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
In driving the Regal one gets the rocker motion which is long travel mushy strut action..The Intrigue is not rocker related by any stretch of the mind..
If you don't do the Intrigue; go to the GTP, it is setup to rock and roll. Great suspension and will take the abuse..Good resale!!!!
I know the someone is going to beat me up on the Buick stroke, but I have walked the walk with Buicks on the high-speed long run-chew up tires every time. The rear suspension on the older models were pure junk, and even the 96 Riv of my son-in-law displays the same rear tire wear as a 92 Regal GS.
Call the customer service dept of any tire company producer and complain about cupping of rear tires; they will come back asking if you own a Buick???
yurakm : I have had good luck with Goodyears (though they may not be the best tires). Only other tire I have had are BF Goodrich TAs and they were fine also. Actually I found them to be very quiet.
Intrigue service : As stated earlier, I went in for my spring oil change and tire rotation. I still think I got ripped off on the filter, but the car seems too be running smooth as ever. I also picked up a cool color brochure on the Intrigue PCS system. Nice to keep for my collection.
cd96ns - if you press your brakes at least half way down when you hear the rattle, does the rattle go away? It seems to for me. I took the tires off the front and inspected the brakes but they seemed fine. Actually, after 20,000 miles they had minimal wear. Any thoughts?
rbb2----You are good driver for your brake wear is great..My fronts have been turned twice through 35k miles and the rear rotors w/pads were replaced at 20k miles, all warranty covered.. I don't notice any difference on rattle with braking or non-braking..
00-05-22-002 FEB 00 (Warranty) Brake Rotor Service Procedure
Perhaps someone who has TSB access can post it for you.
rbb2 : 3.5L production will have to go to 2005 for the Aurora unless they discontinue the V6 option. I wonder if that will happen.
Since the work was performed long before normal maintenance cycle and has reoccurred with shorten cycle time along with some complaining gets the job done..turning the rotors is all labor anyway so I just pay for a wheel rotation which is $9.95..
This dealership also sold me the Caddy and the 98 Intrigue which went back to GM after 26k miles..Now that the original warranty is gone, I imagine they will get some of my money..I have an extended warranty on the 99 through 75k, really to cover the 3.5L, alternator, starter, and other quirky items which if it had a 3.8: I won't bother with a warranty. Same thing with the Caddy and the Northstar, extended warranty..alot cheaper than a new Caddy..
If you have 26k miles on the original brakes, then that is normal cycle for an Intrigue, so you will pay..Check on the TSB for the rear rotors and pads. My workorder for the pads shows authorization per bulletin; but no number..
I work the service manager over and I know the General Manager for I have bought 6 cars from him.
Also, I don't place too much faith in "insurance industry" crash tests.
When the govt. starts to engineer our cars; then I shall be buying all non-current models.. Govt. is good for studying the problem...period..period.
Brakes and hard starting is common..no big deal..maybe time to trade???? Honda Insight would be a good choice..
dindak: Right on. If they can only achieve sales volume by offering large incentives and discounts, who can see GM continuing to lose profit for the next 4 years? It may be that sometime next year, Olds and all its models will just go "poof."
one2one - Answers to your questions are: I don't really feel that I am loosing the center position or that there is more play in the steering when this happens.
dwg - Comments about feedback through the steering wheel, feels like something is loose. (I think he has nailed it!)
cd96ns -Talks about replacing the steering gear or rack. I hope this is not the problem!
rbb2 - Comments that when braking the rattle goes away.
I think that I am feeling a looseness or rattle as feedback through the steering wheel under certain conditions. It seems associated with suspension movements and also when I brake (perhaps because the suspension is moving). Braking does not reduce the feeling.
I hope that further comments from this group will lead to an explanation and fix. As I mentioned I am having my local mechanic take a look on Monday. He is pretty good and may have some ideas. I will let everyone know how it goes.
It's a rather difficult task to stop building a car line based on the theory of fewer orders, then we stop building..The suppliers are given schedules to furnish parts which are normally based on what we assume are dealer orders.. I don't think Intrigues are built for inventory with dealers selecting from that stock and having cars within 3/4 days.. Cadillac runs a large inventory that can accomodate alot of quick delivery opportunities..
I have to agree that the end will come swiftly for the Intrigue for it's engine is expensive and has no future so they will cut it off by end of 03 model latest; or maybe 02 could be the final run..
I can see a big hurt on some GM dealerships which will create further sales decline of remaining GM models.. Some dealers now become stand alone with a single brand such as Chev or Cadillac. In the smaller towns a stand alone Cadillac is not too great.. So what we will have is a further consolidation of dealers and we the consumer will pay the price of higher costs and poorer service..
This situation is really quite serious in the service aspect of the existing Olds products and I can't say that I am too excited to face what is coming in the area where I live.
I am going to rethink any new purchase of an Intrigue....Could be a GTP owner very quick; but I really hate to buy premium fuel since it will become a dog in this screwed up energy market..
madrnhell, crash tests I've seen on the Intrigue has been pretty good. 4 stars on the 35 mph frontal and acceptable on the 40 mph off-set frontal crash. Maybe not a Volvo in this regard, but certainly not a death trap like you make it out to be. The car is very solid feeling and I feel safe driving it. And no, I don't work for GM(sometimes wish I did) or for any of their suppliers or dealers. Just one very satisfied Intrigue owner.
Actually, the guys at this dealership seem pretty straight forward. It may not be anything they can replicate after having the car for only a few hours. If I wrap the thing around a telephone pole someday, I've instructed my wife to go on Dateline and sue GM for everything she can get. Htwired, do you handle plaintiffs work? . . .
All in all, I have not had too much to complain about with my Intrigue. I still think it's the best looking mid size offering GM produces, and that the Olds line-up as a whole is the best looking.
Unfortunately, Olds won't be with us for very much longer so I'll have to look at other options when I pay off the loan in a few years. I've read here that the 3.5l is also scheduled to be discontinued. That is too bad also. It is a great engine. A premium product that competes with the best Toyota, Honda and Nissan have to offer. I'll keep my eyes on the new in-line v6s GM offers and the high output Saab motors that are in the pike. No promises for another GM product though.
dwg
The deals on GTPs are scarce because they sell, otherwords there is a demand for the car..you pay more going in and receive more on the way out..
Name changing!!!!The old names were politically incorrect and the new handle has also been banged around. My thoughts on the domestic guys is somewhat counter to our feel good world and what we must accept as gospel.. After 67 yrs one can spot a trend, and the direction of the auto drastically changes with each sales slump..
The Big 3 are continually under seige from some group and other guys just watch the battle progress.. In the end they hire an expert who leads them to the promised land--our open market will digest anything if it's cheap and is bought for $5.00 down..
My old Cadillac dealer got hooked up with one several years ago and the marriage lasted two years..The only way they sell is the comeon of a 100k mile warranty with 10yrs of coverage.. It's a temporary fix for a long term problem. It's called bankruptcy--big time!!!Then maybe Ford or Gm will buy them..
In my view,here's the important fact.As car lovers,most of us would agree that the car is seriously undervalued right now.There have been a fair amount of problems,and the 98 loaner my dealer loaned me(33,000 miles)is a little rattly and squeaky,but bottom line,THE CAR IS A JOY TO DRIVE!
It is hard to get much passion for work-a-day GM sedans,but I think the Intrigue is by far the most entertaining car GM makes(except for the Catera).
If you already have an Intrigue,the plumeting value is of course distressing,but just try to keep the car until the wheels fall off-you've made an informed choice-enjoy it.
Anyone considering buying one right now-take advantage of the fears of the uninformed-buy one.
I also think the SH-30 or the Aquatred 3 will eliminate the front end rattle on the Intrigue..On the other hand a closer inspection of my LS tires and available tread life now that winter has passed; could be stretched another 3k miles.. They are so vibration-free at speeds that I am having a hard time parting with them..
Regarding pulsation it says:
IMPORTANT: Brake pulsation is often caused by factors outside customer control. In these instances, the repair is covered under the GM New Vehicle Warranty.
Brake pulsation concerns may result from two basic conditions:
Pulsation is caused by brake rotor thickness variation. Thickness variation causes the piston in the brake caliper to "pump" in and out of the caliper housing. This "pumping" effect is transmitted hydraulically to the brake pedal.
Thickness variation on a new rotor will be virtually undetectable. But if the rotor (as installed on the vehicle) has lateral runout, it is likely that thickness variation will develop. Pulsation caused by thickness variation will develop on new vehicles when the tolerances of the hub and rotor stack up with lateral runout in excess of 0.080 mm (0.003 in.) Pulsation that is the result of excessive lateral runout usually develops in 4800-11300 kilometers (3000-7000 miles). Thickness variation can be induced when uneven torgue is applied to wheel nuts (lug nuts). Improper wheel tightening after tire rotation, spare tire usage, brake inspection, etc., can be the cause of pulsation. Again, it usually takes 4800-11300 kilometers (3000-7000 miles) after this event for the condition to surface. The owner or driver does not usually make the connection between the service event and the awareness of the pulsation.
The proper usage of torque wrenches and/or torque sticks (torque limiting sockets) will greatly reduce or eliminate the pulsation conditions after wheel service events.
The improper use of impact wrenches on wheel nuts greatly increases the liklihood of pulsation after wheel service.
(snip)
The following are examples of pulsation conditions and reimbursement recommendations:
1. If a customer noticed the conditions after 4800-11300 kilometers (3000-7000 miles) and it gradually got worse, normally the repair would be covered. The customer may tolerate the condition until it becomes very apparent.
2. If a customer indicated they had wheel service, ask who performed the service. Then:
If a dealer performed the service, consider paying for the repair and then strongly reinforce the use of torque sticks at that dealer. Two commons size torque sticks cover 90% or all GM products. Each technician needs to use torque sticks properly every time the wheel nuts are tightened.
If a customer had the wheel service done outside of our dealer network, normally GM would not offer any assistance.
Customer assistance concerning brake pulsation and brake wear should always take into account the individual circumstances on a case by case basis. The recommendations mentioned previously should only be used as a general guide. REMEMBER THAT CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IS CRITICAL TO GM AND THAT OFTEN IT IS IN GM'S BEST INTEREST TO SATISFY AND EDUCATE THE CUSTOMER CONCERNING FUTURE BRAKE SERVICE.
-----------------------
For someone with brake pulsation within the warranty period, and someone who has had no one other than GM touch the wheels, this is very good stuff. I'll be waving this bulletin around the next time I go in for service. Should be a no-brainer. If anyone needs a copy of this bulletin, contact me at Lporter@gte.net
Once again, a plug to alldata.com for providing this bulletin to me.
Dealers use impact wrenches and although they SHOULD have torque regulators on them, they need to be calibated from time to time. Who knows if and when they ever were.
Better safe than sorry.
Here is an informative short article about why rotors warp
http://www.shotimes.com/brakes/part1.html
The other bad news is that the 3.5l V6 dies in 2003 also,
they will take $3000 and finance it a 0% for a year.
Should i say bye bye to my intrigue, and turn it in?
This seems very odd to us because the car only has 30,000 miles on it. The dealer agreed that this was very strange, but had no idea what might have caused the problem. The transmssion fluid was OK, and the dealer said there were no leaks, but that there was a good deal of "scorching".
I'm concerned that since the dealer (and also Old's tech representative) couldn't figure out what caused the premature death of this transmission, that the new one will face the same fate in another 30K miles.
Has anyone else had similar problems? Any ideas as to what may have caused this? I've never heard of this listed as a typical problem for this car.
Thanks in advance!
lindsay-----great article on the brake rotors and the cycle of warpage which is about every 6/7k when I have the tires rotated.
In order to nail the dealer do not wait until you get 15k/25k on your brake job..
Want your brakes to last; have tires rotated every 10/12k miles.
My Firestone dealer does not torque tighten lug nuts and that's big time warpage..The rotor is becoming a fragile item with only two cuts available on must cars..Normal for me is the second cut at 90k and the rears never touched..The Intrigue gives a whole new meaning rotor life!!!!
I never bothered to post about it because my family has had nothing but fantastic experience with GM transmissions so I figured this was a fluke. Then my folks '00 LeSabre with 1200 miles had a bad heat treated baring in its transmission that if they did not take it in immediately would have ruined that one. As it was it took the dealer a week to fix it. So far it has been fine at about 15K miles.
Merckx: it does not sound like you have owned an Intrigue. Yes, it is a great driving car - I was immediately impressed after my initial test drive, and I bought it. But after my ownership experience (brakes, steering, transmission, squeaks/rattles, and electrical problems), I can understand the poor resale. If it was just squeaks/rattles, I would have kept it. It is easy to say take a chance on a used one, but just realize that resale is poor for a reason. I truely hope that the later model Intrigues have had these problems corrected, but the proof will be when they hit higher mileage.
My 99 Intrigue has been flogged and the trans works like velvet..Most GM trans are totally reliable and I think the 3.5 auto is the same one used in the supercharged 3.8L..
My wife's 96 Northstar had a trans valve replaced
early on for it was creating noise on shifting. Let out a moan; but did not affect shift quality.
I trust your dealer is capable of putting your car back in perfect shape.
The lesabre that i am thinking about buying is in the shop having a complete look over. The owner of the shop was very impressed by the car and didn't think he would find anything.
He said the tires were made in '95 and probably should be replaced, but they had full tread on them.
The car rides well and is very smooth at 70 mph.
The brakes are really spongy. The steering wheel is the thinnest i have ever seen. It handles really badly. But for three grand what should i expect.
If i decide the to buy it, the intrigues' remaining 10 months of lease will be paid off.
And the car returned. I feel that i have been treated with a complete lack of consideration by the service department. The only way that i can solve it, is to cut my losses. They profited from me one time and they will not get a second chance.
Very foolish, as i am 38 years old and could have bought 10 plus cars from them. I will write a letter to my salesman and ask him to cancel the search for a 2001 PCS intrigue.
Isn't there something else out there that could be an alternative to the old Buick? You gotta figure that at that age there is going to be hardware eventually fail as well as mechanical stuff just from the age alone. I've had several old cars like that too - seems like bunches of problems surface at once. Then you're dumping a few hundred here and there - adds up to a few grand real easy. Been there, done that too!
Good luck to you - hope you find something that works for you.
Ken
Just posted some 1995 Antares concept pics on the Aurora Classic site, in the Gallery. If you want to see what the Intrigue and Aurora should have looked like.
I assume if you want an Intrigue w/PCS and a few other goodies; then the only way out is to order and wait,wait,wait,and wait..
Maybe if one lives near the Canadian border; we should pursue buying from our NAFTA partner..I love the exchange rate!!!!
vcjumper and dindak should give us some names and phone #s of dealers to call in hopes of developing a scheme--legit of course--to pick up a couple of Intrigues..Also need a good border broker!!!
One final note: Check out the Oldsmobile web site. They are giving away 3 chances for 2 to go to the Indy 500 this year and drive the 2002 Bravada (with fixed suspension - I hope!) Pace SUV for a ceremonial lap. I just entered. You have to write a 100-word max essay. And you must own an Olds as you must enter VIN # (it keeps the jgriff raff from entering). You have until midnight Monday to enter so don't delay. Good luck.
One final, final note: I recently went out of warranty on my (wife's) '99 Intrigue and plan to post a detailed review as soon as I find some time. Until then, I will just say that overall I am very satisfied. Sorry to disappoint, griffman. Happy Intriguin' to all.
Mike
Shortly after this I noticed the roughness in the steering. The dealer replaced the rack, TWICE, replaced both front struts, and tightned the coupling on the steering shaft. Each time the problem returned after 2 or 3 days driving. Dealer got on the phone to GM who said there was no fix available at this time. I phoned GM myself and said they better replace the car seeing as how it was unrepairable. Couple of days later the dealer said they had been advised to replace the steering shaft with the new improved one. Problem solved at last. Only took 11 visits to fix that one!
Yes, I also had the brake problems (new shoes on the rear -- warped roters on the front).