Oldsmobile Intrigue
L8_Apex
Member Posts: 187
in Oldsmobile
Welcome to the continuation of the Oldsmobile
Intrigue VI topic. Those of you joining us from
that topic are welcome to continue your discussion.
If you're new to this topic, you may want to
follow the above link for additional archived
posts.
Thanks,
L8_Apex
Sedans Host
Intrigue VI topic. Those of you joining us from
that topic are welcome to continue your discussion.
If you're new to this topic, you may want to
follow the above link for additional archived
posts.
Thanks,
L8_Apex
Sedans Host
Tagged:
0
Comments
With just 1300 miles on my 2000, I can say that this is a much tighter car than my '98. I took the 5 up to Bakersfield last week and was running at 100 for part of the way. Smooth and very stable. The 3.5 is a winner so far and I'll let you know what happens as the miles rack up.
I also changed the oil in it this past weekend and it takes 6 quarts of 5W-30. Finally the Americans are realizing that circulating a large amount of oil through an engine can help the longevity by allowing heat to be dissipated more efficiently and get more oil to those furiously revolving parts.
I just removed the whole assembly (it is held in place by two white clips that pull up and out, and one electric connecting wire). This step is easier than opening the hood itself.
I then removed the bulbs (5 on each side!) and sprayed the inside with some Simple Green cleaner. Rinsed the whole thing out with water, then carefully applied a blow dryer (didn't want to get the plastic too hot).
Reassembled and drove around for a day without the rubber caps on the back of the assembly (although I did leave the one on that is right next to the engine air intake) to make sure it all dried out.
Piece of cake.
Is it possible to get the PCS without the rear wing? Does olds have a delete option like the impala ls?
The wing is a great deal--its a beautiful trunk handle and holds the rear down at speeds above sanity.
In an earlier post Spitasky talked about replacing his bulbs. What I'd like to hear about is, has anyone noticed the lame brights?
The low beams work OK, but when you use your brights the beam pattern is way above the road and you lose illumination unless you like looking at the trees. I noticed that the there is one bright 'V' pattern in front of the car, but it is narrow and does not do what it is supposed to do. The lights have been leveled according to spec. Frustration ensues when I drive my daughter's '96 Civic EX and the Honda throws a great pattern out on low AND high beam. Come on Olds, check the lens and reflector design and tell me the fix is in the mail.
They totally ruin the lines of the car and i think that a spoiler on a sedan is absurd.
Why doesn't olds offer a 17 or 18' wheel option?
I also hate gold trim and pinstripes, they also detract from the designer's original intent.
Just my opinion.
RE: Headlights. I find the Intrigue's headlights to be very good, even with the fog lights off. What year is your car limadelta?
As the secret leaks out there should be more support for this Hi tech Awesome vehicle. Presently the support, parts availability, knowledge, etc is about like owning some of the foreign brands.
The ride and drive is excellent and puts the pfun back in driving.
the IRL cars race an engine that also uses some common parts to the 3.5 and v8. The old idea of the engine being over-revved is just that, old. and the 3.5 has a rev limiter to keep it all in check anyways. In fact you cannot rev the engine above 4k thereabouts in park.
Had the car came with the 3.8, I would not have bought it, instead going to a competitor, all who do not use pushrod engines. There are pros and cons to both engine types, but true car enthusiasts know nothing beats twin cams! Ask Ferrari or Porsche, even BMW. Reliability is of no concern to those who do not see cars as appliances, but choose to take care of them, while enjoying what they do best, rev.
It is odd, though, to compare Intrigue, or any other family sedan for this matter, with Ferrari and Porsche. They are in different league.
As to the 3.5l vs. 3.8l GM engine comparison, 3.5 is better on highways, while the 3.8 one is better in city traffic. So, it mostly depends on your commute pattern.
My wife and I are commuting about 12-20 miles per day, both direction, all in city. Highway driving mostly for pleasure trips. This is why we bought Regal and did not even consider Intrigue seriously
.
The GM pattern is very distinctive, give the 2000 & 2001 some real road time, they will come down to the ’98 ’99 levels, it’s just the way that GM products perform.
One-two posts a week & and you guys act like I'm hogging the ball. Golf game has peaked for the year [too cold & windy], beside I’ve been busy working on the home projects.
hounddog3:::::::Since the shaft and rack quieted the front end, I would like to know the part numbers assigned to both parts for they might indicate another engineering level. Would appreciate any help on this.
jgriff:::::You start to drive your Acura aggressively; it will loosen and become sloppy very quick. I am involved in automotive OEM parts and during the years have spent time working with the Asian folks at their plants.They run clean operations, most facilities are brand new, non-union; and they purchase 85% of their parts from their buddies transplanted to America who also run non-union low wage operations and all were given local concessions as to taxes,no-cost plant facilities and worker training. These suppliers started their operations with a clean slate of no past liabilities, no pension funding,and with the idea that the parts supplied from the Asian locations will be produced by the new low cost USA plant which in turn will start to compete with our domestic sources supplying the Big 3.
I drive all cars the same way---fast--however jackrabbit starts are a waste of time and proves nothing...the Intrigue is driven just like my SS350 Camaro was driven--the only difference it takes a little longer...The Intrigue is one tough car but needs improvement in the braking and steering durability aspect.
The major auto suppliers to the domestics do very little business with the Asians. The Asian have to support their operations back home from the revenue obtained in the USA build so most of the monies go back home to keep those promises fulfilled.
Great to see some new names popping up.
The Olds article was interesting. I find it hard to believe Olds even spent $92m in the first half of this year [down from $300m previous year], as the only Oldsmobile commercials I saw while considering the Intrigue were for the Aurora...and even they were few and far between.
1415::::Let us know when you'll be hitting I-75 in Tennessee so we can get out of the way...113mph in a Caddy. That's either frightening or impressive...I can't decide which. [Not an attack...remember I am smiling as I post this.]
Cheers, Me!
I would suggest that you hit SPELLCHECK before posting, it can get fierce around here and you don't want to give anyone the opportunity for a free shot.
Are these replacements supposed to be a "correction" or band aid for the next 10-20k miles? And one last thing...how does one go about determining whether their used car has the autoban package? Seems posts of warped rotors are all from that neat option
schloiz:::::::Not trying to impress with the 113; however for 275hp its not very swift, but the Deville is a little delicate in handling unless it is straight line. Nothing is speed-rated for $40k+, however for $45k they give a little more on the top-end.
teo:::::::Buick can keep the Tiger!!!Olds can't afford him....
w5kap::::::Welcome aboard--tell us about your Intrigue. All cars rattle a little and some folks on this forum will say that the Intrigue is a noisy car. Its a smaller car so you are closer to the windows, doors, road, engine/trans and less deadening material used.
http://www.gmpowertrain.com/engines_cartruck/other/38l36_torque.htm
http://www.gmpowertrain.com/engines_cartruck/other/35_torque.htm
It is clear from the pictures, than 3.8 have substantially more low-end torque, before 2000 revs. This is exactly the idle-at-traffic-light to city traffic range.
any clues to the model? GX GL GLX ?? or where does a person find the information on it? I haven't gotten the title back just in case it's there.
mrmiata: If you have auto climate control and fog lamps then you have a GL, otherwise it's a GX. Anybody correct me if I'm wrong. 6-speaker sound system and power driver seat were available equipment on the GX line for '99 (not sure about '98).
Here is a sample VIN for a 99 GL
1G3WS52KXXF123456
Position Definition Character Description
1 Origin 1 USA
2 Manufacturer G General Motors
3 Make 3 Oldsmobile
4 Car Line W Intrigue
5 Series H,S, or X GX, GL, GLS
6 Body Style 5 4-Door Sedan
7 Restrt Sys 2 Belts-D/P air
8 Engine Type K or H 3.8 or 3.5
9 Check Digit ? Check Digit
10 Model Year X 99 (Y is 2000)
11 Plant Loc F Fairfax II
12-17 Plant Sequence Number -
Engines and Trans have Vin Derivative as follows:
1 Division 3 Oldsmobile
2 Model Year X 1999
3 Plant Loc F Fairfax II
4-9 Plant Sequence Number -
Mrmiata::::::I don't think anyone has the answers as to the life span of the intermediate shaft and steering rack. I just had those items replaced on a 2000 GX program vehicle at 30,000 and it did eliminate the front end noise. We would all like to know the answer to your question. Maybe the answer is to turn up the volume on the 6 speaker stereo as it is obviously not a safety concern.
Already answered, but the mirrors are black on the GX and color matched on the GL and GLX.
occupant1:::::yep, its a tad out of the way; thanks for the answer...
mrmiata:::::The autobahn pkg option uses a speed-rated tire and should go 125+mph. The normal uses the ordinary Eagle LS.
Brakes on the regular Intrigue are prone to warpping/and rotor replacement. Rear rotors on my 98 were replaced at 3k and fronts turned @19k and GM became the owner @26k. My 99 had rears turned @8kand rear rotors were replacd @16k; pads@19k--Fronts turned @19k and again @34k--and rears turned @34k.
Brakes are really a massive problem---and the stock Olds reply is "driving habits". Being an automotive supplier I would love to have the production contract for the service business is going to be great....Having owned a flock of cars in my 67 yrs. the mighty Intrigue takes the cake for crappy brakes--never bought a rotor to date. Enjoy!!!My Olds dealer also handles Mazda--the Miata is popular in Detroit--however my stable is totally domestic brands. I personally don't think the autobahn pkg brakes were any better or worse than the std brk--however owners of the pkgd cars probably thought they would withstand repeated panic stops from 100 and certainly fried the binders on the first attempt.
After watching the "100 Best Hard Rock Bands" last night on VH1, I slipped in an old Motley Crue CD in on the way to work today. Highly recommended as it gets you in a great driving mood! ;-)
W5KAP
As you show, for those who want the old technology, the Regal is for them, but note that the demographics they are after are not import buyers at all, but aging boomers and beyond.
enthusiast wouldn't be caught dead in a pushrod
engine due to its short torque curve, lack of nice
sounds on accel., and refinement."
Hey mister, I am a car enthusiast and have had my share of OHC, DOHC and pushrod engines. I prefer pushrods for every day driving and I am not ashamed to be caught driving one of those ;-). Have you driven the 3800 Series II engine? Probably you haven't. The torque curve is pretty good and even at a steady 100MPH this engine still has plenty of breathing room. Refinement? Who cares? Highly subjective. If cammed engines work for you fine, for me pushrods do the job just as well. Nice sounds? What? I have owned Honda 4 bangers that sound like tractors when pushed hard. The 3800 sounds pretty sweet to me. Besides, I don't buy engines for the sound, but for the performance, ok?
For the record I am 29 years old, married, Computer engineer.
I've truly have enjoyed the discussions regarding the 3800 vs. 3.5. My thoughts here is the 3800 is one tough bullet-proof engine. However the single/dual OHC engines, just sound and seem much more refined.
Damn I simply love all kind of cars [good ones that is], and I wish I could own several. But then it would be like getting dress in the morning, and having to decide which baby gets driven that day.
mkco:::::::If you drove the plain Intrigue-no PCS-then it could be a slug...3.05 vs 3.29/PCS. The 3.5 99s all had the 3.29. The GTP is a neat car; I would had one in 98; but the GTP was in demand and no deals. I do not like the local Pontiac guy so I walked. The suspension and supercharged engine are for the money a good value, and its USA hertiage is okay for me. I don't go for the prem. gas but life isn't perfect sometimes..
No question that the 3.8L delivers more grunt off idle than the 3.5L. But the DOHC can really fiercely run through its gears. There is a lot more to an engine than this difference, though. I'd take the 5.7l Corvette LS1 (pushrod) engine anyday! It produces more than 275 lb-ft of torque at any RPM, maxing out at about 350 lb-ft at 4400 rpm.
This probably has nothing to do with the valve/aspiration design, but the 3.5L is a LOT smoother and quieter than the 3.8L. Especially at idle.
My wife also has a Bonniville (95). Ironiclly, there is a difference and everything isn't in the torque and hp numbers.
The Bonnie feels like a monster when pulling off from a light. It feels like the power will never end. And it can do battle at highway speeds as well.
My 3.8 Intrigue, on the other hand, feels snappier off the line than the Bonnie. At highway speeds the Bonnie actually has more "umph" then the Intrigue. But that could also be because of the 15 extra horses in it.
My estimation: the 3.5 is good. My sister-in-law is checking out Intrigues and that's one of the selling points I've convinced her on. Do I think it's so "refined" and "hi-tech" enough to give up my low-end muscle car power :-) ? No. Technology can sometimes be overrated. If it doesn't do what's required, who cares how "hi-tech" it is. That's a general statement, not an attack on the 3.5.
You may prefer the 3.8, but go bye the iverstyled GP or overly conservative regal, or worse yet the ugly Impala.
I again stand by my opion that the 3.5 excels over the 3.8 and in fact IS the reason I considered the car.
Premium gas is my big concern about the GTP...not that much more than the GT. But the GTP does have one hell of an engine! Unfortunately, Pontiac doesn't offer RS-A tires on the GT (with the regular 3800). So, I'm unable to get the plain-3800/RS-A combination I find so practical and fun in an '01 model. (I may get a GT and then swap out the LS tires for RS-A's.)