1997 Pontiac Bonneville SE review from North America
"High-Cost Maintenance Nightmare-Intake Manifold and Transmission-Shot @ 60,000 Miles!!!"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Alternator: 18,000
Alternator: 28,000
Intake Manifold: 58,000
Transmission rebuilt: 61,000.
General comments?
I will never, never, never, buy another GM product!!!
Over the past 3,000 miles this car has had to have $2,900 USD worth of repairs.
First the intake manifold went out - car was loosing antifreeze - that was $900.
Then, the transmission was slipping - GM has a "Technical Service Bulletin" out on the valve body replacement (a $20 part apparently). Basically our transmission is SHOT due to the torque converter slipping since this part was worn over time.
All this @ 60,000 miles!!!
DO NOT buy a Bonneville - or any GM product with a 3.8 L engine. Yeah, it's a reliable engine, but the cost of repairs are a nightmare!
Recommended reviews
| 1997 - Bonneville SE 3.8 (non-supercharged) Good, but not great - especially over 50,000 miles |
|
| Plenty of power with flaws |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Year of manufacture | 1997 |
| First year of ownership | 1997 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | 3.8 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 3 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 7 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 3 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 8 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 0 miles |
| Most recent distance | 61000 miles |
| Previous car | Toyota Corolla |
| Date of Entry | 30th June, 2003 |