Hi...first time posting, but have a 99 Olds Intrigue GL. There were bulletins on the steering column/shaft back when I first had the car; can't remember details, but had the intermediate steering shaft replaced and some other part of it went a second time. Only noticed a kind of clunking feel when making turns. The dealership should know this and fix the steering for sure (and for free!). I have also had tie rods replaced and a front joint (but the bad joint, they say, should make a groaning sound). How many miles on the car? Mileage - don't know much about. Mine has been pretty good...about 20-23 mph average, and I have 95,000 miles on it. But, uses lots of oil (always down 1-2 quarts between 3000 mile changes!!). So, check your oil between oil changes!! GM says this is normal for that engine. Whatever...it's a fact of life, so just keep checking! If I can get back to this forum, I'll try and give you the list of things that they should fix that they say don't need fixing (I know because I've had lots of things fixed on this baby!). Hope this helps.
thanx for the advice. It has 70,000 miles on it. I brought it in to the dealership again today. The dealer keeps saying that they cant hear the sounds that I say are there. How loud should the clunking in the front be to be considered a problem? The engine is starting to sound a little louder now when I accelerate, could the oil burning cause this?
All the noises that I hear out of the car are slight, but they are there. I'm just hoping i didnt make a bad decision buying the car. The previous owner had never replaced anything on it yet, I'm hoping that its not all going bad starting now.
The steering shaft problem, if it is that, would feel like a slight clunking in the shaft(only way I can describe it), when turning. I never heard anything, just felt it. If it's a bad joint in the front end, usually there is a groan (so they say). Most dealerships will always say they don't hear/see/feel the things we do!! Do you have an extended warranty? I bought one when I got the car used at 17,000. Glad I did because the little things add up. I don't really know what effect the excess oil consumption has on the car's performance/engine. I figure it has to be fouling up something somewhere after awhile though! I've done a lot of searches on web sites where Olds Intrigue owners describe the same problems I have had with mine...a lot of good info there. If the previous owner really had few problems, that's great. I don't think there have ever been actual recalls on the Intrigue (also a good thing!), just technical bulletins for things like the steering, but wonder if that would still apply to your car (with the higher mileage on it). Mine doesn't sound as perfect (the engine) as it used to either, but it is getting up there in miles. I really liked the engine/power/performance, which is why I bought it in the first place. Plus, it is the only car I can drive for long distances and be comfortable! I'll try to find the info, if I can, on the bulletins, etc.
As di99 mentioned, the steering is felt more than heard. You cna have them replace the ISS but it will come back. It's a design flaw that affect a number of GM midsize vehicle. Somewhere on this board someone posted directions to grease the steering column. It relieved about 90% of my "clunking" in the steering. It only cost me $3.50 for the can of Lithium grease. Or you can ask the dealership to lube the steering colun. I believe there is a TSB on this.
The low oil light will come on if you are a quart low. I burn about a quart every 1500-200 miles. I buy the Walmart Supertech 5 gallon jug for $7.80 and keep in trunk. The car still gets 27-28 mpg per tank (90% highway). So this is much cheaper option that most of us accept. I doubt the burning oil would cause the engine getitng louder during acceleration. If it does bother you, some people swear by the engine flushes. YOu cna have the dealership do that. It will probably help a bit but....it will come back. It's the nature of the engine.
wow, thanks alot for the response man. It was alot of help. One last question however. This ISS problem isnt a safety issue then? If its not, I can live with it. How about the whining in the steering? It sound like rubbing a ballon. Its a very soft sound but its there.
I'll try the lithium grease this weekend. Is there a certain type of lithium grease?
I think it is pretty standard stuff. I got a can of lithium grease at Home Depot but most people will get it from an auto parts store.
I don't think the ISS is a safety issue. At least I haven't heard of any incidences. That why getting under the steering wheel and lubing it yourself is such a popular option. GM has a more formal process that requires taking it to the shop and putting it up on the lift and actually removing the steering column to lube the shaft. Since I am out of warranty and would cost me, I'll just climb under the steering wheel and do it myself.
Well, tomorrow will be a sad day in many ways for me. I will be trading in my 2002 Intrigue GL. I LOVED this car when I bought it (if you go back to October '02, you'll see my posts). For much of its ownership, I really enjoyed it...I loved the power, the look of it, etc.
But, as I've said recently, its started to betray me. It has 44,000 miles and at times sound like it has 144,000. There is a very bad rattle coming from the back that nobody seems to have much of a clue about. The steering column and dash area appear to be coming loose on the inside and very a pretty bad rattle. I'm on my 3rd steering shaft, and this time the problem came back after less than a 1,000 miles. Of course I had the incident I described when my vehicle stopped dead at 60 mph on the highway. Seperatley, I had a leak in the intake manifold. The oxygen sensor was malfunctioned. The power window on the drivers side stopped working. The forward and back buttons on the CD player stopped working. Well, you get the point. And now, (not the car's fault), I need new brakes.
I'm trading it for a 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid. It will be a big adjustment not having my Shortstar to rely on. I did love the power across the spectrum. While the Camry Hybrid is a 4 cylinder, I found it to be pretty quick--it has a 50 HP electric motor in addition to the 4 cylinder. Road Track clocked it to 60 faster than the Intrigue! (7.3 seconds). I'm getting it for HOV reasons mostly.
But anyway, the bottom line is that despite all that, I'll miss my car. Resale on it is horrid and I didn't get all that much for my trade (though this dealer gave me $500 more than Carmax and $800 more than KBB). So anyway, just thought I'd post here like I did when I bought it. I'll always have a soft spot for it. I wish it had been a better car--the reliability was just unacceptable. But it was well designed with a great powertrain.
Hooray for you! I am serious! You will now, hopefully, have a good reliable vehicle. I, too, am so tired of all the things that could go wrong, and more, going wrong with my 99 Olds Intrigue GL. I try to make light of it, and I did like the pick-up, power, and handling, but at 95,000 miles, that isn't as great either. I used to joke with the dealership people that I should have a chair with my name on it in their waiting room(I got soaked on an extended warranty, but was glad I had it until 75,000 miles). Had everything you mentioned go wrong and then some; too many to list. Now the tranny is acting up (guess that's to be expected), need exhaust replaced (resonator), AC just repaired(again) and it never was really cold, it still uses 2 quarts of oil between oil changes, oil leak is somewhere, but this one is new, etc. So, good luck with your new car. I will not be buying a GM anything again (this was my third - a lemon Buick, and two Oldsmobiles). Enjoy your new ride! Di
Good luck with the Camry. Drive it like RT did and your high expectations of high mileage with a Hybrid will be dashed, like so many who have bought them and didn't change thier driving habits. Also, if you keep it a long time, expect many many thousands to replace the battery pack. Overall, Hybrids are a loss for the buyer unless they drive enormous amounts of annual miles.
As the contrarian here, too the Camry is super boring, but yes super reliable. An appliance then. For many, that is enough. Really, Toyota has become the Japanese Buick, both in product and most of thier core buyer demographics. I'd never buy a Buick (ok, maybe the coming LaCross Super), and so no Toyota for me. Mazda and perhaps Nissan are another matter entirely, providing exciting products AND cars with character.
I never have thought of cars as appliances, and so after 6.5+ years, and 45k miles, my 2000 GL Intrigue still is an exciting sedan that has proven pretty reliable. Any car, even Toyotas, have problems as they age and the miles add on. Some more or less than others. I have had many GM's and all have been great, so my experiences is at odds with some here.
Funny, I have a hole in the resonator and I'm getting the AC fixed this week. At 153,000 mi I've gone through all the repairs, the car uses 2.5qts of oil betw changes. It's a 99 GLS. I guess I'm lucky the repairs were done right and the car is still running strong.
Yeah, well you are repeating the myths I firmly believed until about 3 days ago. I'm guess you've probably never driven the 2007 Camry, which is dramatically different than previous versions. Obviously the Camry Hybrid is not a performance sedan, but...well, the fact that its even CAPABLE of matching the Intrigue on an acceleration run (and pull a sub 16 quarter) is impressive. In terms of handling and stability, I found it equal to the Accord Hybrid which I test drove and nearly bought.
I drove the Camry the same way I did my Intrigue today to work and back--a long trip that's an even mix between highway and city. My Intrigue got 23 or so on this run. The Camry got 35 today. That's with some pretty aggressive driving.
In terms of it being a loss...well, no, not really. The Hybrid comes in what is essentially XLE trim--XLE interior, sound system (440 watt JBL), Bluetooth, dual climate with steering wheel controls, and the Lexus stability control system (only Camry its available on). Mine has a sunroof. If you option up a regular Camry that much, you're looking at less than a few thousand difference. For buying a Camry Hybrid, I get a $2600 tax credit. It makes up the difference...the rest is all gravy.
The battery pack is warrantied for 8 years, 100k. There is many a Prius out there now well over 100k and still going strong. We'll see. Toyota expects it to go a minimum of 10 years. 10 years is a long time.
Look, its all subjective...if you think the new Camry looks boring, that's up to you. Compared to Accord or what? The Altima? The 6? To me, this Camry's a far more intersting car visually. If your appliances have these features, well, you've got a heck of an appliance. And every single one of these cars will be looking at the tailights of the V6 Camry.
I know it may break down. We'll see. I just don't need a lecture about GM cars...I've owned 5. I'm just sick of it. Maybe the Camry won't be better...but it can't be worse. You're the exception, not the rule with your luck. I thought the Intrigue was a great car in terms of design and powertrain. Durability, it was a disaster. Sure, it will run and probably keep running (well, except for mine at times), but rattle free? Will everything work? Not a chance. I had $3400 worth of warranty work in the past 6 months. My warranty was just about up and I had zero evidence that I wasn't going to have another $3400 coming up---only this time out of MY pocket. What was I supposed to do?
Don't feel as if you need to explain your choice to dump the Trig; I traded mine three months ago. There was a lot getting ready to go on it and I wasn't looking forward to the expense. Sure, the car looked good (53K on it) and it handled well, BUT when GM turns their back on you (starter went out one day after the waranty expired and they wouldn't do anything for me), what other option is there?
My Grand Marquis gets me the same mileage, but I now have a V8, RWD and a lot more room inside and in the trunk; of course being a CPO car, I have a zero deductible through 75K/6 years which helps, too.
Seeing the "quality" GM offers, I didn't even think about another of the General's vehicles.
Enjoy the Camry and laugh all the way to the bank.
I used to be one of those guys on Edmunds who was adamant that GM was coming around, the vehicle quality was getting better, etc.
Well, now with some perspective on recent vehicles, my attitude has changed. I have a long commute now (78 miles a day in Metro DC) and a pregnant wife. I can't afford to screw around anymore with dealer trying to figure out whats wrong with my car THIS time. I don't want to be on a first name basis with service advisors any more. I gave GM a shot, I really did. And actually, if they were to build a product that I felt was high quality, maybe I'd give it a shot if the deal was right (since we've got GM Card points up the wazoo to spend). But now at least I have one car that is very well made and technologically superior to most everything else out there.
Interesting about your warranty situation. This is my warranty story. My wife, who was then my fiance, had a 2000 Olds Alero GLS Coupe. Black with grey leather. 20k miles, 3 years 3 months old. She's driving down my parking garage and I'm standing there waving goodbye. All of a sudden I see this fluid gushing from beneath the car. It rolls to a stop in front of me...she says everything just died.
Car is towed to a dealer---total failure of the power steering system. Cost of new system: $2,300. Call GM--look, this car is barely out of warranty, you really think a car should drop its steering system at 20k? They ended up sending a check for $400 as a "good faith gesture." Gee, thanks.
Never said GM didn't need to improve, and in fact does, but, my experience after many years of numerous GM cars has not been as dark as some here have described. Yes, it really is improving too. I might be the contrarian here, but human nature being what it is, most posts will be negative. People don't post as much if they have no problems or complaints. Happy with mine, glad you are free of your problem car. :lemon:
I am looking to trade in or sell my 1999 Olds Intrigue and I am trying to figure out what the trim level is so that I can get an accurate value. I don't have the original sticker and I can't find whether it's a GX, GL or GLS. I checked all of the stickers (on the inside of the doors and the inside of the trunk lid) and the manual to no avail. I feel like I am missing an obvious way to find it. Any ideas?
what features does the car have? Mine is a GX and its pretty obvious, as it has NOTHING but the 3.5 engine (no fog lights, no spoiler, small brakes, non shiny rims, manual seat adjustment etc) discerning GL from GLS might be trickier
The GX (base model) has no external markings while GL and GLS had oval badges behind the front wheel openings.
Mine was a base, but because of all the standard equipment it came with, at the time it was the best equipped car in its' price field; Trac, 4 wheel disc with ABS, etc, etc. They were optional on the Lumina GTZ I looked at first.
There aren't any badges on my 1999 that I have noticed on the newer Intrigues. It came with power windows and locks and power seats and cassette. It also has a CD, but I remember that being an option. The engine is a 3.8 V8. I know later that year they started coming with the 3.5.
Does it have traction control and duel climate control? If it does it's at least a GL. If it has sreering wheel controls and heated leather seats it may be a GLS. Hope this helps.
Quuick question so I don't ruin my Intrigue: Where is the drain oil drai plug on the Intrigue? Last time I was under the car noticed two possible drain plugs: one near the middle of the vehicle and the other closer to the passenger side. Also, has anyone used the Fram SureDrain or Fumoto drain valve on the Intrigue?
It is in the oil pan; It's on the front side (not bottom) face. There is also a big black plug (3 or 4 inches in diameter) about a foot back from the drain plug on the bottom; that is where the oil filter is. You need a socket-type oil filter wrench to screw it out. The filter is mounted inside that black plug. It's a disposable cartridge type (looks kind of like a lawn mower air filter). Hope this helps (unlike previous poster).
Sorry you decided to go to the dark side with a Camry. As for the hybrid thing, it's a gimmick. While the mileage is better even with your tax credit it's no big advantage. Don't even get me started on the environmental issues of the batteries ect. As for reliably, you can't compare a 2000 GM with a 2006/7 Toyota. GM quality is much better today than it was back then. That said, my 2000 Intrigue has been mostly trouble free and solid. I have a feeling (given there have been issues already with Prius) that your hybrid system will cause you problems also.
Long time no hear, nice to see you are still here. Intrigue is still running great, just passed 110K. I think another year or two and it will be time for fresh wheels.
I took a look at the new Aura and I am really tempted. What a nice sedan, the 3.6L with the 18" wheels and brown leather interior looks great. This is the nicest looking sedan GM has made since the Intrigue IMO. Have you seen one?
Will also look at a Impala LTZ, a Fusion and a used CTS.
Aura may be nice, but I could never bring myself to buy a Saturn. That division should not even exist.
I find myself tempted by the Lincoln Zephyr (or MKZ, next year, with an upgraded engine), or the Buick Lucerne, as replacements for the 'Trig when the time comes.
Saturn is the reason Olds was wrongly killed. The next Intrigue would have been at the top of my shopping list. I choose not to reward GM for making bad decisions and will never buy a Saturn.
Ya, still around. 46k miles on my now over 6-1/2 year old '00 GL SLP-TypeR (a local Chi-town dealer installed SLP parts package at the time). Just added 18 inch chrome wheels mounted on Dunlop 245-45 Z rated F1 rain tires. Updated the 'old horse' pretty well.
If I were in the market now, the G6 GTP with the new 3.9 DoD interests me, or the Aura. No interest whatsoever in those still boring Japanese sourced sedans like Camry and Accord. Bulletproof perhaps, but also characterless, which to me is a poor tradeoff (I consider myself a born car enthusiast that would not be caught dead in a boring emotionless car).
Vegas has been hot lately of course, and we have had the worst monsoon weather since I moved here 4 years ago. Dryer now so I can keep the car clean!
This happened to my 01 while it was still under warranty. The dealer, which also sells Cadillacs, gave us a loaner--a Malibu/Cutlass, that smelled like a filled up ashtray, from their used car lot. They had our car for a week. When I called to check on the status of the repair, they said it was done and to come by to pick up the car. When we arrived, we noticed that the car was in the very same space on their lot where we left it. When we started it up and tried to put it in gear, we discovered that they only glued the piece back, but didn't check to see if it was working. Needless to say, they had the car another week before we were finally able to drive it. I wonder how they treat their Cadillac customers? To make a long story short, our 01 now has 104,000 miles and is dying a slow death with new problems almost every other day: noises, steering locking up, radio that is either too loud or too low, dealer said the balance shaft was going and we need a new engine, the next day we had a blown tranny instead, headlights and turnsignals that blow out very quickly, interior trim pieces coming off, warning light coming on with no apparent cause, replaced wheel bearings, tie rods, etc., and the list keeps going. Only thing is that none of these problems except for the shift handle happened under warranty. Seriously thinking of getting an 07 Camry and turning the Olds into a giant birdfeeder.
At least it wasn't a 'wall' job (parked near wall at shop, and never touched). Seriously, 100k miles is allot, and so i would expect some 'issues' like yours by then, perhaps not the engine though. Seems like the same story, bad car and previous owner runs to a Japanese sourced one, assumming that makes it all fine and good from there out. Hope it does for you, but some of this is just hype (see recalls by Nissan and recently, even vaunted Toyota). Hope that just becuase you hate this car :lemon: you aren't excluding all American makes, as that is just wrong, but a common mistake. Sorry for your troubles.
Saturn didn't cause Olds to die, slow sales from poor marketing and mismanagement did. Saturn didn't compete with Olds nor did it hurt it's sales. That said, Buick should have been killed, not Olds. Buick still doesn't have the goods clean modern designs Olds had years ago.
Thanks for the pics. I have not done anything to my car aside from new Goodyear Assurance tires and a new ambient temp sensor. Car has been running great. Just past 110K kms. Need to get some new wipers for fall winter. Any suggestions? I went back to OEM Delco ones last time as they seem to work best.
Summer is starting to cool up here, the really muggy hot days seem to be done.
Saturn didn't compete with anyone since their product was a joke -- but the billions that GM poured into that sinkhole is why Olds was saddled with zero marketing and late product.
Make no mistake -- if Saturn hadn't been created, Olds would still be around.
Disagree on past Saturn products not being worthy. I have a 2003 VUE AWD V6 that thas been problem free and a great small SUV. Esp. great in getting me out of super deep snow in the Mountains.
Agree that perhaps Saturn helped some decision by that moron Zarella for the demise of Olds, as perhaps they planned for the money to go to Saturn anyways for the current/coming makeover.
Finally, make no mistake about this, Olds' demise was due to failure of marketing to get the message out on thier reformed product lines clearly, in addition to not allowing time for that same message and new focus to really take hold. Zarrella was an idiot, and yes, he should have killed Buick instead if any.
Overall an old debate, but glad I still have mine!
MOTOR NOISE!!! The top end of the motor under the valve cover on one side (3 of the 6 cyl.)is very noisy and also bone dry. THREE mechanics later still no fix... Looking for a motor diagram to see how the oil gets pumped up to the double overhead cam. Also, the motor runs great, no skip.... 2001 olds intrigue. 3.5 liter engine
MOTOR NOISE!!! The top end of the motor under the valve cover on one side (3 of the 6 cyl.)is very noisy and also bone dry. THREE MECHANICS LATER, still no fix... Looking for a motor diagram to see how the oil gets pumped up to the double overhead cam. Also, the motor runs great, no skip.... 2001 olds intrigue. 3.5 liter engine
"As Toyota factories rush to fill Camry orders, the launch has encountered a speed bump. Internet chat sites such as Edmunds.com, MSN Autos and Yahoo! Autos list hundreds of customer complaints about 2007 Camry powertrains hesitating under low-speed acceleration. That echoes problems suffered in the launch of last year's redesigned Avalon, which shares many components with the Camry.
In response to these complaints, Toyota has issued several technical service bulletins for the 2007 Camry powertrain, a spokesman said. The bulletins address transmission malfunctions, spiking RPMs and harsh downshifts.
Toyota's success around the world has caused a substantial review of the company's vaunted quality procedures.
Executives are pondering whether Toyota's rapid growth is undermining vehicle quality, forcing a reevaluation of the automaker's launch strategy."
Saturn still didn't kill Olds... sure adding Saturn and then loosing 10-15 points of market share in the following 10 years would mean something had to go, but that is just general poor GM management. You linking Oldsmobiles death to Saturn is only in your mind. :confuse:
Thankfully the product coming from Saturn now is finally worth of it's top notch customer service and that means I can finally take a serious look.
Thankfully the product coming from Saturn now is finally worth of it's top notch customer service and that means I can finally take a serious look.
Well, I still cannot. Rehashing small European designs for the American market is the answer why Saturn is stagnant. Look at the Aura, it holds no candle to the Intrigue. Its counterpart at Olds would more appropriately be the Alero. But I'm not in the market for an expensive (with the 3.6) compact car, not now, not ever.
What killed Olds was ongoing poor decisions by GM management... from the "not your father's Oldsmobile" ad campaign to dropping the big RWD cars too soon to lack of product development money, keeping things like the Ciera around far too long. One of those bad decisions was the creation of Saturn which siphoned off billions in product dewvelopment funding and was aimed at the same market GM repositioned Olds to go after. They should have killed Saturn, but that would have meant that the decision to create it was a mistake, and a lot of those execs were still around, and even those who weren't, like Zarella, favored something new over something that had been around forever. So Saturn definitely had a major role to play in the demise of Olds and I will never consider anything with a Saturn badge on it.
I seem to have struck a nerve. But seriously, this is probably our last GM and possibly American car for a while. I'm mostly interested in reliablity these days and am aware of the issues that Toyota has been having recently. The Intrigue has cost us a lot of money and given us a lot of grief over the years(and so did our 94 Cavalier and 78 Cutlass, may they rest in peace). Our other car, a VW, is 4 years older with more miles and has been in the shop less often. The fact of the matter is that I would consider an American car if they had better track records for reliability and they made something that I really liked. So, whether its a Camry, Accord or Sonata, before I buy anything, I'm going to read up on it, test drive it and make the best decision I can.
Aura is not much of a rehash with american power plants and a very unique interior. Sure the exterior takes from the Opel but it's more Pontiac G6 than Opel. Aura is also not a compact (not sure where you get that from), it's almost identical in size to a mid-size Camry or Accord.
I agree with you on the "not your father's Olds" and the never ending Cieras ect.
Saturn may have siphoned some marketing / development dollars from other GM divisions but Olds had an all new lineup (which GM spent billions developing and marketing) in case you forgot and still could't sell cars. Never get me wrong.. killing Olds was not a good decision. It's just not as simple as you make it out to be and Saturn had little to nothing to do with Olds death.
We will have to disagree -- I believe Saturn's fingerprints were all over the knife in Olds' back and that the lack of Olds marketing was directly related to those dollars being devoted to Saturn. In any event, the essential point is that I will not buy anything that has a Saturn nameplate on it. An insignificant gesture to be sure, but one I must follow just on principle.
Agree to disagree indeed. There are no finger prints or conspiracies. Olds was given billions to make a go of it and it was squandered by those who ran the division, plain and simple. None of it has anything to do with Saturn.
One thing we can agree on is that Olds never should have been killed. Killing Olds killed 2 points of market share, nothing to sneeze at.
Comments
There were bulletins on the steering column/shaft back when I first had the car; can't remember details, but had the intermediate steering shaft replaced and some other part of it went a second time.
Only noticed a kind of clunking feel when making turns.
The dealership should know this and fix the steering for sure (and for free!).
I have also had tie rods replaced and a front joint (but the bad joint, they say, should make a groaning sound).
How many miles on the car?
Mileage - don't know much about. Mine has been pretty good...about 20-23 mph average, and I have 95,000 miles on it. But, uses lots of oil (always down 1-2 quarts between 3000 mile changes!!). So, check your oil between oil changes!! GM says this is normal for that engine. Whatever...it's a fact of life, so just keep checking!
If I can get back to this forum, I'll try and give you the list of things that they should fix that they say don't need fixing (I know because I've had lots of things fixed on this baby!).
Hope this helps.
All the noises that I hear out of the car are slight, but they are there. I'm just hoping i didnt make a bad decision buying the car.
The previous owner had never replaced anything on it yet, I'm hoping that its not all going bad starting now.
If it's a bad joint in the front end, usually there is a groan (so they say).
Most dealerships will always say they don't hear/see/feel the things we do!!
Do you have an extended warranty? I bought one when I got the car used at 17,000. Glad I did because the little things add up.
I don't really know what effect the excess oil consumption has on the car's performance/engine. I figure it has to be fouling up something somewhere after awhile though!
I've done a lot of searches on web sites where Olds Intrigue owners describe the same problems I have had with mine...a lot of good info there.
If the previous owner really had few problems, that's great. I don't think there have ever been actual recalls on the Intrigue (also a good thing!), just technical bulletins for things like the steering, but wonder if that would still apply to your car (with the higher mileage on it).
Mine doesn't sound as perfect (the engine) as it used to either, but it is getting up there in miles.
I really liked the engine/power/performance, which is why I bought it in the first place. Plus, it is the only car I can drive for long distances and be comfortable!
I'll try to find the info, if I can, on the bulletins, etc.
The low oil light will come on if you are a quart low. I burn about a quart every 1500-200 miles. I buy the Walmart Supertech 5 gallon jug for $7.80 and keep in trunk. The car still gets 27-28 mpg per tank (90% highway). So this is much cheaper option that most of us accept. I doubt the burning oil would cause the engine getitng louder during acceleration. If it does bother you, some people swear by the engine flushes. YOu cna have the dealership do that. It will probably help a bit but....it will come back. It's the nature of the engine.
I'll try the lithium grease this weekend. Is there a certain type of lithium grease?
Thanks alot man.
I don't think the ISS is a safety issue. At least I haven't heard of any incidences. That why getting under the steering wheel and lubing it yourself is such a popular option. GM has a more formal process that requires taking it to the shop and putting it up on the lift and actually removing the steering column to lube the shaft. Since I am out of warranty and would cost me, I'll just climb under the steering wheel and do it myself.
But, as I've said recently, its started to betray me. It has 44,000 miles and at times sound like it has 144,000. There is a very bad rattle coming from the back that nobody seems to have much of a clue about. The steering column and dash area appear to be coming loose on the inside and very a pretty bad rattle. I'm on my 3rd steering shaft, and this time the problem came back after less than a 1,000 miles. Of course I had the incident I described when my vehicle stopped dead at 60 mph on the highway. Seperatley, I had a leak in the intake manifold. The oxygen sensor was malfunctioned. The power window on the drivers side stopped working. The forward and back buttons on the CD player stopped working. Well, you get the point. And now, (not the car's fault), I need new brakes.
I'm trading it for a 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid. It will be a big adjustment not having my Shortstar to rely on. I did love the power across the spectrum. While the Camry Hybrid is a 4 cylinder, I found it to be pretty quick--it has a 50 HP electric motor in addition to the 4 cylinder. Road Track clocked it to 60 faster than the Intrigue! (7.3 seconds). I'm getting it for HOV reasons mostly.
But anyway, the bottom line is that despite all that, I'll miss my car. Resale on it is horrid and I didn't get all that much for my trade (though this dealer gave me $500 more than Carmax and $800 more than KBB). So anyway, just thought I'd post here like I did when I bought it. I'll always have a soft spot for it. I wish it had been a better car--the reliability was just unacceptable. But it was well designed with a great powertrain.
So long, Iggy.
So, good luck with your new car. I will not be buying a GM anything again (this was my third - a lemon Buick, and two Oldsmobiles).
Enjoy your new ride!
Di
Overall, Hybrids are a loss for the buyer unless they drive enormous amounts of annual miles.
As the contrarian here, too the Camry is super boring, but yes super reliable. An appliance then. For many, that is enough. Really, Toyota has become the Japanese Buick, both in product and most of thier core buyer demographics. I'd never buy a Buick (ok, maybe the coming LaCross Super), and so no Toyota for me. Mazda and perhaps Nissan are another matter entirely, providing exciting products AND cars with character.
I never have thought of cars as appliances, and so after 6.5+ years, and 45k miles, my 2000 GL Intrigue still is an exciting sedan that has proven pretty reliable. Any car, even Toyotas, have problems as they age and the miles add on. Some more or less than others. I have had many GM's and all have been great, so my experiences is at odds with some here.
I drove the Camry the same way I did my Intrigue today to work and back--a long trip that's an even mix between highway and city. My Intrigue got 23 or so on this run. The Camry got 35 today. That's with some pretty aggressive driving.
In terms of it being a loss...well, no, not really. The Hybrid comes in what is essentially XLE trim--XLE interior, sound system (440 watt JBL), Bluetooth, dual climate with steering wheel controls, and the Lexus stability control system (only Camry its available on). Mine has a sunroof. If you option up a regular Camry that much, you're looking at less than a few thousand difference. For buying a Camry Hybrid, I get a $2600 tax credit. It makes up the difference...the rest is all gravy.
The battery pack is warrantied for 8 years, 100k. There is many a Prius out there now well over 100k and still going strong. We'll see. Toyota expects it to go a minimum of 10 years. 10 years is a long time.
Look, its all subjective...if you think the new Camry looks boring, that's up to you. Compared to Accord or what? The Altima? The 6? To me, this Camry's a far more intersting car visually. If your appliances have these features, well, you've got a heck of an appliance. And every single one of these cars will be looking at the tailights of the V6 Camry.
I know it may break down. We'll see. I just don't need a lecture about GM cars...I've owned 5. I'm just sick of it. Maybe the Camry won't be better...but it can't be worse. You're the exception, not the rule with your luck. I thought the Intrigue was a great car in terms of design and powertrain. Durability, it was a disaster. Sure, it will run and probably keep running (well, except for mine at times), but rattle free? Will everything work? Not a chance. I had $3400 worth of warranty work in the past 6 months. My warranty was just about up and I had zero evidence that I wasn't going to have another $3400 coming up---only this time out of MY pocket. What was I supposed to do?
My Grand Marquis gets me the same mileage, but I now have a V8, RWD and a lot more room inside and in the trunk; of course being a CPO car, I have a zero deductible through 75K/6 years which helps, too.
Seeing the "quality" GM offers, I didn't even think about another of the General's vehicles.
Enjoy the Camry and laugh all the way to the bank.
Good luck.
Deke
I used to be one of those guys on Edmunds who was adamant that GM was coming around, the vehicle quality was getting better, etc.
Well, now with some perspective on recent vehicles, my attitude has changed. I have a long commute now (78 miles a day in Metro DC) and a pregnant wife. I can't afford to screw around anymore with dealer trying to figure out whats wrong with my car THIS time. I don't want to be on a first name basis with service advisors any more. I gave GM a shot, I really did. And actually, if they were to build a product that I felt was high quality, maybe I'd give it a shot if the deal was right (since we've got GM Card points up the wazoo to spend). But now at least I have one car that is very well made and technologically superior to most everything else out there.
Interesting about your warranty situation. This is my warranty story. My wife, who was then my fiance, had a 2000 Olds Alero GLS Coupe. Black with grey leather. 20k miles, 3 years 3 months old. She's driving down my parking garage and I'm standing there waving goodbye. All of a sudden I see this fluid gushing from beneath the car. It rolls to a stop in front of me...she says everything just died.
Car is towed to a dealer---total failure of the power steering system. Cost of new system: $2,300. Call GM--look, this car is barely out of warranty, you really think a car should drop its steering system at 20k? They ended up sending a check for $400 as a "good faith gesture." Gee, thanks.
Happy with mine, glad you are free of your problem car. :lemon:
Mine was a base, but because of all the standard equipment it came with, at the time it was the best equipped car in its' price field; Trac, 4 wheel disc with ABS, etc, etc. They were optional on the Lumina GTZ I looked at first.
Deke
I took a look at the new Aura and I am really tempted. What a nice sedan, the 3.6L with the 18" wheels and brown leather interior looks great. This is the nicest looking sedan GM has made since the Intrigue IMO. Have you seen one?
Will also look at a Impala LTZ, a Fusion and a used CTS.
How are things in Vegas?
I find myself tempted by the Lincoln Zephyr (or MKZ, next year, with an upgraded engine), or the Buick Lucerne, as replacements for the 'Trig when the time comes.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Buick Lucerne is nice though it likely won't fit in my garage. My Intrigue is tight. I would also want the V8 which would start getting pricey.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Just added 18 inch chrome wheels mounted on Dunlop 245-45 Z rated F1 rain tires. Updated the 'old horse' pretty well.
Some picts:
Recent pictures
If I were in the market now, the G6 GTP with the new 3.9 DoD interests me, or the Aura. No interest whatsoever in those still boring Japanese sourced sedans like Camry and Accord. Bulletproof perhaps, but also characterless, which to me is a poor tradeoff (I consider myself a born car enthusiast that would not be caught dead in a boring emotionless car).
Vegas has been hot lately of course, and we have had the worst monsoon weather since I moved here 4 years ago. Dryer now so I can keep the car clean!
Seriously, 100k miles is allot, and so i would expect some 'issues' like yours by then, perhaps not the engine though. Seems like the same story, bad car and previous owner runs to a Japanese sourced one, assumming that makes it all fine and good from there out. Hope it does for you, but some of this is just hype (see recalls by Nissan and recently, even vaunted Toyota). Hope that just becuase you hate this car :lemon: you aren't excluding all American makes, as that is just wrong, but a common mistake. Sorry for your troubles.
Company slowing down to avoid more recalls."
"NHTSA investigates Toyota Sienna"
"Tundra suspension problems continue"
Headlines seen today that makes my point. :lemon: :lemon:
Summer is starting to cool up here, the really muggy hot days seem to be done.
Make no mistake -- if Saturn hadn't been created, Olds would still be around.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Agree that perhaps Saturn helped some decision by that moron Zarella for the demise of Olds, as perhaps they planned for the money to go to Saturn anyways for the current/coming makeover.
Finally, make no mistake about this, Olds' demise was due to failure of marketing to get the message out on thier reformed product lines clearly, in addition to not allowing time for that same message and new focus to really take hold. Zarrella was an idiot, and yes, he should have killed Buick instead if any.
Overall an old debate, but glad I still have mine!
MOTOR NOISE!!!
The top end of the motor under the valve cover on one side (3 of the 6 cyl.)is very noisy and also bone dry. THREE mechanics later still no fix... Looking for a motor diagram to see how the oil gets pumped up to the double overhead cam. Also, the motor runs great, no skip....
2001 olds intrigue. 3.5 liter engine
MOTOR NOISE!!!
The top end of the motor under the valve cover on one side (3 of the 6 cyl.)is very noisy and also bone dry. THREE MECHANICS LATER, still no fix... Looking for a motor diagram to see how the oil gets pumped up to the double overhead cam. Also, the motor runs great, no skip....
2001 olds intrigue. 3.5 liter engine
"As Toyota factories rush to fill Camry orders, the launch has encountered a speed bump. Internet chat sites such as Edmunds.com, MSN Autos and Yahoo! Autos list hundreds of customer complaints about 2007 Camry powertrains hesitating under low-speed acceleration. That echoes problems suffered in the launch of last year's redesigned Avalon, which shares many components with the Camry.
In response to these complaints, Toyota has issued several technical service bulletins for the 2007 Camry powertrain, a spokesman said. The bulletins address transmission malfunctions, spiking RPMs and harsh downshifts.
Toyota's success around the world has caused a substantial review of the company's vaunted quality procedures.
Executives are pondering whether Toyota's rapid growth is undermining vehicle quality, forcing a reevaluation of the automaker's launch strategy."
Ya, Toyota, bullet proof, riiiggghhht. :lemon:
Thankfully the product coming from Saturn now is finally worth of it's top notch customer service and that means I can finally take a serious look.
Well, I still cannot. Rehashing small European designs for the American market is the answer why Saturn is stagnant. Look at the Aura, it holds no candle to the Intrigue. Its counterpart at Olds would more appropriately be the Alero. But I'm not in the market for an expensive (with the 3.6) compact car, not now, not ever.
GM can bid me farwell. :P
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Saturn may have siphoned some marketing / development dollars from other GM divisions but Olds had an all new lineup (which GM spent billions developing and marketing) in case you forgot and still could't sell cars. Never get me wrong.. killing Olds was not a good decision. It's just not as simple as you make it out to be and Saturn had little to nothing to do with Olds death.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
One thing we can agree on is that Olds never should have been killed. Killing Olds killed 2 points of market share, nothing to sneeze at.