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 Post subject: Re: Penny the 2003 SLE
PostPosted: Wed May 23, 2018 11:45 am 
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Joined: Sat Apr 16, 2016 8:10 pm
Posts: 34
Year and Trim: 2002 Bonneville SLE
nos4blood70 wrote:
You're not wrong! Penny has been hit all over multiple times. Can't do much about it in populated zones. I don't think there's a single clean panel on this car.... Lol

She's just not as much of a looker as she used to be, and it's starting to get to the point where certain clients are like... He drives that?! But they're not there to buy the car so I tend to ignore them. Haha!


Indeed.

I can speak to that (given our cars were basically twins leaving Hamtramck assembly). This sounds absolutely bonkers - but believe it or not there’s people who’ve never heard of the Bonneville. Ever.

My company hired some younger staff recently. The subject of cars came about and I of course mentioned what I drive. Theyd never heard of Pontiac- even the Smokey and the Bandit Trans Am was a mystery to them. Considering the Bonnevile stopped production 13 years ago (and my own example will be old enough to vote in two years) ,it’s not far fetched some of the comments you get are people who’ve never heard of the brand. I still get compliments around here about my own car (usually from people with grayer hair then mine), even though it too is rough around the edges .


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 Post subject: Re: Penny the 2003 SLE
PostPosted: Wed May 23, 2018 2:18 pm 
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Joined: Mon May 10, 2010 6:11 pm
Posts: 9491
Location: Chicago, IL
Year and Trim: 2003 SLE
I get compliments occasionally, most on how comfortable the thing is. But some people are really snarky, and when I'm showing them apartments downtown whose monthly rent is worth more than the car... They tend to look at me weird. But who cares!

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"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 247k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 98k miles
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 Post subject: Re: Penny the 2003 SLE
PostPosted: Wed May 23, 2018 3:07 pm 
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Joined: Sat Apr 16, 2016 8:10 pm
Posts: 34
Year and Trim: 2002 Bonneville SLE
nos4blood70 wrote:
I get compliments occasionally, most on how comfortable the thing is. But some people are really snarky, and when I'm showing them apartments downtown whose monthly rent is worth more than the car... They tend to look at me weird. But who cares!


Given Chicago real estate, finding places worth more then an attainable car isn’t hard regardless of the brand. Besides , I’ve noticed (now that I’ve been away for a while) that Chicago has a funny obsession with late model cars. Much like how in LA driving a 70s BMW is cool and a 2018 Caddy isn’t, in Chicago if your car is older then two years it’s basically dirt.

Brand new Lexus? You’re a cool guy. Two year old Lamborghini? Jeez what a beater.....

Where I live if your car was made in the US, no one cares how old it is. It’s refreshing.


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 Post subject: Re: Penny the 2003 SLE
PostPosted: Fri Jul 27, 2018 8:52 am 
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Joined: Mon May 10, 2010 6:11 pm
Posts: 9491
Location: Chicago, IL
Year and Trim: 2003 SLE
She's officially over 175k miles these days... Although I failed to capture a picture. Haha
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Bad valve stem was plaguing me for a bit, luckily I am able to use some of the machines at work!
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The two silver sisters. I've put about 5k miles on the S since getting it. Finally getting pretty good at driving it!
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The whole silver stable. The GX is over 80k miles now. Doesn't get driven a whole lot!
Quite the variety. RWD, FWD, 4WD... 4 cylinders, 6 cylinders, 8 cylinders. 150 lb ft, 230 lb ft, 330 lb ft. LOL
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-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 247k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 98k miles
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 Post subject: Re: Penny the 2003 SLE
PostPosted: Fri Jul 27, 2018 1:02 pm 
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Joined: Wed May 13, 2009 10:45 pm
Posts: 5827
Location: CHICAGO
Year and Trim: 2006 STS-V, 2004 GTO, 2009 G8 GT
175k and still going strong.

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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
2007 Chrysler Town & Country Limited: Sold to neighbor
2009 Pontiac G8 GT: L76, Sport Red Metallic
2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500: Doeskin Tan - 8.1L Big Block... new plow truck
1999 Chevrolet Suburban: Sunset Gold Metallic - Daddy's winter beater and plow truck


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 Post subject: Re: Penny the 2003 SLE
PostPosted: Fri Jul 27, 2018 1:10 pm 
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Joined: Mon May 10, 2010 6:11 pm
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Location: Chicago, IL
Year and Trim: 2003 SLE
Other than a few noises here and there, she feels real solid and still returns like 22 mpg in my mixed driving. My favorite car to cover distance in.

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-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 247k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 98k miles
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 Post subject: Re: Penny the 2003 SLE
PostPosted: Sun Jul 29, 2018 4:13 pm 
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Joined: Sat Apr 16, 2016 8:10 pm
Posts: 34
Year and Trim: 2002 Bonneville SLE
Nice work.

Honestly , after seeing the condition of “restored” old school cars at local cars and coffees I value the ones with some real world marks and wear to them. The showpiece 67’ Mustangs have their place , but the vintage 66’ Mercury Courgar with some bumper marks and clean paint is a much more charming car. It actually “lived” and drove places besides a trailer, and I value that way more then “cleanliness”.


Now to randomly change topics, heres a totally unnecessary pic of Penny’s “sister car” after todays road trip!

Image


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 Post subject: Re: Penny the 2003 SLE
PostPosted: Tue Jul 31, 2018 10:20 pm 
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Nice! Here are a few from my recent stint through Wisconsin. Camped in a few spots with the GF. As usual, the car did admirably. Comfy, with a peak MPG of 29. Love that you can just leave your phone, speaker, or flashlight plugged in and it'll charge it all night if needed!

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I drove the car through some of these dirt roads, which was quite fun... But she did rub her belly on the dirt a few times. lol A guy in a Jeep gave me a weird look but it was worth it.
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-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 247k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 98k miles
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 Post subject: Re: Penny the 2003 SLE
PostPosted: Mon Nov 05, 2018 1:08 pm 
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Year and Trim: 2003 SLE
Another quick trip to MI this weekend for a friend's birthday. Fall views abound. Penny is officially at 180,000 miles now. New subframe bushings coming this Thursday as it is starting to get quite creaking and the steering wheel transfers all sorts of pops and noises. Can't wait to get her feeling solid again. Planning a 3 week road trip to California next Summer so just wanting to get Penny in tip top shape.

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-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 247k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 98k miles
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 Post subject: Re: Penny the 2003 SLE
PostPosted: Tue Dec 18, 2018 5:15 pm 
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Joined: Mon May 10, 2010 6:11 pm
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Location: Chicago, IL
Year and Trim: 2003 SLE
The road continues for Penny. 183k miles now. New front subframe bushings, rear motor mount, and alignment. Truly unbelievable how much of a difference that made in how the car drives. No more highway shake at any speed. No vibrations under braking. Steering feels way less dead and sloppy. Not a bad job either, all bolts came loose easily.

Today, I changed the valve cover gaskets as they started to get pretty gross. Glad that we have winter that is so mild, I am fortunate that she is seeing less salt this year.

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-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 247k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 98k miles
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 Post subject: Re: Penny the 2003 SLE
PostPosted: Wed Jan 23, 2019 2:00 pm 
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Location: Chicago, IL
Year and Trim: 2003 SLE
First trip of the year off to a good start. 600 mile round trip a low key cabin with the GF.

I have never driven through conditions like I experienced this past weekend. Driving down unplowed snow drifted roads, car felt like a boat on a wavy sea. There were semi trucks spun out, cars abandoned on the side of the road, it felt like a movie set!

Combined with all of the snow and below zero degrees Fahrenheit temps, I continue to be impressed by this car's sheer clout and reliability. All of the wheel wells and springs filled up with snow and then froze solid. Lots of noises were heard and I'm sure all of the cars plastic and metal bit underneath got a nice sand blasting. Getting to 185k now and still soldiering on.

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-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 247k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 98k miles
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 Post subject: Re: Penny the 2003 SLE
PostPosted: Wed Jan 23, 2019 3:18 pm 
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Joined: Sun Dec 05, 2010 6:17 pm
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Location: DeKalb, IL
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92 SSE
92 Lumina Z34
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Looks awesome! We like finding low key vacation spots like that, you don't really feel too much like a tourist. Lol. Glad to see Penny is still doing well! I feel old, I remember when your odometer looked like 5x,xxx. :lol:

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88 Cutlass Ciera Brougham International | 120k mi | White w/ Dk Claret Int. | Roller to be S2 L67/4T65E-HD | 1 of ~5100 3.8 FE3 Int'l series
91 Riviera | S2 L67 Swap/4T60E | 127K mi | Antelope Met. w/ Tan Int. | Saved From Death By Crusher
92 Bonneville SSE | L67/4T60E | 77K mi | Med Slate Grey w/ Two-Tone Grey Int. | Low Miles Time Capsule
92 Lumina Z34 | LQ1/4T60E | 177k mi | Torch Red w/Grey Int. | Rusty In Odd Spots
99 Tahoe LT | L31/4L65E | 276k mi | Spiral Grey Metallic w/Grey Int. | Truck for Truck Things and Portable Concert Hall
03 Park Avenue Ultra | 212K mi | White Diamond Met. w/ Shale Int. | Southern Time Capsule
05 Acura RL | 155K mi | Carbon Grey Pearl w/Ebony Int. | The Super-Hooptie Daily


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 Post subject: Re: Penny the 2003 SLE
PostPosted: Wed Jan 23, 2019 9:28 pm 
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Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 11:47 pm
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Location: Philadelphia
Year and Trim: 95 SLE
Always cool to see this putting work in.

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95 SLE... a keeper. 241k miles. Low and Slow.
97 BMW 528i
98 Infiniti vq35'd i30: 13.3@104mph, 30MPG Hwy (RIP)
02 Jag X-type
03 BMW M5
05 Chevy Cobalt LS
07 Infiniti G35s 6MT (Sold)
07 Ducati Monster S2R 800 with DS1000 swap
83 Yamaha IT175K
72 Yamaha DS7: '74 RD250 swap, JL chambers

Info on dropping a 92-99: Here.


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 Post subject: Re: Penny the 2003 SLE
PostPosted: Tue Apr 02, 2019 3:56 pm 
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Year and Trim: 2003 SLE
Few more updates here...
She got broken into, which was sad. Had to replace the window and was daily driving the S2000 for about 8 days. That was the longest time Penny has been in a garage... LOL! Was certainly fun but I missed the couch like demeanor of Penny for sure.
Thanks go out to Andrew for hooking it up with a window quickly. Now I need to get it tinted to match the others!
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Other than that, I changed her front brakes and used a Tech2 to bleed the ABS and change some other stuff around, too. She's soldiering on well. Will need new strut mounts and some other odds and ends before summer hits.

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-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 247k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 98k miles
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 Post subject: Re: Penny the 2003 SLE
PostPosted: Wed Apr 03, 2019 12:25 am 
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Joined: Wed Apr 01, 2009 7:11 pm
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Location: Alberta, Canada
Year and Trim: 2004 GXP, 2008 STS, 2020 XT6
Very nice car!

There's probably a forum policy about using the words I have to describe people like this. I know how you feel. Several years ago someone put a 7-inch diameter boulder through my back window to steal some work uniforms. After all that, they ditched them in the yard of a house a block away. I was incredibly lucky because there was a wrecker in town with glass and I had it the same day. Back then (and even now), it was virtually unheard of for a Bonneville to be in a yard anywhere near here.

Good to hear she'll be back on the road again soon :)

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Bose Luxury Sound System w/Touch Screen Navigation, Addition of Factory XM, 2005 MY Antenna, OnStar Upgrade (3G),
RainSense Wipers, Backup Camera, '00 Style Door Panel Courtesy Lights, Heated Washer Solvent, 2X Remote Trunk Release,
Turn Signal Mirrors, Center Console Courtesy Lamp, Rear Outboard Heated Seats, PVD Chrome 18" Factory Rims, Upgraded
Carbon Fibre Appearance Interior Trim, Highly Modified Main Body Harness, Instrument Panel, Door, Door Panel & Headliner
Wiring Harnesses, Custom Fuse Box & Tire and Loading Information Decals, Additional Acoustic Insulation


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 Post subject: Re: Penny the 2003 SLE
PostPosted: Wed Apr 03, 2019 8:27 am 
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Location: Chicago, IL
Year and Trim: 2003 SLE
She's already driving! It's so weird having one un-tinted window. Haha.

They ended up taking my backpack which had some random stuff in it. Ultimately a waste of their time though as there was nothing that valuable in there. I had checked yards in a 100 mile radius for glass for a Bonne, but not a single one even had a 2000+!

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-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 247k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 98k miles
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 Post subject: Re: Penny the 2003 SLE
PostPosted: Wed Apr 03, 2019 11:02 pm 
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Joined: Wed May 13, 2009 10:45 pm
Posts: 5827
Location: CHICAGO
Year and Trim: 2006 STS-V, 2004 GTO, 2009 G8 GT
Chicago gonna Chicago. :)

A few cars in my neighborhood at the other house have been broken in to recently. And I noticed that my motion light on the garage had it's range set to "min". So I am going to be installing cameras at some point in time in the near future.

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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
2007 Chrysler Town & Country Limited: Sold to neighbor
2009 Pontiac G8 GT: L76, Sport Red Metallic
2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500: Doeskin Tan - 8.1L Big Block... new plow truck
1999 Chevrolet Suburban: Sunset Gold Metallic - Daddy's winter beater and plow truck


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 Post subject: Re: Penny the 2003 SLE
PostPosted: Thu Apr 04, 2019 3:49 pm 
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This was actually in downtown Chicago annoyingly.

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-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 247k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 98k miles
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 Post subject: Re: Penny the 2003 SLE
PostPosted: Thu Apr 04, 2019 11:35 pm 
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Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 11:47 pm
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Location: Philadelphia
Year and Trim: 95 SLE
Yeah, for this reason I do not leave a single thing visible in my car. No coins, pens, bottles, trash, not even a toll transponder. I also try to do the same with the trunk and won't open it where I park if theres something important in there.

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95 SLE... a keeper. 241k miles. Low and Slow.
97 BMW 528i
98 Infiniti vq35'd i30: 13.3@104mph, 30MPG Hwy (RIP)
02 Jag X-type
03 BMW M5
05 Chevy Cobalt LS
07 Infiniti G35s 6MT (Sold)
07 Ducati Monster S2R 800 with DS1000 swap
83 Yamaha IT175K
72 Yamaha DS7: '74 RD250 swap, JL chambers

Info on dropping a 92-99: Here.


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 Post subject: Re: Penny the 2003 SLE
PostPosted: Mon May 27, 2019 4:01 pm 
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Joined: Mon May 10, 2010 6:11 pm
Posts: 9491
Location: Chicago, IL
Year and Trim: 2003 SLE
In June of 2010 I rolled 40k, today I rolled 190k. 150k miles in 9 years. My most recent camping trip helped add the miles.
Image
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-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 247k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 98k miles
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