been in. No idea why. If it was me, I'd look for a clean 1996-1999 Bonneville, any spec, SE, SLE, or SSE. If storing your 95 for spare parts isn't a problem then keep it for parts if you want, or just junk it. Parts for these cars are so cheap at salvage yards that I wouldn't worry about it *at all*.

Alternatively I'd consider a clean Buick LeSabre Ultra.

I had a gorgeous 1997SE with the column shifter and loved it. Wife wrecked it. I really miss that car. We still have a 2001 Grand Prix GT, and I'll second the notion that compared to an H-body, a W-body feels like a go-kart. Ton's of both in junk yards, however.

3800's last and last if well maintained. I don't think the 3100 has the same longevity.