Styling, Performance, Value

Just two - (1)there is no window lock to prevent the little kiddies from opening and closing the electric windows, and (2) there is no remote fuel door release (even my Civic DX had that).

I bought my '96 Bonne as a repo with 6,000.00 miles on her. As such, I got close to $30,000.00 worth of car for $18,000.00. I've since put on another 67,000 miles with very few problems. I had an initial problem with the transmission, which was repaired without cost by my Pontiac dealer. At 70,000 miles I replaced a leaking water pump and did a full tranny service. Other than that, all I've ever done are oil changes and brakes. The exterior body is clad with bulging plastic bolt-ons and the interior dash is cluttered with lots of little buttons, but frankly to me that's always been a part of Pontiac's appeal (some of us like little buttons, o.k.). I love the flourescent orange guages and those little orange pinlights in the doors which illuminate the door handles. Best of all, I feel like I'm driving a good old American muscle car, but there's room for the kids and the insurance is incredibly low on this car (this adds considerably to the value). Frankly, I would gladly buy another, except that they restyled it for 2000 and I'm not too pleased with what they've done. (Maybe I'll find a repo'd '99 SSEi somewhere).

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Buick Regal
Toyota Camry

The car has a nice quiet 3.8 205hp engine, at times you done even hear running. Great for taking long family trips with a smooth riding suspension and a lot of leg room for us taller guys.

A little to much play in the stearing wheel and sloopy performance.

I bought it used with 29000 miles for 13,500 and now have over fifty thousand miles I think this is a great car because I drive a lot and I love a comfortable strong car and this car is all of that, I definetly recommend it.

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Buick Regal: althougt handled a little better I still recommend the Bonneville.

Great styling, handling, power and reliability

Wind noise (primarily sunroof), stiff ride, and poor power window motors(had this problem with other GM products)

I bought this car in March of 1996 and payed $4000. The car had 102,000 miles when I bought it from the original owner with all of the paperwork. Now with 193,000 and going strong, same engine and tranny. Yes, I have had to do repairs, replaced ECM, alternator, water pump, A/C compressor, front braking system, radiator, what do you expect when you put that many miles on a car and still purrs like it was new. This engine and tranny is one the best on the market and has proven to me that is very reliable and inexpensive to fix when problems do arrise. I would recommend this car or any GM car that has the 3.8 Liter also know as the 3800 Series engine to anyone who is looking for a good car. I am in the market for a newer model GM with this engine and would hesitate again to buy one with over 100,000 miles on it. I have never bought a new car and never will. Who wants to loose thousands of dollars instantly by driving the car off the lot. I'll take that money I saved and invest it. If your looking for a quality used car by any GM car with this engine and you will not be sorry.

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1985 Bonneville, 1986 Grand Prix

Head turning looks, best combination of power and gas mileage around, great ride, smooth application of power to the wheels. Reliability, I've not had a single failure in 4 yrs and 57k miles. It's a rock.

Opening the trunk in the rain sends a torrent of water into the trunk. Plastic isn't so nice on parts of the dash. Needs more cubby holes and storage spots.

Paid about 2k less than the sticker. I recommend this car to anyone who wants power and looks, but must have roominess and driveability. I've driven it many long trips and am very happy with the cargo and people hauling ability as well as the astounding gas mileage, approaching 32 mpg. It has great power and was cruising at near 90 mph out west with a bunch of sports cars and import luxury cars and it seemed quite happy and able to handle the task even with the AC on and hauling a full load. Around town it's got great power off the line (watch the torque steer) which keeps you up with all but the top end V-8's. Good stereo for a factory job.

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Intrepid - Bonneville gives more bang for the buck, seems roomier, and easier to drive. I had visibility problems in the Intrepid.

Great everything. Outstanding performance such as brake and steering feel, excellent comfort in both the front and rear seats, spacious trunk, sleek aerodynamic body design, with a long lasting powerful 3.8L V6 would give anybody a great domestic performer. Fuel economy is usually very good, I don't even have the supercharged version! Fuel mileage has been as good as 27MPG on the highway and 17MPG in the city. 9-way adjustable leather front seats are one of the best things with this car. Pontiac has done a great job. With 159,000 miles on the odometer, the Bonneville has helped make a life and still running strong.

There really isn't anything I can complain about... Maybe the city gas mileage, around 17, but that's still very good for a large car. Rear visibility some times requires you to prop yourself up in order to see well enough out the rear window.

A car that I would reccommend to anybody in search of a large car, without sacraficing the performance element of a full-size sedan. Of course, I've taken care of it in the past almost eight years, and it has certainly puts out my money's worth. Keep it up, Pontiac!

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The Ford Taurus SHO is the main competitor for this car at the time, and the Supercharged Bonneville SSEi would be the one to compare with. After a couple of simple modifications, such as a racing air filter, exhaust pipes, and performance chip, you've got the same added horsepower bonus that the supercharger adds for a fraction of the cost.
In comparison to the Imports, you get the same soft ride as the Accord, the overall seating comfort of a high-end Mercedes, fuel economy(non supercharged engine). Handles and performs similar to any other General Motors full-size car, but with more precision because Pontiac is the performance oriented branch of GM.

This car is a very comfortable and attractive family car. The ride and steering are solid. The 3.8 liter engine is powerful and efficient. I'm getting 30MPG on the highway. At 59,000 miles everything works. It's also very sporty for a base model.

Unusual taillight configuration. Handles like the big car that it is.

I paid $11,988 in August 1999. It will take more time to decide if I will recommend the car. However, the first six months have been great.

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This car is much better than the large cars of the past. It feels more like a luxury car than a Pontiac.

Excellent car!! Fantastic ride, roomy interior, excellent sound system (Bose) and accelerates like a rocket. Interior and exterior styling sets the standard for others in it's class.

Unfortunately, for the price paid, there is too much plastic on the interior (much better than the Intrepid's Tonka truck plastic interior though)

This model has been excellent! Don't let the poor scores fool you...this car is a keeper. I only buy NEW cars and have never had a major problem with any of them. Whenever you purchase a used car you inherit all the problems of the previous owner (that is probably why they sold it in the first place...DUH!!). You never know the true history of the used car and it's almost guaranteed that the previous owner didn't take care of it as well as you care for your cars. This Bonneville is Top Notch!! If you can't afford a model that is 2 years or newer...you shouldn't purchase it.

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It's the best car I have driven in a long time. It offers all the luxury and reliability of any other mid size luxury vehicle (including Mercedes Benz, Audi and Lexus) the difference is that this vehicle has leg and head room for us tall guys!

Fast car,quiet,very comfortable,solid. This car makes me feel like im in a sports car but in a luxury car also. Fair mileage great for long trips.

Trans replaced once at 105,000...water pump at 125,000. Windshield keeps leaking every 6 months after being resealed. Traction control too expensive to fix!

Great car. I picked it up very used at 80,000 and have 127,000 now. No rattles or wear marks even now. Definently makes me want to purchase pontiac again. Those that can afford new at $33,000 will enjoy the ride.

A smooth freeway flier with nice styling. Cockpit like interior is great for people who like a lot of buttons.

Absolutely the most unreliable car I have ever encountered. From 48,000 miles to 113,000 miles, my repair costs were over $ 8500., without ever having to rebuild the engine or transmission. I will never buy another one!!!

Unless you enjoy spending time at the auto repair shop, choose another model. Here's some of what went wrong with mine in a 65,000 mile span: Supercharger ($ 2200), Fuel Pump ($ 150), Front Wheel Speed Sensors ($ 90), Rotors ($ 110), Master Cylinder ($ 85), Brake Pads and shoes ($ 200), Right Front Wheel Bearing ($ 300), Power Antenna ($ 90), Strut Rotators and fr. Struts ($ 500), Sway Bar End Bushings ($ 55), Alternators ( $ 195 ea.) 3 of them, Starter ($ 325), Door Lock Relay ($ 65 ea.) two times, Battery and Tires ($ 700), Bypass Hose ($ 20), Bypass Hose Plastic Nipple ($ 35), Fog Light Assy's ($ 70 ea.) two times, Front Transmission mount ($ 100), Hoses (all) ($ 80), Sunroof ($ 900), Harmonic Balancer ($120), Water Pump ($ 280), Tensioner Pulley ($ 15), Crank Position Sensor ($ 100), Cam Position Sensor ($ 35), Ignition Module ($350). Sure some of this stuff is normal maintenence, but the prices are outrageous. $ 325 fpr a starter! $ 280 for a water pump installed!

I've got to go take some St. John's Wort now...

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Buick Electra, Buick Regal.

the 3.8L V6 has great power, ride is very smooth even at higher highway speeds. Many nice options in car.

3.8L while strong has not been the most reliable motor. Not too bad few minor problems. Car has had alot of small things go wrong, also lost brake pressure once, trans was leaking. Bolt on a/c bracket broke. The dealer tried to charge us 10 for a new bolt, Didnt let them get away with that.

Overall the car has been pretty good. LIke I said it has had its problems, but my fathers boss ahs the same car same year and has no problems at all, Its my opinion we may have gotten a bit of a lemon. all in all the car is very nice looking and performs very well.