Faults:
Head gasket blew at 35,450 miles. (Dealership replaced it for free because the car was under warranty.)
Transmission started slipping at 69,315 miles. (Was low on transmission fluid, my husband put some in and it was fine after that)
Alternator replaced at 73,545 miles. ($300 fix)
Engine started tapping on start up after about 91,200 miles. (Lifter probably, but when the car warmed up it went away)
Fuel economy went down from an average of about 20 mpg to 17 mpg, and I was only getting above 19 mpg when I was on the freeway.
Engine died on the freeway at 102,394 miles due to the computer failing ($1,300 to fix)
Passenger door would not open from the outside at 119,842 miles.
Engine seized up on the freeway while my husband was racing it; I think at about 123,000 miles...
General Comments:
I personally liked this car, but my husband didn't. I think he hated it because it was a Ford honestly.
The car was very comfortable, fast, and performed pretty well. My husband destroyed the engine I think because he always drives everything hard. He just replaced the engine on his 1999 Grand Am last week from driving it too hard. I always tell him not to drive them hard, but he doesn't listen. He says he doesn't want to fix this one and tells me that I have to drive the Oldsmobile with over 175,000 miles for now. It is a good car, but it does not compare even close to my Thunderbird.
10th Oct 2008, 10:20
Sounds like the car was a piece of junk and not really that good to start with.