I couldn't find the right forum for this, so I figured the folks following new stuff would have a better finger on the pulse in here.

I have seen and heard so many conflicting about the Bonneville, wanted to float something here. I'm looking for a 4 door, 5 pax sedan that is actually fun to drive.

I understand the Bonne is dead, with no replacement in sight. I ran across a new '05 Bonne GXP that is loaded and looked sharp and peaked my interest. The lot was closed (Sunday) so I couldn't get a look inside or drive it.

My question is, what is the deal with them? I mean, are the dealerships willing to REALLY deal to sell one? It looked like the car hadn't moved in a while (parked in a grass section- has been mowed around and lots of rust forming on the brake rotors). I just can't believe they want almost $40k for it (MSRP)! Thats closing in on BWM 5 series, and is far above a MOPAR Charger RT!

If there are any Pontiac sales folks here, your input would be awesome! Thinking of going back tomorrow and try to low-ball them (depending on a test drive) to see how bad they want to move it. Looks like average retail on one (used, of course) is only about $26k, and trade in value is pathetic (only about $19k); so much for resale value or residual looking at a lease. Unless they REALLY want to move it, I'm guessing I'm WAY upside-down in it for a very long time...

Waste of time or worthwhile?

Thanks
Allen

 

The bonneville is dead, it was canned by GM a while back and there was talk that it was going to be replaced by a car (G8?) on what was the original zeta but that never happened. As for the car you saw, the dealership would love to get rid of it. Dealers don't want cars sitting around on their lots for a long period of time, especially when the next years cars are fully or close to fully in. Also, if I car has been on the lot over x amount of days, the dealer has to pay the manufacturer. I'd go in and have a chat about the car. I'd say 8 grand off sticker would be a good deal. I'd start off by hearing what they had to say and if they aren't taking anything off right off the bat, look at what it would be at GMS pricing.

Keep me posted on what goes on. I got a B-P-G sales manager in the family so I know how dealers work

 

Was curious. I have to admit, the car looks awesome, but I think it's funny you could buy a new '06 Grand Prix with more HP and features for less.

Looking at the competition across the board, GM NEEDS a solid 4dr RWD sedan to compete. I am glad the offerings from MOPAR have lousey interiors (IMO) or I may have already traded.

Will head back tomorrow to see what they say, but looks like this one has been eating hay on the lot for a while. The fact that it survived the GM Employee pricing AND the Red Tag events doesn't bode well for it- speaks volumes to me! Who knows, they may be itching to move it!

Any Bonneville (GXP) owners around here??

Allen

 

Think of it this way, if you get it for something in the 20's, you're getting a dirt cheap Buick Lucerne at the expense of a nice interior. .

I would think the GXP is a terrific cruiser. We had an SLE that rode great and handled very well - better than my GTP and certainly better than the SE we currently have. I can only imagine that with the firmer shocks, better brakes, and bigger tires, that this is quite a nice ride.

 

Never been in one. I have gotten the impression on this board that Guy might feel more strongly about them then anyone on here, but his feelings aren't positive.

 

Got there too late, the damn dealership had closed!

On a different note- the car had moved (not really a good sign) and was parked directly in the front of the showroom. Guessing someone had taken it for a test ride, since it was parked in the customer parking area and IT WAS UNLOCKED ! Can't believe they would close up shop without locking it, but I guess it is an easy thing to overlook at the end of the day.

Did get the chance to look inside closer (albeit in the dark at 6:00) without a salesman hovering .

I must admit, I like the feel of the interior and the finish 'aint bad just a little busy. They must have gotten a good deal on little black buttons- they're everywhere! Seriously, the interior has a nice wrap-around feel. I like the feel of it more than the Lucerne or Chevy offerings (Impala SS prob the closest), despite the busy plastics; they seem too bland and boring. The seats seem great- feels like an interstate assault vehicle!

I also noticed it has nearly 500 miles on it. What is the deal with that? Maybe a demo or something? I'd think they were fairly hard miles since it is the V8 GXP model.

No idea of prices since they were closed. Hard to swallow being $20K in the hole (if sold at MSRP of over $39k) on day one! Kind of easy to see why it was killed; a lot more car for less money available (even in the Grand Prix). Would do well starting life about $10k less when compared to the competition.... kind of sad really.

Guess I'll head back tomorrow or the day after earlier in the evening; liked it enough to hear them out. If the bottom line is good eonugh, I'll drive it back home and get my **** ripped by the War Department !

I did lock it up when I left- I doubt it would be a good idea to share that tidbit about it being unlocked with the staff. Somebody might wind up in the ****z and I'd think it would indicate too much interest on my part since I was climbing around inside it after hours.

Still surprised they were closed at 6:00, must be moving some cars and can afford to knock off early. Sure wasn't like that when I was in sales....

Allen

 

Well, it's now 3 weeks later and that GXP still shows as being available. The more I look that thing over, the more I want it- I just can't afford right now

For any GM sales folks here, please PM me or post if you have any suggestions on trying to get these guy motivated to move this thing for cheap! I mean it has been sitting on the lot eating hay for a VERY long time and has a couple hundred miles on it (I think they said it was used as a loner car).

I know NOTHING of car sales, but I would think they would be itching to get that car off the lot at any price..... atleast I'm hoping they are!

Allen

 

You'll want to talk to Jason E. He's our resident Pontiac salesman.

 

Thanks for the heads-up, I'll drop him and email to get a diffrent view point!

Allen

 

Like Camaroboy said, Jason E is THE go to guy on this.

Personally, I don't like the Bonneville GXP. It lists for more than a 300C Hemi, and by today's standards isn't very quick or put together very well, and to me there's just something wrong with FWD performance cars (save compacts).

But that's just my opinion, not fact.

 

I haven't driven a GXP, but my wife and I own a 2000 Bonneville SE (the NA 3800 version). It's the same generation. I don't know what changes have occurred since then.

My observations:
1. It handles very well for a big sedan.
2. It looks good.
3. Interior fit and finish is good.
4. It is a very comfortable long-range cruiser.
5. If you spring for a few gadgets (dual zone HVAC, leather, sunroof), the end result is a very nice car.
6. Back seat doesn't fold -- there's a small window between the seats that is big enough for a pair of skis, but not much more.
7. Stereo is nice for a stocker, but needs more bass.

FWIW:
I've heard the 4.6 Northstar doesn't have much low-end grunt for an engine of that size. You'll be a bit disappointed. (Read the review of the Lucerne in this month's Car & Driver).

Ours needed a wheel bearing at about 100K. Other than that, it has not required any repairs. My wife drives it pretty hard (it's her DD).

My advice: get one a couple years old (SSEi?), hang on to the extra $20,000, and buy a Solstice (or whatever) with the leftovers.

 

I have looked at the 300C/Charger and really don't care for them, particularly the interior. The GXP has a much diffrent feel and I prefer the GM interiors- although the GXP interior is awfuly busy! The Bonne just feels good and I don't intend to drag-race it. I just want a comfortable car that is not boring and has some punch. If this goes thru, it'll actually be a stop-gap car until GM gets a mid-to-large RWD sedan (Pontiac prefered) on the market and the bugs worked out!

The major selling point on this car will be the bottom line price. I looked at the Grand Prix GXP as well- while the GP sports more HP with the LSx motor, I didn't care for the interior and overall feel of the car. The Bonne is and feels larger and more comfortable. Guess that's why Baskin-Robbins make 31 flavors!

The thing is, we don't NEED a car, but my better half has been wanting a 5 pax 4-door vehicle for a while now. If they are hurting to move it and will settle for $26k out the door, I'll do it- but I figure they would only laugh at that number . The resale on these are painful, so I can't see how they could sell one without some SERIOUS discounts or find someone who buys with pure emotion and NO research. I am still stunned at the MSRP ($39k +) for this car! It has been sitting forever now; I 1st looked at it 3 weeks ago and, as I said before, it had a little over 500 miles on it then. I went back yesterday to see if they still had it on the lot- it's sitting in the same spot and has built up rust on the brake rotors so it hasn't moved since. Something had swiped the rear lower bumper cover (guessing one of the sales golf carts) leaving a pretty good ding in the cover. Should be able to buff out, but a good foot long mark none the less.

Tried to PM Jason.... won't go- too many messages there! Just wondering if GM does offer any descent factory-to-dealer incentives to unload the off MY units- would be interested to have more data. I plan to head back down today or tomorrow (end of the month) to test the waters again. I don't need it, but hoping for one of those deals "too good to pass up"!

Allen

 

Why not consider a Grand Prix GTP?

It's cheaper, the supercharged V6 is awesome and has alot of cheap tricks to up the power, the car handles very well, and you can even get a chip to defeat the speed governer.

If I'm not mistaken, Branden (Formula79) has/had one.

If so, he can give you some great input.

 

To be honest, I just don't like the "feel" of the GP. I didn't care for the interior, the size or shape of the car. While I would assume it would run rings around the Bonneville, I just didn't care for it.

I can't give you a tangible, the GP just didn't do it for me.

By the same token, I can't give you a tangible on the Bonne other than it just gave me a chubby! That is the ONLY reason I am even entertaining the thought of getting the Bonne.... I definatly don't need it.

If the Bonne was RWD, LSx powered and priced a tad lower (MSRP well equipped in the low-30s), I would already be driving it without question or debate. They could add the gucci stuff like DVDs, NAV systems, HUD and moon-roof to push the price up to the high 30s- comparable to the MOPAR offerings.
As for the one that actually exists today, if they (the Pontiac dealership) bite on a low number to get it off the lot, I'll do it. Otherwise, you are dead on that there are MUCH better performers/values out there.... and I will walk and wait for a new RWD offering sometime in the future that (hopefully) gives me another chubby .

I hope GM builds one as listed above sometime in the next few years; I'll trade this '05 (assuming I buy it) for the new one.

Allen

 

It is a good choice (I drive a 2000), but I wouldn't be surprised if the Bonneville handled better. Think about the last gen STS, because that's basically what it is. Those really set the bar for FWD handling. In fact, I'm almost amazed sometimes by the fact that the base Bonneville handles so poorly. It almost seems as if GM would have had to reverse engineer it to make a basically decent platform feel so awful.