1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue LX from North America - Comments

CD player skips. Consider replacing with a better quality player.

Great handling and pick up makes it fun to drive.

Have received compliments on the attractiveness of the body.

Reasonable features included in the package ~ in other words, I didn't pay for bells and whistles that don't serve my purposes.

Would like a power passenger seat. Comfortable interior, including the back seat. Reasonable for lengthy rides. Exiting the back seat takes some maneuvering.

Front lacks cup holders.

Wind noise when back windows are down.

Not the smooth and quiet ride of a luxury car, but comparable to Accord or Camry. More comfortable than Accord or Camry (softer, contoured seats, more head and leg room, more features), priced less.

Pleased with the quality of workmanship after 10 months of ownership.

Generally I like the car, although build quality (squeaks/rattles,etc.) needs to improve to compete successfully with Japanese and German models in the same category.

I have 61,000km on my vehicle and have had only one problem of note, although that was a major one. The 3.5 engine in my vehicle developed a knock on cold starts when I hit 45000km on the odometer. After battling with my dealer for several months they replaced the complete engine under warranty. The vehicle was maintained properly and not abused. They had no explanation for the problem.

Cold start rattles are normal on GM V6 vehicles. The source of the noise is the valve lifters which does not pose any driveability or reliability issue. The most common dealer answer to the noise is "The pistons are made smaller to expand as it heats up and fill the hole." Not the case, just some valve lifter noise. On the higher millage cars, I would be concerned if your car was NOT making that noise!

The 3.5 L is a dual overhead CAM. It doesn't have lifters!

That knocking noise is piston slap. Once the cylinders war up the pistons expand, thus not allowing them to "slap" against the cylinder wall. It's a common thing on most gm vehicles. Its really nothing to worry about. My 88 chevy truck has been doing that since it was brand new, it just rolled over 300,000 miles, and the motor has never been touched.