1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue GL from North America - Comments

No start condition fixed by replacement of battery and starter ($400 parts plus labor). Obnoxious rattle in back seat area fixed by replacement of rear suspension trailing arm, $50 part plus labor. (The bushing had worn out and snapped the bolt!) Power windows randomly inoperative, not fixed. (also, windows stick to weatherstripping!) Fuel gauge suddenly inoperative, I'm not bothering to fix it because I know it won't be cheap. I'll be fine using the trip clock to know when it's time to fill up... I hope. Many other random gremlins that seem to fix themselves as quickly as they appear, making repairs annoyingly difficult and/or impossible.

GM should be ashamed of themselves selling this car for $25,000. I bought mine 3 years old for $12,000 (does this depreciation tell us anything?) and now, for a 4 year old car I still feel slighted. (Further loss of value has left the worth of the car at $3,000 under any kind of retail, making it impossible to get out of this car without substantial fiduciary distress!) The car is a nice drive; handles well, accelerates superbly, and is definitely well thought out as far as that goes. (More than 20 mpg would be nice in the city though, esp. from a V6! The Taurus can do it!) The engine and drivetrain are beyond reproach. The interior, while nicely laid out, is put together cheaply, many seams and corners look crooked or misaligned. Seat comfort is good, and general driving manners are predictable and pleasing. For the money, I would opt for the Grand Prix GT, same wonderful drivetrain, but much quieter, smoother and far more solid. If you must buy an Intrigue, do not buy a 1998 (MANY bugs attributed to this first year model), and be sure to buy it used. It will depreciate anyway, you might as well benefit from it somehow.

Hi, I own a 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue, it is a nice car, but lately things just seem to keep going wrong. I bought it used at 90,000 miles, and at 107,000 miles I had to replace the starter. I have also replaced the brake pads twice, back seat seat belt is stuck, I've also had some suspension problems, and now when I hit 40 miles per hour it jerks. My advice don't buy this car, it's costing me more to fix it than it's worth.

I just bought a used 1998 Olds Intrigue that was well maintained. However, I also notice a rattle in the area of the trunk. Thanks for the comment on a possible issue with the rear trailing arm, it may help in troubleshooting.

I like the smoothness and response of the 3.8 V-6 and the low cruising rpm of the engine/transmission at highway speeds.

1998 Olds Intrigue

Paid too much for used 98 Intrigue in 2000.

Strong engine, nice handling, nice on gas.

Repeated rotor wear (yearly), brake replacement (2x's year).

Poor upholstry seaming on inside roof, floor, doors.

Air tight body results in moisture inside the car, fuse box, and dash when setting.

Humming from the rear wheels when driving.

Cooling system uses plastic parts (upper rear plan um, relating to heater).

Start motor spring bad, causing shaft to slide when turning, resulting in starter gear to engage flywheel, sounding rougher than the "smart track" engaging (Knocking sound while in turn).

Replaced master cylinders in brakes a couple times.

Speakers are bad/damaged under less than regular use (possibly moisture).

Easily stuck in snow, mud, ice due to smart track (as soon as a wheel spins, the power is shut off to that wheel, making any progress only hopeful, though when moving, the car will go easily through snow/water/ice.

Coolant for the engine gums up repeatedly with or with out antifreeze removal/change. Many mechanics have stated that the new type of coolant is more of a problem then a benefit.

Rear seat belt straps stick/unusable (been recalled).

Windshield fluid motor replaced twice.

Strong shock EVERY TIME I turn the engine off, and get out and touch the door to shut it.

Air drafts/leaks around door handles/controls when the car is moving (chilly in winter).

Controls and trim on doors are poorly designed, and the cheap plastic snaps easily, leaving window control panels hanging down.

Washer fluid button failed/broke (thumb button). Expensive little part and service.

I have talked to approx. (8) other persons with Intrigues. Their problems were associated with rotors, brakes, coolant system, humming from the rear wheels, inside carpet/upholstry, electrical problems inside the car and under the hood.

I bought a 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue with 98,000 miles and I love the car. I had some head gasket problems and thank god it was under warranty because they had to replace the engine because of antifreeze getting inside of the engine, other than that the gas mileage stinks whether it be on the highway or not you fill the tank and before you know it your empty. I love the car though, picks up nice, roomy, sporty, and sharp looking I would buy another one for sure.