1993 Pontiac Bonneville SSE 3.8

Summary:

Excellent performance for a larger car

Faults:

The first alternator failed at 90,000 miles. The GM rebuilt only lasted until 120,000.

The water return inlet (plastic)sheared off at 130,000 and I replaced it with the metal version. $20.

Outside air temp sensor failed at 100,000 which messed up climate control system until I replaced it. Only $14 at the Pontiac dealer.

Load leveling system gets confused when parked on my steep driveway.

General Comments:

This car looks like brand new. The plastic ground effects may be a little too much for some people. It has kept the door dings away.

The ride is firm and makes it handle like a small car. The 12 way seats are simply the best I have ever sat in. Long trips are easy in this car. It practically drives itself.

I have gotten 36mpg on 75mph highway trips. Incredible.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th March, 2003

1993 Pontiac Bonneville SSE

Summary:

High performance, but high maintenance vehicle

Faults:

Transmission had to be replaced at 54,000 miles.

Heater return line nipple on engine block (plastic) sheared off at 72, 000. Service representative acknowledged Pontiac replaced the part with one of more substantial material.

In car heater control button faces collapsed leaving button back lights exposed starting at around 75,000 miles.

Alternator failed at 86,000 miles, dealer acknowledged several other owners had experienced similar failures and recommended replacement with a "heavier duty" unit.

Digital display malfunctioned (includes odometer and speedometer) - replaced at 130,000.

Seat control switches and steering wheel radio controls started failing at 158,000 miles.

Ammeter, Oil pressure, and engine temp indicators operating erratically at 162,000 miles.

General Comments:

This car is an extremely comfortable, spacious, peppy, and good looking car.

However, it was poorly engineered, causing failure of components that typically don't fail until much later in life, if at all.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th February, 2003

1993 Pontiac Bonneville SLE V6 180hp

Summary:

Great car, but constant problems

Faults:

Ignition system failed around 40,000.

Front passenger door doesn't unlock with remote.

Computer replaced around 85,000.

Water pump replaced at 93,000.

ABS system failed after 93,000.

Transmission just messed up at 97,000.

The plastic piece that covers the front passenger A/C vent simply fell off after 9 years.

Also, the center console cover simply fell off after 9 years.

General Comments:

I love my bonneville, it's my first car, but at the same time, I find it to piss me off at least once every month.

My grandfather gave me this car for free as my first car, and he kept it in immaculate condition. Being an airplane mechanic as well as holding much higher positions in mechanical fields he pretty much knows his stuff, so I can safely say the car was in pretty damn good condition when I got it.

The car performs great. This car is older than all of my freinds', yet the interior is miles beyond theirs in comfort and quality. The engine is powerful, it's a smooth ride and handles well. This car has a very large amount of interior space and is generally perfect to ride in.

Ever since I've got it, however I've seen a barrage of problems that simply should not happen to a good car that is used properly. It is true I've used this car 20,000 miles in less than one year, but I never abused it.

I've had to replace brakes three times in one year. Yes, three times in one year. Tell me why!

The comptuer simply stopped working one day and the car would go nuts if you tried to drive. $300.

The car was a nightmare to replace the speakers. Suprising how they believed a high-end audio system which you had to pay $300 extra for in 1993 has the crappiest default speakers you'll ever see. Not only that, I bought Sony component speakers matching the size of the ones in the car. They wouldn't fit in the original spaces?! 6 hours of custom work per door, and that's without any additonal audiophile work, just to get the speakers in.

I love this car, but at the same time I really despise it for the problems it gives me. Every two months, I'm spending $300 on this car to be fixed.

The final straw which makes me dislike this car more than I like it is my transmission going, combined with a leak as well as two other broken parts down under there. $2000 repair cost. This kinda stuff happens, I know, but the car was kept in such good condition, there should be no reason why in one year I should be spending half the cars value fixing it. I barely ever go beyond 70mph in this.

I loved this car to death and I still support it, but when I buy a new car I'm not going to spend $26,000 on a new bonneville just to see it die in less than 10 years.

Bottom line: I've spent around $3000 repairing the car in less than one year on a bonneville that was never abused by the original owner and driven normally by me. That's just rediculous.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th January, 2003

1st Apr 2003, 14:27

I too have a '93 Bonneville SE and have had many of the same problems. The transmission went out at 105,000 miles. The brakes have been replaced three times in 30,000 miles and I drive less than 20,000 per year and almost all of that is highway mileage. Most of the interior is coming apart -- granted, the car now has 147,000 miles on it, but the plastic interior parts are rapidly separating from one another. The car runs well, the engine has held up very well, (with the exception of four alternators in four years...) and it's relatively quite, I just wish it was better built.

10th Sep 2007, 03:08

I hated you had this much trouble with such a nice car. I can't believe it gave you that much trouble, but some cars can be trouble so I know what you mean. I have a 1994 Bonneville SE and I love it. I haven't had any problems with it really. My grandfather gave it to me with 143,000 miles on it and I've only had it almost a month and it now has 144,000+ miles on it and hasn't giving any trouble yet. All of my interior parts are still intact and on the car.