2005 Pontiac Bonneville SLE 3.8 from North America

Summary:

Fast and Furious

Faults:

A/C in-op first year of ownership, dealer fixed, but had to go back 3 times till it finally worked right.

Steering issue as most of them have, replaced with the "new & improved" steering, seems a lot better.

Climate control panel worked loose, tightened up by dealer, working loose again.

Left front door strap replaced sounded like the door was going to fall off when opening, starting to do it again.

Back seat not as roomy as you would think for such a long car.

Passenger side front door panel cracked at the bottom, replaced at dealer.

General Comments:

Great overall car... I know the listed problems seem small, but when I am paying over $32K for a vehicle I expect things to be made a little bit better.

Love the look and aerodynamics. 17" chrome rims look awesome with the pearl white paint!

Stereo and XM radio are awesome, all controls lit up well and easy to read and reach. Great overall gas mileage.

Not as much room as you would think inside for such a big car, seats get hard after a long ride, even with all the crazy adjustments they have.

I am glad I got the best extended warranty that there is, I hear that these cars can develop electrical gremlins as they age, and this one has about every option except the V8.

Hope this one goes for 250,000 miles like my old 1989 did, still have it too, drive it when the weather is bad, that's why this one ('05) has the low mileage.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th April, 2007

2nd May 2007, 13:34

Check if it has the plastic intake manifold that was installed after 1995. It won't make 250,000 if it has one of those. Your old '89 is of the indestructible earlier breed.

3rd May 2007, 19:15

The plastic manifold was changed to aluminum after 2002 or '03; unfortunaltely I have to deal with the "plastic time bomb" in my '95 park avenue. I'm the second owner and I looked at my manifold and it was replaced in 2003 with the quote "improved plastic manifold". I really don't think you can improve plastic and heat that much.

2005 Pontiac Bonneville SLE 3.8L 3.8 Series II V6 (L36) from North America

Summary:

Touring, done Pontiac Style!

Faults:

I do think the backseat room is a little tight.

Only one problem a blown fuse!

General Comments:

Having owned all GM cars in the past various Pontiacs, Olds, Cadillacs and Chevys. I have owned a Deville, an old Bonneville, and an Delta 88. The Bonneville beats all of these. It out performs everyone even my 93 Deville with a 4.9L V8. Part of that is due to the axle ratio and the 5 extra ponies and less weight. Strangly the Cadillac out muscled it by 45lbft. of torque the Bonneville SLE still feels a smidge quicker. But the Cadillac was more fun to pass in I must admit. **The sound**. Although if in a race it would be neck and neck. But the Bonneville really pulled after 85mph hard. The Cadillac pulled hard to 90mph or so and cut out some. The motors rpm range and gearing was rather low.

Handling the Bonneville had hardly any flex the stiff H-Body same as the 98-04 Seville was a true pleasure to dart in and out of coners. It is obvious the frame is designed for touring. It is so much stiffer than my two W-Body vehicles I currently own a Grand Prix and Impala.

The Bonneville had the styling I wanted sporty and clear that it is a sporty looking car. For 2005 the SLE got GXP styling and really looks bad. Especially with black and chrome wheels like mine.

I didn't order the GXP because of the 6,000 dollar price jump and also the fuel economy. I didn't feel like feeding another V8! After one test drive I realized the V6 SLE performed as good as my Caddy so I could live withe the SLE. But no way would an SE do with its styling I didn't like or its lack of features like no 17inch wheels, DIC and dual exhaust all features I wanted. If I was going to spend 30 grand I might as well spend 33 grand and get what I want.

The interior trim is pretty good even put up agianst the some others in the class. The automatic climate control and rear air vents were a hit with my family.

I am so glad I purchased this car, and I know with a 3800 I will have many worry free miles with it.

If you aren't swayed by the latest trends and you like cars made right here in the USA the Bonneville is a great car with cool gadgets!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th March, 2006