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One difference I noticed with the original engine was that it warmed up much quicker and one mark higher on the temp gage than the new one & the same 3.5 in 3 other Intrigues I've driven.
BTW, the color is my favorite Ruby Metallic which really sparkles and attracts lots of attention when it's cleaned up. I've been told the finish will hold up just fine without a coat of wax if it's washed with just a mild soap & gently wiped dry. Any commnets?
As for a tool to remove the oil filter, the dealer's mechanic uses a traditional small end-cap filter wrench.
Thanks to all for your moral support along the way.
Ken
My camaro was repainted eight years ago and still has the wet look.
Monore turns out a fair strut for my only experience was replacing the 94 LeSabre originals @50k miles. The car was traded in on the 98 Intrigue with 113k miles. I paid a Buick dealer $700 to install the Monores which were a very stiff shock like I wanted; but when I traded the car the front tires were starting to flat spot or cup. The Buick suspension is not a speedy deal. However the car was all interstate at 75/80. The performance suspension used by Buick is a farce as explained.
I am still not convinced the racket is coming from the front struts. Intrigue suspension appears to have limited travel but it is about the same as a Regal GS. The Intrigue struts are an Olds exclusive!!!!
etharmon:::::::I do not read Consumer Reports or
Digest. My favorite one is Automobile Magazine which conducted a long term test of their 98 Intrigue that mirrored my experience without alot of fanfare..I find it hard to believe that the sheer number of cars that the Comsumer bunch tests and rates to really believe that there is much credence to their ratings. I would expect every Big 3 auto to receive an iffy. I have to clean out my 15+ years of auto and boat mag collection. One puts them in a stacks and soon the whole thing is out of hand;time for the junk dealer.
I view a car for 100k of abuse and 70% of them have done well!!!!!
I am amazed at the lease drivers who are thrilled that nothing has collasped after 36k miles.. They pay big time in the long run and steady look at the mileage used; that's no way to live..Buy a car and drive it; you will have more time to devote to life instead of worrying abut the next lease rate or over running the mileage limit on the current lease..
Anytime you get a new car if they offer a performance suspension package---buy it!!! It will pay dividends. The Chrysler L-bodies that came out in 93/94 had the Intrepid SE and the Vision TSI that offered a suspension pkg that was outstanding with the high speed Michelins as the sweetener. If I remember correctly the TSI was a given and the package was only offered on the SE Interpid--full size spare only, a bummer...
I don't totally agree or disagree with you on the life expectancy of struts and shocks.
My camaro has 200,000 miles on the original struts and shocks. I took it to NTB 2 years ago planning to put new bilsteins all around, the guy said, as long as yours are not leaking and the car is handling well, stay with what you got.
The car handles and rides pretty close to the way it did when it was new. I would like to mention that the car originally came with bilsteins on the rear. Except for some sloppiness in the steering, it rides as hard and corners as well as it did in 1987.
There have been great strides in shock/strut design in the last few years; digressive valving, monotube struts(intrigue).
You can have your cake and eat it too now, and i think the europeans have it all over us when it comes to dealing with the ride vs. handling compromise.
BMW does a fantastic job of keeping the handling sporty, great ride quality and low interior noise.
Try driving a dodge intrepid, then get in your intrigue and you will see how dodge has achieved a great balance.
The domestics have a lot to learn in this regard.
Also, I don't think that a strut has to start off hard to give long life. Better quality components can achieve that too.
If someone could convince Richard Wagoner to launch the OSV then Oldsmobile might be saved through increase in sales.
I've also sent an email suggesting that GM(Richard Wagoner)save Oldsmobile by taking the three initials of the original creator Ransom E. Olds and call it "REO". By renaming Oldsmobile youger buyer will not associate Oldsmobile with "your father's Oldsmobile", which is the ONE and ONLY reason why GM is phasing out Oldsmobile.
Oldsmobile Enthusiast
Robert-19
dropped it altogether.
NTB is gone from Charleston too. They announced it, and two days later the store was closed. Sears owns them.
I like the way my intrigue handles and rides, except on bumpy roads, which seems to be the majority of them where i live.
Thanx for posting here. I'm glad someone is trying to save Oldsmobile.
In spite of what Greenspan says we know the Big 3 are bleeding; and it's time to peel off the losers and excessess of too many good years.
As you stated the division has been a loser for a long time and the timing is perfect. Probably the least aggressive division is Buick but AARP keeps it kicking. If you cater to AARP too long somehow the division gets out of step with the industry and dies off----Olds did it and new product was too late in coming..
I have two Olds dealer near my house, one about five miles away who also handles Suzuki and the other one is probably 9 miles and is Olds only. The first mentioned dealer has sloppy service and the other dealer is like a morgue--no action. My Olds dealer is 60 miles away and it is Cad and GMC; also handled Mazda until GM insisted they drop them.
Hate to see it all happen but they picked the right one to kill off and the motoring public will soon forget but will suck up any good deals in the meantime..
Welcome to the Forum--we have a lively bunch blessed with vast auto experience and expertise with the uncanny ability to assist distressed owners and recommend fixes...enough babbling!!
.
The current styling & performance don't remind me of 'your father's car' in the least, but then I'm no longer part of that 'hot car' market. Perhaps that's why I passed up a jet black GLS with chrome wheels and all the goodies.
I'd like to be wrong, but I seriously doubt GM will respond to pressure to keep the line. Mgmt doesn't always make the smartest of moves, ie what Ford did to the classy T-Bird several years ago. I suppose GM is figuring the 'loyal customer' ticket will encourage Olds owners to switch to a new Buick at trade time. But they'll still lose some overall sales unless they offer a more stylish Buick for the younger & middle-age sets.
I must add that I really appreciate the great info & experience you all share with the rest of us. It's often our only source for the straight dope on concerns & problems.
Would love to see a second generation, rear-wheel drive Intrigue.
2000 GLS with PCS, 4000 miles, build date 5/00.
Low Fuel light: I cannot seem to find any documentation (owner manual, service information) on the approximate fuel level when the low fuel light illuminates. From practical experience, I have determined that there are approximately four gallons remaining when the light initially illuminates. Does that seem consistent with the general experience of the group? I have also noticed that my fuel gauge is somewhat deceptive in that it gets pretty darn close or into the red area of the gauge even before the low fuel light comes on. Obviously, that is better than indicating a quarter-tank as the engine dies and you roll to a stop in rush hour traffic. But I am still somewhat concerned by the apparent lack of accuracy.
PCS/TRAC OFF indicator: Last night, leaving the airport, I started the car, released the parking brake, and put the transmission into D3. As I released the brake, I noticed that the car did not feel as though it had engaged the forward gear; generally, even at idle, the car will transfer enough power to the drive-train to move the car, albeit slowly on level terrain. I had to apply pressure to the accelerator pedal to get moving, and the steering felt heavy and sluggish. As I drove towards the parking garage exit, I noticed that the PCS and TRAC OFF indicator lights were both illuminated. Except for starting the car, I have never seen either of them come on before. I pulled into an empty space and re-booted. After re-starting the car, the indicator lights did not re-illuminate and the car handled perfectly. It drove and felt fine all last night and on the drive to work this morning. What does the gallery have to say about this one?
For the record, my wife (who is the primary driver of the Intrigue; I just get weekends and major holidays) and I are both absolutely thrilled with the vehicle. It has performed flawlessly since we purchased the car in September. We, like others out there, have experienced the same looks of dumb surprise when acquaintances are informed it is an Oldsmobile. Generally, they were unaware that the car was a domestic model, much less an Olds. In the last two months, rides in the Intrigue have prompted two acquaintances to check out the Olds line-up. One friend practically STOLE a 2001 Alero GL sedan (with all the recent GM and dealer money) and the other debating with the spousal unit on whether to buy a loaded Intrigue GLS or opt for the 3.5 Aurora. I should be getting commission from my dealer!
Last thought in a rambling message: Has anyone else noticed that automotive magazine reviewers are now practically GUSHING over the current Olds line-up? It seems that everything I read touts the smart engineering and styling of the Alero/Intrigue/Aurora/Bravada; the best line-up currently offered by GM. Where the hell were these clowns two years ago?!
LOL - I guess the kids are the "Replacement Units" !!
Happy Chocoholic Day!
Ken
SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THE BLACK PLASTIC HOUSING AROUND THE OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR TURNS CHALKY OR IS DULL IN COLOR.
If you want one go for it.
Had lunch with a young engineer leasing a Aurora 99 on a 24 month deal/50k miles, no problem at 42k; second car is a 944 Porsche Turbo.
He said my Intrigue was the absolute mess for the front end racket..Will work on that tomorrow..
Just curious. Probably your friend's Aurora is a '98.
Am I overlooking anything? Is there something else in the suspension system that effects ride harshness? I mean, I have the standard GM bushings, etc.
oscarz2::::::The Intrigue has a more sophisticated strut design that features low-and high-speed orifices, deflected disks, and internal springs that permit greater flexibility in tuning damping rates at different wheel speeds. Only the Intrigue's struts use synthetic fluid and provide internal rebound springs to soften the when the struts reach the top of their travel on roller coaster roads. Ride height and hence suspension travel varies with the RegalGS riding the highest and the Grand Prix the lowrider. Front Spring rate Buick GS-131,Intrigue-143..Rear spring rate Buick GS-106-206,Intrigue 114-234.
Magnasteer is common to all "W" bodies; however the use of the splined intermediate shaft in the steering column is Intrigue only.
The Intrigue & Buick GS are different animals.
I have heard that the grand prix and intrigue's are mounted directly to the body. This may explain the road noise issue that we have all experienced.
My cousin has a regal and it definitely rides softer and has less road noise than mine.
The impala may also have its rear suspension mounted directly to the body.
If anybody noise different please correct me. Perhaps teo knows something.
If i owned my intrigue i would definitely go with a different premium strut. I think this would probably cure the impact harshness and still give good cornering capability.
This is my first-hand experience.
I read somewhere, that the cars need some fuel in the tank for cooling the fuel pump. Two gallons, as well as I remember. If this is true, the real slack is two gallons only. Not so much if you are stick in a good highway jam - a very usual matter in dense populated places like our Connecticut...
We bought it from an agent. Next week we received a letter from the insurance company, that some data items are missed and the policy will be canceled if we do not provide them. The missed item was "The marital status of your spouse". :-)
We were very unsure in our English then, as well as with understanding of the local customs. Digged in dictionaries, looking for some secondary sense of the wording. Then called a friend, who immigrated 20 years ago. He gave us an obvious explanation: the letter was generated by computer :-).
mrblinky, I'm not sure on your PCS and Trac-off light as I don't have PCS on mine. I do know that if you turn the traction control off(the button can be easily hit when getting in the car) the Trac-off light will stay on and restarting the car resets it as the default mode is on. I'm not sure if turning the traction control off defeats PCS as well or not. You might want to read the manual and see if it says anything. As for the low fuel light, I think it comes on way too early. And 98s also had an annoying chime that sounds every 10 minutes once the low fuel light is on. I think the chime has been eliminated on later models. BTW, a co-worker of mine recently purchased a 2000 GLS with PCS and his was also built 05/2000. He absolutely loves the car. It is Sandstone and has everything but the chrome wheels and gold trim package. Bose, cd changer, spolier, PCS, etc. it's all there.
Teo, 99 was the last year of the "classic" Aurora. There was no 2000 Aurora as the 2001 model went on sale early in 2000.
Oh - the bikini babe could alude sexily to her 'Intrigue' and how she just adores men who don't drive Camrys!!
Enjoy the evening guys!
Ken
For you Aurora fans the intermediate shaft is on the 2001..
I've got road noise on my brain.
mrblinky : I think there always was good press for the new Oldsmobile line up, but there does seem to be more than ever now. While sales were very good this past month, a lot of it has to do will incentives. I really wish Oldsmobile could be saved, but I have pretty much given up. I will still help the cause of people like FATlittle though.
Toronto Auto show starts tomorrow. Unfortunately I am out for town for a few days so I can't go this weekend. I am definitely in next week.
Question----Did installing a new shaft eliminate the front end racket????--or did it eliminate preceived steering slop????
I had one put in the 99 GLS at 23k miles with no improvement in any catagory...
Trivial data::::air cleaner element for 3.5 installed $12.37.------Same operation on the Caddy Northstar $8.84. The Caddy dealer is really missing the boat and it is a stand alone operation. My Olds guy is also a Caddy dealer and I imagine they would want $25.00 for the $8.84 job!!
b4z::::::::My automotive saavy is awesome!!!!!Too bad I can't figure out how to cure the 99 front noise!!!
I called SLP Engineering in Troy, Mich to see if the cat-back exhaust they produce for the Regal GS can be fitted to the 3.5 engine setup. If so, how much?, and how soon?? I need a change of pace; and if I pump some more money into the Intrigue I will stay away from another car.
Buy American to reduce the national debt, shore up social security, improve our balance of trade, and make yourself PROUD!!!!! Everybody have a great day.....
The GM Bravada brand mgr. certainly is a short-timer in respect to employment term. Probably has his resume up to date and probably looking at Nissan!!!!
I did notice something that I thought was strange about their filters after looking in the in-store catalog. There is NO listing for Intrigues of any year. I found the number for the AC/Delco filter and cross referenced it with available K & N's. And wouldn't you know? There IS a part number for it (3800 engine)! The only problem is that, as I've said, my store doesn't carry it. Does AutoZone have a larger supply of K & N's? I've read some complain about the price being too high for 1 or 2 miles/gal or 2 or 3 extra horses. But at $40, reusable, and lasting 100k, it's more cost effective any way you look at it to get it than to continue using the paper filter.
j coleman:::::::That item will be replaced again on the 99 and the struts next under the new warranty.. Believe me the next struts will get the axe again around 70k. Things are looking good!!!!