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
Switched to another brand and finally ended up having the tires trued to the wheels--a heating process and then they were shaved to ensure roundness. At around 50k miles it was discovered that a steering componment was defective and most of the shake disappeared.. Since the car was driven 90k+miles in 24 months; the daily drive to work was 120 miles; so its life was quick and was run flat-out at least three/four times a week; weather permitting..It was a business expense..so I did not cut corners. The car was great and the shake was the only bug-a-boo..Nobody would believe the top speed; so I will not elaborate. I-75 highway in the early 70s was a beautiful highway before suburban growth started..
rbb2:::::When you are through with the Olds people I would appreciate the techs name for they are in for a treat behind the wheel of mine..Don't give up the ship and bale out into a Ford SUV..I also have many Ford friends and they would prefer that I stay away from driving Ford cars of any division...
redly one::::::I have always kicked myself for not buying the 96 SS Impala; the sales at the end were not brisk and they were discounting.. I came close to popping for one.. The Ford product does not excite me; maybe due to its early acceptance that sets the pricing..
The early production of the new GM 360 SUV is less than stellar due to start-up glitches..Also there is a heavy inventory of the old model which is being discounted big-time..
As for the MDX quality, it may be good, but it's far from "head and shoulders" above GM. Even the pre-production Bravada I saw at the auto show looked fantastic.
It just proves the fact that Ford has produced a vehicle that has everything people want. The size, the cargo capacity etc. And people are buying them like crazy. And they are junk!
My point is that oldsmobile failed not because of quality issues, but to non existent marketing.
I think that the marauder is a vehicle i would really like to own, but ford's repair issues leave me cold. I have never owned a ford product.
I have been a chevy man all of my life.
I should have gone into hock in '96 and bought the impala SS.
When the 98 GLS was repurchased at 26k miles it was in great running order; but I was tired of the affair..
Being a Northstar owner I have been near the Catera; and I decided that the exotic German engineering was beyond the Caddy mechanic's scope of understanding. Besides the dealer doesn't stock any parts so it is always airfreight from somewhere.
Good Luck with your VW and Opel!!!!
What ever happened to the two other posters that had this problem???
merkx : Love the Catera. First couple of years had some growing pains but the 2000/01 models are pretty decent. You will enjoy! The CTS next year looks very interesting
bz4 : Our family had good luck with Fords, but the Explorer isn't a stellar product. My mom had 2 decent Ford cars before her Alero. My dad's 97 Winstar seems to be junkie though ( I guess I shouldn't say that since they are made 5 minutes down the road).
A lot of rants to I can readily agree to some extent, but to me an expert is also capable of formulate real solutions to real problems.
I think it takes a lot of *COJONES* to go into a company sponsored event and start calling the management team of that company 'inepts', 'fouls', etc. Fine if he had the need to do that, but aside from enbarrasing the top brass at GM, what else did he accomplished?
Lots of talk, very little action...I think Mr. Flint is starving for some attention and publicity as well and he certainly obtained that.
Who's next, Ford and DCX Mr. Flint?
0. Poor fuel economy--this is one heavy car!! I only get about 18 mpg in mostly city driving.
1. Flimsy stereo knobs for bass/treble
2. Chrome front-door trim warps and impede door opening/closing. This problem has been "fixed" twice, but keeps recurring. Sigh.
3. Strange crunchy sounds from front end, especially when turning car. Don't know if it's a steering or suspension quirk/problem.
Can anyone offer insights into the door trim and front end problems?
Also--I wish Olds will not disappear. The intrigue is the first domestic car I've owned. We bought it after seeing it used in the X-Files movie! Maybe GM can have Saturn sell the Intrigue. That division needs a good model anyway . . .
yellowperil:::::::b4z is 1/2 right on the intermediate shaft..You also need a steering gear; I went through two of those in a 98 Intrigue. Two Intrigue owner--paid for one and second one was 98%free. Go after the Olds dealer and he will be glad to put your car in safe running order..
This is what it says on the service invoice:
"New alternator available per new service bulletin. 01-06-03-001 with new circuit which prevents regulator resetting due to voltage spiking from engine vibrations. Performed system test; replaced alternator and retested. 14.50V - 160.3A loaded output." The new part is Gen Rem 2.275 - #10464469.
I must add that the dealership has been most co-operative, especially since it's not the dealer we purchased the car from! Courtesy van and a free wash & detail anytime. Gas mileage around town for us has been running around 22 MPG.
Vezini: I lowered the interior lighting to about 50% to deal with the hot buttons. Wonder why they're that hot to begin with though . . . The bluish-white color looks deceptively cool.
Damn--I love my Intrigue.
But that does bring something back to mind. When I go back to get the A/C fixed, I'm going to try to get them to put in the Automatic Climate Control. I figure the auto air unit is controlled by a ROM in the unit itself. I can't see there being a great deal of work to do this over the regular a/c unit. Keep in mind I have a GX with manual air. I'll let you know what happens.
Looks like I might hit that 100,000 mile mark before July... probably more like May. Still haven't changed ANY fluids except the oil. But when I reach the 100K service interval it's probably gonna kick my butt.
Love to hear the positive stuff for it's easy to bent out of shape!!!!
one2one, good luck on getting the auto climate control installed. From what I understand, there is more than just installing the control panel. Part of the Intrigue's climate control system on the GL and GLS is the dual zone feature which allows separate temperature for the driver's side and passenger side. BTW, I have a base 98(technically those werem't called GX then) which has manual A/C.
Have scheduled a visit for Tuesday at the dealership. Will let you guys know how many times they write "no problem found" on the service ticket.
dindak::::::The Japanese market got killed last nite; hope it doesn't rub off on us today..I got in about 15 mins. before close; hoping for a strong opening this morn.. Probably shot myself in the foot again!!!
etharmon : Are you still considering an Aurora or are you set on another Intrigue now?
As far as brakes, I'm going to have them checked when I get my tires rotated. That should happen this weekend since I just cleared the 75,000 mark. I've been using aftermarket rotors and Sears brakes and they feel as good (if not better) than the factory brakes. Not to mention it's a WHOOOOOLE lot cheaper than using the General's parts.
Stopped at the local Olds dealer the other day. The ONLY Intrigues on the lot were all stickered up for courtesy cars for the Final Four this weekend.
I have 2 friends that work at a Chevy dealership. That might help me.
looks like inventories are coming down, but Fairfax will be shut for another week.
My overall experience so far is that I like this car more and more. The Intrigue handles very well at highway speeds. Good fun factor for a sedan. I mean it sticks to the road like glue at 75, the speed I try drive. It beats the heck out of a '97 Avalon I used to have as far as handling and power. Felt kinda nervous at first when I bought the car, given that it's an orphan. Having fun now - I even invent reasons to take a drive. Crossing my fingers that the little hobgoblins discussed here stay away and I can keep her out of the shop. I might be singing a different tune if the problems hit.
BTW, tried comparing the "plus" grade 89 oct. gas to regular 87 oct. I could discern no difference whatsover in performance. Saving money and using regular now. Curious if anyone uses midgrade or higher gas in the 3.5?
I use 87 octane only; for after 43 cars, this senior citizen has been through the learning curves of trying to break the mold. They say 87 give it 87...
I put only 87 octane in mine. I figure that will save me between $450-500 over the 3 years i will own the car. Maybe even a little more.
I guess those acura owners don't care about things like that.
Ghostz: You said it, the intrigue is just a super high speed car. Totally different feeling than the choppy accord V6 that i drove the same day i test drove the intrigue.
My trust in reliability is a little in doubt due to the comments of Consumer Reports and others. And as a result, I am considering buying an extended warranty, prior to hitting the 36K factory limit. Any ideas on sources for an extended warranty other than GM or the dealer?
I would also be interested in build quality comments; is it wise to risk another 50-60K miles without a warranty?
My dealer is getting the thing back as soon as I have a couple of days to let it lay around. Sure wish someone could really fix the flickering.
I'll check my owners manual for the 800 number and start a file on my alternator. Great car with niggling problems.
Gotta tell ya that I drove to Vegas last week and was averaging between 85-95 with an 'occasional' roll past the ton mark. Once again - A Great Car saddled with an Idiot Marketing Department.
Now let's talk about cars and petrol; my 560 miles of flat-out fun driving the 401,402,403, and the QEW netted 27.46mpgs; and the Canadian fuel is selling for $1.81gal in US funds and the Stateside pricing at Mobil this am was $1.50gal..
The camel jockies are getting into our pockets again; thanks to the enviro whacko bunch..
vezini::::::if you have had all the little problems fixed like steering, alternator, and battery; live in a warmer climate and don't abuse the car, then I would go for one of those off-the-wall type warranties..Non-GM..Some of the worries are the a/c compressor, alternator, and the radiator due to the cast aluminium block..If the 3.5 is not using oil then it should be fine until 100k min..If you have 99 with the 3.8; save your money..
I bought a GM warranty for a good price; but I may cancel it for personal reasons..
bz4::::::I will look at the Caddy forum on Northstar oil burners..My better half isn't driving it much; maybe 100 miles a week..Next trip to my source around Niagara Falls I will have to take her car just to give it a chance to breathe..
The Japanese stock market is about to go belly-up and it's taking a drastic toll of our markets..Their banks and government are totally upside down in the red ink and our people keep buying their cars which are obviously priced too
low which in turn is killing the "Big 3". You young ones in the business world who are bent on buying the Oriental cars are slowly driving this country into the ground. The next generation will be flipping hamburgers!!!!
I just saw the new Bravada; ... Wow, does it look great!! It is a real shame that the Olds line is going away, they have the best looking vehicles in the entire GM fleet. Buick & Chevy could really use some of the Olds design talent.
There is a kicker to this story. We bought the car with 440 miles on it. It was driven by the dealership and SOMEONE knew of this problem. It should have been corrected or disclosed to us!!