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Oldsmobile Intrigue

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Comments

  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    How does one get such invites?? Sounds like a lot of fun. GM used to always send me free passes to the Toronto Auto Show, but this year I got nothing. I was kind of disappointed, but perhaps cut backs stopped them this year.
  • white6white6 Member Posts: 588
    I originally complained of the "flickering" problem back in November; dealer said the battery was defective (leaking positive terminal) and replaced the battery. This didn't fix the problem, so after seeing a reference on this thread to a "re-designed" alternator becoming available to fix this problem, I returned to my friendly Olds/Cadillac service department and asked for this service. Service manager replied that the re-designed alternator would not be available for 60 days... we would just have to wait. After two days of fighting with them and Oldsmobile, they agreed to replace the quickly failing alternator with an "old-design" until the new one came in. The service manager then called to tell me that there were "none available anywhere in the USA... all on national back-order." I called O'Reilly's Auto Parts Store and found one in their warehouse. Called back the service manager and told him I found one; would they please buy it and do the interim replacement so we could drive the car safely until the re-designed part was available. Needless to say, he was quite unhappy, but eventually agreed to the interim replacment. Sorry about the long post, but my story goes that GM pulled all of the old design alternators off the shelves so they would not have to do the work twice or three times. Who really knows.
  • teoteo Member Posts: 2,508
    The invitations to the GM Auto Show in Motion were sent out to current GM Platinum Mastercard card holders.

    The whole concept of driving as many new GM cars and trucks as I want sounds very exciting indeed!! Can't wait!

    I am not sure if GM has a similar event up in Canuck Land....
  • rbb2rbb2 Member Posts: 70
    Just got off the phone with Olds customer assistance. I've had the car in the dealership 8 times for a rattle in the front end drivers side going slow over concrete (less than 25 mph). Six of the eight times I got the old "could not duplicate" even though I rode with the service advisor once and he heard it.

    One time they replaced the left strut and mount and the other time they replaced the power steering gear assembly and adjusted the camber and toe. Neither worked. Now Olds cust. assist. tells me I need to take the car in again and they will intervene. What does that mean? Basically it means that when the dealer says could not duplicate they will say "o.k. well we tried". Unless the dealer hears the noise I'm out of luck.

    Has anyone else had this problem resolved? I can't believe that I'm the only one with this problem. I'm this close to selling the car and abandoning GM.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    About the Owner's Club question I asked at pat Mar 14, 2001 1:57pm - I have one response from dindak who said it sounded good.

    Anyone else? Any questions I could answer?

    If you're not interested, it's perfectly okay, I just can't see any drawbacks to it, and do see lots of positives - especially the owners chats when that can be worked out.

    Just let me know - I'll shut up about it now, unless anyone has any questions.

    Pat
    Host
    Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
  • mediumfrymediumfry Member Posts: 239
    I think the owner's club idea is a good one. I'd like to follow the Intrigue posts and find the owner's club very convenient. The Chevy Impala one is great.
  • b4zb4z Member Posts: 3,372
    I would be interested. Especially if it has a section for pictures.
    We have a pretty active board considering not that many intrigues are sold, and it is going away.
    I am thinking that once our cars go out of warranty we will start modifying them. Which should bring additional activity.

    I posted to L8 Apex last month about edmunds installing a running tally of visitors per day, or at any one time for each thread. It would be interesting to know how many people are on. I bet it is a lot.
    It should of course be anonymous.
    Let me know what you think.
  • b4zb4z Member Posts: 3,372
    Goin back to the dealer with my laundry list of things to repair. i will keep you posted. Do you think its too late to get them to buy it back?
  • b4zb4z Member Posts: 3,372
    How do i get that flag icon next to my name?
  • etharmonetharmon Member Posts: 399
    I would be interested.
  • 14151415 Member Posts: 249
    I have your front end rattle big time, all the time, so tell your GM friends that I will meet them at any Olds dealer in the Detroit area.It has been documentated 12 times and the Customer Service has contacted the dealer on three occasions.

    This is a defect of every Intrigue and only noticed where concrete roads are still in use. The Detroit area roads are rotten; we pray for snow to get a smooth surface.. At low speeds in our residental area it is bang-bang-bang..

    You make any headway; please post it..Replacement of the strut does do away with it until the strut bearing loses lube..

    teo::::::You are celeb; hope you advised the politicans to get that tax cut moving.. The Motor City is starting to bleed; Chrysler axed 2500 salaried personnel and I am afraid it will be awhile until the company recovers or it may just get smaller real quick..

    Appreciate the AARP quip!!!!!

    rbb2:::::Do not chicken out and sell the car..Hang Tough!!!!
  • etharmonetharmon Member Posts: 399
    Went to lunch this afternoon with my co-worker who has the 2000 GLS. He's had it since the first of January and already has nearly 3500 miles. No problems at all. Anyway, we were on the freeway already going above legal speeds when this moron in an old style Acura TL 2.5(remember those) cuts right in front of us for no apparent reason. So my co-worker pulls in the next lane to pass him as our exit is coming up, and he just lets it rip. At 70 mph, the passing power is unbelieveable. We were doing 100 in no time at all and he says "that'll teach him to mess with me." The sound of that engine is intoxicating at that speed and we both agree the biggest problem with that car is there are not any roads where you can safely explore the car's upper limits without fear of the law or too much traffic. BTW, what is top speed on Intrigues with the PCS system and RS-A tires? After todays experience, I'm wanting to buy a new one with the 3.5 really bad. I really don't understand why this car hasn't sold better. Do people just not look for a car that's fun to drive these days?
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    What's with the flags??
  • redly_oneredly_one Member Posts: 122
    I happened to see an article in Ward's Automotive Engineering (or something like that) magazine yesterday. There were many articles about Olds. Even a 6 page historical timeline from 1890's to 12/2000. Very interesting. Olds was a technological innovator on many of the systems in use in cars today.

    Another interesting article stated that sometime in 2002, the plant that makes the 3.5L DOHC engine is going to CEASE PRODUCTION and shift to Northstar V8 production. It also stated that GM scrapped plans to put a higher performance version (upped to 3.7L) in the next Grand Prix. This descision, in turn, more than likely was responsible for the abandonment of the 3.5L DOHC.

    Ironically, like many publications, the article featured a picture of the Alero.

    If anyone is interested, I will get the magazine from work and post a scanned copy of the articles on my website
  • b4zb4z Member Posts: 3,372
    I got a flag, not sure how. Can i get one that says "Don't Tread On Me".
  • oscarz2oscarz2 Member Posts: 153
    white6 and yurakm:
    now I have more questions than answers but I'll leave it alone. I only have 11K on my car and 2 yrs left on warr so I'm not worried about it. Time will tell. One thing though: why did I wait 7 weeks for an old design?

    teo:
    please corner the Olds engineers and ask them about the noise issues (suspension, etc). I wish I could be there to see (playing dumb) at its worst.

    rbb2:
    I have a dysfunctional relationship with my Intrigue (love/hate) and I'm not alone here. There are a variety of possibilities for the front end rattle. Mine occurs when turning right and breaking. It took a mechanic 3 days to pinpoint the cause using a scropchmkzemotometer or whatever you want to call it. I was glad at least that they put forth the effort and found/cured the cause: jounce bumper rubbing-friction on strut rod when turning. If the jounce bumper (under the boot) is lubed just right, the noise will disappear for a while but comes back. I'm used to it now. I will buy aftermarket struts and jounce bumper kit soon anyway, so hopefully that will take care of it.

    You need a mechanic that will take the time to pinpoint your particular noise. Until that happens, everything else is moot. Is there another dealer in driving distance? Take the mechanic who will be working on it for a ride until the noise is heard. That should at least solve the "could not duplicate" issue.

    1415:
    when are you doing struts? When I stop procrastinating, I want to do struts, cat-back, and tower brace all at once.
  • jg28jg28 Member Posts: 257
    "Oldsmobile is dead--but hardly gone... When they go. Except for the Intrigue sedan, which ceases production at the end of 2003, most other Olds models should continue being built and sold through 2004. GM's franchise agreement with Oldsmobile dealers ends in 2005; no new Oldsmobile models will be sold after that. The redesigned 2002 Bravada SUV is scheduled to be around into 2007. Should you bite? That depends. If you tend to keep cars a long time, the deep discounts and long warranty could make an Olds worth considering. The Intrigue is easily this brand's most competent model and has been competitive in its class." Consumer Reports complimenting our Intrigue! Can you believe it? I was astonished!
  • ttrimnell1ttrimnell1 Member Posts: 8
    Redly_one, did the Ward's article mention what engine the new Grand Prix would have in it? Even though the current 3.8 liter V6 is still a good engine, the time is way past due to put a modern overhead cam motor in the car. I drove an Aurora with the 3.5 liter V6 and the smoothness, power, and engine sound made my Intrigue's 3.8 liter feel very dated. I think a high performance 3.7 liter V6 would have been a great engine for the Grand Prix. If you could scan the articles from the magazine and put it on your website, I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

    By the way, what is your website's address?
  • jg28jg28 Member Posts: 257
    This is kinda like that. It's been so neat to come here and get help. Thanks all.
  • 14151415 Member Posts: 249
    The direction of travel has nothing to do with my noisy front end..Mine is not tricky at all; hit any kind of a small bump and you get a loud bang; no tricks, no mirrors, and no BS.

    After shelling out $1025 for an extended warranty; my options are: cancel the warranty and replace with aftermarket struts or fight like hell and have Olds replace the struts.

    So far I am the idiot, and they are winning the battle. I don't take defeat lightly so there is always another step in the works. I have made the judgement mistake of waiting for a TSB to correct this situation.. Their design may not be corectable without risking exposure to a general recall situation; and if it does not pose a safety factor, then they will play dumb.. At 50k miles they will tell anyone that their strut is wore out and needs replacing; so that gets them off the hook..

    If it would help your cause, direct these Oldmobile people to me for I can give them most noise for the bang!!!!Cute???? My front end just looks at a bump and goes bang..

    Got to work on some other problems right now..
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    Ok.. I think the flags would be ok in Europe, but on this board there are really only people from 2 countries participating. Is this slowing my load times on my 56K connection at home??

    jg28 : I have noticed CRs turn around on the Intrigue. All I can say is, it's about time. I'm sure their comments hurt sales a bit for the past two years.
  • j_colemanj_coleman Member Posts: 143
    It's funny that last years CR auto issue listed the '99 Intrigue as a used car to avoid, and now this year they list the '98 Intrigue as a used car to avoid. Can't they make up their minds? (Personally, I would avoid both years) The Intrigue is also "recommended" this year, but in last years issue it was not.
  • rbb2rbb2 Member Posts: 70
    I was told by Belle Tire that Monroe didn't make struts yet for the 2000 Intrigue. Has anyone replaced their struts outside of the dealer? What brand and where did you do it? Also, what was the cost?
  • 14151415 Member Posts: 249
    rbb2:::::According the website shown above the KYBs are available for the Intrigue..

    The same KYB p/n also fits Regals and Grand Prixs.. The Monroe strut shown on the website is the same for Regal and Grand Prix; so maybe the Monroe fits the Intrigue..

    I have an appt with a different Olds/Cad dealer on Monday and have explained the bang/bang.. They were given the Vin# so they can be prepared. The service advisor thought that we would have to have a meeting with their service manager--and I replied "that's mandatory". I have not been in this dealership for many years, and it is now Buick also.

    The dealership has a concrete road in front with tilted slabs..This will be a great show..With Belle Tire; you must be a midwestener????
  • ketchketch Member Posts: 217
    My car doesn't have the Autobahn or PCS 3.29 gear but the 3.0? one, so I did see 96 in second,
    several time 8) makes sense with this gear, plus there might be some speedo error to account for the difference with what you saw. I'll just to go 'test" again!!!!
  • teoteo Member Posts: 2,508
    About to get rid of the '99 Intrigue?

    Any new Camaros as candidates for replacement in the horizon??
  • jjpowell2jjpowell2 Member Posts: 91
    Had the experience of the headlights dimming two different times last night. Anyone else with a 2001 that's had this happen? Service manager said there were no reports or TSB and that we had the latest parts available for the possible alternator problems.
  • ketchketch Member Posts: 217
    Like the idea, and from what i saw, it would better compile and organize lots of redundant issues here that crop up. Just hope it keeps the abusers away that I ahve seen alot of here over the past year or so. Its ok to ask for help on problems and perhaps complain, but not assualt those who have no such bad experiences. Unfortunately, i have seen alot of this here, eventually stopped by the then host, only to recur again and again. How are the clubs monitored?
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    It sounds like lots of folks are in favor of the idea, so I will ask Karen to get it set up. She has a lot going on so give it a week or so.

    Here's a little about how they work -- this discussion remains here on the Sedans board. It is also linked to the Owner's Club area so that it is accessible from either place. (If you use subscriptions, nothing will change for accessing this one.)

    On the Owner's Club board, you will have a folder dedicated to the Intrigue. Within that folder you can have all the discussions you'd like to have. As I say, this discussion will show up there also.

    One difference is that you cannot create another discussion (on that board) yourself, you need to ask the host Karen to do so. This is really a good thing because it allows for logically structured clearly-named discussions rather than the haphazard ones that occasionally appear here on the Sedans Board (and others).

    Karen will be your host for all the other discussions - L8_Apex and I will remain your hosts for this one.

    At some point, you will be able to schedule weekly Owner's Chats if that interests you.

    Any other questions? You really should take just a minute or so to look at the existing clubs - I think you'll see exactly how things work. But please ask if you want to know anything else.

    Meanwhile, like I said, give it a week or so, and Karen will have it all set up for you.

    Pat
    Host
    Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    As many of you have noticed, these are new as of last night. They come from the country you have specified in your profile. If you don't have a flag and want one, just go to the "My Profile" link at the top of the page and select the proper country.

    dindak - I am also on a 56k connection - I've noticed no slowdown whatsoever since the appearance of the flags.

    I think they are fun - I've seen several that I haven't recognized. If you put the mouse cursor over the flag, the name of the country will display briefly. Cool!

    Pat
    Host
    Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
  • j_colemanj_coleman Member Posts: 143
    pat: Are you going to need to verify our VIN numbers for membership in the club?
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    heh heh - nope!

    Pat
    Host
    Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
  • b4zb4z Member Posts: 3,372
    You've got the 3.05 gear so it will hold second to 96 mph. I think mine was 88-90 mph. which would be about right.
  • 14151415 Member Posts: 249
    HEY!!!Our trading partners; how about that $1.55, you gotta like it!!!! Without it; you would be in big trouble.. I know for I sell the difference and it will disappear very slowly..By that time all heavy manufacturing will be in Asia with light assembly in the Americas.

    It's called "One World". Keep buying the foreign cars and you hasten the switchover. Besides our basic worker does not desire to work hard; just work smart. In Asia they only have one choice???

    Teo::::::No Camaro until the Intrigue is declared offically "dead meat". I hate to give up a car at 38k miles; way less than 24 mos old.. I take a $10K hit for 64k miles (98s/26k-99s/38k)really doesn't seem right.. Lots of grief; so somebody has to pick the pieces and I am trying to dodge the bullet.
  • rbb2rbb2 Member Posts: 70
    1415 - I'm from the Detroit area. Taking my car to Olson Olds in Livonia next Tuesday. This time I have Olds Cuts. Assist. working with me. I don't expet any better results.

    I drove around looking for a good road today to take a etch with me on a test drive. It was hard to hear it with the roads being wet. I was told that they don't usually test drive with the techs. Right! Like I'm gonna go with a service advisor again. They don't do squat when it comes to relating issues to the tech. If they won't test drive with me then I'll have to tell them to replace the strut on the drivers side. Like they will though. I can hear it now..."could not duplicate". I'm beginning to hear those words in my sleep.

    Do you know where I can get the KYB's installed? (Looks like I'm already preparing for another defeat.)
  • 14151415 Member Posts: 249
    Very interesting!!!!!!I am in the Grosse Pointe area. I am taking mine to Suburban Olds in Troy on Monday for a preliminary gab-session to really see if they will fess up to the problem.. Now I have 38k miles so that gives them some out; but the strut is functioning as designed and shows no signs of lost fluid or wear, however is unable to provide a any cushion for impact.

    It boils down to an internal problem which if it has been solved would be expensive to replace 200,000 struts.

    Your car is a low mileage one; so don't back away.

    Tell me what time your appointment is for I can provide a great example of noise and what it will be like later on. I have documentation from initial dealer service call of the complaint..3700 miles..

    Both cars have the same problem..Olds knows what it is and may be replacing only on a restricted basis. Think it over. I haven't gotten into the installation of the KYB strut as yet.

    If you have been to Suburban Olds, tell me, for it would be a waste of my time to meet with them..
  • redly_oneredly_one Member Posts: 122
    ttrimnell1:
    I will attempt to get the article on my wesite tomorrow. I have been moving things around and not hooked my scanner up yet. But, never fear, I did bring the magazine home with me!
  • 14151415 Member Posts: 249
    I am having second thoughts about "raining on your parade with my problems". You deserve to have the Olds reps undivided attention and shouldn't have share my grief.. These people like to operate as though something will be done and this is really the first time a problem like this has occurred..Problem since Job#1..

    Having had two Intrigues and been posting
    /reading on this thread for a year now; there isn't too much a rep can tell me.

    After you get through at Olsen with the factory; ask the rep to call the Service Manager at the Suburban Olds/Cad/Buick and ask about a 99 Black GLS that was in for suspension banging on 3/19/01.

    Are you enjoying the snow on this lovely day??

    I will tell the service manager that the Olds ser. rep. will be at Olsen on Tuesday in case he may need to bounce some ideas around.. What a joke!!!!
  • etharmonetharmon Member Posts: 399
    Okay, maybe you should take your $1000 GM voucher from Olds and trade that "noisy" Intrigue in for a LeSabre. Now now, I'm not implying that the LeSabre fits your image age wise, but I think you would be better satisifed. LeSabres are dead quiet inside, have the good old 3800 V6 that doesn't use a drop of oil, the new models with the Gran Touring Suspension are decent handlers, and a loaded LeSabre isn't much more than a loaded Intrigue GLS. Just some food for thought. You seemed pretty satisfied with your 94 and the new models are much better than the old C/H bodies were.
  • j_colemanj_coleman Member Posts: 143
    I think 1415 should get a Park Avenue Ultra. He would probably be more happy with the supercharged 3800.
  • 14151415 Member Posts: 249
    I bought the 94 LeSabre for $16k w/4500 miles and traded it in for $6500 w/113k miles.. I bought the 92 Regal GS for $14,500 w/5k miles and sold with 95k miles for $7,000 cash..

    The LeSabre and the Ultra suspensions are JUNK. The Touring pkg is a joke!!!!

    No Buicks; only a GS if they can prove the suspension is beyond the touring grade.

    Gotta go for my 2 mile walk in the snow!!!!!
  • b4zb4z Member Posts: 3,372
    I think the person you are talking about. Doesn't own an intrigue anymore. So i don't guess he can post in the owner's forum.
    He bought an Acura which is "perfect".
  • redly_oneredly_one Member Posts: 122
    I scanned in some articles from the recent "WARDS AUTOWORLD" magazine, if anyone is interested. If you have a slow connection, the pages may take a little while to load.


    Contents: Future of Alero, Future of Intrigue, History of Olds


    Enjoy!!! [L] http://redly1.homestead.com/Oldsmobile_stuff_Index.html [/L]

  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    1415 : U.S. dollar is very strong right now. Canadian dollar is getting beat up but not quite as bad as the Europeans and the Australians. Bad for you as imports will be cheaper to bring in. Trade deficit should go through the roof.

    HOST : Flags are cute, but everyone on this board is Canadian or American. Seems a little pointless. Oh well.. whatever.

    Just got the info on the Canadian Oldsmobile loyalty...$2000 for another Oldsmobile and $1250 for any other GM including Saturn/Saab/Izuzu. Initially I had heard it was $1500 for any other GM. The loyalty rebate is good till the end of 2005.
  • etharmonetharmon Member Posts: 399
    The 2000 and newer LeSabres have a decent suspension design. And they can't be any more "junk" than the suspension in your "noisy" Intrigue. If the PA Ultra had a V8, I'd consider it. To me, $38K is too much to pay for the supercharged 3800. The Aurora's 4.0 sure would fit nicely in the Park's engine bay.
  • b4zb4z Member Posts: 3,372
    Just went on autosite.com and saw that GM has across the board price increases, effective March 2nd. Intrigue is up $120 and aurora $150. I guess it is business as usual at GM.
  • etharmonetharmon Member Posts: 399
    I logged onto the GM buypower website and pulled up 6 dealers in my area. Between them, they had a total of maybe 8 Intrigues. 2001 Intrigues, not leftovers. For the middle of a model year, this is not good for a car like this. The dealer that I got mine from which is one of the larger ones in the area has 3. And most all were colors like White and Sandstone. Now back in 98 during the 2 month GM strike(which is when I got mine) they probably had 12 or so Intrigues. I just don't understand why all the dealers have so few. Are they suddenly selling beyond expectations or are they not building many? I hope this changes as I still would like to buy another when my lease it up. If GM is going to do business like this, they may force me to go elsewhere. Or just go the used Aurora or Cadillac route.
  • rbb2rbb2 Member Posts: 70
    1415 - To clarify, the service rep won't be out Tuesday, Olds. cust. assistance will call the dealer Tuesday. I'm in the first phase of their game. If (and only if) the dealer hears the noise and can't fix it will they then entertain the thought of getting a service rep out there.

    I have no faith that they will hear the noise even if I drive with a service advisor. I'm going to get 'could not duplicate' for the 7th time.

    I agree this is a joke. I hate to sell the car because other than that I really like it (except maybe for the fact that I've had the cd player replaced because cd's skip in cold weather and I have the same problem with the new one). Maybe together we can get this solved and save my marriage. :)

    Snow was tiresome today -- bring on the spring. Used the snowblower for the last time I hope. Just wanted to burn some of that gas up seeing as it's sat since December.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    Local dealer here in Oakville used to have between 8-12 Intrigues on the lot. Noticed Friday they had 4. Not a good sign at all. 3/4 of them were the special edition GL's with the no charge leather, heated seats and PCS. I wish I could buy another as it's a sweet deal!
  • 14151415 Member Posts: 249
    etharmon:::::::The suspension is noisy and firm; but one thing is does is keep the tires on the pavement. Tire wear is outstanding totally even and no flat-spotting or cupping.. With my interstate driving any Buick would have totally chewed up a set of tires by 30k..

    FWD cars are funny creatures.. The return to RWD may be not too far way.

    rbb2::::::::Thanks for the update on your situation; you are in the string-along cycle with Olds. My 98 Intrigue was never seen by GM until after they had bought the car.

    Do not let them off the hook!!!! You have a low mileage car and don't change the struts unless you just can't put up with the situation any longer. Tell Olds to buy the aftermarket strut and install on your car at their expense..

    If Olsen can't hear your rattle; I will volunteer mine for "what a hard to hear, turns into later on".
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