Competition?

[tinian_1]

From edmunds:

What Is It?
2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP

What's Special About It?
How about a nice healthy V8 under the hood to start. That's right, after too many years of laboring along with overburdened V6 powerplants, the Bonneville GXP will debut in early 2004 with a 285 horsepower, dual-overhead cam V8 and a floor-mounted four-speed automatic transmission. A performance-tuned suspension that rides lower coupled with 18-inch wheels and tires will help keep the big sedan stuck to the ground while larger front and rear disc brakes will provide the stopping power. The exterior will be reshaped by new front and rear fascias, extended rocker panel extensions and a three-piece rear spoiler. The interior will feature leather- and suede-trimmed seats, a restyled instrument cluster, carbon fiber-look trim and an aluminum shifter handle.

Why Should You Care?
The fact that this car is headed to production already is a promising sign for GM fans. Debuting just last spring at the Chicago International Auto Show, this Bonneville received enough positive feedback that it was fast tracked into production almost immediately. Although the examples shown in Chicago and Las Vegas were still called concepts, Pontiac has assured us that the production version will come to market with few changes.http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/2002/sema/pontiac.bonneville.f34.175.jpg

[Fourth Horseman]

I test drove a 2002 Bonneville ssei (I think that's the model designation, it was the one with the supercharger and the HUD). I found the engine to be mostly gutless and uninspired, but I really liked everything else about the car. Ultimately I decided to go with the Marauder which is, in my opinion, a superior vehicle in every regard.

Still, I was very impressed by the Bonneville. They put a nice V8 in there and I think it'll be a pretty slick ride.

It's still going to be a front driver, though, right? That's the only real drawback that I can see.

[tinian_1]

Oooh, thats a good point. Until I started car shopping, I had never driven a rear-wheel drive vehicle. Theres no comparison. Driving the fwd 260 hp Acura TL type S and the similar 260 hp Infiniti G35, the driving feel of the rwd infiniti was immensly superior. I'm now a firm believer that a true sports sedan must be rwd. And that why the MM will prob kick the crud outta that Bonneville. Gonna be intersting to see how that new Holden theyre importing is gonna do.

[RCSignals]

That Bonneville will be FWD, and as such isn't reaally a competitor for the Marauder. I wonder where that DOHC V8 will come from?

I've heard that Ford is considering selling mod motors to car manufacturers and both GM and DCX have shown interest.

The proposed RWD GTO is supposedly going to be GMs answer to the Marauder, but they call it the "return of the American Muscle car", and it's built in Australia!

[03 Merc]

Hey RC,

Not to get technical on you but isn't our "American Muscle Car" built in Canada?:rolleyes: eh?

Before buying my wife's TC a couple weeks ago we test drove the Bonneville SSEi (2002) and the Buick Ultra (2003 Harley Earl styling). Of the two the Ultra was the one we both liked. Both of them have the 3.8 Supercharged motor. However, both of them exhibited real bad steering column shake and vibration at a stop. Off to the LM dealer we went at that point... I came within a inch of having His and Hers MM's but then she saw the True Blue TC and that was that...

If GM does bring over the Holden as a GTO it will be a very interesting car...

[BISHOPSS95]

Hey! I got your GM answer to the Marauder.



Race Me!!!!!!!

:D

[b4z]

tinian,

Like a previous poster said the bonneville V8 is FWD. Also there is no limited slip available for any of GM's FWD transmissions.

I have looked at the G35 and it is a nice car. For me it's fatal flaw is the
seat controls that are on top of the seat bolster. I can just see myself on a 4 hour road trip with that thing digging into my thigh.
Makes no sense.

[LincMercLover]

All that on a Bonneville body?!?! And FWD?!?! I say they needed a GTO resurrection there...

[MAD-3R]

Well, my mother drives a Bonniville SSEi (I inherited my lead foot from her:), and it was fun telling the ford dealer that my mother doesn't even drive a taurus. )and it is quick. THat SC is a nice addition. But, it is smaller inside then it looks, and FWD. I plan long trips in my cars, and at my size and mass, I need something that I can ride in. Belive it or not, I was mor comfortable in my old Neon, and my old Festiva's ( I owned two of them) then in her new SSEi.

[tinian_1]

B4z,

I gotta agree about the seat controls. Infinit's line is that theyre there becasue its easier to get at them then it would be on the side. However, I think a better location is on the door, as I belive the MM has them. The control do dig into my thigh a little, and frankly it looks like an attempt to use some off-the-shelf components to cut costs.

Also, if you look at the third post on this thread, you'll see my reaction after the first reply reminded me that its FWD. In my opinion, thats a fatal flaw. And the Holden, no matter how good, is going to be a 2dr.

[SSee SSpot Run]

from everything i've read if the holden monaro (GTO) does well enough, the holden commodore (hopes of being the next impala ss) will be next. the only problem i see with these vehicles will be the extra several grand incurred on each to ship them here. i guess we'll wait and see, but those and the planned caddy with the same engine/drivetrain are going to be your competition and if they run numbers anywhere close to what that combo put out in the f-body you all better start saving for a supercharger;) . of course i would really dig a king ranch with a supercharger myself, do they come that way? anyone? rock on, rus

[RCSignals]

03 Merc
Yes, the Marauder is built in Canada, but given the history of the two countries, and the history of Ford in Canada (started in 1904) It really is an "American" muscle car. Far more than a car built in Australia is, no matter how nice the "GTO" will be.
I saw a rendition of the GTO, they are going to be re-doing the front and rear to make it look more like a Pontiac, and one thing that struck me was how similar they have made the tail lights to the Marauder

[NYSP618]

OK, sure Bonneville is a nice model but I never could stand the red instrumentation, that red glow at night drove me nuts.

[LincMercLover]

Hey NYSP618, ya got one too many R's in Marauder... Just thought I'd fill ya in! ;)

[JohnnyB]

The Bonneville is no competition for the MM..... totally different car, FWD, etc. I checked out the 2002 Bonneville at the NY auto show.... thought it was cheap compared to the Ford and Mercury. Actually, of all the cars I looked at, for the money, the Grand Marquis was tops

Now if Pontiac brought back some retro styling from the Bonneville's circa the mid to late 1960's we might have something....

[ONEBADMK8]

If we only lived in Australia where you can get 427 cu. in. Pontiacs (Holdens)

http://www.hsv.com.au/vy/showcars/showcar.asp

http://www.holden.com.au//images/monaro/cv8/Overview/img_ModelHero.jpg

Or how about a 388 hp, 75mm tb, variable valve timing 5.4 32v!!!!!

http://www.fordperformancevehicles.co m.au/

YUMMY!!!!!!!!

[NYSP618]

Best I could do, the correct spelling has been taken by a owner of another Marauder

[MAD-3R]

Ahh, thats your plates!! :)

We thought you had just miss typed

[cyclone03]

If it wasn't for the huge impact of the EPA,CARB,and CAFE.These vehicles would have been developed in the US for this market.
When we started getting smog cars in the 70's Austrailia just kept on going with performance V8's.

Ford Australia never stopped building powerful cars when we were forced to accept pinto mustangs.