1988 Pontiac Bonneville SSE from North America - Comments

This SSE has been good to me. Very few problems, more of annoyance type, nothing major.

No paint or rust problems. Thank god!

The awesome Radio and power antenna stopped working about 4 months after I bought the car. $400 & $150 from GM Respectively.

Front drivers side stabilizer bar link was broken when I got the car, but my previous '88 Bonneville LE was the same. Could it be a common Defect???

The headlight washers didn't work either. Because someone, who shouldn't even be allowed to own tools, tried to fix it. (Was Relatively easy & cheap to fix)

Air Conditioning went bad 1 month after purchase. (Evaporator core & Compressor) under $1,000 if I do it myself. I'm a HVAC/R Student so I can.

Most recently the compressor for the Air Ride suspension went out. ($450 from Pontiac)

Other misc. stuff like gages, fog lights, rear defroster croped up, but that was just bad/incrocet fuses or simple crap like that.

This is not the easiest car to work on, I have seen better, but also seen worse.

TIP: if you should ever have ANY kind of moderate electrical probilem, (Doubtful) take your time! These cars are full of wires. If you know your stuff you should be OK. I plan on getting the GM repair manuals for this car due to this.

I Absolutely love this car. I previously owned a 1988 Bonneville LE that I bought as a temporary car for the winter for $450. It had 226,226 miles. on it. When I read the owners manual and saw all the options the SSE's had, I knew I had to get one!

This SSE has been good to me. Very few problems, but since I spent all my cash getting the car, I haven't been able to fix that much. So it may seem like a beat up old thing to others, but really just needs about $3,000 invested in it. The "Standard Catalog of Pontiac" puts its value just under $7,000 so what's a few thousand.

I plan to add this car to my Permanent collection. I will fix whatever crops up in the future.

I see the LE's & SE's everywhere, but few SSE's, I've got like one of ten in a 30 mile radius.

This car handles like a dream, with the variable ratio power rack & pinion steering, & 32mm front roll bar & 20mm Rear. (Rally-Tuned Suspension)

I have taken mine up to 115 MPH. now that I got the original tires on it.

"Goodyear Eagle GT+4" P215/60 R16

A bit pricey, but well worth it.

Unfortunately mine didn't come with the power sunroof, or alarm system, but I am working on adding these.

I highly recommend getting and hanging on to these cars, Very comfortable seats, & dashboard is really cool too.

With so many options this car is worthy of the title (SSE).

"Super Sport Edition".

My 17 year old son has had a black 88 SSE for a year, and he and I both just love it. Unfortunately he spun out on some ice last week and broke the left rear wheel off, damaging everything that holds it on. Everything else is in very good condition. The best deal we've found is $100 and they haul it off. I hate to do it. Plus it has new tire, battery and alternator!

I likewise have owned a 1988 Bonneville SSE (white). I bought mine new in 1988, and kept it for 9 years putting 90,000 miles of totally enjoyable, mostly trouble free motoring. In all that time I replaced a fuel pump, battery and of course tires. Exhaust system was like new the day I sold it. Although I have owned mostly Asian cars since, the 1988 Bonneville SSE will go down as one of my absolute favorite cars which I have owned. I actually still miss it!

Bill.

I am 18 Years old. I also own a 1988 Bonneville SSE. I LOVE THIS CAR. It has been with me through thick and thin. Everyone is right about this car being awesome. The suspension is great. I love it sooo much. If anyone could give me any information on how to do any personal modifications to it.

Mike.

I have a white '88 SSE that I have had since new. It has about 80000 miles on it (128000km). I absolutely love it. So much so I overlook the many things that have gone wrong- after all it has been nearly 20 years!

Those who have a leaking sun roof, try rubbing silicone grease into the rubber. Solved the problem for me. (I am an ex silicone development chemist.)

I can afford a new car, but can't come up with anything I would rather own that wouldn't cost a fortune.

I found my '88 SSE in the weeds and thought it was a good

donor car for my Fiero. (engine, ect.).It hadn't been started in about 2 years, and no one knew what had gone wrong with it to be in the weed patch.2 gallons of gas later and a fresh battery, out of the weeds I drove!! Truly amazing, beautiful upholstery, and super radio, and very strong 3.8.I took the car a couple days later on the road for a short "try out".That ended the 'donor car' program I had in mind. This is the nicest

car to drive and runs extra smooth, corners like absolutely flat. The reason the car was left in the weeds was the owners

had passed away, but was able to get it licensed and title.

I have a red '88 SSE for twenty years. I have put each of the 166k miles on it. Replaced many parts, but recently put four new tires, brakes, rear air shocks, four wheel alignment and it runs smooth and straight. New AC compressor last year, new tranny five years ago, but it was worth it. Still a beauty after all these years, but now it sits in the side yard since I just got a '05 GXP. The newer Bonneville gives me the same thrill as the old one. The compass and information center went dark a month ago, but the rest of the electronics still work great. I love that car and expect it will be a collectible soon. I doubt that I will keep it though. Look in autotrader for my for sale add. bwmiller001@comcast.net.

I am the original owner of an 88 SSE, and it now has 296,000 miles on it. Everything still works, and it's all original. Unreal for sure.

The engine is sooo smooth, you can't hear it running. It has been an awesome car.

Not sure what I will do with it long term, but would love to see it in the hands of collector. It is a unique vehicle.

Did you know there are no knobs in the car. Every control is a toggle or button of sorts.

I just love the car, but what do with it after it hits 300,000 is the question. Thanks for listening.

Seems I have a bit of everyone's problems in this car. Just got a collectors plate for it, and am offering it for $1500. Seems now junkers all gone, but can only sell to 16 ers. Seems a shame that no Pontiac lovers want this. Been in garage 20 yrs and added a plug to take care of any power drains, which no one could ever find. It would be neat if some older person would take off my hands. Been good to us for all these years. Plus trunk is huge unless looking at new Cad DTS.