Oldsmobile Intrigue

tlc125 · March 2001

Yeah, Avalon is an "acquired taste", but that ugly grille reminds me of Buick! There is nothing uglier to me than those big "classic" chrome grilles on modern Centurys and Le Sabres. Of course, there are those that would say there is nothing modern about them!

redly_one · March 2001

I couldn't resist

dindak · March 2001

1415 : Niagara-on-the-Lake is a very nice place to go. My wife and I like to go down there to buy wine and walk around. A lot of good wine made in those parts and it's only an hour from home. Also usually stop at the Casino Niagara.

etharmon · March 2001

I'm glad you mentioned the Camry and ES300. You think Olds gets bad press now, imagine if the 2001 Aurora was simply a fancier version of the Intrigue rather than a totally different design. It would be just like the Cadillac Cimmaron fiasco. Yet, people will buy ES300s in droves and pay the sticker price, while a far superior car like the Aurora has to be discounted to sell. Look past the nameplate people, look beneath the cars a bit. The ES300 shares it's chassis with the cheapest most basic Camry you can buy while the Aurora shares it's chassis design with the most expensive Cadillac you can buy. But the masses will never understand. They say "Oh it's a Lexus, it musy be good" or "Lexus can do no wrong."

etharmon · March 2001

Okay, we've beat around this until we are blue in the face, but after today I really honestly don't understand why the Intrigue does not sell at least 1/2 again it's current rate before Olds was cut. As for today, I stopped by the Olds dealer early this afternoon just to look around and see if they had any more new Intrigues in and hopefully a 2002 Bravada to look at. No luck on the Bravada, but they had a couple of new Intrigues. Anyway, I got to talking with a salesman who was ready to let me break my lease and get a brand new one today. Only problem was, he didn't really want to deal and the 60 month finance rate is only 3.9%. However, he did offer the let me keep the car for the afternoon and see how I liked it. So you know I jumped at that opportunity. It was a Ruby GLS with the PCS package, gold emblems, and Bose Audio system. Sticker was over $29K. The car drove great. It was a virgin, so I did go easy on the engine, but I did get her up to 4500 rpms and it was so smooth and was sounding so good. The Bose sound system had pretty good kick too, although it could use some help on the low end. A sub would do nicely. The 2001 did seem quieter than mine on the freeway, but again mine has worn out tires. Everything about the car felt great. The leather seats were very comfortable and the extra features of the GLS made it rather upscale feeling inside. After returning it to the dealer and driving off in my 98, the old 3800 sounded much louder and unrefined than I had previously noticed. It is still a good engine, but the 3.5 clearly has it beat in my opinion. Which brings me to the question of why this car does not sell better than it does? The 29K is a bit steep, but a moderately equipped model will sticker for much less. And besides, loaded top of the line Camrys and Maximas hit the $29K mark and I just don't see how they can be that much better than this car. As for marketing, all Olds should have tried to do was get people in the dealers to test drive the Intrigue. I'm convinced the drive itself would have sold more cars. As for me, I'm going to wait another couple of months, then seriously start the dealing process. I'm hoping Olds will run the 0.9% for 60 months financing deal. If they do, I will be at the dealership Monday morning when they open. If GM really is planning on dropping the 3.5, they are really pathetic. While the overall Intrigue package is pretty good, that engine is the icing on the cake.

1415 · March 2001

At least those ugly chrome grilles are homespun and 100% USofA.

Nissan went belly-up and the French had to bail them out...can't give everything away and stay in business..

Avalon is pure ugh!!!! it has the shape of an aircraft carrier..

etharmon::::::You are right about the Lexus spell; just keep the low production and some of our folks actually believe it's next to hand-crafted.. The liberals have really dumbed down the educational process.. Olds just had a $120 price increase on the Intrigue..At least the accounting dept is working!!!

b4z · March 2001

Sales of the Lexus LS400 have fallen drastically over the years. Lexus came out with the LS430 and they now have a 6000 order waiting list.

Avalon ain't much to look at, The front has got way to much chrome, The rear is just butt ugly (pun intended). The side view is actually quite godd.

The avalon is expensive, while the highlander is very reasonable.

My dealer still has the no option blue intrigue.
He just got in 2 more auroras, bringing his total to four. I think he sells the auroras to people who don't want to spend money for the cadillacs.

I had pretty much settled on another intrigue, but the mercury marauder will be out about the same time that my lease runs out.
300 hp and rear wheel drive is the ticket for me.

tpken · March 2001

going to the Avalon. What a pity - the prior style was very attractive but this thing just has "homely" written on both ends. Interior is very nice though - and at least from that vantage point you don't have to look it in the face!

I enjoy reading your Intrigue experiences and share the chagrin over losing Oldsmobile. You have a great car - enjoy it to the maximum.

Ken

jg28 · March 2001

I think that came from Nissan design people on drugs.

b4z · March 2001

Aztek is beyond ugly. In fact I think there will be a new phrase invented. "That girl is as ugly as an Aztek."
"The Avalon is so ugly, Toyota should have called it the Aztek."

jjpowell2 · March 2001

Didn't hear from anyone else having this problem so maybe we have one of those "special" cars? We brought the car to the dealership for tire balancing and to check out the alternator. The car spent an overnight as they did find a fluctuation in output and had to replace it. They installed a remanufactured #395. Last night we thought the headlights dimmed again but will wait to see if it happens once more before returning to the dealer. Guess we're a bit paranoid. All the work was covered under warranty, but was kinda suprised they charged for replacing the coolant because they had to drain it to remove the alternator.

Can't say that we wouldn't have bought the Intrigue if it was called a Cutlass. I just saw that Silver Beauty on the lot and had to have it!! We had no idea what it was.....

1415 · March 2001

We took care of the Avalon; if it ain't a "Yankee Doodle Dandy" it shouldn't be "Made in America".

Oh!!how the landscape is changing along with the "Rust Belt"..

etharmon:::::::$29k is a healthy sticker; for my 99 GLS stickered @ $27.2; roof,chromes,and spoiler. The Bose,PCS, and the Gold probably accounts for $1100 of the difference. My 98 GLS stickered @ $26,105 with roof,chromes,and spoiler..

My total cash investment for two Intrigues is $19,000+ 94 LeSabre trade-in (113k miles) for the 98 GLS went 26k miles, and the 99 GLS has 39k miles..

With the current giveways one should be able to get the $29k 01 Intrigue incl 6% sales tax for around $24K..

I would go for the PCS pkg and forget the GLS model..Order one as you like it..

The Grand Prix has an upgrade pkg for the GT and GTP models called "Special Edition" which includes two-tone leather seating surfaces with medium gray and graphite.. A sculptered spoiler, special chrome dual/dual exhaust tips,multi-spoked chromed wheels,and "roof fences" just like the big boys of Nascar..+ hood vents..

Keep up the USA chatter!!!!!!

b4z · March 2001

Just read somewhere that Honda wants to keep their cars classified as imports even though they have the capability of producing most of their cars here in the states.
So, they will continue building cars in Japan.

dindak · March 2001

Does anyone else find it strange that the door reflectors on the intrigue don't light up? It would be nice added touch.

A guy in a Cadillac parked next to me had the door lights and it kind of got me thinking.

etharmon · March 2001

I wish the Intrigue's door reflectors lit up as well. Funny thing, the Regal's front door reflectors do. Most higher end cars like Caddies and Auroras have lighted door reflectors and courtesy lights. Funny, I thought I was the only one who noticed little things like this.

1415, if I do another Intrigue it will be the full boat GLS maybe minus the gold trim. I like the extra wood trim on the console and doors and my previous car spoiled me on the auto dimming mirror and both of these are available only on the GLS. Chrome wheels don't necessarily rock my boat, but they did look pretty sharp on that Ruby red model I drove yesterday. I would imagine they would be sharp against the Midnight blue. And I'd like to give Onstar a try just to see if it's worth all the hoopla. As for dealing, the guy yesterday basically said he would give me $2000 off MSRP plus my $1500 Olds loyalty voucher or I could finance it at 0.9% for 36 months or 3.9% for 60 months and just get the $1500 off. Remember, these discounts are off MSRP not invoice or invoice plus holdback so I didn't think it was the best deal in the world and I enjoyed the afternoon with the car and walked. I don't know if they think that since they have a limited selection right now that they can try the old limited supply versus demand trick, but whatever it ain't working on me.

Ugly cars, my votes go to the Aztek and Echo. These don't include the new crop of "green" cars like the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius. I don't think the Avalon is ugly, it's just not pretty either. I looks too tall and the rear end needs help badly. The front is okay, but I think Toyota just needs to leave traditional chrome waterfall grilles to Buick as they are the only ones that can do it right. I will say this for the Avalon, it's a better buy than the less roomy and more expensive Lexus ES300 considering they were both spawned from the Camry.

dindak · March 2001

etharmon: Ya.. I thought Buick put lights in the door. I actually checked to see if maybe the light was fused, but it doesn't work on the passenger side either.

Echo, Aztek are closely tied for ugliest vehicles. Good deals on the Aztek if you don't mind the looks.

lee18 · March 2001

Everyone I've ever heard comment on the Aztec thinks it is at best ugly, or at worst totally repulsive (myself included).

This leads me to two possible conclusions about Pontiac designers, either:

A) They are living on some other planet (in mind if not in body), or...

They deliberately made it ugly to appeal to some kind of counter-culture mentality, like nose rings and other body mutilations that people find 'kewl' today.

dindak · March 2001

I'm not crazy about the Aztek, but I am following the quality/ reliability (which seems to be very good) as I am very interested in it's cousin, the Buick Rendezvous. Sat in one at the Auto Show and immediately added it to my shopping list for next year. Beautiful little SUV type vehicle.

redly_one · March 2001

ever check out cars.com? They have a tool that will tell you the estimated (I would guess) residual value of new models. The Intrigue GX and GL retain 39% of their value after only 2 years. Zoinks!

So I did a little exploring, I could not find a single vehicle that scored even as low as the Intrigue. Heck, the Suzuki swift (i.e. Geo metro) even came in with a higher percentage.

Luckily, it plateus (sort of) after the initial 2 year hit. 32% after 3, 27 after 3, 24 after 5.
They are predicting a 2001 Intrigue GL will be worth $6050 in 2006. What a bargain!!

1415 · March 2001

Does the residual value also include the $1500 gift certificate from the General?????

I suppose it also has additional deductions for excessive mileage?????

When in Ohio last week; I stopped at a large Chev/Olds dealer, one Intrigue and two Auroras, bunch of Aleros and tons of the old style Bravadas.

b4z · March 2001

Does the General still require its dealers to order a specific number of each model? It used to be that for every Caprice they ordered they would have to have X number of chevettes etc. Is that still in effect?
Judging from the number of auroras vs. intrigues i would have to say that it is not.
Does anybody know?

dindak · March 2001

1415 : Nobody will want those old model Bravadas now. Should be some awesome deals.

redly_one : While I don't buy the 39% after 2 years, Intrigue will definitely be lower than Grand Prix or Regal. I'm keeping mine for at least another 7 years so I'm not particularly worried.

jjpowell2 · March 2001

What a sick feeling to have the headlights flickering 4 different times in the short 5 mile drive home last night. It's another call to the dealer and another trip into the shop. They replaced the alternator with a remanufactured one(supposedly) and now we'll have to put some pressure on them. We have to return to our summer residence in a month so time is a factor here. I'll make sure they look up the TSB about this problem and hope they can get their hands on the new model. Ours is a 3.5....

ketch · March 2001

Anyone herad what the process will be for service transition when our Olds dealers go away in several years? I would hope they would refer us to another local GM dealer (Pontiac?) and said dealer would then "welcome" us. I doubt the latter, as while they must honor the warrantee, you won't get preferential treatment on service scheduling since you didn't buy there. Olds 9GM) should clarify what will happen now, as opposed to last minute. I'd like to know where I will be sent.

ketch · March 2001

pretty good description of GM's errors, and a real funny description of Ron Zarella!

http://www.autonews.com/html/main/stories/flint326.htm

ickes · March 2001

I really liked Flint's speech and the way he nailed the brass at GM for their incompetence.

teo · March 2001

Would you buy a Ford Crown Victoria?

Nice AARP mobile, eh?

jgriff · March 2001

I was once a die-hard GM/Chevy kind of guy. ie. loved the 65 Nova in cherry-apple red.

If GM does not or can not wake up, their market share will continue to shrink, shrink.

teo · March 2001

And your point is?

dindak · March 2001

There is no point. Jgriff just lurks when he's not driving his Honda.

ab348 · March 2001

I read his speech a couple of months ago and thought he was right on target. GM's top management has been incompetent since the Roger Smith era and shows no sign of improvement.

j_coleman · March 2001

I think what happened to the door lights in the Intrigue was the same thing that happened to the low tire pressure light on my dashboard; the GM bean counters must have needed a way to offset the increased cost of the shortstar engine to stay competitive with other midsize cars. Same goes for the disappearing heated mirrors and remote fuel door in 2000 models. But I seem to recall that my 3.5 GL was priced about $500 more than an identical 3800 GL...

b4z · March 2001

Maybe not a crown victoria, but probably a mercury marauder.

rc52 · March 2001

Anyone know if there is a K & N Fuel Injection Performance Kit application that works for the 3.5?

dindak · March 2001

I think Diamler Chrysler as a whole is in big trouble. The Germans really screwed up Chrysler big time. I was reading that there is a lot of speculation Chrysler will either dump all it's cars or head office in Germany will try and sell off the entire Chrysler division. Sad to see.

ab348 : Aside from the Aztek, most if not all of what I see GM coming out with in the coming 5 years looks very good. If they can get the quality they put into the Aztek into all their new models, things should turn around.

jcoleman : Keep in mind the 3.5L is much more expensive to make than the 3.8L. Had to cut something I guess.

redly_one · March 2001

Unfortunately, I could not post the link (kept getting error message saying I could not post words with more than 100 letters!)

Anyway, go to http://www.cars.com/carsapp/starnews/?srv=report&act=index&tf=/quick_newmodels-index.tmpl

pick 2001 Olds Intrigue and click OK

Click on "Residual Values" tab on left side

1415 · March 2001

redly one::::::The link worked the first time and nothing but garbage on subsequent tries. I had used that site before never did the residual value portion..

bz4::::::::I understand the first year's production of the Mercury was sold out at announcement..

Off the subject somewhat; but Mustang sure does a decent volume job and really outsells the Camaro/Firebird combo by a large margin.. I was really surprised that GM will give up another segment of the market to Ford after the 2002 run of F bodies..They gave up the RWD large car and own the police force's business..

dindak · March 2001

1415 : Actually Camaro/ Firebird are not dead yet. GM is actually looking at the possibility of keeping at least on of them alive. Check out the story at www.autonews.com.

1415 · March 2001

GM sold in Feb approx 4300 F bodies; Corvette was about 2700, and Catera was 659..

Ford sales of RWD cars-passenger car was 27,032 and Mustang was 13,415. Looks like Ford is doing well with its antiquated RWD line of Mercs, Crowns, Town cars, and LS series..

The Mustang figure is really a shocker; and it is not really about performance as the ultimate statement. The crappy Ford V-6 engine kills the 3.8 and the plain Mustang offers nothing close to any excitement..

Of course Feb 01 was a dismal car sales month; but Corvette outsold Camaro..

b4z · March 2001

Camaro/firebird production is ending september 2002. I think they may be putting grand prix production in that plant.

Camaro/firebird is profitable because there are no incentives and no advertising being done.

I may buy another intrigue or buy my lemon after the lease runs out.
The marauder may be a third car for me. I will not pay over list for it.

dindak · March 2001

Grand Prix production goes to Oshawa in 2002. Plan to build Regal in place of Firebird/Camaro was scrapped last week. Nothing confirmed for Quebec plant yet. Probably should just be closed.

white6 · March 2001

Not to be picky, but GM has $1,000 rebates on 2001 V-6 Camaro and Firebirds and $500 rebates on 2001 V-8 models (excluding Ram Air cars). And, yes, I still want a 2001 Black/Black Formula. What is amazing is the improvements made in the 2001 F-body LS1... it got the LS6 intake from the ZO6 'vette. They also installed the 6.0 truck cam in the 2001 f-body LS1 to bump low-end torque; it now makes 300 lb/ft at 1900 rpm! Replace the "truck" cam with a real performance cam and the f-body LS1 makes somewhere around 345 rear-wheel horsepower! For a "lame duck" model, it doesn't make a lot of sense to be putting development money into this car. But then, we are talking about GM here, aren't we.

1415 · March 2001

My rattling Intrigue needs some help and you are the man; since you are factory blessed.. One thing is certain: I am not factory blessed!!!!

My extended warranty can be cancelled through 4/16 w/o penalty; so if they don't come with a total rattle cure prior I shall cancel and save a bunch..

The car is smooooooooth at flying speeds; so smoooooth it is scary, and I wish the original tires were blessed with more life. It is smoother than the Caddy at speeds and the Caddy has new Michelins, double balanced by different idiots...

Also the SLP exhaust is sounding better.. The car was made for glass smooth concrete roads for I just was able to exercise it for about 15 miles on a non crowded stretch of I-696 which has a center wall to ensure no crossover cops to surprise one.

b4z::::::::I would say when you lease is up on the lemon; GM will make you an attractive offer to keep it..

white6:::::::Pontiac sent me a large packet of the Firebird/Grand Prix line complete with a VCR tape--canned the tape..GM sent me the $100 gift certificate for a free gift from Ashford.com.. This was earned by test driving the Catera..which by the way I have never done..

I see where some of the Olds dealers have already hung up the keys--an article of one dealer in Ohio did it quickly and expanded his Ford dealership.. This was just after he had spent big bucks several years ago upgrading to appease GM..

Roger Smith was the person who started GM on this downhill ride..

rbb2 · March 2001

1415 - Sorry not to report back but so far there is nothing to report. I brought it in last Tuesday and was able to get a tech to drive with me and hear the noise but by time they did (lunch) they said they couldn't get to it that day and the earliest I could bring it back was a week later (today). So, I brought it in today and got a call from Olds cust. rep this afternoon. He called the dealer and they hadn't even looked at it and weren't going to (too busy I guess, making an appointment a week in advance isn't good enough). So, guess what? I have to bring it back tomorrow. What a joke! So, long story short I have no resolution yet. If I don't get it fixed tomorrow or feel that it will actually happen sometime soon I will begin my crusade to get another vehicle. It's a shame because I like this car but I refuse to deal with it for the next 5 or 6 years with this noise. I've been GM loyal since my first new car and I have just about had it with their dealers. I'm eyeballing a new Escape. It fits my needs better than the Intrigue does. I also get the A plan through a family member. Perhaps it's time to give Ford a chance to screw up and send a message to GM with my money going elsewhere (like they care).

I'll keep you posted.

b4z · March 2001

I concur. It doesn't matter whether I am going 50mph or 90 mph, it is just as smooth. There is really not a huge sensation of speed that i get with other cars. There is more wind noise but not a lot else at higher speeds.

The camaro has the notorious out of balance driveshaft that plague most fbody's. When i first bought mine i took it up to 134 mph and it was pretty smooth. When it was 2 years old. i took it up to 105 and it practically vibrated itself to death. Could never get it fixed, because everyone thought it was the tires. Now, if i take it over 85 mph it starts a little shimmy, which is acceptable.

The camaro is no intrigue by any stretch of the imagination. The intrigue is really a hell of a highway car. It is stuck to the road and inspires a lot of confidence. I wish the speed limits were 100 mph. I feel much more comfortable at the speed in the intrigue than i do in my camaro.

The intrigue does not do well over concrete that is not smooth, very noisy. The grain of the surface really comes through the car, big time.
I wonder if the 2001's are really quieter?

My lease is up in March 2002. My contract says i can buy it back for $13,100 plus $500 to the dealer. No way am i doing that. I can buy a 2000 for $13,900 right now. I am thinking about offering them $9500. I don't know if they will hold me to the contract or what. I wonder if i buy it will the dealer have to be involved?

white6: Didn't know they were offering rebates on the fbodies. I guess it is because they are not advertising it. LOL.

Read somewhere that if a manufacturer offers a rebate on a vehicle it affects the resale value by exactly the same amount. Once the rebate gets over $2000 it effects it a little less.

I think GM has done a disservice to its customers by over pricing its vehicles, then offering rebates on them too quickly.

The new bravada, trailblazer, envoy are way over priced. Same terriotry as the MDX but not even in
the same ballpark quality wise. We will see rebates on these vehicles by next fall.

My olds dealer is not giving his away but has a low selection and no new bravadas.

etharmon · March 2001

Oh I think the 2002 Bravada and Envoy are on pay with the Acura MDX and they blow it away in the powertrain department. As for the Marauder, why the hell is it taking Mercury so long to bring it to market? It was making the auto show roads in late 98 and it's not like they have alot of chassis development to do.

redly_one · March 2001

I heard Chevy is doing a special edition Camaro for the final year. More power, I guess.

I agree that the Marauder should've been out...yesterday. To even try to buy an ImapalaSS (RWD) is crazy. I talked to a dealer last night that had a '95 w/40000 miles...price $19500!!! That alone makes me want to buy a Marauder. Well, that and 300+HP & Torque.

Question. How much should a 2000 Intrigue GX w/20xxx miles be going for these days? Looking for a second car, figuring the Intrigue is bargain basement/diamond in the rough shopping (as long as I find a good one)

vcjumper · March 2001

That Bravada is up against tough company in the MDX, and X5 3.0. Must admit the MDX, especially the interior materials and quality impressed me a lot. Can't say that much for the Bravada by sitting in it, though the chasis and engine may be excellent (didn't drive it). Person I know who got an MDX had to do something saying he wouldn't resell in a year or something crazy like that because the waiting list.

I like the Yukon in GM's better than Bravada.. Similar pricing, bigger size, and I prefer the styling.

b4z · March 2001

I think the 2002 special edition camaro has been dropped. SLP was going to put the LS-6 in the SS for 2002, but those plans are on hold.

2002-2003 Corvette will have a horsepower jump to 405 hp.

Don't particularly like the styling of the MDX, nor do i need AWD. But as far as quality of materials it is head and shoulders above the GM offerings.

I still like the Trailblazer. The public is not salivating over these vehicles though. All you have to do is go to SUV Townhall and see that there is much more activity in the Euro-Asian boards than in the 2002 Trailblazer, Envoy, Bravada thread.

This is what happens when you have bean counters and marketing punks running an automobile corporation.

merckx · March 2001

I do love the car mags,and am not one to be overly cynical about them. I don't think they are just paid "organs" of the auto companies. They usually aren't very negative,so you have got to read between the lines,though. However.I have noticed that every so often they will be unusually negative,but it will always be a safe target.When Peugeot was safely on its way out then the books slammed it. The same with Olds,Espically the Intrigue. Can anyone remember such a bad review as Bedard's in C&D? I almost bought an Intrigue last week. I think it is the most entertaining US car right now. I bought a 5spd. Passat though as I have always wanted a manual shift. I also bought my wife a Catera last week-no more cars far me for the next 8-10 years!I admit i couldn't get her to care about the Intrigue.I thought the car a bit rattley,but other than that, i think Bedard is way wrong.It is an excellent car.

Oldsmobile Intrigue

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