OK, this 1988 Pontiac Bonneville SE (or Bo-Nev-O-Lee as it was often pronounced in the D.C. area back in the ’80s) is a rather un-barn findy kind of car – in other words maybe not you would expect to find here on this august website. Still, it’s 36 years old and Pontiac still mattered back in ’88 so this car, owing to its fine condition, is certainly worth a gander. We have Bruce M. to thank for this Celina, Texas find.
Pontiac’s total production was trending downwards in ’88, as it had over the two preceding years, yet it still managed to show a third place finish in the domestic production race that year with 680K units assembled. Chevrolet placed second while Ford won the race. As for the Bonneville, a single four-door sedan body style was offered in three trim levels, starting with the LE, moving up to the SE (our subject car) , and topping out with the SSE. Total Bonneville output reached 109K copies in ’88 – not too shabby!
Our 87K mile example shows like new, while not much is said about this car’s past though it’s a sure bet that it has seen a lot of garage time. The seller refers to it as a low mileage example but I’m not sure I’d use that descriptor. Yes, 87K miles could be considered low for a 36 year old car, but in existential terms I wouldn’t consider that recording to be low mileage. That said, these GM H-body cars were well designed and built and 87K miles shouldn’t be a concern. Styling is subjective and I’ll admit neutrality on this Pontiac’s lines though I will say the triangular hub portion of the alloy wheels in a no-go in my book – my hang-up I guess. I would also suggest that this car’s exterior needs nothing and presents exceptionally well.
Inside is all 80’s GM – all the way – lots of red velour – the general must have cornered the market on that fabric. While I always thought it was cheap looking, it actually held up well and this car’s innards have surpassed the test of time. And, red is so much more inviting than today’s black or gray limitations. The center console/shift and full instrumentation is a welcome feature of this Bonneville though the dash’s faux wood trim looks, well, faux.
If ever there was an “ole reliable” V6 engine it would be this Tin Indian’s 165 net HP, 3.8 liter Buick powerplant. They take a lickin’ and keep on tickin’. The seller adds, “Has reliable 3.8L V6 engine and bulletproof transmission. Drives smooth, steady, solid.” Transaxle action is provided by a Turbo-Hydramatic 4T60, four-speed unit with overdrive.
Final thoughts? Yeah not a typical BF subject but this sedan is worth some respect and I can’t imagine it’s going to have a problem finding a new home. It’s available, here on Facebook Marketplace for $4,995. While this Bonneville is not a ’64 vintage land-rocket, it still has some cred, wouldn’t you agree?
If I was in need, I’d buy it in a heartbeat.
This engine is well liked by mechanics. If maintained, it’ll go well over 200000 miles..
My grandparents had an 87 that looks just like this one, theirs was a very dark green with a light green trim. It was babied but parked outside, and the sun destroyed the paint. My grandmother didn’t like it, it had quick ratio steering and she was used to real power steering in their prior car, a 79 Olds Delta 88. This would make a reliable daily driver, I don’t see it ever being a collectable, but you never know.
Sold. Good deals don’t last long.
Steve R
One of the ugliest designs that Pontiac ever came up with.
No, that would be the Aztec.
“Bullet-proof transmission?”I had an ’87 Buick H-body, same body as this car and same drive train, replaced the transmission twice. FWD GM transmissions were not reliable in those years. However I never had a bit of trouble with the engine except for the EGR valve sticking, which I replaced. That was it and I finally sold the car with over 200k miles.. This car looks very nice but I’d ditch those awful-looking wheels. There are plenty of after-market rims that would good on the car.
These type of comments are not interesting,
Great deal on an entry level – as much as it pains me as a Gen X’er to say this – classic car. Sporty enough, SE with the full gauge package, great color, love the matching red interior. I noticed that the stereo has been upgraded to one of those new “classic looking” stereos that you can plug your phone into for a more modern way to play your tunes, and that’s a very functional upgrade for those of us that didn’t hold on to our cassette tapes.
Several valid comments above…. from Zen and Jimbo…. I had a new 87 LE back then and it was FAST… fully loaded incl the steering wheel radio controls…. dark green/ light green trim… very comfortable and quiet…. good sized trunk.
The sale car is a good buy… the wheels tho…. I didn’t like them back then…
Big C…. from the front it resembles an XKE….
No one ever pronounced it. “Bo-Nev-O-Lee.”
You weren’t hanging around with the right people in D.C. back in the ’80s.
JO
clean poncho. not a fan of this style. i think the 96-99 bodies looked better. i have 6 of them and 3 have north of 230k on them. of maintained they keep going. i agree with other comments those wheels look terrible. 5 stars from a 96 gp would look much better. somebody wanted it cause already sold.
No longer listed. Probably sold, it’s a very nice car.