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Comments
In a way, I don't want to trade the car in on anything else, including a new Intrigue or Aurora. Now I'm at the point where I can act like an immature child and say that I've cleared 100,000 miles with no problems.
As far as regular service, I've just been changing the oil using the Oil Life Monitor. No tranny changes, no coolant changes (per GM's owner's manual).
For folks reading and not posting, I would get another Intrigue in a heartbeat. In rain, snow and otherwise bad weather, it is completely composed. If it weren't for the rain on the windshield, I wouldn't know it was raining because the car handles just as well in rain as when dry. It's terribly fun to drive, stops on a dime and very, very roomy. B4z and myself are both 6'8" and are very comfortable in our machines.
I have had the 99GLS intermediate shaft replaced and it had no effect.
one2one::::::At your height of 6'8"; you are wearing the car--glad to hear someone is happy with the Intrigue. As a two Intrigue owner I plan to dump my 99GLS after the first of the year for my normal 100k run is too risky mainly based on the brakes, front suspension and the oil-burning 3.5..I will buy a 72 mo./75k mile GM warranty to sweeten the pot. Will get a Mustang GT or Z-28 for they should be collecting in the dealers lots by end of Jan01.
You might want to have the tranny flushed and fluid replaced.
50,000 miles is when I'd do it based on what a mechanic tells me. The 100K number is probably more for people that don't plan to keep their cars a long time.
50,000 is still much better than the usual 25-30K that most cars require.
It is interesting to note that they also will have a 4.10 rearend. I guess that will make up for the 4 valves lower low end torque. While the envoy site was very informative, the intrigue site was touchy feely to the point of being absurd. Oldsmobile doesn't have a clue.
Even at my 6'8" height I am still comfortable with the seat pulled up some.
Let's hope that they will be of higher quality than the vehicles they are replacing.
limadelta::I share your concern about the fluid changes. But I'm going to stick with the manual. Partly because it's easy to do it, partly because I'm curious to see if it will really do it. I know that's an expensive test but I'm reasoning (perhaps foolishly) that GM's lawyers have reviewed the implications of saying that owners can wait until 100K to change the fluids. We'll see; I'll keep ya posted.
wcooley::I've posted on this in the past but I can't remember the number. Write down all the symptoms. My list read like this. Problem happens when:
--turning at speeds btwn 25 and 35 mph (i.e. on and off ramps)
--cutting wheel left or right at low speeds (10 to 20 mph)
--riding over bumps and entrances to parking lots
--braking from any speed
That should begin to give them an idea of the problem. If they've worked on this problem before (and I'm sure they have), they'll know as soon as they read the first two entries.
1415::"At your height of 6'8"; you are wearing the car." I like that (LOL)
Check out the Chevy Trailblazer site (http://www.chevrolet.com/trailblazer/index.htm). It is still in production just like the Bravada yet Chevy has SOMETHING for visitors to look at. The site sucks as it takes forever to load images and the layout is crappy but at least they have something up there.
They've got a timeline showing how far they've come developing the Trailblazer (which looks like a bloated Geo Tracker). Roll over the colored areas and images pop up. Click them and they have commentary from the engineer working on that aspect of the project. Oldsmobile? "Keep coming back and to see what we haven't done to our site in six months." All the trucks made off the Bravada platform have move ahead agressively as if they really want to sell cars (what a novel idea for a car company!!!) EXCEPT for Oldsmobile.
The fact that the new Aurora has dropped off the face of the advertising world so soon, the Intrigue was never really pushed to it's target market, and the Alero seems non-existant (compared to the Grand Am commercials littering the tube) says that there are bigger problems at Olds than just quality control. Sounds to me like Olds has problems at home similar to Chrysler before the Germans made changes.
Don't get me wrong, I like Olds a lot. My first choices when checking out new vehicles are always Oldsmobile. But if they don't make major changes across the board and up and down the ladder, my first choices may be non-existant in a few years.
I guess I sound so bitter because I really do like new Olds and what they're doing (product-wise). It would be a shame if they got canned because they can't get their internal act together.
I really don't believe Olds is doomed. I do think there needs to be a TV advertising blitz, especially for Intrigue, Aurora and the new Bravada. Come on guys (if you are watching), lets put some excitement back in this division! If Nissan can do it, Oldsmobile should be able to also.
Anyway, I have viewed advertisments for both the Chevy TrailBlazer and the Buick Rendevous. And, according to other posts here, there are still no Bravada advertisments. Makes one curious. Couple all this with the Doom and Gloom predictions of 1415, and I see Olds in some BIG trouble soon. I still have to convince people that I'm driving an Oldsmobile, not an Intrepid or any other car of the week. my $.02
Regarding the lack of Bravada advertisements, it could be that Olds is not using "teaser" ads for the Bravada because it is scheduled for release before the Trailblazer, Envoy and Rendezvous. As I recall, new Bravadas should start showing up on dealers' lots in January or February of 2001. (Maybe we should pray for a snowy winter to get people even more interested in SUVs!) The current Bravada is selling surprisingly well, considering its age; maybe Olds doesn't want to do anything that encourages buyers to wait for the new model. The Trailblazer and Envoy introductions are far enough away that buyers shopping for an SUV right now aren't as likely to wait for the new models. And Buick, of course, has absolutely nothing to lose by promoting the Rendezvous months before it appears on the dealers' lots. (Buick even had a Rendezvous at the Carlisle All-Truck Show this past June. No 2002 Trailblazers, Bravadas or Envoys were anywhere to be seen.)
Another reason could be that the entire Oldsmobile advertising account is in a state of turmoil. A few weeks ago there were articles in the Wall Street Journal and the Car Connection stating that General Motors is putting the entire Olds advertising account up for review, with the possibility of it being handed over to a new agency. Part of the review includes new ideas for getting the message out that Olds has changed. Supposedly, Olds has one last chance to get its house in order, and this includes the advertising campaign.
I can't believe how badly GM has bungled the Olds makeover. Despite the quality problems experienced by Intrigue buyers, I don't believe the division's sales problems can be laid entirely on the lack of quality control. (Don't get me wrong - I'm all for improving quality.) If you want horror stories, go to the Ford Taurus thread on this site. (And it's STILL the best selling car in the land - go figure!) For that matter, Chrysler has cornered 40 percent of the minivan market with vehicles that are notorious for automatic transmissions that are lucky to last 70,000 miles.
I blame stupid pricing decisions and lackluster advertising, including some of the worst product launches in the industry. I'm seeing more Auroras in Harrisburg, Pa. How people found out where to buy them, I have no idea! It certainly couldn't be because of the brilliant advertising campaign.
in the february list prices will be
I got the 2002 bravada brochure a few months ago, but it is short on info.
With wife in Fla and the rotten weather in Detroit this allows me more goof-off time. I have had the bachelor-hood lifestyle for the past 11 winters; 4mos each year plus another month during the summer when she visited her mother in Europe..
Work and play comingles very well...
My post#327 was a result of the Fla court decision and a few "silver bullets". Having been involved with the Automotive market since 1969; the domestic suppliers are beat-up, downsized, and consolidated with each recession. The domestics are getting slaughtered by the Asians and we will see much blood this time..The consoldating and downsizing will be of drastic proportions for production capacity is not needed.
GM,Chrysler,and Ford will suffer big time with Ford probably able to survive better and suffer less than the other two. The Delphi and Visteon spin offs will hemorrhage badly and the UAW will
be creamed. Our close ties with China and Korea will finish off some domestic suppliers. Its sad; but nobody wants to work hard in this country and the Govt regulations are so anti-business it makes it impossible to survive.
etharmon::::::The Cobra is not my type of a car due to manual shift and the IRS rearend which Ford assembled from spare parts. The ordinary GT with automatic will suffice. The Z is my favorite but it has that red-neck image.. The Z has a great engine and the automatic is outstanding. Having owned two Camaros--both new--71 SS350 90k miles in 18mos(company car) and I bought my wife a 82 Z28 which she had for 4 yrs and was sold to my son's father-law for his daughter and two months later the car burned up. The 71 SS350 was more fun than the two Porsches I have had. It was strong, 100% reliable, and loved to be abused. Its only drawback was winter driving and it was a white-knuckle affair at crawling speeds.
Enough rambling--one last thing.
dindak::::::You mentioned Nissan being brought back from the brink of disaster by none other than the Socialist country of France. Govt money is being used to prop up Nissan. Renault is junk and always will be junk.
Speaking of Nissan I never went last year for a test drive which awarded one with a $100 watch--swiss army type or a picnic basket..This was for the 2000 Maxima; I didn't respond so I received another invite in the mail before I went to Fla; and I will spend some time going through piles of paper and faxes that accumulate while one is away..
Certainly hate to go drive an Asian and collect the bribe...they will probably hound me afterwards. This dealer is a Buick/Honda/Acura/Nissan all in separate buildings. All they need is a sushi bar....its really great to live in America so let's send Gore packing!!!!
At my office park more and more people are making the switch to Asians/Europeans, either for the first time or simply going back to what the feel will “WORK”.
People are NOT going to continue to spend their hard-earn money on vehicles that will not stand the test of time, and have to be repaired/replaced TOO frequently.
Just my thoughts for December.
<*> Wishing everyone a Happy & Safe Holiday Season <*>
jgriff::::::Out from under the rock again????Good news for Acura lovers; they are heavily discounting in southern Fla.. My real estate gal in Fla who has to be 75 at least has a 3.5RL; and one of my wife's good girlfriend from Conn also bought a new 3.5RL. They are pushing them out the door for 34,500+TAX. They get sticker in Conn according to the gal.
They 3.5RLs are really bland looking and have less horsepower than the Intrigue. Something like 210 if I remember correctly--could be wrong. The RLs are made in the mystery land; and not in the cornfields of the Midwest.
I really don't care to waste my time answering your arrogant remarks concerning our domestic industry compared to the Asian invasion.
Nissan did indeed get government money from Renault, but they still did do a good job. I hear Renault is coming back to the U.S. in a year or two. Should be interesting as the U.S. car market will probably still be in a slump then.
dindak: Congrats on the new member, hopes it does not cut or alter your future car purchases [they can be expensive]. Rising children is definitely a journey, do try to enjoy it as they do grow up fast. Good Luck.
The last one I drove was a used 97 Z that the local Pontiac/Buick dealer had taken in trade on a new Riv. had 7500 miles, black, with leather and roof panels. I submitted a couple offers and they finally got rid of it at the local auction after two tries. A gal owned the car and they had just moved to the Grosse Pointe area from Chicago.
At your height; I have an easier time entering and exiting the car. Last winter I was after a left over 99 SS Conv which I had down to around 27,500--should have bought it. There will be some deals come Jan 01..
My condo is all ratified now and i am doing the
home inspection tomorrow. Now i got to figure out how to pay for it.
Let's hope for falling interest rates. This is one time that i hope Greenspan does open his mouth.
I wonder if the next recession will be severe enough to bring about the elimination of several venerable domestic marques, as well as some not-so-venerable foreign ones. There are so many nameplates out there today. One interesting rumor is that Daimler will simply phase out the passenger car side of Chrysler, which would mean the end of Dodge and Chrysler cars in this country. Apparently, Chrysler loses money on its passenger cars, and the German banks wonder why Daimler doesn't just cut its losses in this area and let Chrysler concentrate on minivans, SUVs, trucks and Jeep Wranglers.
These three companies have survived the ravages of time, and countless ups and downs as history shows. They ain't perfect; but they are red,white and blue--100% homespun. I admit the Chrysler is trying to screw up; and the greed of some of the Chrysler brass cooked its goose when the uppity bunch from Deutsch land came bearing gifts and wavering big dollars. I would buy a Chrysler product; but not Mercedes-Benz.
bz4::::::glad your condo worked out!!!My deal in Fla is about 90% however my real estate son didn't like my closing/occupancy same day dealing..Since I pulled another month out of the original I am somewhat pleased. However in real estate it ain't over till the check changes hands.
In reviewing the car ads in the Detroit Sunday paper I see where the 98 Intrigues are now in a range from 9,995 to 12,995. The 96 Impala SSs are selling in the range of 16,995 to 19,995 with one 95 listed at 18,500. I get disgusted every time I see one..
I noticed a Lincoln Mercury dealer has 164 Lincoln LSs avaiable.
Wonder how the stock market will react on Monday-should be interesting and could be bloody--yet again since dubya is almost there it might be calm day. I sold one stock late Friday and I noticed in after hours trading it shed a couple of points.
Someone a few posts back mentioned that GM is opening up the advertising contract for Olds. I saw that too, and it probably explains why things are so silent on the advertising front. I also saw an interview with Wagoner recently (I can't remember the source) where the Oldsmobile issue came up. I get the distinct impression that Olds is going to get another chance to turn on the public to its new product offerings. Let's hope a new advertising strategy is the beginning of a revived Oldsmobile. The division does have the product and the Profile and O4 concept cars have received favorable press mention.
In any event, I suspect (without much evidence, I confess) that Olds has about 1-2 years to get its act together as far as GM is concerned. If we don't see any new products approved for production by this time next year, I think the evidence will be stronger that GM is getting ready to jettison Olds and its new core of followers. As a recent convert, I for one will not be happy to see my car orphaned along with the division (it'll be hello Volkswagon time).
The current question for us Intrigue-ites is whether the Intrigue will get pegged for GM's upcoming Mid-Lux platform. Buick already has the go ahead, presumably for the Regal/Century. I've seen conflicting reports about the Intrigue. AutoWeek suggested yes recently, but Automobile News didn't have Olds slated for a redesign of the Intrigue in its upcoming products feature a few months back.
dwg
I was at a Christmas party last night and there was an older silver Intrigue parked outside. I was talking to the owner and found out it was a 98. I asked him how he liked the car and he had nothing but praise. He did have the steering fixed but said that otherwise, the car was trouble free.
;-)
do to put themselves on top again. The most intresting thing is that we all seem to agree what that is. If we know what to do then why doesn't olds know?
It becomes apparent why olds is having problems with something that is so obvious to everyone else, and why there are some quality issues that they don't seem to be able to resolve.
They are clueless.
Performance sells and it gets people into the showrooms. They show us the concept cars but they don't build them. I am not holding my breath for the OSV.
http://www.luckyjdr.homestead.com/ls1impala.html
Wait until the federal govt takes over the automotive operations after the trial lawyers sue the crap out of them in the name of protecting the public's interest...Look at tobacco, guns, and the other causes in the name of diversity!!!!!
Enjoy your Intrigue and the freedom of being able to drive it any where you desire and the ability to not worry about availabilty of energy..The last popular count of votes said that the other 50% of the population does not favor or think you should have your Intrigue or freedoms unless you give them half of what you worked for as a handout to insure equality, and you will feel better?????
We must stop the slide---It's a Big Monday.
About 4 houses down from ours in Mich is the 17 yr old boy will a 3 yr. old Z-28 with a modified exhaust system that is absolute music thru the first gear until he gets the corner. They have a Dodge Caravan, a Neon,and a BMW 328; all in pristine condition. The car nut family..
I did some reading on the Acura 3.2TL and it is not a cheap car dollar-wise and requires premiun fuel. It is shod with skinny tires which is the Asian trick to quiet the road noise with some trade-off in the handling area.
I imagine that the elimination of the Eagle LS tires would have a quieting effect. Mine at 35k are showing the wear strip which is giving the an audible sensation of a 4X4 drive train rumble.
Its snowing in the Motor City and Chicago is getting dumped on along with chilly temps in California. Sure sounds like GLOBAL WARMING to me and this cold weather is the result of BIG OIL.. The sales of SUVs will be enhanced by lots of snow and this will upset the the other 50%...
I understand the election mess in Fla is effecting the flight of the snowbirds who are trying to find a less controversial area to settle. Its goodbye Palm Beach County for me and out of the circulation area of the PALM BEACH POST which is a real red paper.
As stated before I will miss the WEATHER...
Enjoyed the Pictures!!!!
Maybe the I-6 coming out in the 360 SUVs will be the picked as a car engine. The Aurora V-8 is no ball of fire so we are looking at the Camaro/Firebird V-8 plants which might be too large and heavy. Only time will tell; meanwhile it appears that Mother Nature is peeved--dumping snow at predicted levels of 8-15"...Why in the heck am I stuck in Mich during this mess and the other half is basking in the sun!!!!!??????
teo: I doubt they will ever build a V8 Intrigue. I don't see the need and with gas prices where they are, demand would be soft at best. I think Oldsmobile should put the money into fit, finish and MARKETING.
http://www.edmunds.com/future/oldsmobile.html
dwg
Just took me 2.5 hours to drive home 50KM in the snow. The LS's still have enough life left in them to get me though this winter.