1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue 3.8L V6 from North America

Summary:

A dependable car with a dependable engine

Faults:

At 180,000 miles I replaced the shocks/struts and MAF sensor.

I hydroplaned into a ditch on the interstate once going about 80 and drove it for another year with no problems.

General Comments:

Really a great car, I think my Dad bought this in perfect shape for $2500 or less in the early 2000s. This car depriciated like a rock, not sure why because it was fast and handled well, held lots of gear and returned fuel economy in the 20s.

This was pretty much a nicer Malibu, mine was a base model but at its death near 200k it still had tons of life left in it. The engine shifted strong, didn't take any oil and everything worked. Windows ran like new, interior wore well, the center arm rest broke, but that was college kid shenanigans. It felt good, less plasticky than a lot of the new cars I've been in, more soft touch materials and the fabric seats were good enough.

Pretty much a standard car, nothing surprising about it, just that it always worked and had plenty of space/power.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st July, 2016

31st Jul 2016, 04:10

Not the 3.5 Shortstar. Good deal.

1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue from North America

Summary:

Money pit

Faults:

Upper intake plenum disintegrated.

Upper manifold gaskets had to be replaced.

Coolant is no good, eats away everything... turns to mud in no time. Flushed it all out and installed new coolant (green stuff).

Wheel bearings on both fronts failed.

Transmission has many expensive issues.

Fuel lines and brake lines rusted out.

Rear lower axle trailing arms are paper thin, and the left side broke in two.

The car eats brakes like it's going out of style.

Seats are crappy and split.

Drinks gas like a guzzler.

The car is in general a mechanical nightmare. Stay away from this junkbox.

GM has had all kinds of problems with the 4T65E transmission... Do a search, you will find tons on it, as with the Dex-cool coolant. The Grand Prix with the 3.8 is the same junk.

General Comments:

Worst lemon ever built. Boat loads of mechanical problems with this car. Engine, trans, suspension; you name it, and it's got problems.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 27th May, 2011

28th May 2011, 08:54

You bought a 12 year old brick with a lot of mileage, and turned out to be a piece of garbage like all used cars... no surprise.

28th May 2011, 13:45

Your opinion of Dexcool is flawed. Dexcool will not turn to mud. It doesn't eat at everything, that's what Dexcool's purpose is; to reduce the deterioration process. If you don't have Dexcool in it, it is going to do more harm than good. Say goodbye to your radiator and say hello to cracked engine block. And GM'S 3.8 is not junk; the 3.8 is know as one of the toughest engines ever built by any company.

18th Jun 2015, 03:03

Got a 1998 Intrigue from my Grandpa. I found none of the above mentioned problems. A good V-6 3.8 and a good transmission. It is 17 years old and I would recommend it. Minor rust, although driven in the worst salt melted winter roads in the world (Québec).

1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue LS 3.8 liter V6 from North America

Summary:

One of the best cars for the price ever owned

Faults:

So far, not a thing.

General Comments:

I bought a 1998 Olds. Intrigue with 80000 miles for $850, & had to put 2 front tires on the front. Got just like new 16" tires at a junkyard for $60 for pair, & put on a new exhaust system & new muffler from the cat. converter back for $110 at a muffler place.

I put Bosch Platinum +4 plugs at $5.99 each, Bosch wires at $33.85 per set, & a K&N ATR filter system on for $44.66.

Also put Lucas engine oil treatment in at every 3500 mile oil change, put Lucas trans. treatment in, and also in the power steering unit. Put 5.24 ozs. in every full tank of fuel.

I get 33 mpg at 65 mph.

This has been a great car to drive, & is very dependable. It has the euro heavy duty system & corners like a scraped ape.

It has a Bose stereo system, & is the greatest ever heard. Has a cassette/CD/MP stereo.

Have driven the car 201,621 miles. Got the car in Sept. of 2009.

In 19 below zero weather, it starts up every time, and has never let my family down.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th February, 2011