1995 Oldsmobile Achieva S 2.3L 4 cylinder. from North America

Summary:

A very good car with with much potential

Faults:

The driver's side automatic window motor went bad and had to be replaced. Still doesn't work right.However, I don't believe this to be Oldsmobiles fault.

General Comments:

Car runs great and with a few extra dollars is really sporty. Accelerates like a bat out of hell, and can cruise at higher speeds-no problem. Given some love and care and this is a really great car. Good factory sound system although custom is always better. Interior and exterior look great.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th August, 2002

31st Dec 2002, 09:25

I also have a 1995 Oldsmobile acheiva, and just like your car I have had several issues with the drivers side power windows, I have had the motor replaced once and just like yours it still does not operate properly. Jon D.

20th Jun 2005, 07:09

My drivers side power window also doesn't work they wanted to replace the whole panel, but I only authorized the motor and it still doesn't work right. My problem is with the water pump I have a 96 and have replaced it twice. The car is now at the shop with another major problem and it is possible it is something to do with the water pump. Does anyone have this problem? Please advise.

1995 Oldsmobile Achieva 3.1 V6 from North America

Summary:

A good running car for the buck

Faults:

The EGR valve has been replaced twice, at 65,000 then 83,000 but covered under extended warranty both times.

Head gasket leaked at 60,000 but was covered under warranty.

Fuel injector went bad at 60,000 miles covered under warranty, but took dealership 3 days to figure problem out.

Alternator and battery went bad at 60,000, but covered under warranty.

Both front axles went bad at 92,000 miles, but covered under warranty.

General Comments:

I believe this is a good car.

I am glad I took the extended warranty out when I bought it.

It has been very reliable and trustworthy.

It handles great and has excellent power for a V-6.

The front seating is roomy, but the back is cramp for adults on long trips.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th July, 2002

1995 Oldsmobile Achieva S 3.1 L V6 from North America

Summary:

Under Achieva = tragic, ugly, piece of crap

Faults:

(1) Rotors need smoothed out once a week -- thump thump thump, the faster you go the thumpier they are.

(2) Don't try to drive in the heat, the Achieva is in menopause -- it has hot flashes, and can't handle it. Heck, my radiator hose has fallen off twice while in operation, engine running, fully fastened, something with the angle and pressure -- just came off. Piece of crap.

(3) Between 55 and 70 it misfires, timing problem, go figure...

(4) The column has SEVERE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, don't let them fool you, mine SMOKES!!! I can smell the plastic burning, but I don't care, if it starts on fire, then I pay a 100 deductable and collect back some of my insurance payments -- Piece of crap.

(5) Plastic doors fall part, the button is broken off my gear shifter -- not like it's a manual, I don't hardly touch it! The seats have no lumbar, strike that, no support period -- they suck. The little elastic things around the visors, as usual, have stretched out and hang there like the Fonz at the diner on happy days. Did I mention that my column randomly smokes?

(6) Oh yeah, my turn signals may or may not work depending on the day, if I turn the four ways on -- they don't work -- then the turnsignal goes out for a week, it's like a union worker, they strike (turn signals stop working), I hire a scab (turn the warning flashers on), they strike for even longer and start to run my business into the ground (permanently stop working, must hand signal on my way to work at Dairy Queen, sweet Jesus, Mary and Joseph).

(7) This car hit the ugly tree and was turned back: "UPGRADE REQUIRED".

General Comments:

This car has a powerful engine, the best I've ever owned, with the exception of my 56 Buick Special.

But the engine may or may not be overheating, misfiring into the pistons, causing a column malfunction, etc.

I am not surprised that they phased out the model of my car, followed shortly thereafter by a GM phase out of the make-- WHAT A PIECE OF CRAP!

This car is the ugliest car ever made, with Skylark at a close second for this superlative. The cheap wheel covers are nasty, but buying expensive ones does nothing for this ugly thing.

I do not believe my airbags would deploy in a head on collision -- I have NO faith in the Achieva's "safety" at all.

No one in their right mind, including those who've reviewed this car here, could think it is a decent car. Some people have them and have 0 problems, but most people I know at least have the rotor/caliper/pad problem, maybe even the smoking column -- I mean I'm about to sue Oldmobile for lying to be about the dangers of smoking and driving.

Did I say, yet, the Achieva is an total Piece Of Crap. and no one should ever buy one unless he is really desperate for drama as long as he owns this tragic Piece Of Crap.

Good day!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 30th July, 2001

29th Sep 2001, 15:56

Ha ha ha...I couldn't agree more. Just read my post "Grab your fire extinguishers!" And I used to ask myself why Americans bought foreign cars... I think I just answered my own question.

30th Apr 2003, 14:26

General Motors announced it will recall approximately 1.9 million model year 1995-97 Chevrolet Cavalier and Pontiac Sunfire and 1996-97 Buick Skylark, Pontiac Grand Am, and Oldsmobile Achieva passenger cars in North America. The company said these vehicles may experience a high electrical current flow through the ignition switch that may cause a fire in the steering column.