One-Year Test Update: 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
| LOGBOOK QUOTE | | "Wonder if Olds would've survived had it named the car Cutlass instead." | | Specifications | | Base price | $25,760 | | Price as tested | $28,070 | | Vehicle layout | Front eng, FWD, 4-door, 5-pass | | Engine | 3.5L V-6, DOHC, 4 valve/cyl | | Hp @ rpm | 215 @ 5600 | | Torque @ rpm | 230 @ 4400 | | Transmission | 4-speed automatic | | 0-60 mph, sec | 8.0 | | EPA mpg | 19 city/28 hwy | | Total mileage | 15,371 | | Avg test mpg | 20.6 | | Problem areas | Faulty thermostat | | Non-warr cost | $180.51 |
|
We're sad for our Intrigue, as while in our care, it learned its parent, one General Motors, didn't love it anymore. Not just it, but the entire Olds division. Too bad, as the Intrigue's platform partners from Buick and Pontiac don't get to enjoy the torquey and reasonably smooth 3.5L DOHC V-6-though we suspect they'll get the Olds-designed engine soon enough. The 15K service light kicked on right on schedule, and $180.51 took care of it. Editor Bartlett recently experienced a scary temp-gauge pegging episode with the car, so our Olds dealer also changed the thermostat. That repair was under warranty, and the problem has not resurfaced. Also, an apology to Olds for saying the Intrigue had an old-style, poorly designed cruise-control switch, and knocking it accordingly. The comment was incorrect. That cruise control will get a test soon enough, as the Intrigue is about to hit the highway for yet another cross-country run.