Oldsmobile Intrigue

one2one

Changes

There are some significant changes between 1998 and 2001.

-Trunk lid: In 98 it took a lot of effort to close the trunk. My wife hated it. With the 01 it closes as easily as the traditional hinged trunk does.

-Noise: This is a favorite on this forum. I found the noise level to be considerably lower than in 98. I take I-295 into work. Most of it is concrete. Yet tire noise wasn't intrusive. It was there, and unless you're driving an LS430 you're going to hear it. But it was much quieter than my old one. Even outside noise like cars passing by was well muted.

-Seats: Need more lumbar support. A manual (preferably a power) lumbar support is needed. I believe harlanc said that would be corrected with 2002 models. They also seem wider than before. Note that I had cloth seats in the 98, now I have leather. Shouldn't matter but you never know.

-Mirror: Trivial matter but the rear-view mirror is different. Now there is a push button to activate the lights under the mirror. Previously it used a rocker switch. I'm going to replace it with a Donnelly electrochromic mirror with compass and outside temp reading.

Driving Impressions

-Ride: The ride quality felt better than the 98. While not an Aurora, it was very comfortable over large bumps like sunken manhole covers. The 98 seemed to allow more of the impact into the cabin. The ride of the 98 was also a little firmer. 2001 is much smoother overall. But I'm sure the 3.5 has a lot to do with that.

-Engine: Since we're on the subject, I found the 3.5 to be a much better engine than the 3800. I have been in both camps so it's not loyalty speaking. The 3.5 w/o PCS has more than enough power for "sane" stop-n-go. Still too soon to see how it performs when flooring it from a stop. The orchestration btwn the engine and tranny is also improved. With the 3.8 (and I feel it in the Bonnie as well) after mashing the gas while doing about 30 mph a slight hesitation occurs. Not long, nothing to cause concern. More like the engine is taking a deep breath. Not in the 3.5. Immediate, smooth and seamless power is delivered. Highway passing was excellent, as expected.

I'm sure I'll think of more. Will post as it comes to me. But overall, I am very pleased with the purchase. I'm glad I didn't go with the other vehicles on my shopping list. Besides, this car looks good in Midnight Blue!

dindak

one2one : Congrats! Midnight Blue is a great color. I think our next vehicle will be the same. I have not driven a 98, but many of your impressions are the same as mine. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy my GL. Which stereo system did you get?

9899olds : L-300 is a very nice car. Interior could be better and the exterior could be more exciting but the car is fast. The 2003 models will be slightly re-skinned.

one2one

Thanks. The standard radio is in it right now. Sound is much better than what was in my base and current GX models. I bought a Pioneer for the other car so all I have to do is install it in this one. The harness and wiring are already done. I just lost the black piece that covers the empty space at the bottom of the radio. I'm going to go back to Circuit City and see if they have one hanging around. Otherwise it's $40 for another kit.

I've been debating whether to install it because the stock radio isn't bad. Not great, but not bad. My reasoning is that after installing the Pioneer in the old Intrigue sound quality improved dramatically. So if the radio in the new one sounds pretty decent, the Pioneer should rock with the GL speakers. I plan on making the swap after work today.

dindak

JD Power's new survey out today for customer service satisfaction. Interesting.

1. Lexus
2. Saturn
3. Cadillac

9. Oldsmobile

18. Honda
19. Toyota
20. Chevy

one2one : Does it have the cassette/ CD combo, or is it just the CD. I have both with the steering controls. I really like it. The Bose is better, but it's also cost a fair chunk more.

yurakm

Congratulations!

teo

Congratulations! Enjoy your new car!

jgriff

Sorry about your 98, and glad no one was injury.

I think it kind of nice when one is forced to upgrade via insurance, as long as one is not upside down on the loan. It is a lot better than a blown engine and you are stuck with the repair bill.

Good Luck...

one2one

dindak::: Yes, it has the CD/cassette combo w/steering wheel controls. Didn't want to spring for the Bose since I already pumped out over $300 total (including installation) for the Pioneer. Installation of the Pioneer is easy. Just take a flathead screwdriver, start on the left side near the middle close to the bottom (suppose it doesn't really matter), pop it off and slowly but carefully pull out. Unscrew the mounting brackets, plug in the antenna to the new radio and wire harness. Pop moulding back into place.

Wa-la!

It's done. Takes about 5 minutes. But I did have practice taking it out of the old one :-)

teo

I agree with Dindak to some extent. the Opel brand has almost zero recognition in North America and I have heard that the few older ones that were imported here in the 60's and early 70's were not that great either. However, the current breed of Opels (Left untouched and brought over from Europe 'as is')should be a very sucessful line-up of cars re-badged under the remaining divisions.

The Catera is a detuned Opel Omega/Holden Commodore that was messed up by the incompetence of the Cadillac management in the late '90's to bring down the age of the typical Cadillac customer and shake up the 'geritol' (Hey 1415 no offense intended ) image of the division. In an attempt to turn a decent European road car into an American plushmobile, GM made lots of modifications to the car on the fly and most of them were never tested properly or even spent enough time in quality control. The result? A great car that gained a bad rep overnight because of making significant changes to the car without testing them accordingly and then rushing it to market with a high sticker price.

The Saturn L is a similar story. The Saturn L is a direct descendant of the current generation Opel Vectra. Mechanically seems better than the Catera, yet the car has also been experiencing numerous quality control issues. The car is assambled on GM's delaware plant and not Spring Hill, TN were the S series Saturns are made. The Delaware plant is not known for great quality of craftmanship or great laboral relations either. the car is ugly outside and very nice inside. The 3.0L V6 is probably the best feature of the car.

The future crop of Opel models as shown on an earlier link should prove to be successful contrary to what some may say here. Provided that GM decides to bring the Opel Astra (Cavalier replacement) and next generation Sigma models such as the Vectra and Omega I am sure that GM will begin to regain some of the lost market share.

The 'Euro' style does sell and right now it is consider to be the trendiest and hottest among new cars (Read VW, Audi and BMW). In all honesty, the Europeans have it together with beautiful designs. the Japanese have fallen into the boredom of their generic products and the US is seeing a resurgence but not without bad hiccups such as the Aztek.

The future of GM products rests on the new platforms co-developed by GM and Opel. Like or not. GM needs to abandon the idea that North America gets different cars than the rest of the world...is simply not cost efficient and quality suffers in the end.

Some critics taught that the Ford Focus was going to be a flunk or the new generation Jetta IV and Passat V models were going to be also. How wrong they were. Those cars have proven consistently that the new wave of European design is equally liked here and across the pond. That was not the case before.

The European market Ford Focus looks identical to the US version. The European market VW's look indentical to the US bound versions. There is no longer the need to make heavy design and driving feel modification when a competent design meets the general requirements of a broad market audience.

focus18

Congratulations! Keep us updated on your new Mirror (isn't that twice the price of a stock option)

one2one

http://www.auto.com/reviews/ulrich12_20010712.htm

Article talks about Saturn's L-series being good but late to the party. Seems like the stuffed shirts at GM still haven't gotten the picture. Let's hope they don't flush Buick down the toilet. Unfortunately it looks like they will. 3.7L doesn't look like it will be ready when the Regal is (terribly) redesigned. So they'll go with the trusty 3800. Their SUV is attractive but underpowered. And there's talk about making all Buick dealers part of GMC-Pontiac (as some in my area already are). Apparently everyone in the world except GM learned from the mistakes made with Oldsmobile.

teo

Of the Saturn L. I think the author hits the nail on the head when he says "We waited 9 years for this???"

jgriff

I have tested them several times over the last 7-8 years [including the L series]. I always come away very under whelmed [underpowered & very noisy].

I think their biggest claim to fame is their SERVICE, and doing a very fine job of making their customers feel SPECIAL. And for some the NO-Haggle [one price] may also have some appeal. But without a doubt there better alternatives to the Saturn out there.

dindak

teo : GM should indeed use it's world wide resources to build or bring over the best it has. The Opel name will not fly here however and replacing Saturn with Opel makes no sense. Using modified European designs can indeed work, especially for small cars which American designers can't seem to do well.

one2one : Ya.. I was hitting the top of the $$ range with a GL already. Bose stereo was not in the cards. I mostly listen to FM radio anyway.

As for the Saturn L300, no it's not exciting to look at BUT it is way more fun to drive than a V6 Camry/Accord, and it's faster too. The quality is much improved over the first ones off the line and owners seem very happy. Check out the forum. I still like my Intrigue better, but the Saturn L300 is a very good midsize choice.

jg28

Dindak: Call them what you want but Opels WILL/WOULD sell over here. Saturn had no reputation whatever to speak of when it began. Opel has a lot more to start with. What is NOT going to sell are Americanized versions of cars built on the same platform as their European cousins. Maybe there's a certain "type" of person that finds European styling so appealing but I find that it is usually unilaterally appealing.

Saturns aren't appealing (other than this newfound JD Power report). Oldsmobiles are better Saturns than Saturns are. Who would argue that our cars are more attractive/appealing than the L series (underpowered and ugly).

Opel has an already established name plate even if it is in Europe. Remember that we're living in a global world. Opel's reputation would quickly become known to North Americans, even if they don't know it yet.

swagled

You're driving my car! ;-) Although I didn't get the leather seats, and mine is a 2000. I do think midnight blue is one of the better colors, IMHO.

I've got the headlight flicker (not too bad, haven't bothered to have the alternator serviced) and a little bit of creaking sounds from the front left corner. This is at 12K miles. Otherwise, no problems mechanically.

My main reason getting the GL over the GX was wanting the front and rear sway bars. But I have been getting spoiled by the climate control... It's a nice feature.

ab348

Man, is this grouip prolific! I can barely keep up.

I have to say the spy shots of the upcoming Delta/Epsilon leave me cold. One looks a lot like a Camry and the others just look kind of awkward and ugly (and yes, I am aware that one is camoflagued). I do not care for the current GM trend of orienting headlights vertically (the upcoming Cadillacs seem stuck with this too). Comparing these to the 2002 Altima link also referenced, you really have to wonder what GM is thinking (and no, I am hardly a Japanese car fan). I just wonder if they will ever get things together.

Saturn: I find them mean, cheap, nasty little cars. Their base interiors are embarassing. The L-series is about as bland as one can get, and surprise, they aren't selling. I believe the billions GM spent on Saturn was largely a waste. One of GMs big problems is their inability (or unwillingness) to update models frequently enough (see the Cavalier for a good example). What would those Saturn billions have done for product development?

Opel: geez, I dunno. It's one thing to build a brand, but the product better be good when you try. Opel's rep in Europe may be good, I don't know, but my first impression of them is not good (based strictly on old images). I relate them to Vauxhall and the less said about that the better. However, having said that, the platform used for the Holden Caprice and the Chevy Caprice sold in Saudi Arabia seems to be just what GM needs over here. The Saudi Caprice is exactly the car I would buy if GM offered it here. Yet they can sell Cadillac Escalades (which I despise). Go figure.

b4z

Congratulations on your new car. I know you have been looking for a long time. The 3.5L is a sweet engine.
Out of curiousity, what is the build date on your car?
I think you will find the stock GL 6 speaker stereo is pretty good.

swagled

You now, I'd rate the GL radio as "allright". But not noticably better than the radio in a Ford Focus. Ford sure puts some crappy paint on their cars... but their radios are not bad at all.

one2one

5/01

one2one

What product does anyone recommend that can provide that "wet" look? Can I pick it up at the local PepBoys or AutoZone? I want to get something on it while I'm still excited and before I get lazy.

dindak

jg28 : Saturn has spent 10 years building it's name. The JD Power survey is not "newfound". Saturn has consistently been in the top 3 for years. I was mearly reiterating the known. Simply selling European models here won't work as American preferences are not the same as European. Perfect example is the cup holders or lack there of. I totally agree that there are some great Opels BUT, they have to be modified and sold under existing nameplates. The smaller models also have very small engines so they would likely have to be beefed up in that regard. Anyway, I think we agree Opel cars would sell. We just disagree on the methodology.

ab348 : Totally agree with you on Saturn if you are talking about the S-series. Not impressive and cramped are words that come to mind. The L-series interiors are quite good though. It's too bad the outside is so dull. I hope Saturn does a good job with the new S-series come next year. The Vue SUV looks like a big winner if the quality is there.

The new Automobile magazine has some great shots of the new CTS. Very impressive looking. I really like where Cadillac is going with their designs. The CTS, Escalade and Evoq all look great!

teo

Try Zaino products...unfortunately only available on mail order but worth the time and $$$...

www.zaino.com

ab348

Well, I'm glad you like the Caddy designs but I think they are atrocious. They are ugliness personified with thjat Blade Runner look. I cannot see too many Cadillac buyers liking them.

b4z

Thats good. A later build date probably has the latest updates.
On my bright blue maetallic camaro i use the mother's three step process.
Since your car is brand new and has not been sitting on the lot. I would forgo the cleaner and go straight to the sealer/glaze and then the carnuba wax. The sealer glaze will cover the fineline scratches and you will find that the metallics in the paint will really jump out. The carnuba wax lasts a fairly long time. About 3-4 months.
Zaino is also good for clarity. But is a fairly long process the first time out.

b4z

How do you feel about the new style wheels? I think i still prefer the originals.

tpken

What a gorgeous car you've got there! I also love that deep blue - and am partial to it on a variety of others as well like the Impala LS. So you have the chrome wheels too? Our secretary bought that car in the spectacular medium red color and it is soooo sharp!

Regarding the mirror - do you think it is compatible for my 2000 Bonneville SE as well? If so I might be interested in something like that. The electronic compass and outside temp are two features I'd like to have.

Best wishes for many years and miles of Intrigue driving.

Ken

dindak

bz4 : New style wheels are nice, just harder to clean.

ab348 : The Escalade is selling very well and the CTS forum is hopping. I think they will sell very well. Evoq is not suppose to be a big number seller, more of a flagship car.

one2one

Thanks for the positive thoughts. I didn't get chrome wheels because I knew I wouldn't have time to wait for the dealer to search or order the car with it. I am considering aftermarket but will hold off on that. I'm surprised how much I like the car even without the chrome. But I've seen it with them... way cool.

My second choice was Ruby. It's just right... not too bright, not too dark. For 2002 they dropped Midnight Blue replacing it with Indigo used on the Bravada. I've seen an Indigo Bravada. I can't imagine how beautiful an Intrigue will look in that color!

They say the mirror should fit all vehicles. I'm going to call before purchasing just to make sure it fits. Donnelly is respected in the automotive industry. In fact, they make the electrochromic mirrors w/OnStar for the Acura RL. So I would hope they made it to fit GM vehicles. Only Honda and Toytota seem to need special kits.

b4z

Hoping the cts will come out with a good engine its first year. Unlike the intrigue.