1997 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi review from North America

Computer Controlled Ride (aka. CCR) broke prior to 50,000 miles.

A sacrificial coupler in the supercharger started warning me that it needed to be replaced at around 85,000 miles.

This has got to be one of the fastest full-sized cars out there. This car taught me the value of torque versus horsepower, and the wish that all vehicles had superchargers.

Ultra sport luxury, but strangely no heated seat option.

I bet if GM are able to stay in business, they will bring the Bonneville back. It is the most reliable, completely cost free ownership of every car I have ever owned. Owning this car makes me wonder why GM struggles so badly.

I have had my '97 SSEi (with every single possible option) for four years now. It is parked in climate-controlled parking at all times at home and at work, except when actually on the road, and now with 92,000 miles you would be hard pressed to tell it from a 10,000 mile car.

Under the hood is absolutely showroom new, as is the paint and the leather. I wax every metal spot under the hood and engine bay twice yearly. My point is this car has maintained its appearance since new.

I am an executive in the city, but bought it when I wasn't, and now could drive most any car, but I just love this car and am not embarrassed to drive clients around when they come to town.

I have put 50,000 miles on it, and still I am impressed by the torque and super speed this thing has. A standard pass of the car in front has me in excess of 100mph without effort. Of course, with this much power, I push the car much harder (just because I can). Therefore, I am always frustrated by other slow drivers in the left lane.

With all that good stuff from an American car, here is the bad: the CCR (or computer controlled ride) broke just after the warranty, and I never fixed it. The ride is bad (rough) but I can't see spending the money to replace the CCR system with regular shocks. If I keep it under 65 mph, it is semi-OK.

The only other thing that has now started to go out is the coupler inside the supercharger. It is a $20 part that is supposed to sacrifice itself and be replaced. It rattles lightly under the hood, but only at idle, and hasn't affected drivability yet.

To sum up, I have spent zero dollars in maintenance, aside one set of front brakes and one set of tires. I cannot say that about any car I have ever owned. I would like to see any other car, after this many winters, in such nice shape. I plan to keep this one as a collector.