1995 Oldsmobile Achieva S review from North America

Brake rotor on the driver's side of the vehicle had to be replaced within the first 20 miles of purchasing the car. It shook the car so bad while braking that the mirror fell off of the windshield.

The power window on the drivers side fell out into the door when I pressed the button to lower it, but that was due to the previous owner and her boyfriend's inability to do anything mechanical. I also had to replace the window switch as they had cut the wires to take the door panel off.

The "Anti-Lock" brake system warning light started flickering on the dashboard. I found out that it had been loosened by the previous owner to keep it from lighting up. This due to the fact that her boyfriend and his father had tried to replace the brakes on the front of the vehicle and didn't know how to work on an Anti-Lock System. I figure this is why the caliper locked up on me within the next 200 miles of driving. It had a hole in the seal. Bleeding the Anti-Lock brake system fixed the light.

At 128,500 miles or so, the fuel pump died. It had been replaced at 50,000 by the original owner, who I know. He also replace the alternator at 65,000. Reviewing his receipts he replaced a lot of stuff under recall and I have found much more that is still needing to be done under recall. It's all on-line at GM sites.

I have now spotted a few leaks coming from the head/intake manifold area. I can see oil seeping out around spots and am getting a little drop on my driveway that grows a bit more every day. I also think I see a bit of a water leak near the thermostat housing.

Yesterday the heater core blew out. Scared the snot out of me. I thought I smelled anti-freeze and then all of a sudden the car was filled with steam. No vision at rush hour going 70mph on a 4 lane wide highway isn't fun. The parts are cheap at $31.99 for the Heater Core. You have to tear the dashboard and Console out to get to the Heater Core. I am now in the process of replacing it. You also have to lift the car and crawl under it to get to the heater hoses as they are under the Steering Rack. If you attempt this at home, buy a box of Band-aids before you start. Trust me on this one. If you were going to install a new stereo in the car, this is the best time as everything in the dashboard is now in the front yard!

All in all I can't complain about this car too much. I bought it used and I knew of it's history. It had never really given the original owner any major problems at all. He did preventative maintenance all the time and kept it clean. He did replace the front brakes a lot though.

When the afore mentioned Girl got hold of it, she neglected it as it was given to her and she just tore it up. I gave very little for the car so I am happy with the thing. The ONLY trouble I have is that I don't have total use of my legs anymore and it makes it hard for me to work on things like I used to and I am too proud (hard headed) to ask for help. I never take a vehicle to a garage. Never. I guess I got a better tasting Lemon than most... A Lime maybe?