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I'm sure jgriff will be back from the lurk before long.
The AM/FM CD/CASSETTE stereo in my 2001 Intrigue GLS is really a piece of #$@!. Hs anyone on this group replaced the stereo in their Intrigue, and if so, what make/model stereo did you pick (and why?)?
I might add, I have steering wheel controls for the stereo and the "On-Star" system, so i am concerned about retaining the function of those items after the upgrade takes place.
Any ideas would be appreciated...
Thanks-
;-)
Check out the Pioneer 4100DEH. Without changing your speakers, the sound is crisp and clean. Of course, upgrading the speakers would be even better. If you do, you'd probably need an amp... the receiver is only 45Watts. But after listening to systems with more power, I've seen that wattage isn't what makes the sound.
Why did I pick it? Truthfully, because oscarz did and I was in the market for one. I picked it up at Circuit City for about $239 (on-sale). Features include:
-3 band eq
-source level adjustment (SLA)
-15 FM station presets
-display name of CD playing
-BSM (Best Station Memory)
-detachable face
-remote control
-alarm built in
-reads CD-R and CD-RW disks
There are so many ways to adjust the sound to perfectly fit your taste that I would have to open the manual to explain. The highs are crisp, the lows deep and NO distortion when cranked up to unnecessary levels.
I don't have the steering wheel controls but it is generally agreed (and assumed) that they will still work since good installers will use a wire harness and thus keep your settings. But remember, it comes with a remote control :-)
"Every vehicle I drove was a beautiful machine. If money was no object, any of them would make nice additions to the driveway."
Now that that's out the way, on to the reviews. They had everything there from a Catera to MB S-Class. The cars I drove were:
-MB S-Class
-LS 430
-Lincoln Navigator
-Catera
There were a bunch of others but when you're 6'8" options are limited. Surprisingly (not for GM though) I was able to drive the Catera but couldn't fit into the Seville or DeVille. The Catera is scraping the bottom of the barrel in the looks dept, but boy can it handle! So well that I could get used to the looks. Visibility for me was poor so I would never think about getting one.
The LS 430---what can I say? I have never, ever been in a car that was so quiet. Everything reviewers have said about its vault-like silence is true. HOWEVER, I found things not to like. Japanese car owners complain that gaps in body panels on domestic cars show a lack of attention to detail and use that to say that everything else in the car must be crap. To that I say, a car that cost over $60,000 and that is as quiet as it is shouldn't let me strip the starter and flywheel. Even my "cheap" Intrigue will disable the starter after the engine turns over. Also, the car felt heavy in the curves--not wallowly-- but heavy. Not impressed. The Intrigue handles way better. And that's no exaggeration. But as a highway cruiser, it is the ultimate.
Mercedes Benz S-Class: what a machine!!! B4z, you have got to just sit in that car. I pushed the seat AAALLLLLLLL the way back. There was still at least 2 feet of space between the rear seat cusion and the back of the driver! But that's not all. I had to pull it up because I was stretching to reach the steering wheel!!! And remember ya'll, Shaq has me by only 8 inches.
Handling was excellent. Steering was tight and responsive without being heavy. Smoothness was on par with the Lexus. Very little body roll (I really can't remember any) in the curves. IMO, it was the best vehicle I have ever driven.
Lincoln Navigator: Has a very luxurious feel inside-- until you turn the key. After that, it's just a 7 passenger F-150. The engine isn't refined to the ears for a vehicle of its expense. It feels like a "truck". Some say, "But it is a truck. What do you expect?" For 60 grand, I expect it to feel a lot better than it did. I can give it good marks on handling. Very impressive for a machine of such girth.
I didn't drive the Escalade because the seat wouldn't go back far enough. A rep there said that there's a pin that can be removed to allow the track to extend. I believed him because even at the car show I was able to get in comfortably.
Other vehicles on hand: Jag S-Type, BMW 5 Series, Lincoln LS, MB C-Class.
The reason I put the disclaimer at the top is because, as nice as those machines were, none of them made me feel I should go out and get 8 more jobs so that I can buy one. None made me say, "I must have this car." What they did was made me realize how good a job Olds did with the Intrigue. Even if I had the money, I'd still get another Intrigue first (ok, an Aurora if I could fit).
But hey, it was a fun way to spend a rainy Saturday afternoon.
Impala definitely has better ratings, but it's not as nice inside.
Anyway, nothing major to report. Car is operating fine. I did get the a/c problem fixed. Cost: $175. Aside from oil changes, that's been pretty much it. I am noticing that when driving through the city when it's hot that the temp gague tends to go as high as 3/4 but usually goes down quickly one I get out of the stoplight sea. Probably normal for the 3.5 but the 3800 never did that before. Perhaps the coolant is beginning to break down. I'll flush and replace that first. If it continues, I'll get the thermostat changed. Doesn't happen often but I like to keep an eye on things.
The steering "jiggle" has returned. Took it to the dealer and the manager claims they can't feel it. Even if they could, he wants to charge me for the part. I don't think so. Doesn't bother me that much. So that will remain until I trade it in.
Other than that, there's nothing to report. The Michelin Pilots still have a good deal of rubber on them. I rotate them at the specified intervals.
For you folks thinking of cashing in on the deals you can get on Intrigues, go for it! All the major problems that were experienced--including excessive road noise--have been addressed. I have a "problem" '98 Intrigue. If mine can go this far, anything you buy now will certainly do the same. Just remember to change the oil when the light comes on and reset the oil monitor afterward.
I have nothing to say +/- so I am keeping quiet.
Glad most everyone is happy with their Intrigue.
You all have a great summer, and remember it is not over still the last putt drops.
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/testing/ncap/ncap.cfm I probably shouldn't have brought this up on this forum, but knowledge is a good thing, right?
I don't mean to put down anyone's car--and it is a beautiful car--but the tests by the NHTSA are very disturbing. Also, an article in this month's Reader's Digest points out that the most frequent cause of death to drivers who are doing nothing wrong is from frontal impacts. If you're driving alone it's acceptable, but your passenger will get hurt.
bluesky999 : I've said it before and I'll say it again, take the test results with a grain of salt. While I don't ignore them, I don't make my decision to buy based on them either. They are just one factor. If you are very concerned about this one particular result, buy something else.
It appears to be that the Intrigue is a very flimsy car and accounts of current and past owners of Intrigues who do complain about structural noises and creaks only reaffirm on this.
The car is beautiful, has an awesome engine, good looks, but when it came to serious safety GM really cut some critical corners in terms of its structural integrity.
This is yet another reason why Oldsmobile is no longer here and the Intrigue will not see another redesign.
Can someone explain why the Intrigue failed some of these safety tests???
That's understandible with just 1 or 2 tests. You're bound to get some variance and the Inirigue may have had the bad luck to be the low man on the pole.
If they were to crash 10 Intrigues and 10 Grand Prix's with the same results, I'd give the model-by-model breakdown more credence.
Disclaimer: My opinions are coming from someone who didn't do any safety research at all before buying. As I saw it, the car I bought would have air bags (instead of motorized belts that I often forgot to fasten), be 1000 pounds heavier than my old one, and adhere to the new side-impact rigidity regulations added in the last few years.
So, it would be safer. Maybe not the safest... If safety was paramount, I'd have researched the tests more and bought something else.
P.S. Impala probably has better numbers because it was intended to be a cop cruiser.
at our destination in my Intrigue than in a car like the Impala (which I have driven and find to quite "Buicky" in its handling/ride). I guess it's a radical approach, but I'd much rather prevent the accident in the first place....Furthermore, after the recent departure of one of the more prolific writers in this forum, I find the comments overall to be much more balanced regarding the Intrigue--some bad, some good, rarely neutral....If they're still making them at the end of 2002, I'll have around 60,000 miles at that point and will probably get another one.
I currently have about 7800kms and think i made a big mistake with this car.
Headlights flickered, got new altenator about a month ago, lights still blinks occasionally.
Clunking in steering wheel when sitting still and rotating the wheel back and forth from 11 to 1 o'clock position. Service manager sat on his butt in his office and tried to convince me that i have to expect play because of the linkage involved. Crap i said, had a tech test drive and he said instantly there was a problem. Adjusted preload and was ok until i got home (25 kms ). Took it back and again the mangaer with his song and dance and once again on test drive the tech said that is was worst than last time. They kept the car overnight and replaced the rack. Funny that they replaced a rack on a car that the manger said was normal. I think gm sends these guys on a training coarse for a day, hook them up to 120 volts ac and ask them questions all day. If they dont't answer with: "They all do that", "That's normal", Can't duplicate the problem" and a few other allowable responses they get get a blast.
I still feel that the steering is not quite right. Its feels like i have no power steering at highway speeds. I have to hold the wheel tight and it becomes very tiresome and unpleasant to drive. Its seems that i have to apply a lot of effort to change lanes or even correct for drift. Any car i have ever owned it was simply a matter of pushing with one finger on the wheel and away i would go. With the intrigue i need a full fist and my upper arm gets sore after a half hour of driving.
Has anyone have this problem, I know that we have magnasteer variable assist, but i still feel there is too much effort required. Dealer says "they all do that".
The SERIOUS problem that i have and i would bet that you all have it is a hesitation and surging when trying to back up. Sometimes when backing up the tach hesitates at 1200 rpm, waits a half second and then pops up to 2000rpm and the beast naturally surges into reverse. Very dangerous in a parking lot or parrell parking. When it hesitates, one tends to give it more gas and makes the surge worse. It took about four visits and a lot of heated conversation with dealer before i could get it to happen for them. "A state of the art car like this doesn't have that kind of problem". YEH RIGHT. I asked them to contact gm and they said there were no other instances. After it happened they called it double engaement of reverse. THey worked on it for two days when they did the rack, After playing with it for a while gm tells them to stop and put it back together because they know about the problem and are working on a fix. Jerks, why do they put people through a month of crap and then come back with a response like that. You all should bring this problem to gm attention if you have experienced this because the more the merrier. I 'm thinking of writing transport canada and reporting a safety defiency with this car.
Also the wind noise is unacceptable and the tires roar. If i had to buy another car it would not be this.
The tire roar
Usually these "accidents" are not accidental at all. One or both parties does something stupid ranging from wanting to beat a light to not wanting someone to get in front of them to not paying attention. All of these are avoidable. But if you are the driver that isn't guilty of these infractions but still hit the other driver, the insurance companies *usually* will charge the striking vehicle with the blame.
So it would make better sense to avoid the accident altogether. In the June issue of MotorTrend is there is an artile that discusses the very same thing formersuver1 spoke about. That is why I will never again drive a 4 banger. Power is a safety feature, not just a fun factor. If your car doesn't have the power to accelerate out of the way of an out of control driver, you're dead. Antilock brakes (while some don't like them--I swear by them) assists in reducing hydroplaning. My traction control has kicked in after hitting a pothole during braking which, in the rain, assisted in not hydroplaning. PCS, StabiliTrak, VSC, ESP or whatever other acronym they come up with helps in emergency manuvers. Sure lots of people will use it to compensate for sloppy driving. But that doesn't make it worthless.
I'm all for passive safety features. Sometimes "accidents" just can't be avoided so side airbag curtains, front airbags, crumple zones, etc I welcome. But "active" features are what will keep you from having to use the former.
Others::: Yes good handling dynamics and braking are also essential in the ability to avoid accidents. Driving skills are also fundamental...you could be behind the wheel of a Ferrari Modena 360 and be an absolute idiot in terms of driving skills.
But what happens when the accident can't be avoided??? I have seen many 'stupid' accidents where a car is waiting at a red light and suddenly another vehicle hits it head on or sideways....what good does the superb handling does in cases like that? I am not implying that all accidents happen while waiting at red lights in intersections but I *cringe* when people have this idea that only superb handling dynamics will save them from bad drivers and compromising traffic situations...its a valid argument both ways.
The Impala handles very well for a 3500lbs car. I have the LS version with quick ratio steering, sport suspension, 4-wheel ABS/Discs all around, all speeds traction control and Goodyear Eagle GA 16" tires. Indeed the Intrigue handles better due to the PCS option and somewhat lighter composition but the Impala is no slouch either. The Impala base sedan, is a different story however in the handling department.
This would explain its better side crash ratings among other things.
PCS does not have an effect on handling except for different tires. PCS has deeper gear though which helps acceleration.
To the guy who said the impala handles buicky, i would say that skidpad is probably about the same as the intrigue, but that the intrigue changes direction more quickly.
Moonshadow, The problems you are having is why i early terminated my lease. I just couldn't take my dealers attitude anymore.
These were small problems, not things that left me stranded.
I do wish my impala had the intrigue's engine though.
When I picked up my car, I spoke to the service rep and she said gm is aware of this problem. Paperwork said: no fix from GM at this time.
I feel your pain. A lot of morons in this corp.
Gm seems to be aware of a lot of things like the reverse tranny problem. (dealer tech said they would call when gm sent them the fix they are working on).
If there are any others with this awkward steering, stiff, heavy feel please let me know . It almost feels like a dead spot from center or a little bump you have to overcome when starting to steer. Then sometimes the wheel doesn't return to center, you have to jerk in back in place like your using a joystick on a video game.
man I hate this car.
Gm seems to be aware of a lot of things like the reverse tranny problem. (dealer tech said they would call when gm sent them the fix they are working on).
If there are any others with this awkward steering, stiff, heavy feel please let me know . It almost feels like a dead spot from center or a little bump you have to overcome when starting to steer. Then sometimes the wheel doesn't return to center, you have to jerk in back in place like your using a joystick on a video game.
man I hate this car.
Took it to the dealer. Diagnosed failed 4th gear clutch which resulted in metal chunks throughout the tranny. They took it apart and totally rebuilt it, 18 hours of tech labor and about 20 parts replaced. Fortunately all under warranty and now it runs 2000 rpm at 70. It seems fine and I haven't noticed the slight jerking that I used to feel around 40.
I still love the car but it's certainly disappointing to have a tranny failure this early (23K miles.) The A604 in my Plymouth minivan lasted 96K miles.
Regarding the factor of vehicle dynamics/handling being a factor in accidents: I agree completely with the poster from Germany--it's definitely a big factor. In fact, Consumer Reports uses the vehicle handling as one of the factors in their "overall rating". I think in the "overall rating" the Intrigue was rated acceptable, but with the caveat that it had dissappoining results in crashes for passengers. Also, in addition to vehicle dynamics, I would think visibility would also play a role in accident avoidance.
I disagree with the person who says the Intrigue "falls apart" in a side accident. I think that the Intrigue, and most other modern cars, are a good bit safer than the cars we were driving 10 to 15 years ago. Even the cars of that era didn't "fall apart" in a crash. That's a gross exageration.
I really like the Intrigue. It's the only car that I really like and would like to buy at this point, but I'm not going to because of the safety rating. I'm so disappointed in GM. Now I guess they'll have Chevy to compete against Hyundai, but Hyundai will win that price war. And won't the majority of the Buick drivers all pass away within the next 20 years or so? Oldsmobile was the only one competing with the camcords, and GM dissolves it. The new executives that formerly marketed Huggies and other consumer cyclicals have blundered tremendously. If they had given Olds more time, the division would have rebounded strongly, IMO. And Robert Smith, who oversaw the huge downfall of the biggest company ever, is enjoying his retirement for which he received an obscene number of millions.
Well said!!! Take a look at the July issue of MotorTrend on page 29 in the sidebar. Has a picture of the '03 Regal. GM still hasn't gotten the point.
Looking at GM Canada's web site, it seems they are offering great deals on the Grand Prix right now. They seem to have one with a special package that includes the 3800, leather, and a few other things that they are offering for around $26K Canadian. Not bad, and the GPs looks are my second favorite among that group of GMs.
I still feel bad about the loss of Oldsmobile though. I may never use that GM card money. If I could give it to charity and get a tax receipt in return for even a fraction of it, I would.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Grand Prix is a great car. I had a 98 before my Intrigue and it was comfortable with a smooth 3.8L engine. It was also problem free.
Gentlemen (moonshadow, b4z) count me as a former frustrated owner. Simply way too many repeat failures [none leaving me stranded] just got tired of repeat visits to the shop for the same previous problems.
My 2000 has an odd low "rumble" that sounds like road noise but is independent of the the regular road noise and doesn't match the condition of the road. It happens most often at 60+ mph, when the car is fully warmed up. It drives my wife nuts. She brought it in to the dealer but service was unable to find any cause. I took the tech for a 15 mile test drive and of course the noise was not present. All systems and functions operate correctly so, I'll just wait for what ever it is to worsen or fail.
Other problems with this car-
-After delivery (less than 50 mi) the "check engine" light would not extinguish, O2 sensor hole in exhaust manifold was stripped, requring replacement of manifold (and removal of engine to do so).
-Flickering alternator, had one of the first "new" alternators in the area. Recently had a "flicker" at night. Any others had this experience?
-Right rear wheel bearing required replacement at about 16K miles.
Anyone had similar experiences, esp the "mystery noise"?
Arne
http://www.carbras.com/perfectfit/oldsmobile.htm
see picture:
http://www.carbras.com/perfectfit/bigcars/oldsmobile_intrigue.htm
Looks ugly to my taste. The company also makes colored bras, but they costs $300 (regular $84)
Repainting a car is typically more expensive and does affect resale value in the long run.
Some people have a 'lazy' attitude towards taking care of their vehicles I guess..
Hey! we are talking about a low $20k priced car with the habits of a $30K+ whatever turns you on..
If you are having problems find a dealer who has his head screwed on right and the car will be fixed.. I know I have had two of lovelies and the 3.5 is a big time winner over the 3.8 for fun..The 3.8 is a reliable old style powerplant with a great following; but GM has to replace it soon or lose out to the other guys..
I see where the Impala forum has a lot of a/c, trim, amp, engine cradle, ISS, and a whole host of little painers. The C-class Merc is another one where for $40k+ is treated with kid-gloves.
Lets face it the domestic car is pounded with regularity and who cares!!!
The bra is maybe the answer for some owners; but I think the best solution is to wash it once a week.. I find that the trouble from rocks and debris hits the top of the hood and the windshield.. The front facia of the Intrigue resists any chipping, nicking, or denting from normal flying light weight debris..
I put a new windshield in the 98 Intrigue before it went home to its maker....
redline65::::who's back????
To the forum's past owners who bailed for other cars (note: I didn't say lesser cars), this owner will miss your weekly updates and gripes.. Owners seem to complain less than renters???? I guess we are committed..
teo:::::Hope you Impala owners were impressed with the a/c disertation by the Physics dept..
Since the 99 model was almost perfect then the last model year 02 should be great.. Oversized brakes and a quiet front end would impress me. Otherwise the car is perfecto!!!!
Never driven a 3.05 rear ratio one; my 99 is a 3.29 and it suffers from the fuel cut-off.. The PCS option for $500 lets one drift to 125+, so I guess a PCS Intrigue GX sould be the bargain at 18500..