Shifter light on the console went out.
When running, the car apparently has an electrical problem, because the lights will dim, like it isn't putting out the proper voltage.
The drivers door appears to have sagged, so it is kinda hard to open or close sometimes, but unsure if it is due to the "curbing" stated below.
My wife bought the car when I was stationed in Korea, so what ever happened, she took the car to the dealer, under warranty, so that is pretty much my experience with it.
The car looks good, with a low stance, and a muscular figure 8 look.
The interior is spacious, and nicely put together, with plenty of leg and head room for driver, front and rear passengers. The drivers 6-way power seat gets in just the right spot.
The standard features state a split rear seat, but our car doesn't have it?
With mostly everything power on the car, it is a real step up from my KIA Sephia. With power mirrors, windows, doors, remote power locks, trunk and gas door, it makes driving it very comfortable.
The power remote locks offer various features which let you customize it for safety and convenience.
The automatic headlight on/off is a nice feature. Built into the instrument cluster, you never have to use the switch.
The AM/FM/CD/Cassette is a super sound system, with 6 speakers, and plenty of power. And the antenna is built into the rear window defroster, pure genius.
Performance; "Wow", that's all I can say. With 225 horsepower, it hardly assumes the title of a 450 HP muscle car, but it has plenty of power, and the P225/60R16 tires make sure that all the torque gets to the road.
The 4-speed automatic transmission with over drive. This is an excellent transmission for highway use. While driving at 80 MPH, the overdrive lets the engine purr at 1200 to 1500 RPM.
As good as this car is, I have a few complaints on it as well.
First off, the design of the engine is a nightmare. There are no conventional spark plugs, a coil, or any of the typical ignition parts. The ignition components are housed inside a box on top of the head. Everything is so cramped, it is hard to put your hands anywhere past the heads.
The engine sports an internal oil filter, which requires the car to be brought to a dealer for it to be changed. Being someone who like to do things myself, this pretty much rules out changing the oil.
However, I did replace the front disk brakes pads on the car, and I have to say, it was probably the easiest brake job I have ever done.
Also, the headlights were a pleasure. Instead of being conventionally screwed to the body, they sported a type of release that makes the whole headlight removable with no tools. Truly an engineering miracle.
After looking everywhere, there is no purchasable service manual I have found. If anyone knows of one please e-mail me at FLESH FLAPS@AOL.com. Basically, maintenance looks like it should be done at the dealer. Not shade tree friendly.
Just like the professional reviews stated, the Magna-steer steering is kinda fake feeling. Oldsmobile could have done better on it.
Good thing this car can only be bought used. We bought it pretty new, and paid around $18800 for it. Recently while attempting to trade it in, we found out it Blue Booked for around $9000 in the condition it was in. I have not verified that it books at $9000, and would rather not.
Overall, this is a very nice, moderately priced sub-luxury car. I am very happy when driving it. The many pluses outweigh the few negatives.
Definitely not true that the oil/filter change must be done by a dealer! Though unusual, it is quite possible to change both under a shade tree. In fact, I don't have to jack the car at all to do either, unlike the 3.8 Intrigue whose oil drain plug is at the back of the oil pan. This one is right in front, and the oil filter unscrews just like a conventional canister style oil filter.
Ditto on the oil filter. I change the oil in our Intrigue without even lifting the car. Go to your favorite parts store and buy a cap type oil filter socket for your socket wrench... three bucks. The filters themselves cost more than the tool to remove the cap.
Oh yeah, and it makes a mess. ;-)
Www.helmsinc.com <--- factory service manual, $130.
These Olds Intrigues are nothing but disasters. DON'T BUY ONE!!! The problems are just too numerous to tell. Unless you have big money to spend, get ready because when you get past 70,000 everything starts going bad. Parts are expensive, labor is expensive, and mechanics don't really know how to fix them. It's just try this and see if it works. I feel like the number one stupid of the year because I bought one. I feel they are dangerous too, because you get no warning, just all at once lights come on and stuff stops working and it's a pain. Never another olds for me. I'm American all the way, but we need to make better cars.
I have a 2000 Intrigue and it's been the best car I've ever owned. Outside of a few wear/tear items and a minor thing here and there, it's a great vehicle. I'm at 170,000+ MILES and it's still got the pep and pick up it had at 35,000k. I can't say enough good things about this car!
Although I have not reviewed the 2000 I had, I did want to leave a comment. I loved the 3.5L engine. Way more zip than the 3.8.
As for the lights flickering, there was a recall in the alternators. There should be no problem getting the car worked on as it's a Grand Prix or Buick Regal GS with a better engine. I ran mine from 17K miles to 87K miles, and other than heater blow motor, it had no problems.
I would have liked to see what that car would have done without the speed limiter.
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