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I've had trouble with the rear window fogging a lot. The front is no worse than any other car I've had. Assuming you don't smoke in the car, the biggest cause of fogging is actually the dashboard material. Plasticizers and other materials are released and coat the inside of the glass. Parking in the sun obviously makes it worse. I guess in my car the carpet on the back deck is the problem. There isn't much you can do, other than maybe use a sun shade and clean your windows often. Does anybody know of a good anti-fogging window cleaner?
Step 1: Lift the plastic up from around the shifter. Don't remove it completely; just enough so that you can move it out of the way for step 2.
Step 2: Insert a flathead screwdriver at the top middle of the plastic housing the radio/climate control. Slowly separate the housing. Once the clips on either side are exposed (they hold the plastic in place) carefully pull plastic away from the radio.
BE VERY CAREFUL IF YOU HAVE HEATED SEATS!!!!
You can easily accidently poke the heated seat buttons out of their place.
Step 3: Unscrew the radio from the brackets, pull existing wiring harness out, put the new radio in (assuming you already connected the wireharness to the new radio), screw the brackets back in place, then put plastic back on.
Summary: Remove the plastic around the shifter, remove the plastic around the radio, unscrew the brackets holding the radio and pull the wiring harness off. Attach wiring harness of new radio to car, tighten brackets, put plastic back around radio, put plastic back around shifter.
It's actually a lot easier to do than to type this.
I replaced my front speakers with Polk Audio's, rears with Kenwoods. Front made a big difference, rears I didn't care so much about (who listens to their home stereo facing away from it?)so I went a bit cheaper and keep it faded 80% to the front.
One thing I find about aftermarket car stereos these days is they are getting a bit gimmicky looking. They remind me of 80's ghetto blasters with all the colours. Hard to find a restrained looking one. Nakamichi and Eclipse are pretty low profile.
Imacmil::: If vcjumper removed 2 finishing bolts, I'd look for them as you perform Step 1. If you don't see them, I wouldn't worry about it. I've done it on two cars already (1998 & 2001) and didn't have any problems.
i purchased a chalk like thing few years ago at a car show, it worked fine, however, i don't know where to go to purchase them now.
Just hate seeing things through a layer of haze.
My question is this: is there anything that you're aware of that will allow you to retain the steering wheel volume/tuning controls on a new head unit? If that's not possible, has anyone installed a trunk-mounted changer in their Intrigue? If so, can the stock head unit control it, or am I screwed into using a "velcro'ed on" control panel?
I'm not wild about using an RF changer, but if it's my last resort, so be it. I plan to have this car for at least 5 years, and I'm not acrobatic enough to manually change CDs in traffic (and would like MP3 capability as well). Thanks in advance to anyone who can help!
The G35 coupe was also there, and we got to sit in it. What a cool car! I think the specs said 280 hp and 290 ft. lbs torque. Sure would be fun to drive.
The Accord has definatley finally shed it's image of a dependable, but staid, car. It has nice curves, and the interior fit and finish is superb. Has a nice backlit LED intrument panel that comes on in three stages - just like the Lexus. Far quieter than the Intrigue - less road and tire noise gets into the cabin - something that always seemd a bit excessive in the Olds. Dimensions are smaller, but that's OK with me, still very comfortable in the driver's seat.
Anyway, I'm still going to keep looking, but I was truly surprised how much I liked this new Accord, after never being impressed by one before. I'd like to see what the '04 GP is like. Checked out the CTS and was underwhelmed. Other than those, GM is leaving me cold right now.
(doesn't seem like many cars have good resale values anymore)doesn't impact you in a negative way when they pay you for your car.
I have an '01 Alero V6 but I love the Intrigue as well. I know that the final Intrigue rolled off the assembly line in June, but there are still some left over on dealer lots. I was wondering if anyone had any idea of how much these new Intrigues are going for. I see that there is a $3000 rebate, plus another $1500 owner loyalty, but how steeply are dealers discounting them? When I was at an Oldsmobile dealer the other day and mentioned my interest in the Intrigue, the sales people perked right up, said that they really wanted to move the last of them (this dealer had 3 left). Anyone buy one recently or have any idea as to how low they will go? Thanks!
The only time that happens to me is when I take the car in for an oil change before the light comes on, and the dealer/service center forgets to reset the monitor. Lately I've been going to places other than the dealer, and none of them has known about resetting the monitor. In fact, mine started coming on this weekend because I forgot to reset it after the last oil change. I guess that tells me I had the oil changed 2000 miles too early. In my '99 GLS, the light comes on at start-up, and goes out after a few minutes.
If yours was reset at your last oil change and it's still coming on that soon, I guess the computer thinks you've been drag racing from a cold start and driving in rush hour traffic. I guess that system could get a glitch. Probably a fairly simple computer diagnostic to check, maybe not cheap to fix if computer components need to be replaced.
TSchramm ::: Honda is setting the bar for how cars are suppose to be designed & built. 240hp out of 3.0, not bad.
Really like the 350-Z's, that I've seen on the road. Real lookers.
Been on the road a few times, rental has been the new Camry. I'm not overly impressed, if you like that Buick ride then Camry is a good match.
Can't wait for Acura new TL on '04.
Honda rules!
... and a whopping 212 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm. Real impressive...
I see even you have looked at the new Accord. Granted it is NOT a gotta have look. Hondas are not 100% perfect, as they have had some automatic transmission issues to get resolve.
It will be interesing to see what Intrigue owners choose as their next set of wheels.
Take care...
1. On the right side of the car, if there's some wind outside you can hear a whistling. Not overly loud, but enough to be annoying. So I park today and look at it, and the chrome piece of trim above the passenger window didn't look to be sitting flat. I tried pushing it in, but it wouldn't go, so without hardly any effort I was able to just about pull the entire thing off. To my horror, the chrome trim piece is held on by 3-4 cheap little yellow plastic clips. I fudged with it a bit, and still didn't get it to sit quite right. So, the whistling persists.
2. There is a rattle in the driver's side door when I go over bumps. I opened the door and smacked it a few times with the palm of my hand, and it looks like the whole leather inside of the door is a bit loose; it hits the bottom of the door and makes the rattling noise. I could probably just jam a quarter-deck of playing cards in there and fix the problem, but this is ridiculous. This is brand new car, not a 15 yo beater.
So, back to the dealer I go. Wish me luck.
I feel sorry for people who buy a car because "they got a good deal".
While I was with my girlfriend picking up a '00 Alero GLS she has just bought, I casually mentioned my interest in the 3 Intrigues that the dealer had left in the lot. It was about a half hour before closing, and no other customers. I walked around for a bit, and when I got back the Sales Manager invited me over for a little chat. The car I am interested in as a Red '02 with the PCS system, rear spoiler and sun and sound package (Bose radio + sunroof), with a MSRP of $27132. The deal they offered is basically:
$3000 rebate + $500 under invoice (near as I can tell that's about a $2000 dealer discount)+ $400 college grad for the Intrigue (that puts it at roughly $21685. Now, if I were to do this, I would be trading a '01 Alero GL V6 Sedan, also with sun and sound. KBB is about $9000, CarMax appraised it at $9300, ACV is $8900 and the dealer offered me $10K even. That would put the total purchase price around $11685. I also have $550 GM Card Credit (which I didn't mention but they have to honor, right?) which would knock it down to around $11132. He also mentioned that I could trade the extended warranty for $750 (although GM says $1000k for Intrigues, $750 for Aleros) and if I really wanted it buy it back after 3 years, which would knock it down to around $10k. So, bottom line is, what do you all think of this deal? Is there more money to be had? Those of you who have had Alero's, how would you compare the two? Any feedback would be helpful. The car is heading to a special credit union sale this weekend so the sooner the feedback the better! Thanks
I'd just given the pre winter zaino bros wax and she looked gorgeous. So many people at the accident site (even the tow truck guy) said she looked brand new. One person at the body shop said what a beautiful car she was as well and also said he'd never even heard of it. Sad huh.
I've pulled off the strut tower braces and K&N filter. Though I'll probably just give the K&N filter to my bro in law for his Intrigue, I'd be glad to sell the braces for $50. PLEASE SOMEONE HERE BUY THEM AND PUT THEM ON YOUR INTRIGUE. I'd feel so much happier knowing they were on an Intrigue instead of some souped up Grand Prix.
The insurance is giving me more than I could've ever gotten for her, so that's a good thing I suppose. The appraiser noted what immaculate condition she was in. I wish I could pull off those wonderful tires (Potenza re950s). They only had 10K max on em.
Ironically enough, she went head on with an Intrepid and they both lost.
Still don't know what to do about a replacement. I still can't get over the loss. Yes, I get very attached. Thank you everyone for your good wishes.
Great deal for the STB's, those are $125 or so a pop brand new I think. If I needed them still I would definitely take them off your hands.
TSscramm, I agree with you on the performance factor. This was a big reason why I bought the Intrigue. The good deal I got was only one facet of the decision. What good is a good deal if the car is no fun to drive? Additionally, what good is great resale value or reliability if the car is no fun to drive? I actually think that if more people had done "once arounds" of the Intrigue it would have sold better. Too many folks still have no idea what kind of car it is.
oldsman : "Too many folks still have no idea what kind of car it is". No kidding. I saw an old 80 year old lady driving a GLS (with PCS) today at around 30 km/h in a 50 zone. What a waste, she probably has no idea what kind of machine it is.
mfletouva : Sounds good. You will love the car, take it for a test and you will be sold.
Noticed something this morning that I never did before. The defog/defrost button on the climate control can just be pushed on it's own from the off position and will automatically just clear the front windshield. What a great feature! Don't know how I missed that.
Some may (correctly) point out depreciation. With an initial purchase price of $11,000 + change you won't take the hit. So if you get tired of it you could trade it in and probably still get something back from it.
For $11,000, you're looking at a Cavalier or Corolla. Instead, you get a bigger, more powerful machine. Plus, you have PCS and other things you could never get on these cars for that price.
As far as the comparison to the Alero goes, I say take a test drive. Then tell us what YOU think. Personally, just having automatic climate control makes it the better choice. But that's just me :-)
Alero advantages: quicker acceleration from a dead stop, slightly quicker handling (it is a smaller car, after all), thicker steering wheel. Better quality weatherstripping/door trim.
Intrigue advantages: better suspension (better highway cruiser), much quicker acceleration at highway speeds, more comfortable seats, better gas mileage, much more solid engine, higher quality sound system, cavernous trunk.
The dashes are nearly identical, as I'm sure you discovered. Basically, it depends on your needs. If all you need is a daily driver and don't have small kids, the Alero is fine. If you have to make long trips of any sort, though, you'll wish you had the Intrigue. What a fantastic road trip car it is.