The next step up in the Bonneville’s powertrain lineup was a supercharged version of the base engine—which got an Eaton blower to spike power up to 240 ponies.
This boosted engine is slightly more complex and costly to maintain than the standard mill, and it’ll be thirstier on fuel, too.
Note that the supercharged 3.8 litre V6 is a common candidate for an aftermarket supercharger pulley upgrades. This makes more power and torque, at the possible expense of reduced supercharger and engine life. Have a look for undesirable upgrades when dealing with the supercharged engine, or ask your mechanic for help.
For the ultimate Bonneville performance experience, check out the Bonneville GXP. Available towards the very end of the model’s life, it came with a Northstar 4.6 litre V8 borrowed from Cadillac. Owners of the Bonneville GXP rave about the sound and power of the V8 engine, though many note that fuel mileage is far from thrifty.
Once you’ve chosen a trim level and engine, it’s time for a test-drive. While there, be sure that all controls on the driver door are in good working order, specifically checking that all power windows are working properly. Some owners report issues with failing ‘door modules’, which can be a fairly annoying and expensive problem.
Also, note any check engine lights that appear in the instrument cluster. Bonnevilles have numerous sensors that could become faulty, and many will cause a code to be ‘stored’ in the computer where it can be ‘scanned’ for diagnosis. If you see a check engine light or suspect that the engine or gearbox isn’t functioning properly, be sure to have the car scanned for trouble codes. Do NOT let a dealership or service centre charge you more than about $30 for this work-- as some places even do it for free.
Listen for any unusual noises from the steering, especially at low speeds. Turn the wheel from lock to lock, noting any hesitation or ‘grinding’ sensations that may be apparent. Similarly, check the brakes for any unusual noises or pulsating when applied gently, modestly or aggressively.
A similar bit of attention should be paid to the transmission. Shifts should be smooth, clean and consistent-- with any abruptness, jolting, slipping or roughness questioned. Though the simple four-speed automatic in the Bonneville is fairly reliable, the electronics and sensors that control it can sometimes slip up. This typically manifests itself through some questionable behavior during gear shifts.
A used performance car is often far from the cheapest way to get around in terms of fuel or maintenance costs. That said, the Bonneville’s lower resale values, lower part costs and relatively solid looking reliability make it one of the more sensible, affordable candidates if this type of car is on your horizon.
A model that shows well and gets two thumbs up from a mechanic should prove a solid buy.
photo:General Motors
This boosted engine is slightly more complex and costly to maintain than the standard mill, and it’ll be thirstier on fuel, too.
Note that the supercharged 3.8 litre V6 is a common candidate for an aftermarket supercharger pulley upgrades. This makes more power and torque, at the possible expense of reduced supercharger and engine life. Have a look for undesirable upgrades when dealing with the supercharged engine, or ask your mechanic for help.
For the ultimate Bonneville performance experience, check out the Bonneville GXP. Available towards the very end of the model’s life, it came with a Northstar 4.6 litre V8 borrowed from Cadillac. Owners of the Bonneville GXP rave about the sound and power of the V8 engine, though many note that fuel mileage is far from thrifty.
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| 2004 Pontiac Bonneville |
Once you’ve chosen a trim level and engine, it’s time for a test-drive. While there, be sure that all controls on the driver door are in good working order, specifically checking that all power windows are working properly. Some owners report issues with failing ‘door modules’, which can be a fairly annoying and expensive problem.
Also, note any check engine lights that appear in the instrument cluster. Bonnevilles have numerous sensors that could become faulty, and many will cause a code to be ‘stored’ in the computer where it can be ‘scanned’ for diagnosis. If you see a check engine light or suspect that the engine or gearbox isn’t functioning properly, be sure to have the car scanned for trouble codes. Do NOT let a dealership or service centre charge you more than about $30 for this work-- as some places even do it for free.
Listen for any unusual noises from the steering, especially at low speeds. Turn the wheel from lock to lock, noting any hesitation or ‘grinding’ sensations that may be apparent. Similarly, check the brakes for any unusual noises or pulsating when applied gently, modestly or aggressively.
A similar bit of attention should be paid to the transmission. Shifts should be smooth, clean and consistent-- with any abruptness, jolting, slipping or roughness questioned. Though the simple four-speed automatic in the Bonneville is fairly reliable, the electronics and sensors that control it can sometimes slip up. This typically manifests itself through some questionable behavior during gear shifts.
A used performance car is often far from the cheapest way to get around in terms of fuel or maintenance costs. That said, the Bonneville’s lower resale values, lower part costs and relatively solid looking reliability make it one of the more sensible, affordable candidates if this type of car is on your horizon.
A model that shows well and gets two thumbs up from a mechanic should prove a solid buy.
photo:General Motors
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