I have bought 4-5 sets of tires from tire rack and have always been impressed with their service. I think shipping is about $6 per tire? The downside is you don't get free rotation and other perks that some places give to customers. I think the longest i have waited is about 3 days for the tires to arrive at my door.
I don't know if this is indigenous to my area but Sears will rotate tires for free even if they weren't purchased there. They probably use it as an opportunity to offer new brakes.
focus - I wax my wheels every time I wax the car. They clean up very easy. You can use any wax on the standard aluminum wheels - they are painted. I'm not sure what you would use on chrome wheels, maybe chrome polish?
I compared tire prices about a year ago, when replaced tires at my 98 Malibu.
The Firehawk SH-30 tires, size 215-60/R15, were about $20 less expensive from Tirertack than at my local Firestone. $65 vs. $84(?).
The last price is at 15% discount to the full list one, but the Firestone shop provides it to everybody who ask, and even to most who does not bother to ask.
The Firestone price included installation and balancing. The Tirerack one is for tires only. Tirerack recommends several shops in my area, with installation cost about $12. After adding shipping and installation, the difference practiaclly reduces to the sale tax aviodance.
By the way, I could save more if buying the tires at other local shop, named the Tire Warehose or something of this kind. I prefer Firestone, because I am doing most of car service / repair at the shop, because it is at walking distance from my home, and because the place is simply more nice. Also, it would be easier to complaint if something goes wrong, when buing Firestone tire at Firestone, not from a third-party shop.
When installing tires, did alignment and bought a road hazard insurance. Used it recently, when got a nail in the tire.
Unexpected bonus: about a month after buying tires, I received a lot of valuable coupons from the Firestone, and a "preferred customer" card. The card provides a free towing, a year of free tire rotation for all cars in my family, and other benefits - do not remember what. With AAA membership, I do not need the road-side service. However, the free tire rotation already more than paid for the difference in price.
And the last: if you are not at hurry, research what tires you want to buy, and watch for big sale. Usually it happens at/around big holidays. The same Firestone offered tires at 25% discount at Labor Day ("Two days only: Buy any 3 tires, get the 4-th free"), with road hazard insurance at 1/4 of usual price. The next sale probably will be at Thanksgiving, if not earlier.
Just want to say that I find the chrome wheels very easy to clean. I just wash and wipe them with a rag. Also the quality of the chrome is great, after more than 3 years they are in fine shape with no rust spots. Finally, I think they really add to the appearance of the car and I am happy that I got them.
focus : I wax my wheels also. I will likely do my annual wax in the next week or two. What are you looking at in terms of Intrigues?
one2one : That's a good deal but you are right, they will tell you something needs doing every time. No Sears Auto at the local mall here so I don't have the option anyway.
yurakm : Wouldn't touch Firestones again. Both my mom and I have had bad experiences and the whole Ford Exploder fiasco sealed their fate with me. I'll stick with Goodyear, BF Goodrich, or Michelins.
Checked out the new Altima last night. Dealer was closed so I will go back for a test drive. I'm quite curious about this car as it's being hyped big time. Noticed they already have slapped 4.8% financing on it which seemed strange. Saw an ad in the paper confirming. Nissan sales must be slowing big if they are doing that.
I have a tirerack "recommended" installer not far from me. They charged $60 to mount and load-balance all four tires for my Firebird (BFG Comp TA HR4 275/40-17) and they used stick-on weights on the inside of the wheel so they aren't visible. I paid $628 for the tires, shipped, and then another $60 for mounting and balancing for a total of $688. Local price for tires alone, before m & b and sales tax, was $760. I have been VERY impressed with these tires. The ride quality is first-rate! Remember, these are HUGE tires. They don't wander all over the road and are very quiet. Whatever you do, don't buy Kumho tires. They cornered very good, but other than that they were absolutely abismal. Loud, terrible ride and followed every little dip or crack in the road. Probably great for autocrossing. Firestone dealers are probably hurting right now, so I imagine they are making pretty good deals. The Aquatread III's are listed at $79 each on tirerack.com. Add $32 for shipping and $60 for m & b, and you're at $408. I paid $505 for the Aquatread III's I put on my Intrigue (before the $50 Goodyear Credit rebate) from a local Goodyear store that is probably cheaper than most (friend of a friend owns the store). For what it's worth, the Michelin Pilot XGT H4's are listed at $104 each in tirerack's October Car&Driver ad. That works out to exactly $100 more per set than the Goodyear's.
Finally feeling normal enough to post again after the awful events of 9/11. Sure puts things in perspective. My thoughts are with my USA friends.
Re. tires: bought a set for my Park Avenue today to replace the worn-out Daytons (Firestones) that were on it when I bought it. Was going to go for Michelins after some disappointing experiences with Uniroyals, but stopped in at Canadian Tire and they were having a sale on ther house brands. Was a little unsure about who made them and certainly didn't want Kumhos or similar off-brands. Asked, and when I found out that their Touring LXR was made by Michelin, I sprung for them. So far so good. Saved about $40 per tire over the Michelin brandname and got the same treadwear rating (130,000 km).
My real reason for posting is to ask a paint question. I have seen a couple of Bonnevilles around here in what looks like Bronze Mist and it is very attractive. Yet Intrigues I see in that color always look dull, sort of like metallic mud. Is it the same paint or is the Bonneville bronze a different shade? I can't understand why they look so different.
I had the bronze mist and it was beautiful....when it was clean. Otherwise it was a nothing color. It did look especially good after iwaxed it. It pulled out the metallics in the paint. I noticed that when i turned it in, it looked kind of bland. The interior too. I took pictures of it that day and will post them in the owner's section when i get the time.
Well I figured out how to add 20 extra hp to my Intrigue. Haven't put it on a dyno but the butt-o-meter says it pulls harder at higher rpm. I left a new v6 Altima 5-speed in the dust today after installing this mod. Gets a lot more looks too. Here is a pic of the mod. Let me know if you want more detail information/instructions.
Oil filter "plug" uses a standard small oil filter wrench; not a strap type (obviously) but the socket type. The plug actually uses a permanent o-ring seal; pretty fancy, huh!
What's the trick to getting these off? I unscrewed a couple and they back out a little, then just spin. I tugged a little but didn't want to break it so I stopped.
I would like more details on what you have done. I was dusted by an Maxima today on the QEW. Looked new, so it could have been an 02 with the HP boost. Max slowly pulled away from me as we got on the highway one after another. I had the pedal to the metal.
I offered to change the filter and oil on my dad's 2001 Intrigue today and ran into a number of complications - the first being the oil filter is apparently some type of rare commodity as no area retailer stocks it (tried Walmart, Kmart, Target and even Shopko to no avail). So I have no replacement oil filter.
Then I put the car up on ramps and couldn't seem to find anything that resembled an oil filter as I've come to know one. I did see a large hunk of unusual hard black plastic recessed into the bottom on the oil pan located fairly close to the drain plug. Is this the oil filter? And if not, what the hell is it and where IS the actual filter?
If so, where can you buy the tool that removes it? Also, does any discount retailer carry replacement oil filters for the 3.5 or do I have to go to the dealer (if so, what a scam)? None of the application catalogs (and one was a Delco catalog!) I saw even have a replacement part listed for the 3.5 V6.
My God, I swear it's easier to build a rocket and fly to the moon than it is to change the oil in this car...
Finally, just a tidbit for those of you curious about the fuel economy...my parents claim the car AVERAGED 33mpg while they were on vacation (they drove it from Minneapolis to Georgia, nearly all Interstate miles). Since the car only had 2000 miles on it when they left (it's not even broken in yet) and it's only rated at 28 on the highway, I have trouble believing the veracity of this claim. I, playing the role of the good son, told them they must've made a math error (there goes the inheritance). And they replied that the low 30's figure was the average of three tankfuls and not some strange fluke.
So are my parents lying or what? 33mpg sounds pretty unbelievable to me.
I averaged 30.6 on a 750 mile trip this summer. I had about 200 miles of 50-60 which would have raised the average had I been at 75 all the way. I would say 33mpg sounds high unless they drove 55-60 all the way.
I think you're stuck going to the dealer for the filter. There's just not enough 3.5 engines out there for the retailers to bother carrying it. I had to go to 3 different places before I found an air filter too.
I haven't changed the oil myself but the filter is internal, inside the filter shaped cover in the oil pan.
I always get my Intrigue serviced at my dealer. They do it for about C$23 which is pretty good I think. Walmart does it for $19.98, but I don't trust them. It seems odd that you can't get the parts you need as there are still thousands of Intrigues/ 3.5 Auroras on the road. I wonder if other smaller production motors have the same problem.
Try AutoZone. I have found that it is difficult to find the oil and air filters at most parts stores also. PepBoys *may* have the filter but don't hold your breath. AutoZone seems to carry most things Intrigue.
Hey guys, trip to Chicago was a blast and believe me, getting there was all the fun. At least until I hit Chicago traffic. I now have 5000 miles on the Intrigue. The car is an absolute blast on the highway. Going up there traffic was not very bad on I-65 so I was doing 85 to 90 quite a bit. Had her up to 120 at one point and that was quite fun. I was really impressed how solid and stable the car was at that speed. Despite the higher than legal rate of speed which I did for alot of the trip, I averaged about 27 mpg so 28-30 would certainly be doable if one were to drive the posted speed limit. For a long distance drive, this is truly a great car. My only complaint is that the seat is actually a bit too firm on the long haul. When was the last time an American car(let alone an Oldsmobile) had seats that were too firm? Had to hit the brakes hard once when doing about 85 as I saw the fuzz ahead and the brakes felt very good at that speed. Onstar was great at finding me a Cracker Barrel nearby for breakfast. I was really surprised at the number of Oldsmobiles I saw in Indiana and Chicago. I saw numerous Intrigues, Aleros, and first generation Auroras on the road. I guess those folks up there still know what a real car is. Seems folks here in TN have been bitten by the import bug. Seriously though, judging by the number of Intrigues and Aleros I saw just on this trip, I don't see how GM can say Oldsmobiles aren't selling well. Also, somewhere between Seymour and Indianapolis, I saw a Cadillac CTS. It had Michigan "manufacturer" plates on it and it was black. All I can say is the car looks alot better in life than in the pictures. Keep on eye on the auto mags in the next month or so and if they do a review on the CTS and theirs is a black one, then thats probably the one I saw on the road. Anyhow, it's good to back home and its good to see this board is alive and well with 53 new posts since I was last here. Keep those Intrigues shining.
Think of it this way: suppose it takes $10,000 to tool up an oil filter that sells at retail at $5. Maybe I (the manufacturer) make $.50 on each filter. I gotta sell 20,000 just to recoup my investment. The car sells less than 100,000/year, mostly to middle aged folks who don't change their own oil.
Or I can take that $10K and tool up a filter for a car that sells 300,000 or more each year.
How are you going to spend that $10,000?
BTW, most Accords are assembled in Ohio so they are domestically produced also.
Nope, I still have my Intrigue but with the strut tower braces and new sway bars... it feels like a new car. I seriously can't believe the difference in handling. I'm still going to try the pilot xgt h4s for nothing else other than noise but if the handling improves just from the tires, I'll be driving a true performance sedan. Still creaky as ever. I took it into the dealer and instead of tightening the shift knob, they replaced it. A little excessive. They found the whistling noise and tried to fix it but still there. New air deflector is on order. I'm still working on posting pictures of the relocated rocket insignia on the front fascia. Sure looks good.
Did you get the front STB too? (It's well documented here that the back STB from Buick will fit, if you file the holes a little.) I don't remember anyone installing a front STB.
I'm kind of in the same boat. When I upgrade my car, I want to do several things at once, to really make it feel new again.
Even though the 4-door Accords are built in Ohio, Honda is still a Japanese company.
I agree with you on the economies of scale thing, but I'm trying to get across a different point. Oldsmobile COULD'VE spent a little extra time designing the 3.5 to carry a conventional filter if it really wanted to.
It's easier to get replacement filters for a number of cars MUCH rarer than the Intrigue - because they take the same filter size as more common engines produced by other manufacturers. So the volume of an engine alone has little to do with aftermarket filter availability. The fact that you can easily get a replacement oil filter for your Maserati at Walmart is proof positive of this.
I guess my point is that one of the last strong reasons to buy "American" is starting to fade - namely the ease of finding parts and servicing.
Drove my Step-Mom's 99 Intrepid today, the first time I have driven an Intrepid. Gotta say I was very unimpressed: slow and heavy steering, mushy brakes (hard to modulate), very pnderous and unsporty. ...and awful sounding engine. It even had rod knock on startup (and blue smoke out the exaust for visual drama) until the oil pressure came up. It was an ES so am unsure if it was the 2.7 or 3.2 engine. It has only 26k miles, so there is no excuse for the terrible driving experience here. To think this car stays around and the Intrigue goe away. Getting back in my car, driving home, it showed me again just how deeply good the car is, and how sad GM doesn't realize it.
i had one of those when my intrigue was in the shop. The engine sounded like a farm implement. it rode fairly well, but felt cheap. I was glad to get back in the intrigue.
ketch : My hope is that a lot of what one finds good in the Intrigue will make it's way to the '03 Grand Prix. That seems to be the only hope for me buying another GM sedan. Of course it wouldn't take much to fix the Impala either.
buoyant : The 3.5L is the exception and not the rule. Any other GM vehicle would have parts galore. That said, I wouldn't trade a common engine for the 3.5L.
Agreed. The 3.5 V6 is a fabulous engine, particularly when it's mated to that fine shifting GM automatic. It's simply a world-class powertrain. Economy, smoothness, and power - it has it all.
The unavailability of replacement parts is nit-picky, I'll give you that. But it's still a valid criticism. Hey, nothing is ever perfect.
Does anyone seriously consider Edmunds's reviews of cars? I just read their review of the GMC Envoy, what a crock. The Envoy, Trailblazer, and Bravada are some of the very few SUVs that I would even consider and Edmunds says the Envoy doesn't measure up to the Nissan Pathfinder which they consider the class standard. What a freakin joke! I seriously considered a Trailblazer before I bought the Intrigue and for an SUV, it drove very well. I noticed on the Envoy review very little was mentioned about the absolutely fabulous inine 6 engine, excellent brake and chassis design, or the innovative features that are included. This forum is good form discussion, but if you want a decent auto review one must look elsewhere. Try C&D, Motor Trend, or Automobile. Even Consumer Reports is getting better with their reviews.
I've never driven an Intrepid, but I've never been that impressed with them when looking at them. I've always been put off that with a 225 hp engine(and now the 245 3.5 liter version) that the car was not quicker than it is. Something just doesn't add up there. Heck, the 245 hp R/T Intrepid is maybe 1/2 second quciker 0-60 than the Intrigue is, if that. And the two are within 100 lbs of each other. Just imagine how quick an Intrigue would be if it had a 245 hp engine. I remember back in 98 when the new Intrepid came out and MT tested one with the 225 hp engine against a Bonneville with the base 205 hp 3800 V6. The cars were nearly the same in weight with the Bonneville being slightly heavier, yet it was slightly quicker too.
Since this has just come up, I thought that I'd add my thoughts and experiances. First of all, we have a 2000 Chrysler 300M and my mother has a 1999 Olds Intrigue GX 3.8. I've had the chance to both ride in and drive each vehicle and have formed several views. Here's what I think:
STYLE Both cars look nice, each in their own way, still can't touch our beatiful Slate Pearl 300M.
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION The 3.8 is a great engine with power to move, a sharp refined feel (and it's a pushrod motor), and is quiet. It also has a crisp transmission that makes the most of the engine's power. Our 300M's 3.5 liter 253 horsepower engine is also nice but not the best. First of all, after a year we're still wondering where even 200 horses are let alone 253, for such a high rating, there isn't very much there. Second, it is a pleasantly smooth and torquey feeling motor, but it isn't the quiestest and can sound rather gruff and growly sometimes. This does make the car sound meaner and more powerful and I do like it, just not all the time. We do have the tapping lifters almost every time it's started, not too happy about it but the magnificent (yeah right) 5* came up with some BS and said it was normal. Then comes the transmission--boy does it suck! I think this is one of the car's main problems as it seems to strangle some of the power that is there, has no idea when it's supposed to shift or to which gear, slips all the time, and is trouble prone (mainly failed speed sensors I think, among other things). It does have autostick, I've used it once, and it doesn't do much of anything really.
INSIDE & OUTSIDE Style is of course, won hands down by the 300M. It's still fresh and gorgeous in its fourth year. Outside fit & finish in better on the Intrigue with higher quality paint and tighter panel fit. 300M is fine, but the doors are slightly out of line, the panel gaps are larger, and the paint could be better but it is black. As for the Inside, they both have their strong points. The Intrigue looks nice inside and it's all put together solidly except for the crappy, paper-thin sunvisors. The materials are a bit hard and shiny though and the passenger airbag is roughly cut and put in place but nothing makes a creak nor does it rattle after 24,000 miles. There is also more headroom and front legroom in the Intrigue. As for the 300M, just about everything is better. Flowing shapes, soft materials, white & chrome guages & clock, chrome accents, and yes, a few strips of fake wood. It just all feels and looks plusher and is very luxurious. However, these softer materials flex more and therefore tend to be creaky, and we have had problems with rattles. There is more rear seat space and the seats are comfortable and have heat even though I tend to like cloth more.
MISC. Both ride well and handle sharply and have the same horrible, dreaded Crapyear Eagle LS's. In this aspect, I think the Intrigue must have more insulation because it has less road roar than our M, this is a particularly bad issue with our car. As for solidity, both feel tight but the Intrigue seems a bit more rigid and flexes less than the Chrysler than tends to be creaky or rattle.
Okay, I've pretty much summed up what I think, so take it as you please. Both cars are very nice, and my opinion is based on a 300M, a more upscale, slightly different feeling car than the Intrepid. Both have had their problems, none really all that serious. Well, enough of that...
mosaix : Edmund's has a great discussion forum and information site. Unfortunately their reviewers are very inconsistent. Some reviews are good and fair. Others you wonder whether they drove the same car as the one they are reviewing. In any case, Car&Driver, R&D, Motor Trend, Consumer Digest and yes even, Consumer's Reports are better.
RE : Intrepid : I've never driven one, but sitting in one was enough for me. It's too big and cavern like inside. I also don't like the rear end styling. I think the only Chrysler I would consider is the PT Cruiser, but my wife hates it so it will never happen. The new Cirrus is nice, but I will have to see what the reliability is like.
Congratulations in one of the best car comparisons I've ever read! From now on, I'll try to imitate your conciseness and detail, if you don't mind. ;^)
Edmunds is a good site to talk about cars and do some research for shopping or just for fun, but definitely not one with good reviews. After the Taurus ranked 2nd in a 10-car comparison, I gave up reading Edmunds' reviews.
I still check out the videos, not to hear what they have to say, but rather to look at the cars from more angles than it's possible in photos and to hear the horses under the hood.
I've always liked the current Intrepid. I think it's just gorgeous from any angle.
Having test-driven some and rented one, with both the 2.7 and with the 3.2, I can say that it corners very well for a full-size, but the only competent engine is the 3.2. COMPETENT, not brilliant! Its lack of torque in the low-end forces you to rev it up, when it becomes noisy and unrefined. Actually, that's when another trace of the car is evident: its sound insulation is not among the best.
Internally, there's plenty of room for everybody, its greatest virtue. The materials are OK, but there are too few standard accessories for its price range. For example, it's only possible to have cup holders at the rear seat with leather.
I've seriously considered getting one, but I think that there are better values out there.
beach15: great review of the 300M to a 3.8 Intrigue, but ...i was talking about a 3.5 Intrigue to a Intrepid. While the 300M share platform with the Dodge, its a much better car. having not driven a 300M, cannot say for sure.
evandro: Ok, and agreed I still like the Intrepid's look, even the interior was ok, but overall the driving experience fell way behind the Intrigue, no question about it.
I've never driven an Intrigue, but I have driven other cars with the 3.8. And, yes, it's a much more rewarding engine than either the 2.7 or the 3.2. I can only imagine about the 3.5, from what's said here... ;^)
I would have to agree with your review. It is almost exactly what I would have said.
After (before, really) my Intrigue was totalled, I wanted hard to like the 300M. The only major turn-off was the front leg room. For the money, I didn't want to have to keep positioning myself to be comfortable. Since I do a lot of driving and many times long trips, that wasn't going to cut it.
Personally, I like the sound of the M. It's a little more pronounced than the Intrigue but pleasing if you don't like that whine that many imports make. I was put off a bit by the road noise as well. I don't know if it's a factor, but the 300M is riding on 17" Badyears vs. 16" on the Intrigue. Perhaps that's contributing to the noise. Try some Michilen Pilots (you'd think I work for them :-) If nothing else, the handling will be even crisper.
The Intrepid's headliner is too close for me too. The angle of the windshield is to blame. I also test drove an R/T. Funny, although power is rated lower than the 300M, it felt more powerful, if only slightly. Perhaps it weighs less. I thought it had plenty of kick and enjoyed "driving" it more than the M. But interior space removed that one from my list as well.
Overall, I say if one goes with the higher output engines (read: R/T or 300M) one would be pleased. Of course, I'm partial to the Intrigue so I put that at the top of the list ;-)
I got both the sway bars and the stbs from grandprixstore.com The stbs are listed to fit the intrigue. The sway bars were only listed for grand prix and regal but they fit the intrigue just fine. Unbelieveable difference in ride quality.
Anyone who has an Intrigue driven the saturn LS series (v6 model)? Just wondering how it handles/feels compared to "our" car. Almost bought one 2 years ago when they came out, but my bro who is in the auto biz knew engineers on that program who said little good about it, as it was based on the Opel Vectra (mediocre itself) and was 'thrown together" Anyone have any experience with these? just curious.
one2one, having driven an R/T, how was it compared to an Intrigue? I assume it is much better than the ES I drove (and will be driving from time to time, starting this weekend when I take it from my step-mom to be detailed by myself).
p.s. the autostik itself while ok, proved to be a novelty within miles, but would prefer sterring wheel paddles anyways, as these are becoming more common.
Drove a L300 in March 2000 when I bought my Intrigue. The main things I didn't like were the size (small and narrow), bland styling and cabin which was not as nice as Intrigue. The pluses included a great motor/ power train and great handling. The quality on the 01/02 models is much better as is reliability. I would say it's a good car, but not a great car. I would consider the L100 for a second car, but I would take an Intrigue over an L300 any day.
If it is shorter and wider, isn't that the same effect as lowering your car which would give you better handling? Does it give you the same number of turns as regular size tire? Very interested in your long-term report.
dindak, thanx for the LS300 review, always wondered what I passed up. I was asking as someone has one here at work I saw, and while it looks good outside (not as good as the Intrigue, which Ii and the auto press have considered at top of its styling game in this market), but the interior was so so, as you said. Man it would also be great to see a comparo of the new Altima to Intrigue, but with the later going away....(me crying, ok not really, but still pissed).
focus, I too would love to hear how intrigueguy likes the "plus zero" sized tires as time goes on, esp. in bad weather. . Doing some early research (17 k miles , so expect I will need new donuts in 10 k- anyone know typical used up mileage for the eagle LS's by the way?) on this size- the 235/55 16's, likely in V rated design, so getting wider tread on same wheels (without getting that thread going again, i am one who loves the current wheel design). A very unusual size, in fact Discount Tire said I would have to preorder them, whatever brand. I could not find intrigueguy's Yokohama 320's, at all. The Michelin Pilots do not come in this size unfortunately, but would still like the nearly 1 inch wider tread (std. 225/60-r16's are 26.6 dia by 7.8 wide, while the 235-55-16's are 26.1 dia. by 8.6 wide Wanting more dry weather handling grip, need also to be able to go through snow (Chicago burbs). So....intrigueguy...inquiring minds will want to know how it goes! Keep us updated.
Drove a 2002 L300 before I bought that Intrigue last summer. The L was a nice sedan and at a retail price point, it came well equipped. But, in the real world, most cars in this class are sold well below retail and when I was able to get a fully loaded Intrigue GLS for less than a grand more than what the L300 would have cost, the choice was easy. Saturm's "no haggle" retail only pricing is hurting them in the market. The car drove very well and the little 3 liter engine was quite responsive, but the styling left me cold. Heck, in some way the Honda Accord is better looking than the L. In fact, the whole interior design of the L seemed to remind me of a Toyota or Honda. So needless to say, the Intrigue won me over easily. Had the L300 been selling at a lower price, then who knows I might be driving one today. I've posted in the Saturn L series forum that I think the L is a great sedan, but so are many other cars in it's class and Saturn needs to be more competitive with their pricing.
Personally, I could not get past the vibration at idle that ALL Chrysler V6's have. It leaves me cold and is an unrefined and cheap feel. The intrepid cornered flatter than the intrigue and rode better but it handled big bumps badly, whereas the intrigue is the opposite. The intrigue was the right choice for me at the time. Frankly the 3.5L has a feel that none of the domestics or the 3.0L Asian cars can match. It was always a joy to rev the intrigue up. The Dodge was just painful.
Comments
I think shipping is about $6 per tire?
The downside is you don't get free rotation and other perks that some places give to customers.
I think the longest i have waited is about 3 days for the tires to arrive at my door.
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QUESTION
Anyone out there replace their headlights with the xenon type bulbs. If so, how did they look and what brand did you use.
Very close in buying an intrigue...
The Firehawk SH-30 tires, size 215-60/R15, were about $20 less expensive from Tirertack than at my local Firestone. $65 vs. $84(?).
The last price is at 15% discount to the full list one, but the Firestone shop provides it to everybody who ask, and even to most who does not bother to ask.
The Firestone price included installation and balancing. The Tirerack one is for tires only. Tirerack recommends several shops in my area, with installation cost about $12. After adding shipping and installation, the difference practiaclly reduces to the sale tax aviodance.
By the way, I could save more if buying the tires at other local shop, named the Tire Warehose or something of this kind. I prefer Firestone, because I am doing most of car service / repair at the shop, because it is at walking distance from my home, and because the place is simply more nice. Also, it would be easier to complaint if something goes wrong, when buing Firestone tire at Firestone, not from a third-party shop.
When installing tires, did alignment and bought a road hazard insurance. Used it recently, when got a nail in the tire.
Unexpected bonus: about a month after buying tires, I received a lot of valuable coupons from the Firestone, and a "preferred customer" card. The card provides a free towing, a year of free tire rotation for all cars in my family, and other benefits - do not remember what. With AAA membership, I do not need the road-side service. However, the free tire rotation already more than paid for the difference in price.
And the last: if you are not at hurry, research what tires you want to buy, and watch for big sale. Usually it happens at/around big holidays. The same Firestone offered tires at 25% discount at Labor Day ("Two days only: Buy any 3 tires, get the 4-th free"), with road hazard insurance at 1/4 of usual price. The next sale probably will be at Thanksgiving, if not earlier.
one2one : That's a good deal but you are right, they will tell you something needs doing every time. No Sears Auto at the local mall here so I don't have the option anyway.
yurakm : Wouldn't touch Firestones again. Both my mom and I have had bad experiences and the whole Ford Exploder fiasco sealed their fate with me. I'll stick with Goodyear, BF Goodrich, or Michelins.
Firestone dealers are probably hurting right now, so I imagine they are making pretty good deals. The Aquatread III's are listed at $79 each on tirerack.com. Add $32 for shipping and $60 for m & b, and you're at $408. I paid $505 for the Aquatread III's I put on my Intrigue (before the $50 Goodyear Credit rebate) from a local Goodyear store that is probably cheaper than most (friend of a friend owns the store). For what it's worth, the Michelin Pilot XGT H4's are listed at $104 each in tirerack's October Car&Driver ad. That works out to exactly $100 more per set than the Goodyear's.
Re. tires: bought a set for my Park Avenue today to replace the worn-out Daytons (Firestones) that were on it when I bought it. Was going to go for Michelins after some disappointing experiences with Uniroyals, but stopped in at Canadian Tire and they were having a sale on ther house brands. Was a little unsure about who made them and certainly didn't want Kumhos or similar off-brands. Asked, and when I found out that their Touring LXR was made by Michelin, I sprung for them. So far so good. Saved about $40 per tire over the Michelin brandname and got the same treadwear rating (130,000 km).
My real reason for posting is to ask a paint question. I have seen a couple of Bonnevilles around here in what looks like Bronze Mist and it is very attractive. Yet Intrigues I see in that color always look dull, sort of like metallic mud. Is it the same paint or is the Bonneville bronze a different shade? I can't understand why they look so different.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
I noticed that when i turned it in, it looked kind of bland. The interior too. I took pictures of it that day and will post them in the owner's section when i get the time.
:-(
Then I put the car up on ramps and couldn't seem to find anything that resembled an oil filter as I've come to know one. I did see a large hunk of unusual hard black plastic recessed into the bottom on the oil pan located fairly close to the drain plug. Is this the oil filter? And if not, what the hell is it and where IS the actual filter?
If so, where can you buy the tool that removes it?
Also, does any discount retailer carry replacement oil filters for the 3.5 or do I have to go to the dealer (if so, what a scam)? None of the application catalogs (and one was a Delco catalog!) I saw even have a replacement part listed for the 3.5 V6.
My God, I swear it's easier to build a rocket and fly to the moon than it is to change the oil in this car...
Finally, just a tidbit for those of you curious about the fuel economy...my parents claim the car AVERAGED 33mpg while they were on vacation (they drove it from Minneapolis to Georgia, nearly all Interstate miles). Since the car only had 2000 miles on it when they left (it's not even broken in yet) and it's only rated at 28 on the highway, I have trouble believing the veracity of this claim. I, playing the role of the good son, told them they must've made a math error (there goes the inheritance). And they replied that the low 30's figure was the average of three tankfuls and not some strange fluke.
So are my parents lying or what? 33mpg sounds pretty unbelievable to me.
I think you're stuck going to the dealer for the filter. There's just not enough 3.5 engines out there for the retailers to bother carrying it. I had to go to 3 different places before I found an air filter too.
I haven't changed the oil myself but the filter is internal, inside the filter shaped cover in the oil pan.
This must be the seventh sign.
Or I can take that $10K and tool up a filter for a car that sells 300,000 or more each year.
How are you going to spend that $10,000?
BTW, most Accords are assembled in Ohio so they are domestically produced also.
I'm kind of in the same boat. When I upgrade my car, I want to do several things at once, to really make it feel new again.
I agree with you on the economies of scale thing, but I'm trying to get across a different point. Oldsmobile COULD'VE spent a little extra time designing the 3.5 to carry a conventional filter if it really wanted to.
It's easier to get replacement filters for a number of cars MUCH rarer than the Intrigue - because they take the same filter size as more common engines produced by other manufacturers. So the volume of an engine alone has little to do with aftermarket filter availability. The fact that you can easily get a replacement oil filter for your Maserati at Walmart is proof positive of this.
I guess my point is that one of the last strong reasons to buy "American" is starting to fade - namely the ease of finding parts and servicing.
Oh well...
Gotta say I was very unimpressed: slow and heavy steering, mushy brakes
(hard to modulate), very pnderous and unsporty.
...and awful sounding engine. It even had rod knock on startup (and blue smoke
out the exaust for visual drama) until the oil pressure came up. It was an ES so am unsure if it was the 2.7 or 3.2 engine. It has only 26k miles, so there is no excuse for the terrible driving
experience here. To think this car stays around and the Intrigue goe away.
Getting back in my car, driving home, it showed me again just how deeply good the car is, and how sad GM doesn't realize it.
buoyant : The 3.5L is the exception and not the rule. Any other GM vehicle would have parts galore. That said, I wouldn't trade a common engine for the 3.5L.
The unavailability of replacement parts is nit-picky, I'll give you that. But it's still a valid criticism. Hey, nothing is ever perfect.
STYLE
Both cars look nice, each in their own way, still can't touch our beatiful Slate Pearl 300M.
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
The 3.8 is a great engine with power to move, a sharp refined feel (and it's a pushrod motor), and is quiet. It also has a crisp transmission that makes the most of the engine's power. Our 300M's 3.5 liter 253 horsepower engine is also nice but not the best. First of all, after a year we're still wondering where even 200 horses are let alone 253, for such a high rating, there isn't very much there. Second, it is a pleasantly smooth and torquey feeling motor, but it isn't the quiestest and can sound rather gruff and growly sometimes. This does make the car sound meaner and more powerful and I do like it, just not all the time. We do have the tapping lifters almost every time it's started, not too happy about it but the magnificent (yeah right) 5* came up with some BS and said it was normal. Then comes the transmission--boy does it suck! I think this is one of the car's main problems as it seems to strangle some of the power that is there, has no idea when it's supposed to shift or to which gear, slips all the time, and is trouble prone (mainly failed speed sensors I think, among other things). It does have autostick, I've used it once, and it doesn't do much of anything really.
INSIDE & OUTSIDE
Style is of course, won hands down by the 300M. It's still fresh and gorgeous in its fourth year. Outside fit & finish in better on the Intrigue with higher quality paint and tighter panel fit. 300M is fine, but the doors are slightly out of line, the panel gaps are larger, and the paint could be better but it is black. As for the Inside, they both have their strong points. The Intrigue looks nice inside and it's all put together solidly except for the crappy, paper-thin sunvisors. The materials are a bit hard and shiny though and the passenger airbag is roughly cut and put in place but nothing makes a creak nor does it rattle after 24,000 miles. There is also more headroom and front legroom in the Intrigue. As for the 300M, just about everything is better. Flowing shapes, soft materials, white & chrome guages & clock, chrome accents, and yes, a few strips of fake wood. It just all feels and looks plusher and is very luxurious. However, these softer materials flex more and therefore tend to be creaky, and we have had problems with rattles. There is more rear seat space and the seats are comfortable and have heat even though I tend to like cloth more.
MISC.
Both ride well and handle sharply and have the same horrible, dreaded Crapyear Eagle LS's. In this aspect, I think the Intrigue must have more insulation because it has less road roar than our M, this is a particularly bad issue with our car. As for solidity, both feel tight but the Intrigue seems a bit more rigid and flexes less than the Chrysler than tends to be creaky or rattle.
Okay, I've pretty much summed up what I think, so take it as you please. Both cars are very nice, and my opinion is based on a 300M, a more upscale, slightly different feeling car than the Intrepid. Both have had their problems, none really all that serious. Well, enough of that...
RE : Intrepid : I've never driven one, but sitting in one was enough for me. It's too big and cavern like inside. I also don't like the rear end styling. I think the only Chrysler I would consider is the PT Cruiser, but my wife hates it so it will never happen. The new Cirrus is nice, but I will have to see what the reliability is like.
;^)I still check out the videos, not to hear what they have to say, but rather to look at the cars from more angles than it's possible in photos and to hear the horses under the hood.
Having test-driven some and rented one, with both the 2.7 and with the 3.2, I can say that it corners very well for a full-size, but the only competent engine is the 3.2. COMPETENT, not brilliant! Its lack of torque in the low-end forces you to rev it up, when it becomes noisy and unrefined. Actually, that's when another trace of the car is evident: its sound insulation is not among the best.
Internally, there's plenty of room for everybody, its greatest virtue. The materials are OK, but there are too few standard accessories for its price range. For example, it's only possible to have cup holders at the rear seat with leather.
I've seriously considered getting one, but I think that there are better values out there.
GM Canada has an all new site with all 2002 pricing and information.
to a Intrepid. While the 300M share platform with the Dodge, its a much better car. having not driven a 300M, cannot say for sure.
evandro: Ok, and agreed I still like the Intrepid's look, even the interior was ok, but overall the driving experience fell way behind the Intrigue, no question about it.
;^)After (before, really) my Intrigue was totalled, I wanted hard to like the 300M. The only major turn-off was the front leg room. For the money, I didn't want to have to keep positioning myself to be comfortable. Since I do a lot of driving and many times long trips, that wasn't going to cut it.
Personally, I like the sound of the M. It's a little more pronounced than the Intrigue but pleasing if you don't like that whine that many imports make. I was put off a bit by the road noise as well. I don't know if it's a factor, but the 300M is riding on 17" Badyears vs. 16" on the Intrigue. Perhaps that's contributing to the noise. Try some Michilen Pilots (you'd think I work for them :-) If nothing else, the handling will be even crisper.
The Intrepid's headliner is too close for me too. The angle of the windshield is to blame. I also test drove an R/T. Funny, although power is rated lower than the 300M, it felt more powerful, if only slightly. Perhaps it weighs less. I thought it had plenty of kick and enjoyed "driving" it more than the M. But interior space removed that one from my list as well.
Overall, I say if one goes with the higher output engines (read: R/T or 300M) one would be pleased. Of course, I'm partial to the Intrigue so I put that at the top of the list ;-)
it handles/feels compared to "our" car. Almost bought one 2 years ago when they came out, but my bro who is in the auto biz knew engineers on that program who said little good about it, as it was based on the Opel Vectra (mediocre itself) and was 'thrown together" Anyone have any experience with these? just curious.
one2one, having driven an R/T, how was it compared to an Intrigue? I assume it is much better than the ES I drove (and will be driving from time to time, starting this weekend when I take it from my step-mom to be detailed by myself).
p.s. the autostik itself while ok, proved to be a novelty within miles, but would prefer sterring wheel paddles anyways, as these are becoming more common.
focus, I too would love to hear how intrigueguy likes the "plus zero" sized tires as time goes on, esp. in bad weather. . Doing some early research (17 k miles , so expect I will need new donuts in 10 k- anyone know typical used up mileage for the eagle LS's by the way?) on this size- the 235/55 16's, likely in V rated design, so getting wider tread on same wheels (without getting that thread going again, i am one who loves the current wheel design).
A very unusual size, in fact Discount Tire said I would have to preorder them, whatever brand.
I could not find intrigueguy's Yokohama 320's, at all. The Michelin Pilots do not come in this size unfortunately, but would still like the nearly 1 inch wider tread (std. 225/60-r16's are 26.6 dia by 7.8 wide, while the 235-55-16's are 26.1 dia. by 8.6 wide
Wanting more dry weather handling grip, need also to be able to go through snow (Chicago burbs).
So....intrigueguy...inquiring minds will want to know how it goes! Keep us updated.
The intrepid cornered flatter than the intrigue and rode better but it handled big bumps badly, whereas the intrigue is the opposite.
The intrigue was the right choice for me at the time.
Frankly the 3.5L has a feel that none of the domestics or the 3.0L Asian cars can match.
It was always a joy to rev the intrigue up.
The Dodge was just painful.