Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/25 for details.
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/25 for details.
Options
Comments
As a side note, I personally like the handling of the 3.8 over the 3.5. The steering feels heavier in the 3.8 and steering response quicker. It may be because the 3.8 is heavier than the 3.5. So with the extra weight pressing on the front wheels it's possible that explains the feel thru the wheel being different.
I have read that Lutz plans to kill the Bonniville. From what I have read recently, that doesn't seem to be the case. Hopefully GM will learn their lesson from Chrysler and bring into production these concepts that receive such rave reviews into production exactly as they are and not dumb them down by the time it hits the streets.
bravedave, have you owned since new? If I can ever get the transmission problem corrected once and for all, I don't think I'll have a problem reacing 100K although I'll probably trade before then. BTW, I've already got 24K on my 01 which I purchased 07/01.
Seriously, thanks to everyone who voted no matter who you did it for...nothing like democracy to fight terrorism!
I wouldn't have any qualms about the 3.8L. Its a great workhorse with good torque. Less sophisticated than the 3.5, but even that can have its advantages. Having driven both, the 3.5 feels differently in that it likes to play at a higher speed than the 3.8, but the 3.8 is nice and smooth.
On the 3.8 engine, I love it. I know it's old tech, but in my 40k miles, it has been absolutely flawless. It could go 100 all day long, with the indicated revs only about 2750. Used a little oil at first, but not a drop now. Also, gas mileage seems to be better now than earlier. On acceleration it has a characteristic induction growl that may make it sound less smooth than the 3.5, and of course the torque flattens out sooner, but personally I much prefer having the torque at the low end for much of my driving. Of course, it doesn't take much to give me a thrill: my last car was a Peugeot diesel.
We are also coming up on the second anniversary of the death announcement. It was Dec. 15th, right?
These days I drive our 02 Alero during the week as I have a longer commute.
They said it was the crank sensor that went bad and had a hard time locating one in this area. I hope this is it with repairs for a long while. At least this didn't cost me a penny because of the warranty.
About the rusted rotors, is it really a problem? I mean, in rainy days I can see pretty much every car in the company parking lot with the rotors rusted by the end of the day. Of course the rust goes away at the first time one steps on the brakes. Or are you talking about another kind of rust that's more worrisome?
TIA
So in short, you will DEFINITELY know if you have the rotor problem.
8^O
1. You plan on keeping the car at least 2 years after it's paid off.
2. You hustle the dealer down then drop a wad of cash so you can go for a short term.
3. If both one and two are true.
The primary reason for this recommendation is because of the depreciation. Keep the car after it's paid and depreciation is not an issue. If you only pay $18,000 for a $26,000 car, have a 3 year note and you'll never be behind the 8 ball. You're right;there are other good options these days, both foriegn and domestic. And your money will probably go further.
Personally, I want an Aurora Final 500 (they moved the seat track back in the Bonnie; hopefully, they did the same on the Aurora).
Granted, it was only a pre-production unit, but it was also in a show window...
TIA
one2one : I saw a local Toronto dealer had 3 Aurora 3.5L on cash sale for C$34,999 (about U$23K). What a steal. I wish I could upgrade as I really like the car. The 2003 V8 is the last Aurora, correct??
jg28 : I take it you haven't bought anything yet. Any thoughts of what you are leaning towards?
As an add on, I notice Camry reliability has fallen to average in Consumer Reports. Confirms my suspicion that Toyota is cutting costs and corners with their vehicles.
CR hasn't stopped praising and recommending the Camry, in spite of its falling quality. Well, the moment I got into one at a dealer about a year ago, I saw that in my face. Apparently, nobody in the press did. The only cars I see being reviewed unfavorably are generally American cars, deserved or not.
Take the G35, for example. I checked it out of curiosity and never read anything about the impossible location of the power seat buttons: on the seat, under one's thigh. Not only quite cumbersome to reach, but also an uncomfortable bump and a threat to the ladies' panty hoses. Were the otherwise fine G35 American, the press would be all over it.
Take my Bonneville: the press spends paragraphs about the number of buttons on the dash, but all fail to say that they are all in plain sight and within easy reach. IOW, superb ergonomics. Besides, it doesn't have more buttons than other cars in its class.
I'd wait to reach a final conclusion about the Mazda 6 until I test drive one, but would continue to give very little credit to such so called "reviews".
Not sure about when it's ending. But I do believe you're right that the '03 Aurora is it.
evandro::: I don't think they'll let you "test" the rotor before you buy :-) The really scary part is that before the rotor goes on the machine to cut, it looks perfectly normal. In my case, it wasn't until AFTER the cutting began that it showed.
I'm not sure you'd want an Intrigue after driving a Bonnie. I drove the SSEi a couple of weeks ago at a Chrysler event and it was very nice, particularly in the ride quality dept. Granted, I'm also comparing that to the ride in an Intrigue with wearing Badyears Eagle LS's. This is just my opinion, but if you want an Olds cheap, check out pre-owned Auroras. The 3.5 is nice but the V-8 is just plain intoxicating. And it's closer to the level of car you currently drive.
:^)
I really, really have to resist an Aurora and keep my bid low. I'm replacing a totalled car, thus I'm being forced to shop.
:^(
If I could choose, I'd wait until 2004 and get the new Pontiac GP.But I figured that, as the Intrigue has been in my radar screen before, it would be an upgrade from the Stratus or at least a smaller downgrade from the Bonneville.
;^)
I finally got my steering lube done at 41K miles, and it really did get rid of those low-speed jiggling sensations. A $48 service... if I only have to do this every couple of years, I'll just put up with it.
About 3K miles are put on the new Yokohamas now. They are better tires than those Eagles were. Not "loads whopping better", but-- just better.
They seem less prone to hydroplaning in the wet, and less prone to bringing the anti-lock brakes online in a quick dry stop. They provide a slightly stiffer ride, but I'd say the cornering ability is about the same as the Eagles were (when they were new). The Yokos don't make those annoying squeals during parking lot turns, either.
Get yours too at Discount Tire, and say goodbye to those BadYears...
one2one : V8 still runs on regular gas doesn't it? Should be some good deals this year as Im sure sale will continue to plunge with the lack of a V6 model.
oldsman : You are right about the CTS.. no power deficiency at all. Did you test a 9-3 yet?
I just put on a set of Bridgestone RE 900s to replace the Goodyears, and they are a distinct improvement over the worn-out OEMs. Ride is a little less harsh and cornering feels more positive. They were a good deal at Costco.
Of course, you say that you just got your second tank of gas, so it could also be that you engine is not quite broken in? I've read that the mileage actually gets better as the engine ages. As in 1 more MPG city/highway. Hope you didn't get a dud.
Anyone, have you found a decent aftermarket for the Intrigue? I've found a few online shops that have VERY LIMITED Intrigue parts (mostly W-body parts, but little that is Intrigue-specific), but I get a feeling that most of what I want will have to be custom-made. A lotta $$$.
Not really aftermarket but: http://www.autodirectsave.com/home.asp
http://www.autosportz.com
http://www.usautoparts.com/
The new Accord coupe is not bad looking from any angle but the front, but the sedan needs help on the front and rear. The interior of both is pretty nice, but nothing special. They do now offer a Navigation system and all Accords now have electroluminescent gauges which is a nice touch in a car this price. The Camry, lets just say it was a Camry. Nothing new on the Taurus/Sable front and it's pretty much ditto on the Impala and Regal as well. As for luxury cars Cadillac, Lexus, MB, Rover, Lincoln, Saab, and Hummer(well the price is certainly luxury class) were there, but that was about it. I still haven't driven a 9-3 yet, but got to check one out at the auto show and was impressed. The front seats and driving position was superb. And the one at the show was a manual! I was a little disappointed in some areas of the interior though as the carpeting and floor mats in my Intrigue are nicer and parts of the door panels seemed a bit low rent. But all in all, the 9-3 was a nice car. Despite seeing all the fine machinery that was there, I didn't feel too bad when I left and got into my humble Intrigue. I'd be willing to bet that if someone had stripped the badges off and Intrigue and brought one into the show and had people guess what kind of car it, all but a few would guess something other than an Olds.
IMHO, given enough engine, any difference between manual or automatic is academic, performance-wise. And I rather change gears with the left foot than with a foot and a hand...
;^)
http://www.slponline.com
cat-back exhaust
http://www.eibach.com
lowering springs
http://www.knfilters.com
replacement drop-in part#33-2086 (not listed for Intrigue, but it fits like a glove)
http://www.tornadoair.com
Tornado unit
http://www.bmrfabrication.com
W-body suspension (sway bars, strut tower braces, suspension arms)
http://www.razzi.com
ground effects (not my taste, tho)
God the new Camry is HIDEOUS! It has got to be the most awkard, bulky, ungraceful beast on the road. I followed one home today and it was so ugly I just couldn't stop staring at it. The tailights stick out, the shape has no symmetry, it is too tall and the dash is just plain wierd. How in the world can that car be considered the best in this class? I'm not crazy about the rear end of the new Accord either, but compared to the Camry its a beauty queen.
Of course, that would make the Intrigue Playmate of the Year...
Not one new Intrigue left at the local dealer. Zippo!
Good luck with the negotiating.