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Oldsmobile Intrigue

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Comments

  • vcjumpervcjumper Member Posts: 1,110
    Wow MSP has 18" AE077 rims for $519.80USD for the set of 4. These fit the GP perfectly so I assume they fit our cars perfectly too. Check it out under handling/braking components. Lots of interesting stuff.


    Link

  • one2oneone2one Member Posts: 626
    I understand where you're coming from. I just bought a brand new 2001 GL in Midnight Blue (11 miles on the odometer) and ran into a similar problem. What I did was to check GM Buypower to see who has what. I found the color and options I wanted.

    Keep in mind as others have said, you're nearing the end of the model year. Anything you find in a 2001 is going to be slim pickings by Olds or any other manufacturer. Intrigue's have been selling like hotcakes but dealers didn't stock their lots after the news that Olds was shutting down. So what they did have sold quickly and there isn't much left. The dealer closest to me had 4 Intrigues. A week later he had none.

    GMBuypower.com is your best bet. That way you can see what dealer has the car you want and go straight to him. You'll save a couple hundred dollars in the process because the dealer won't have to have the car delivered to him.
  • one2oneone2one Member Posts: 626
    2002 will still be built. I can't really tell you what to do, especially if you have your heart set on a specific Intrigue. But you might get an even better deal on a 2002 if you're willing to wait. The 5/60 warranty is good until 10/1/02. Don't let the dealer scare you into thinking you have to take a 2001 model by Oct of this year to get the warranty. One dealer tried to shovel me that. Needless to say, I didn't buy from them.

    More than likely the rebates will continue into 2002 models. It would be the epitome of stupidity not to at least continue to offer the $2000 cash back when you're wrapping up a car line. Who would want to buy a car that's going out of business and pay top dollar for it? Especially when there are other vehicles (made by the same company) that are offering cars with rebates and cost less?

    So if time is on your side, I say wait for 2002s to hit the lots. If not, try doing a search on your own.
  • white6white6 Member Posts: 588
    Geez Louise! You guys really take your FWD seriously. I still think that there is more to traction than just "fwd vs. rwd" but, jeez, never mind.
    mosaix... We're in the model year change-over period. 2001's are out of production and the 2002 models haven't started arriving in large numbers yet. Be patient. Wait for that 2002 midnight blue GL that you REALLY want. I bought a 99 GL in December of 98 for $100 over invoice, and that was when Olds was still in business and the Intrigue was "semi-hot." Keep in mind, also, that a 2001 Intrigue will be considered a year old in about two months...
    NASCAR doesn't need fuel injection and OHC engines. The old pushrod V-8's make over 700 hp and live over 500 miles at over 8,000 rpm... not bad if you ask me. Carbs are just fine for "full throttle" racing.
  • jgriffjgriff Member Posts: 362
    Thanks 9899olds & Teo, I will keep myself in tune of any braking issues that might arise.

    My Ex-Intrigue was in the shop 3 times for brakes problems all before 15k miles. I am at just over 13k on the CL, not due for service till 15. At which time I will have a complete run down performed, with special attention to the brakes.

    Will Mr. Woods come out on top this w/e??

    NASCAR ::: I have heard that one must see it in person to enjoy & appreciate [which I have not had the pleasure]. Otherwise I find it very boring to watch on TV, unless one is napping.
  • one2oneone2one Member Posts: 626
    Most of us here don't have a $50,000+ car. But most of the cars in that price range are RWD. If you live in a region where it snows, see how many Lexus, MB, BMW, big Audi's and such are actually having a difficult time in the snow. Now, they may not move with the agility of a front wheel drive car but they aren't hurting like RWD from the 80's and beyond.

    To some extent, I feel that FWD is actually a handicap in bad weather. Not for drivers like lee18 but for the rest of the public who think like SUV owners--"Thou hath front wheel drive, therefore, thou art invincible!" Just like 4WD truck owners, most FWD drivers drive way too fast in the snow or ice. They wind up creating accidents that FWD was supposed to help them avoid. Give them traction control and PCS/StabiliTrak/VSC/ESP or whatever else they want to call it, they can be even more dangerous than RWD w/o the extra tools. But just like a knife can be used to prepare a lip-smacking meal or to kill someone, all these foul-weather features (including FWD) are only as good or bad as the person driving.

    But bottom line is that the technology is out there for RWD to make a comeback. And when it gets cheaper, AWD may become standard. Then everyone will be happy. Or just buy a Subaru.
  • one2oneone2one Member Posts: 626
    Are we on top of things or what!!!


    http://www.autonews.com/html/main/stories0716/chevy716.htm

    The smaller cars on the Epsilon platform will still be front wheelers with an AWD option, according to the article. The biggest problem it says Chevy has is keeping the cost down while still offering stability control systems.

  • redline65redline65 Member Posts: 693
    I don't think it matters if you have FWD or RWD once you get on some ice. You are going to lose traction regardless, and neither your traction control, PCS or ABS is going to save you. I slid in my Intrigue once, idling along very slowly. All I could do was try to steer and pray. Luckily I didn't hit anything.
  • wysiwyg1wysiwyg1 Member Posts: 4
    Nice car. Why it didn't succeed?
  • one2oneone2one Member Posts: 626
    We can (have) gone over that one in great detail. You'll get mixed opinions ranging from poor quality control the first couple of years to mismanagement by GM execs.

    I personally blame the execs. Horrible advertising decisions, introducing the car without the engine they knew they wanted to put in it, bold new designs but no name to tell where to get one from, waiting until too late to offer the 5/60 warranty or something similar. I think the biggest of these is the advertising. VW isn't selling vehicles because they are examples of great german engineering (although I think they are) but because they put their stuff--new features and all--in front of the public. Beatles were selling like hotcakes when they were introduced. But they still advertise them. GM gets off to a good start then falls off the face of the earth once cars start moving. Chevy is the only one not following the norm. I think that has a lot to do with why the Impala is selling well.

    All of that can be blamed on the boys and girls at the top.

    Do you have an Intrigue?
  • wysiwyg1wysiwyg1 Member Posts: 4
  • swagledswagled Member Posts: 195
    Many highways here in Southern Cal are 4 lanes wide. But often, the leftmost lanes are the most congested, because "everybody" wants the fast lanes-- (regardless of whether their cars *truly* have the performance capability to belong there.)

    This morning I'm following about 25 vehicles in the leftmost 3 lanes, all going about the same speed, about 65 MPH. (Traffic often moves at 75MPH here. It "feels" really slow!) The rightmost "truck" lane is open, and the road is slowly curving to the left.

    Well, nobody is interested in using the "outer" lane to pass.

    But I drive this highway every day, and I know there won't be another exit ramp for a mile... and there don't happen to be any trucks over there at the moment...

    So.... 2nd gear, and WHHOOOOOAAAAMMMMM!!!!!!

    That sure felt good! :-)
  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,285
    ... to read GM execs saying that they would like RWD, but that it is "too expensive". Geez. Chevy made nothing *but* RWD cars until 1980 and those sure as heck weren't as expensive as what they are dishing up nowadays. Why not just build them the way they used to and offer Positraction? Some of these people are thinking too much.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    bz4 : F1 is more dull than NASCAR to watch on TV. I can't imagine it being any better in person either. No passing makes the races a high priced parade. Europeans may like it, but it doesn't do that well here. We planned to go to the F1 race in Montreal last year but with Gold ticket prices in the C$300 + range, we decided on the Michigan 500 instead. F1 is very snobby also. Can't get near the cars or the drivers unless you are a celebrity.
    ---

    I was listening to my buddy's 3.2TL-S as he pulled out of our driveway last night. Not a quiet engine at all and it has nothing on the Intrigue's 3.5L except power. Of course we are talking about C$10K+ more car also.
  • b4zb4z Member Posts: 3,372
    F1 has been fairly good the last couple of years. Actual passing for the lead occasionally happens.

    Still prefer CART as you can go in the paddock and see the drivers. Almost got run over by Brian Herta on his moped in '95. Was too busy looking at the Tecate' Girls to see him coming. Saw Danny Sullivan up close in his last year of racing too.
    Enjoy CART also because the cars are turbocharged and a litle bit quieter than the open exhaust NASCAR, IRL and F1 cars.

    I am usually worn out 1 hour into the race if it is too noisy. Just can't enjoy it.

    I think one thing we haven't touched on is how television dulls the sensation of speed. Most of the guys on this board have not been to a race where cars go 200 mph. It is absolutely amazing in person. I can't even put it into words.
    There has never been a really great car race movie for that very reason. Film and video can't capture it.
  • one2oneone2one Member Posts: 626
    Not even Bullet with Steve McQueen? Not a car race movie but I'd say one of the best high-speed sequences caught on film.
  • 9899olds9899olds Member Posts: 202
    Somehow the answer to Nascar racing was just what I expected to hear from you two..Boring!!!

    jgriff:::::What is a 15000 mile checkup??? The only maintenance cars need is an oil and filter change, and a tire rotation.. If the brakes are bad or rotors warped; you know what to do??? Right!!!
  • jgriffjgriff Member Posts: 362
    9899olds ::: You are absolutely correct, just an oil-change, tire-rotation, and a lot of inspections of various components [nothing major].

    I do not like to knock something until I have tried it, that is why I am saying that maybe NASCAR in person may be much more exciting [someday maybe I will see one]. Although I have heard from many local fans, that getting out of the parking lot of such an event can be one very long time consuming chore [2-4 hours]. I have NO patience for parking lot crawls.

    I have been to many PGA/Nike.com tournaments and while it is fun to be right there in person, the TV is packed with a lot more shots and entertainment. Went to the US. Open in Tulsa, one day [Friday] was plenty, watch the weekend from the comfort of my easy chair with the cold beverages close by.

    Why would Olds NOT keep in force the 5/60-Warranty for their 2002 models [and beyond]. Again if it is working well now, [they should not change it], it is just going to discourage buyers.
  • yurakmyurakm Member Posts: 1,345
    http://www.mt-washington.com/autoroad/autorates.html


    Quote: Safety considerations dictate that certain vehicles ... cannot be permitted on the Auto Road ... Acura, Sterling, Jaguar, Saturn and Honda autos with automatic transmissions must show a "1" on the shifter to be allowed on the Road.




    What is wrong with Acura/Honda etc.?
  • redline65redline65 Member Posts: 693
    Can you take an Acura to a Honda dealer for service, or will it void the warranty? Is it cheaper to take it to a Honda dealer?
  • swagledswagled Member Posts: 195
    Surely if you own an Acura 100 miles from the nearest Acura dealer, they'd let you take it to a Honda shop.... GM tends to be flexbile about taking the "wrong" model in to a dealer, since so many parts are shared across platforms.
  • mosaixmosaix Member Posts: 106
    I'm still holding out for a midnight blue, black, or sterling GLS, but after reading some of these posts I may need to look elsewhere as selection seems to be slim. I really want a new car now, but could probably wait several months for a 2002. Anybody know of any changes for 2002?
  • focus18focus18 Member Posts: 28
    Did you physically downshift to 2nd in order to pass? I thought you don't have to do that in automatic.
  • focus18focus18 Member Posts: 28
    Gee, i can't even get the dealers to sell me the intrigue for $1000 over. They are saying GM Canada doesn't offer the 3% holdback anymore, is that true in Canada (or U.S.)?
  • b4zb4z Member Posts: 3,372
    You know the 15K checkup. Thats where you bring your semi luxury(small car big price)vehicle in, and they charge you $400.00.

    Unfortunately i have never experienced it. But my friends with BMW's say it happens to them all the time. I am really missing out on Acura/Mercedes/Infinti/Lexus/BMW ownership experience.
    Don't ya think?
  • b4zb4z Member Posts: 3,372
    Bullit is a great movie but it still does not convey the speed well.
    Not to get to technical but film is 24 frames per second and video is 30 frames per second. Not fast enough. The zoom lenses distort distance too.

    Have you ever been to a race where the speeds are high?
  • jgriffjgriff Member Posts: 362
    Yurkam ::: Well, I am not sure which automatic Honda/Acura do not have a 1 gear on the shifter. Mine does, it is on the bottom left of the gated sport shifter. Mt Washington must be some pretty treacherous roadways.

    Redline65 ::: I am sure if I was in a pinch I could take my CL to a Honda dealer. However my Acura service being as good as it is I would avoid it if at all possible. Plus with my dealer, I get a loaner vehicle for the duration of the day [much more convenient than a taxi, or drop-offs, or waiting etc. etc.].

    I am pretty picky about my service, I gave up the Jiffy-Lubes, Quick-Pits oil change places of the world many years ago. I have a little more faith in most dealers that I purchase my vehicles from.
  • lee18lee18 Member Posts: 45
    There is a seldom used film technology called Showscan that exposes and projects 70mm film at 70 frames per second. This eliminates all flicker and produces unbelievably smooth motion effects and is highly immersive. I saw a Showscan film at Expo 86. It had race car, aerobatic plane, and helicopter footage. There was a sequence filmed from an expert skier's eye view going down a treacherous run. Being only an intermediate skier myself, it was so realistic it had me cringing and almost panicing about what the skier was doing.

    If a race movie like Grand Prix, which was already one of the best race movies ever made, was filmed in Showscan with modern special effects, it would be dynamite.
  • one2oneone2one Member Posts: 626
    Not too many changes to 2002 Intrigues. According to harlanc--an Oldsmobile engineer who has answered questions on this site--it should get power lumbar support (needed) probably a couple of sound deadening materials, and Midnight Blue is being replaced with Indigo Blue. Check out the 2002 Bravada to see how the color looks. I like it.
  • one2oneone2one Member Posts: 626
    Never been to a real race. Been thinking about going to the Pocono Raceway. Some workmates have gone to the Dover (Delaware) Raceway and have enjoyed it. Maybe I'll do it someday.
  • yurakmyurakm Member Posts: 1,345
    I believe every vehicle have a low gear. However, on some older cars with auto tansmission, it does not work. Without working 1-st speed, descent from a high mountain would be unsafe. The brakes will overheat and fail.


    Probably, they had a bad experience on the Mt.Washington road with these makes, if they check the low gear.


    I was not yet on the Mt.Washington. However, the last Sunday we drove up the Mt.Ascutney in VT. The length of the road and its elevation is roughly 1/2 of the Mt.Washington road. Even while descending on the low gear, I had to brake much our Regal, and the brake rotors became scorching hot. Stopped twice (overkill) to let them cool down.


    The views from Mt.Ascutney are magnificent!


    http://www.vtstateparks.com/htm/ascutney.html

  • 9899olds9899olds Member Posts: 202
    I don't keep an ongoing tabulation related to gas but I do maintain the other records by keeping the dealer invoices.. Through 47,258 miles the out of pocket expenses are $417.82 which includes 15 oil and filter changes, 4 tire rotations, an air filter, and installation of the SLP exhaust..

    All work was preformed by Olds; no quickies at the teenager run stores..

    I go somewhat short on oil life because of my driving habits of the higher end speed range believing that the engine deserves clean fresh oil, small price to pay when one pounds it along..

    The SLP exhaust including $50.00 for Fed-x was around $400.00..

    The other expense was the Master Care extended warranty through GM with 0 ded 6/75 coverage for $1025..This coverage includes car rental and road service...

    So far it is a cheap date with the next expense coming up is tires which is a no-brainer for 400-450..

    Hate to bore some owners with this data but a few people may appreciate this break-down..Gas mileage is btw 25-28, using the 87 octane and had seen as high 30.., but driving is no fun when you are in that range..

    At my age and in the political climate of today; please realize that our driving freedoms will be curtailed drastically in the upcoming years..Due to my lifestyle and career path considerable driving has been necessary; and the rubbish of restrictions being compiled and considered are scary so when this kid hits the pavement; I fly..

    My Z will have front and rear radar coverage because I am getting lazy and somewhat careless in scanning for the ticket issuers..

    Since I started driving in 1947 things on the road have really changed..The good old days are truly missed..First ride was a 35 Ford w/47 Ford V-8, mechanical brakes and the exhaust ending under the floor boards.. I was 14 yrs old and it was for getting around on the farm and a few mad runs on the backroads..
  • white6white6 Member Posts: 588
    Reminds me of a trip to the Long Beach Grand Prix in '88. I almost got run over by a moped too... A.J. Foyt! Got to meet Rick Mears and Danny Sullivan... they were driving for Penske at the time. He had them out shaking hands and kissing babies. The Andretti's were tucked away in their motorhome... didn't want to mingle with the "common folk." I also almost ran head-on (I was looking down at my camera) into P.L. Newman on his way back to his pit after TransAm practice on Friday. Little bitty guy! Couldn't have been over 5-9 or so. There were about a million people tagging along behind him, too. Standing on the bridge over the main straight at Long Beach during TransAm practice was the best... the full-body cars at full-bore were something. Newman was hitting over 200 mph on the main straight. About a second after passing the air hit you... would about knock you off your feet. Tons of fun in the pits; I'm really glad I experienced it in person.
  • b4zb4z Member Posts: 3,372
    I wish i had been there. That is when Sullivan was at the top of his game. I think he might have been champion that year. He was a hell of a roadracer. At the Miami race i saw him in he was not quite as fast as Gugelmin but was the fastest of the first group.

    It is interesting to see the varying styles of the drivers and you can actually tell which ones are faster by the way they approach the corners and by what they do in the corners.

    Some of the drivers would swing wide and come in fast and then exit a little slower. Sullivan would do the Nigel Mansell early apex-in style and then was on and off the gas through the entire corner! he'd come off the corner like a scalded cat. He was clearly faster than the second tier of drivers.

    Incredible to watch and even harder to explain to someone who has not been there.

    We need to get one2one to an Indy car race. Probably at Mid-Ohio or something since it is closer to where he lives.
  • swagledswagled Member Posts: 195
    I was just inferring that I "floored it" enough to go into 2nd gear. (It seems to take some finesse, actually, to get the 3.5 to downshift only to 3rd.)

    Although shortly after buying the car, I did try driving in "3" for a while-- under the assumption that a downshift to 2 would take less time. But I don't think it really does... so I just leave it in "D" now, and let the electronics figure things out when I mash the gas.

    9899Olds- I've been able to get 32MPG on a cross country trip. But that was using cruise control on level ground, at legal speeds. I think anyone who really *drives* their Intrigue, just has to get used to the high 20's as the price of fun!

    There's certainly no question the Intrigue is *fast*. I have a 55 mile commute that I do in 45 minutes almost every day. (And about 4 miles of that is in town.)
  • redline65redline65 Member Posts: 693
    19 City, 28 Highway, 87 octane
    3.5L with 3.29 ratio
  • 9899olds9899olds Member Posts: 202
    Born and raised in Indianapolis, saw the first 7 Memorial Day races after the WWII ending..The Novi's and all the various variations of racing shapes and power..Have gone to MIS in Brooklyn mi several times; but the crowds and confusion are not worth it..TV coverage is very good and saves considerable time/expense.. The split of the domestic scene several years ago took the fun out of the 500 mile and maybe the egos of the owners will somehow blend one day again..

    The Olds V-8 is a farce...
  • b4zb4z Member Posts: 3,372
    Don't you mean the soon to be Chevy V8.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    9899olds : Olds V8 is no farce. Very reliable and dominates the IRL. The IRL is however, a farce. Wonder if the IRL and CART will ever merge.

    focus18 : Bought mine for about $900 over invoice. I can help you if needed. Canadian dealer's won't sell at invoice (different system) but you don't have to pay too much. Let me know.

    White6 : Love those old glory days of Indy car racing. The IRL split has really fragmented open wheel racing. Sad!

    RE : mileage : Can get around 28-30 on cruise @ 120km/h no problem. Always use 87.
  • 9899olds9899olds Member Posts: 202
    You couldn't be serious about the Olds engine and its performance???? It's a gutless wonder and another Olds waste of money. The gear box is totally overstressed..
  • focus18focus18 Member Posts: 28
    Dindak: how much is the Can. invoice for GL? Your help is definitely needed. A penny saved is a penny earned.
  • focus18focus18 Member Posts: 28
    Swagled: what if one actually downshift to 2nd (like in a standard) when passing, wouldn't it be faster still?
  • swagledswagled Member Posts: 195
    I don't think manually down shifting is beneficial... because as soon as you do it, you are "engine braking". I suppose if you keep your foot on the gas while downshifting, that might not happen, but that sounds like a good recepie to ruin a transmission. After all, even in a manual, you have to let off the gas and THEN clutch-down.

    Also, in a manual transmission, when you clutch-down, the engine is not engaged, so you're coasting, and you have time to phase the engine power with the clutch-up, to prevent speed loss.

    Upshifting is probably safe to do yourself. I've noticed the interlock doesn't even require you to press the button to make a manual upshift. But the computer does a pretty good job of picking upshifts anyway... so again, there's no real need to try doing it on your own.
  • 9899olds9899olds Member Posts: 202
    What am I reading about trying to shift the auto and running around in 2nd gear?? Just put it in DRIVE and it go; let it do the thinking!!!

    This is the hi-tech age..Make money and the world will take most of it; invest wisely and you could lose most of it..

    If it isn't drive; try 3rd and it wil probably shift into whatever gear it needs..Don't worry, GM has lots of people working on problems...
  • b4zb4z Member Posts: 3,372
    Manual upshifts will probably slow acceleration. But holding the car in a lower gear to prevent an upshift when lifting of the gas can be very beneficial.

    If you are running twisting backroads and running hard i often put it in second gear. It really helps the car get off the corners without an auto downshift.

    Second gear is good for 80 mph in the intrigue.

    Just don't shift it into first while you are moving. Talk about a clunk!

    You'd think i still owned one.
  • swagledswagled Member Posts: 195
    Reminds me of a fella I knew who was cruising along about 65 on a rural highway, and saw a cop approaching in his rear view. He chose to downshift instead of just hit his brakes, as to not broadcast the fact he was trying to slow down.

    This was a 1969 Mercury and the interlock was pretty worn. He downshifted into.... REVERSE! The car came to a smoking, stinking, squealing stop real quick. (The cop just kept on going, looking at his own dashboard wondering where the sound was coming from.)

    Surprisingly, the car continued to be drivable after that experience. (But it would take a LONG time of poking and shifting around to go into reverse.....!)
  • focus18focus18 Member Posts: 28
    The proper way to downshift in a manual transmission is to first give it some gas (so everything is in sync), clutch, then shift. This way there wont't be any hesitation
  • one2oneone2one Member Posts: 626
    Ok, so it only had a very, very small cameo. Just saw Jurassic Park III. At the end of the opening scene, Sam Neil starts a car that sounds expensive. Thought it was a Mercedes. As he backed out of the driveway it was apparent to anyone who is familiar with the car that it was an Intrigue. Big hood logo shining in the light with those big 'ol yellow meatball lights in the middle. We took another couple with us and they instantly looked at me when they saw it :-) What can I say, I love my Intrigue.

    So it's not much. But it was nice to hear the song of the 3.5 on film.
  • redly_oneredly_one Member Posts: 122
    You say you grew up in Indy. Whereabouts did you live?

    I moved here in Jan. A little bit curious about the area, wondering if you have any knowledge of the Fishers area.

    thanks
  • teoteo Member Posts: 2,508
    For comparison purposes I have selected to appraise the top of the line trim versions of these models fully loaded . I am obtaining this information from Edmunds' TMV Values for used vehicles.

    The comparison is based on 2000 Model year vehicles with 15K miles on the odometer and excellent condition under my own zipcode:

    1)Chevrolet Impala LS:

    Average Trade-in: $16,488
    Average Retail: $19,346
    Dealer Certified: $20,091

    2)Oldsmobile Intrigue GLS:

    Average Trade-in: $16,406
    Average Retail: $19,648
    Dealer Certified: $20,393

    3) Ford Taurus SES:

    Average Trade-in: $13,625
    Average Retail: $16,593
    Dealer Certified: $17,338

    4) Honda Accord EX V6:

    Average Trade-in: $18,692
    Average Retail: $22,479
    Dealer Certified: $23,129

    Based on these resale value results the cars rank as follows:

    1)Honda Accord EX V6
    2)Chevrolet Impala LS
    3)Oldsmobile Intrigue GLS
    4)Ford Taurus SES

    The Accord has the best overall resale value figures, however, it is only about $2,000 to $3,000 apart from the Impala LS. The Impala LS has the best resale value of the *domestics*. While the Intrigue GLS still retains decent value it exhibited a greater degree of initial depreciation. The Taurus SES was the worst in terms of resale value.

    Never buy a Taurus brand new.
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