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Comments
The new 3.6 V6 is a gem which accelerates strongly yet smoothly. Even if it has a little less torque than the 3.5, it's torque curve is practically flat, providing strength all over the RPM range, unlike the 3.5 which feels rather weak off the line. IMO, the 3.6 has the best of both the 3.8 and the 3.5.
The handling was very good, like the Intrigue's, but much smoother and quieter. The only real disappointments were the cramped rear seat and the hefty price tag.
The LaCrosse looks like the natural evolution of the Intrigue IMHO, but the decontenting of the car turns me off....
Looked at the new Mustang yesterday, though I didn't take it out for a drive. Nice nostalgia machine, though.
I see Saturn dropped the L series last year and has just the Ion, Vue a minivan and now a coming roadster. Maybe the General should have killed off Saturn and concentrated on Olds.
42200 miles on my 98 base model, still looks new, but only "worth" about $3Gs.....Sheesh! May make a trip to Carmax to see what kind of offer they make, just to see for myself.
Deke
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
It is a simple unbolt and replace procedure because they have a tool that holds the correct timing.
Surprisingly the 3.6L is a little on the noisy side. It has got bags of low and mid range torque.
My 4200 lb SRX is definitely quicker than the Intrigue was. 5 speed auto/manual is very cool.
I would say 0-60 is 7.2 secs. Intrigue was 7.8-8.0 secs, and you can feel the difference.
GM has not publicized this but there were several improvements to the '05 3.6L to quiet down the valvetrain. Timing chain cover, valve cover, etc.
Saturn Aura is kind of cool. Looks a little like Mazda 6.
Lacrosse is interesting, but why redesign and have a small backseat? Not sure that it is heir apparent to the Intrigue.
Impala is selling like crazy and it is not even a very good car.
In my opinion the Chrysler 300 is 3-4 times more car than any of the GM mid size/large offerings.
AND IT IS PRICED CORRECTLY.
vanman1...
"p.s. I'll take Vegas weather anyday. "
...well it is snowing now and we have snow near me in the mountains at low altitudes. I could've stayed in Illinois for this! LOL. My buddy in Chicago who took my snowblower when we relocated offerred to put it on the next plane out!
MSRPs that are closer to what the cars are selling for now, with a 1-2K pad to allow for incentives if times get bad.
A fully loaded Impala should be 26K instead of 29K,etc.
There is no perceived value in a car that lists for 29K but is sold for 22-23K.
Not that I'm saying that GM sedan offerings are great, on the contrary. I consider myself orphaned by the domestic industry and a candidate to migrate to Japanese brands.
Aura, LaCrosse, Grand Prix, G6, 500, etc, are just so-so. Had the Mazda 6 a better and cheaper V6, were the Maxima styled better, had the Accord not got a Kia styling, were the Altima well built and better styled, I'd be in another forum.
;-)Right now, the only offerings I deem worth considering seriously are the G35 and the TL, except for the pricing.:-(I pretty much agree although I'd add the TSX and Camry SE-V6 to the mix. I too have a problem with the Accord styling (mainly the rear end) but I drove one and it was "like buttah."
You should check your local Infiniti dealer for used G35s. The largest dealer in the midwest (Infiniti of Lisle) has over 40 used 03 and 04 G35s, most with less than 20,000 miles and priced in the mid-$20s. That's probably what I'll end up doing instead of spending $30K+ for a new one or mid-$20s for a new Accord or Camry.
I've heard that Acura did a bad job controlling torque steer in the TL, but I'll hold final judgment until I drive one.
Your suggestion about an used G35 is not bad at all. Might be my way to go in a few years, when I'm in the market again.
I'm sure many would call the INTRIGUE styling bland also. With a spoiler and 17" wheels, the Camry SE looks fine, imo.
It's pretty hard to keep a discussion going on a car that's been out of production for 3 model years. I predict in another year, if not before, this discussion will be comatose, if not dead altogether.
When I was shopping for a new car I was treated by salesmen at a Toyota dealer as though they were doing me a big favor selling me a car, expecting me to kiss the sole of their shoes so they would think I was worthy of a Camry. Not for me...
:-)But I have to say that this is the most active forum I subscribe to, although the other forums are about production cars! I have to wonder if the Intrigue will make a valuable classic one day, given the passionate, if small, following.
Our rattle is in the front of the car and seems to be the splash guards by the tires. The plastic screws that hold it in place aren't made to tighten down and there's way to much play in them. If that doesn't fix it we'll have them look at the struts and tie rods that have already been replaced once.
Handling, smooth acceleration, gas mileage and good looks still are a winner with this car. Will be looking for a replacement sometime next year when the warranty is about to expire.
:-DWe were recently quoted $7600 to trade-in our Intrigue on a new Grand Marquis. We'll sell private party to get the additional $$$ lost on trading in with a dealer.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
http://www.jsonline.com/search/results.asp?searchtype=jso&Key- words=fuel+injector
I know lots of folks who are having this issue, thankfully not me. Strongly suggest you put some Chevron Techron (about $6 at AutoZone) in your fuel tank every 3k miles or so...
--Robert
The Aura looks hot (much like I remember the Intrigue looking to me 5-6 years ago) and coupled with that sweet 3.6L Caddy motor and a six speed, I think it may be my next car.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Perception is everything, as you say. Saturn's perception right now is, for me, about as low as you can get. I would seriously consider a Hyundai or even a Kia before a Saturn.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
I went to the NAIAS yesterday(in Detroit). I have to say that I was quite dissapointed in the LaCrosse. They had a base and midlevel model on display. I found the interior of both vehicles to be substandard. The back seat was a bit cramped. The faux wood trim was hideous. The center stack looks like it doesn't even belong in the vehicle. The seats were comfortable, though. Too bad. I had this pegged as a replacement for my trigue until yesterday.
I loved the Maxima and CTS. The freshened up Altima was pretty sweet too. All the various Taurus replacements have nice interiors. I would have liked to have gotten a closer look at the 06 Impala, I hope they don't screw up the interior on that one. It is a sweet looking car-especially the SS!!
Focus :: If it's a fair price sure. Lets face it though, one price is the motto, but cash backs and interest rate incentives are also available at Saturn.
Martypa :: I have a 2000 GL. I hope to keep it another 3-4 years. It's been a good car but it need new tires and a transmission fluid change. I am trying to hold off till March, too many expenses this month.
Unusual.
I feel better now knowing it's nothing major!
Thanks!
One of the biggest drawbacks about the Saturn is that many of the parts are proprietary. You can get them only at Saturn. I'm not sure about now, but a few years ago you had to buy the spark plugs from saturn and Saturn only. And they weren't cheap!
I'd never own one. Period. End of discussion. Never!
I wouldn't say perfectly normal. My Intrigue doesn't do this.
I too would not buy a Saturn with the current product line and quality, but GM is aggressively trying to send the brand upstream.
They actually want it to fill the niche that the demise of Oldsmobile opened up. This means a huge leap in terms of build quality and reliability. Have you seen the Saturn Sky concept? It's supposed to be an upscale Pontiac Solstice!
Seeing the Sky and the Aura concepts, I'm eager to see just what GM does with Saturn in the next 2 to 3 years and I hope for the best. Seeing as this is a sort of renaissance, it's way too soon to discount the line now.
My $.02
--Robert
Personally, I love that Saturn will have good cars. I never would have looked before but the Aura and Sky certainly have my attention. The top ranked customer service would be just what closes the deal for many and maybe even myself some day!
The noise isn't and shouldn't be very loud. In one Deville I drove, it sounded like a blender was running in the engine compartment for those few seconds the pump was running. The dealer ended up replacing the pump with a new one and it sounded just like the others - a soft turbine whirr.
TIA
its a Secondary air intake, pump.
As opposed to the primary air intake system which is the air filter and box, intake air duct, the throttle body, the intake manifold, etc.
The secondary air injection (AIR) system helps reduce exhaust emissions. The system forces fresh filtered air into the exhaust stream in order to accelerate catalyst operation. You may hear it called a smog pump in some circles.
The AIR pump supplies filtered air through the secondary air injection system into the exhaust stream via a network of plumbing hoses/pipes.
For instance, an AIR shut off valve is mounted near the right side of the front head, between it and the air filter box. There is one for the other bank mounted at the end of its head just under the coolant recovery tank. And many other plumbing bits and solonoids to control those shut off valves.
The pump is located down and behind the driver side headlight and in front on the pastic fender linner near the bottom. It is the size of a large coffee can with associated hoses going to and fro to the manifolds. It sounds like a whirr from a home central vac line and whines down in the same manner. It may sound like a small vacuum cleaner/shop vac. due to bad bearings. There is a small fine mesh filter for the air pump supply. It is just behind the headlamp assembly and is about an 1 1\2 inch diameter and two inches long held onto a hose by a ty-rap.
The pump is what GM blames for flickering headlights, because of its initial currant draw in access of 40 amps to get the puppy started. However, unless the computer calls for it to turn off and on about 20 times in rapid succession, as usual a cop-out. I've pulled the fuse to the air pump and flicker was still present.
Cheers hope you have a clearer picture.
;-)Thanks a bunch.
1. The cruise control is the old turn signal stalk mounted unit from the 70s with the slide switch to turn on and the button on the end to set.
2. No inside fuel door release.
3. No "button" inside the gas door to hold the cap tether.
4. 3.1L V6 (!)
5. Inside trunk release located in the glove box.
6. No in-glass radio antenna.
7. No tach - but what typical Buick owner needs to know how many revs they're pulling?
8. Wheel covers!
I was surprised to see how de-contented these Centurys are! After all, Olds was placed just under Buick in the GM food chain and we got more standard and modern features for less money.
I haven't seen the inside of a Regal, so I don't know what, if any, Olds-style features it has. Sad that we couldn't have gotten a Supercharged 3.8 Intrigue when GM was cranking out the Regal GS and Grand Prix GTP with this motor.
Deke