1992 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi 3.8 litre supercharged

Summary:

The Airforce called. They want their technology back

Faults:

My alternator needed to be replaced soon after I purchased the vehicle.

A week after that, the crank sensor went, leaving my wife stranded on a major highway during rush hour. Not fun. But the car sure is.

General Comments:

My wife keeps asking just who I'm smiling at when I drive this beast.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th October, 2001

1992 Pontiac Bonneville SE 3.8

Summary:

I would definitely purchase another!!!

Faults:

The anti-lock brakes are dead.

Interior hardware is very cheaply made and brittle.

The air conditioning system has never worked, despite several service calls.

A ball joint bad at 80,000 miles.

Transmission slips like a wet noodle.

General Comments:

This car is reliable, don't get me wrong. But when I have to get on the ground in 10 degree weather to change the burnt fluid in the transmission, I get bitter.

Also the engine is great - bulletproof as a matter of fact. But the interior sucks. The exterior is awesome. Luckily, I am an auto detailer, I have saved this car from the ruins.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th October, 2001

8th Apr 2007, 07:44

UPDATE: Its probably been about 4 or 5 years since I wrote the original review. The Bonnie is now is my Fathers hands who uses the car for work (he travels a lot). The car still looks great - no rust at all - and now has over 200,000 miles on it with NO signs of stopping or slowing. The thing still packs a punch despite having 200k on it. I'm sure our bulletproof 3.8L will make it to 300,000 miles without major incident.

1992 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi 3.8L supercharged

Summary:

Smooth, fast luxury

Faults:

I've gone through 5 alternators in 100,000 kilometers.

Stock stereo kicked the bucket after 60,000 kilometers. The CD player quit working. I sent it to DELCO to get fixed, and they estimated the repairs at $300, so I bought a stacker instead.

I just needed to replace the plug wires, ignition coils, and the ignition control module. All at 100,000 kilometers. Not that much though.

General Comments:

Other than the alternator problems, everything has been great. Tons of power, and fun to cruise in as well. I still love it after 100,000 kilometers.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th July, 2001

9th Mar 2005, 21:46

My first Bonneville SE, purchased new in 1988,suffered from a soft rear suspension. I installed overload springs and made it handle better than a Firebird! I now have a nice 92 SSEI and it needs the same. It seems GM does this to most of its larger cars. Otherwise I like it very much. Pete B. NORTH BAY ONTARIO CAN.

16th May 2009, 15:43

I've had alternator problems too. The mechanic said it was an intake manifold oil leak that was dripping on it and frying it or something, but once that was repaired, I've had no issues since.

1992 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi 3.8 supercharged

Summary:

This car kicks ass

Faults:

My aunt had the car before me and had a few problems, all were covered by warranty but the lamp monitor constantly says my tail lights are out (they're not).

The only problem I have now is occasionally my dash freezes up except the tach and speedometer - kinda annoying.

The main problem my aunt had was the battery terminals came loose and the repair guys (at GM) said it was the supercharger so the replaced it - $2000 covered by warranty.

General Comments:

I raced a 1984 Monte Carlo with a 350 and smoked him, he never had a chance. I highly recommend the Bonneville, my friend has a Bonneville SE and it's also awesome (not as fast), but nice.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th April, 2001

1992 Pontiac Bonneville SSE 3.8L supercharged

Summary:

A great performance sedan for a college guy like me

Faults:

Rear drum brakes replaced.

Master cylinder replaced.

Seemingly unstoppable leak from the passenger front door.

Replaced self inflicted bent engine cradle (oops).

General Comments:

Great power and features. I was looking for a car in June and test drove several in a span of a week and wasn't sure about any. Than I found this one. Drove it ten minutes. Loved it. Bought it. It is comfortable with gadgets to the gills, bells and whistles, as my friends would say. It impresses my high school friends that last saw me in a 85 Buick Somerset. It looks, rides, and sounds stylish.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th January, 2001

5th Jul 2004, 21:44

Yeah... I find the 92 Bonneville very boxy and uncomfortable to drive. Also, with 103K hasn't needed a HUGE amount of maintenance. But, the entire dashboard is screwy and now I never know how much gas is in the tank because the needle never stops moving. EVER. Neither do any of the other dashboard items -- and there are many. Pontiac wasn't cheap with the gages on the SSE. So, now I get seasick when I drive it. I like to throw in $5 of gas a day to keep it safe. I ran out once or twice. Dammit.

9th Dec 2005, 16:34

I love my Bonneville. I bought it out of a junk yard and only had to put a new battery in (the car had been donated to a charity who sold it to the yard). It does have loads of gadgets and I am still finding new ones. The only thing I would change about my car would be heated seats for the winter. All of my friends fell in love with it. I believe it was well worth the money I spent.

9th Dec 2005, 18:05

How is the '92 boxy in any way? Maybe you've got your years wrong.