Motorweek 2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP Road Test

[@jlcii]

I had this car in ssei trim with the supercharged V6, and I can honestly say, I'd rather have that engine over the Northstar V8 any day.

[@fernandorocha8459]

Very nice this Bonneville GXP, nice and beautiful car

[@Butchcub75]

agreed

[@MandarFahrren1299]

Very wise. I have worked on several gm cars and have owned many, and the 3.8 series 2 is ENORMOUSLY more reliable than the Northstar. Northstar makes a bit more power up high but the 3.8 with the supercharger makes very similar torque. Small sacrifice (if any) for a lot of reliability and fuel economy

[@davidestrada7337]

@@MandarFahrren1299 what about the 5.3 LS4 compared to the 3.8 Supercharged

[@ftr911drvr]

The v8 is definitely better, it sounds better and was more reliable

[@Trendyflute]

Pontiac was really coming on strong in 2004, even with their models that were based on aging platforms. Such a shame they would be gone in just a few years.

[@ronhoover5516]

The 2008 bailout was the nail in Pontiac's coffin.It's a shame what could've been.

[@waterloo123100]

Gm knew Pontiac would be gone that’s these got the fair well badges

[@pjcornell9691]

I miss Pontiac! I still daily drive my 2006 Pontiac GTO

[@bobthbldr3]

I searched for one of these for a long time and couldn't find a decent one. By 2004 GM had fixed the head bolt problems with the second redo on the Northstar. I ran across a one owner 2005 Bonneville SLE which for one year only had the same styling, suspension and exhaust system as the GXP but with the V6 and 17 inch wheels instead of the 18's. I put a good set of tires on it and it was the sweetest driving car I've ever owned and I've owned a lot. The ergonomics on the inside were perfect and it was super comfortable. Handled really nice for a full size car! My third Bonneville in a row. Only had it a little over a year and got carjacked!

[@k2500nii]

I had an 04 gxp. Loaded. Black with tan interior. Loved that car til it blew a head gasket at 54k miles. They unfortunately did not fix the head bolt problem by 04. I was told they did, but evidence shows they did not. Traded it in on a new 07 sierra, which had its own gremlins with the dumb afm system, but that's for another time. Moral of the story, don't by GM. Moved on and have been so much happier

[@NewDesignVinylGraphics]

What a beautiful car

[@jorgerodrigogomezflores5711]

Trying to find one of these in good condition is very hard. Makes me think what could have happened if Pontiac lived long enough to get their own variants of the ATS and CTS, that could have given Dodge a run for its money.

[@aguerra1381]

Can't find one due to the Northstar probably...

[@Kumasi-ct3lu]

I'm looking for one now

[@jasonswinconos9231]

Currently looking at one. 😉

[@2steaksandwiches665]

You can find one, but you have to be patient. Try cars and bids.

[@ronbrock6153]

I drove a 99 Park Ave Ultra with a supercharged 3800 for 367,00 miles before retiring it still ran great used no oil. No North Star makes it till 200,000.

[@marcusxmac9687]

My 2004 has 204000 miles on it now. Read the owners manual and change the coolant correctly and the mighty Northstar rules.

[@Darylrb1983]

My 96 cadillac made it to 240k before it started having issues. Saying "no northstar make it to 200k" is false and there are more example than you realize that have gotten past 200k. But to add to you comment about reliability my Intense Racing tuned/pullied 98 riviera did make it to 340k before the trans started slipping. We are definitely in agreement there

[@Chitwn81]

I had a 04 Bonneville GXP in the darker gray. Its faster than 7.8. 0 to 60mph. More like 6.5 to 60 mph. Thaf Northstar was a power house and i never had any issues but gas mileage was nothing to write home about. I got 14-15mpg on average but man that exhaust burble when you started the car was intoxicating forsure. I loved that car. The monsoon sound system was nice too.

[@Thurmanatr16]

Yes, no chance this is only a 16 second 1/4 mile car. They always get the most ridiculously low test numbers on MotorWeek.

[@hakeemsd70m]

My February 2004 issue of Motor Trend states, in the First Drive Review of an '04 GXP, a manufacturer's estimated 0-60 time of 6.8 seconds, much closer to your real world 6.5 figure. Man, I love the final gen Bonneville, easily one of the sexiest and most badass sedans of the 00's. Will be looking for either an SSEi or GXP someday in the future. I hope there's still some around by then.

[@JimmyDoresHairDye]

Did John say the Northstar is "much celebrated"? :D :D :D

[@redwolfmaddox3986]

Please bring Pontiac back gm😭😭😭😭

[@Yoomaro]

Literally

[@psymi-hk1fp]

3:55 i have 2002 Aurora w gray seats and the seats look identical except the suede. These cars shared many parts.... honestly the older Bonneville seats are probably nicer, I think they were like 12 or 14-way w/ tighter side bolsters.

[@Ryanvd1]

If you throw 500 bucks from zzp into the 3800 supercharged engine, itll smoke that northstar and still be more reliable

[@Ieatpeople2]

except the transmissions were fragile in the v6 cars. yes, even the 4t65hd with the supercharged v6. the 5.3/4t65hd combo (grand prix/impala ss) is even less reliable than usual since gm specs the 4t65hd to handle 300tq max and the 5.3 makes 330tq. storytime: i used to have an 04 Bonne GXP (stock) and a friend had an 02 grand prix gtp with headers, no cat, flowmasters (lol), cold air intake, pulley, injectors, and tune (most of it from zzp lol). we raced many many times, and he would consistently lose. from a dig, a 30 roll, or a 60 roll. every time he would get about a half car ahead up to 40mph then by 60mph i would be passing him. from a 60 roll he never pulled at all. We even did top speed runs lol. He was done after 125mph, the Bonneville would pull over 140mph no problem (i actually hit 152mph in the bonneville on a road trip)

[@baymechanic1009]

northstar can have its problems fixed, with cams and a tune it could be alot better. and it comes with the 4T80 that doesnt explode

[@mylezzpurhourr]

@@baymechanic1009the 4T80 is also shit lmaoo I read about them

[@baymechanic1009]

@@mylezzpurhourr clearly haven't read about them enough. a modified/built 4T65 can be broken within a year of installation. many stock 4T80E's have been used on northstar and LS4 swaps without issues. its the defacto fix. LS4 King is running almost 800whp on a 4T80 in his monte carlo

[@mylezzpurhourr]

@@baymechanic1009 I might be better in some aspects but I do t believe the average joe will do a trans swap let alone find a doner car

[@TonyM132]

Bonneville did not downsize in 1987. It downsized in 1977 and again in 1982, but the 1987 change to front wheel drive was officially an upsize, going from a mid-size car 1982-86 back to full size for 1987.

[@ManyTriangles]

As someone who had one of the bad era Northstars, I wouldn’t mind picking up one of these or a Lucerne Super to experience what that engine was like when it wasn’t actively exploding and robbing me blind.

[@iluvcamaros1912]

@@jasonswinconos9231 Lucernes have Northstars, the LaCrosse Super had the 5.3 V8.

[@jasonswinconos9231]

@@iluvcamaros1912 👍 I stand corrected. I meant looking at the Lacrosse super.

[@michealchristian777]

the only way I would want one if I time traveled

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

Not my favorite. But definitely better than any modern crossover

[@hailstorm1986]

I'd take a 5.3 over the Northstar anyday..

[@Vegasclaw]

I rather turbo this than to fix the 4t65

[@sdmurphy20]

Excuse my ignorance, but what's wrong with the Northstar because I've seen similar comments 🤔

[@marcusxmac9687]

That all iron truck engine 5.3 boat anchor? Nah.

[@marcusxmac9687]

​@@sdmurphy20nothing. The issue was the owners who didn't read the owner's manual on a 36 thousand dollar purchase! The Northstar requires a strict adherence to the type and schedule on coolant changes. Trust me. That's the fact and the rest is ignorant opinion. I own an 04 w/ 204K and an 05 w/ 57K. They are both running great thanks to my ability to read and follow simple instructions lol

[@sdmurphy20]

@marcusxmac9687 as they say, reading is fundamental, 😆

[@4HBirtcher]

Actually for Pontiac: Thanks to the addition of the Northstar engine for 04 it’s now a Pontiac Bonneville GXP is actually a Pontiac rebadged Cadillac DeVille Touring Sedan (DTS)!

[@psymi-hk1fp]

DTS had 300 hp version

[@jeffb243]

I had a silver Bonneville GXP just like this one. The Northsrar V8 gets a bad rap, but mine was ok; the oil pan leaked quite a bit. The seats got dirty easily with the light gray suede inserts. It was a good looking and unique car.

[@michaelcoffey7362]

Cool 🥰

[@82_KID]

Someone that used to work at the field and i'd make sure all my things happen

[@gm12551]

I didn’t focus much on this last gen car bc I liked the previous gen a lot. By the time the V8 came out I thought it was cool. Never got the chance to own a big sedan. GM’s late 2000’s quality turned me off to the brand.

[@Stressless2023]

The Chrysler 300C ate this things lunch - Not only did this cost more but it made WAY less power. And the 300C turned heads EVERYWHERE when it hit dealer lots in early 2004 making these GXP Bonneville's instantly obsolete as soon as they hit showrooms.

[@Trendyflute]

Yes, but even compared to the Bonneville's rather average interior, a 300C felt like a garbage can inside until they got the 2011 update.

[@Stressless2023]

@@Trendyflute Neither had nice interiors with quality materials - The Bonneville's looked outdated and ostentatious by 2004 while the Chrysler 300 looked spartan and boring, but BOTH used equally cheap/flimsy plastics... The 300C largely made up for that by offering superior content, power, exterior styling, and VALUE. No comparison.

[@NewDesignVinylGraphics]

Looking back the Bonneville is way more handsome than the 300. Imo the 300 was pretty ugly until 2013

[@Stressless2023]

@@NewDesignVinylGraphics I think they both looked good in their top trim levels but the buying public chose the 300 by a large margin. And you mean 2011 which was the year of the redesign.

[@devinbiz]

The 300 had the looks of a poor man’s Rolls Royce, but undoubtedly the Bonnie was far sportier than the brick-like 300

[@DanielW-wz4gj]

This car is close to a second quicker if you turn off the traction control.You need wheelspin in this or the 5.3 cars, Impala SS, Grand Prix ,Etc

[@lucasworktv]

Pontiac ❤

[@Marc816]

A rare car! GM made only 6632 of them.....2004 & 2005 model years.

[@naywahn]

*...AND THEN CAME DODGE.*

[@laszlopalkonyay4133]

In Canada this Bonneville GXP cost around 50000 dollars base prize new. The SSEI cost around 42000 dollars new. The GXP was way overprized for what it was. The SSEI was better prized and had better fuel economy and it was more reliable too with similar performance.

[@pontiacGXPfan]

Remember when everything wasn't some stupid box on wheels? Those were the good and bad old days

[@jessieharbinjr.6589]

They should have never discontinued Pontiac. They should have gotten rid of Buick, instead of turning the brand into rebadged Chinese and Korean cars.

[@sebdupree1]

1:50

[@ftr911drvr]

The V8 sounded better and was more reliable it also looked better without all that cladding, the 5.3 or 6.0 would have been better for reliability and sound though

[@jorgerodrigogomezflores5711]

The Grand Prix GXP got the Impala SS 5.3

[@hitek9too255]

Northstar was never, ever more reliable than the 3.8! Are you nuts?

[@devinbiz]

I agree, by this period, I preferred the appearance of the Bonneville and Grand Am without the cladding

[@Lucille69caddy]

The 3800 platform had reliability in SPADES over the Northstar. Where did you get your info from?

[@79tazman]

I would take the 3800 V6 over the 4.6 liter northstar V8 headache

[@pawnerstoner]

If you see one of these today Xanax is definitely sold out of it😅

[@arieljones4595]

Those drag numbers are pretty unimpressive. Even for a big car in its day.

[@Lucille69caddy]

They’re way slow. My ‘02 GTP did 0-60 in upper 6 secs and 1/4 mile in 15 flat. Something amiss here.

[@Thurmanatr16]

It’s shit MotorWeek testing, they notoriously suck at testing.

[@juelzm149]

An after thought for a vehicle on its way out the door. Shameful. These looked great but GM should have let Pontiac get serious about the power in 99 for the 2000 MY. By this time it was too little too late.

[@dyoung1998]

They sure couldn't drive well back in the day. I've seen these go 0-60 in under 7 seconds stock. These guys struggled to get it under 8.

[@brianschooley3833]

This V8, had alot of weight, and engine restrictions, unfortunately

[@EricFortuneJr.]

Beautiful car, but the Northstar V8 was notoriously unreliable. Slow, heavy and unreliable sums it up.

[@Stressless2023]

The Northstar head bolt defects were largely cured by 2004 but the way more powerful Hemi V8's instantly dominated this segment when the less expensive Chrysler 300C hit the streets around the same time in 2004 which made these Bonneville GXP's dead on arrival.

[@bobthbldr3]

The Northstar had aluminum block and heads and was actually lighter than the smaller 3800 V6. By 2005 they had longer and thicker head bolts so the problems were much better than the earlier models. I did a lot of research since I considered buying one but couldn't find a nice one.

[@MidnightinSavannah]

It's a shame Pontiac put that engine in those cars, it turned out to be a real turd. The SSEi was easy to tune on with a slightly smaller pulley on the supercharger and a better flowing airbox they improved performance and would run circles around that POS 4.6.

[@Koexistence13]

These #s weren't good enough and this looks like almost all other Pontiacs of the previow 10 years or so. Miss pontiac all the same

[@jessieharbinjr.6589]

There was nothing “celebrated” about the head gasket blowing, oil leaking, expensive to repair Northstar engine.

[@natedog01able]

The 6000 doller rebuild on a transmission and 6k for head studs you better find a cheap one to save on repairs

[@mikecooley-xh2it]

one of the worstmotors U can get. THey should have used the 5.3L that they used in the grand prix

[@ronhoover5516]

For some reason I never liked the look of this car.

[@matthewbowen5841]

An uglier and rarer Aurora.

[@NewDesignVinylGraphics]

How tf is it uglier? You blind or?

[@NewDesignVinylGraphics]

Id also argue the aurora with the V8 is just as rare.

[@Stressless2023]

@@NewDesignVinylGraphics The 2nd generation was even slower so no real loss - The first gen. Auroras with the V8 standard are timeless future classics

[@hakeemsd70m]

​@@Stressless2023I somehow prefer the styling of the 2nd gen Aurora.

[@mrlookagain1142]

The front fascia is good looking but I never did like the rear of the Bonneville...too dated even back then.

[@cgreenfield6655]

Such a mushy looking car

[@douglasb.1203]

Aaaaand the car is a slug. A slug with stripped head bolts and oil leaks.

[@adamdomonski1619]

Junk motor should’ve been ls4