1993 Oldsmobile Achieva S 2.3L from North America
Summary:
The most reliable car I have ever owned
Faults:
The check engine and check oil light are almost always flickering on and off.
The driver side electric door look has to be unlocked manually and rarely it will not unlock from the outside using the key so I have to unlock from the passenger door.
The heater coil went at about 112,000 miles
We have found that the spark plugs should be well maintained for superior performance.
We have changed the fuel filter once or twice.
We had to replace the drive belt. It was a non expensive belt, but we had to take off the right front tire to fully access the belt and tensioner.
General Comments:
We bought the car in 2003 for $1,200. It had 94,000 miles on the car. It was previously owned by an older man who could no longer drive. He kept all of the maintenance records to even the amount of gas he fueled every single time. After we brought it home we did a simple tune-up. He told us that it was only started up about once a week for a year. We have so far put about 26,000 miles on it in 2 years. This by far has been the most dependable car I have owned and I have owned many. Never have I been stranded or scared in my Acheiva. Even though it is only a 4-cylinder...it still gets on it in busy Jacksonville, FL traffic. It shakes a little a 70-75 MPH. The Gas mileage is a lifesaver with the high prices. We keep up on the maintenance. We have also had to replace other things, but it is a 11 year old car, so you have to expect to do some repairs. The heater coil is about the only major thing that has been replaced. The A/C works like a champ.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 1st May, 2005
23rd Apr 2006, 20:57
I just bought a '93 Olds Achieva S, it has 143,000 miles on it. I'm having the same problem as you, as I stop at a red light or stop sign, it shuts off and as soon as I move it out of neutral or park it does it again!
1st May 2006, 06:32
The problem is a solenoid in the tranny isn't working. $300.00 US to repair and it will be fine.
30th Jun 2010, 00:34
The problem described is a locking torque converter coil sticking. Use the gear shifter to gear down and it won't happen. Put the brake on above 80 km or so, and it should gear down (unlock convertor if working properly). I always gear it down and have never had the problem with 300,000 + km. When locked in 4th the brake switch / tailight circuit should disengage the convertor, step on the brake and gas above 80km and you will see and feel it (gear down) open. The convertor is very useful when climbing a hill or passing. It just looks funny because the tail lights are on. It is a great car, very economical and reliable.
20th Apr 2006, 18:09
Own a 93 Achieva in Canada. Has 285,000 ks. which is about 210,000 miles. Has been mostly reliable. Yesterday at a red light the engine suddenly powered down. I put it in neutral, started it, and the engine was fine. Put it in drive, and it powered down again. Was trying to inch way out of traffic by starting and stopping when all of a sudden it started working fine. Showed symptoms of doing it one other time, but basically worked fine today. Any similar experiences? Remedies?