1995 Oldsmobile Achieva S 3.1

Summary:

Typical GM car

Faults:

Inside door panels falling apart on both passenger and driver side.

Both widow motors died, as did the sun roof motor.

Passanger side door lock difficult to lock/unlock.

Turn signal lever sticks when using the left turn signal.

General Comments:

Car has taken a beating has kept on going.

The interior could use better materials and design.

The gas mileage in the car when in good for is great. I've gotten close to 40mpg.

Lowering the car a couple inches helped a ton with handeling.

Changing the oil is easy, anything else requires a lot of work.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th June, 2005

20th Jun 2005, 07:52

I agree with everything you had to say about the Achieva. I had to get clamps from my mechanic to hold my door panels on. I've had the two front window motors replaced, the rear two still don't work. I also have to use my manual locks because it is expensive to replace all my power locks. My turn signal lever sticks when I turn left, but it only seems to happen when its cold to me.

I got my car for cheap, so I don't expect perfection. After 144,326 miles mine still runs very good. I have one problem though, I'm not sure if its just wore out, but my transmission shifts a little hard, espicially out of first. Any solutions would be appreciated.

1995 Oldsmobile Achieva S 3.1L V6

Summary:

Reliable, sleeper performance car

Faults:

I could not get this thing to pass emissions test until a final result (this is because of my ignorance of not asking why there were temporary tags on the car)

No power windows work anymore.

The power locks don't work either.

I have a leak somewhere that leaks onto my driver side floor.

Small paint chips (Possible from rocks).

General Comments:

I am pleased with my car. I wasen't expecting perfection because I bought the thing for $1,200. It is extremely fast, handles pretty well, and is pretty good at accommidating my size (6'3") but a little cramped. One thing I've noticed is that in the reviews, about half of the owners are describing their cars as crappy lemons, others love theirs. I love mine. I expect to get 175,000 miles or so with ease. But the Achieva is an electrical nightmare (not as bad as some of yours though).

I am a satisfied Oldsmobile Achieva owner.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th April, 2005

10th Jan 2006, 21:06

Hey,

I am the one with the ACHIEVA IS THE GREATEST FIRST CAR EVER review, and I have to agree with you, my power locks are being a pain and so is the power steering pump. But it is reliable and able to get me places. Like you said the electrical on the thing is a beast! But I still love the car and it has done good. It is up to 168,000 miles and have had it for 6 years. I picked it up for $3,800 from the dealer ship. I say I got my moneys worth out of the thing. NO DOUBTS THERE!

18th Jun 2006, 18:12

I was having water leakage, but as soon as my heater core was replaced things went better and the problem was solved. Hope this helps someone.

9th Aug 2006, 00:57

I'm the original writer of the comment. I have to say I'm at 151,000 now, still running fine. I've done a lot of work to this vehicle and others would be mad, but hey its all been basic maintence to me, besides sometimes I don't treat it too nice ;). But my heater core is fine and I still get the slightest leak on my passenger floor. My guess, take a look at the cowl, that was what was wrong on my dads Grand Am.

29th Jan 2009, 14:11

I have a 95 Achieva that I just bought. 227k miles and still running strong. It sounds like a dream, although the engine was rebuilt 60k miles ago allegedly. I am not experiencing any electrical problems. I'm very satisfied with the car.