Dave.... Hi.. Just wanted to compare notes with you.
I will also be putting my Olds Intrigue out to pasture soon.
I wonder what year yours' is, and what kind of problems you have had
with it?
Dave,
Ours is a '99 with the 3.5L. Just over 80K miles. For the most part, it's
been solid. It's my wife's car, and she loves it.
[With apologies to the NG, this isn't completely off-topic.]
Problems we've had:
1. Every once in awhile the timing would seem 'way off; wouldn't start.
2. Crankshaft position sensor and one other sensor (camshaft?) -- may have
been part of the cause of #1.
3. Sun visor broke from normal use! (never had THAT happen on any car
before.)
4. Injectors always seem to load up; runs "dirty" or rich.
5. Tie rod wore prematurely -- replaced early under warranty.
6. Automatic climate-out-of-control system. I've hated it from Day-1.
Mostly my gripes have not been with the car, though, but rather with GM's
parts pricing and dealer incompetence/dishonesty (e.g., $18 for a pair of
unnecessary O-rings).
The biggest issue we've had was when we took it in to have the CKP sensor
replaced (required "retraining" of the computer) and the dealer talked me
into "servicing" the transmission.
The tech stopped about 2-1/2 qts. (not pints; quarts!) shy of refilling the
tranny with fluid. By the time I drove it home and began to figure out what
was going on, significant damage had been done. Same dealer tried to charge
me $650 to fix it. Got them to tear it apart and replace some solenoids,
etc. In the end, I had the tranny rebuilt by AAMCO for $2,200. Now it's
like new.
GM could stand for Got Me -- but never again.
In contrast, in over 12,000 miles with my 2003 GT hatchback, the only
problem so far has been a temperamental fuel gauge.
That's why I'm hoping the 2005 Sonata will be more like the Intrigue
(sportier, tight, responsive) than a Buick or Camry. But the main reason we
got the Intrigue in the first place was the solid engine/tranny combo. And
my perception of the Sonata up to 2004 gave me some concern over the auto
tranny, a V-6 that seemed marginal, and a soft ride.
DW
)