Multi-car - One-Year Test - Update

2000 Oldsmobile IntrigueThis is going to be one boring update, as our Intrigue continues to serve well with little fanfare or complaint. The oil light, which began turning itself on and off with fewer than 5000 miles on the odo, continues its serendipitous habits, and checking the dipstick always evidences a full crankcase. As recently as 8843 miles, the light came on for 35 miles, then disappeared. We'll address this with our dealer at the next service. Otherwise, it's put in gas and drive. The general feeling is that the Intrigue doesn't possess quite the polish and sophistication of some of its German and Japanese competitors, but it offers a higher feature content and more room-for less money. The trademark GM signal stalk cruise control makes no friends; its design seems fresh out of '84. Yet, the new 3.5L twin-cammer is as nice a V-6 as the General has ever built. As with the S-Type Jag, the styling polarizes: Most really like it, while others (although just a few) feel it's already dated. No other problems/service issues to report.

Logbook Quote"Some kids in a Celica raced me at several stoplights- spanked 'em each time."

2001 Ford Explorer Sport TracWelcome to the land of the crossover: trucklike cars, carlike trucks, and sport/utilities with pickup beds on the back. Ford swears its Explorer Sport Trac is an SUV, in spite of that innovative 100-percent composite cargobox out back. We ordered a Sport Trac of our own, in an attempt to learn what this vehicle really is, and what it's really about. Our newest long-term tester based at $22,500, to which we added a 3.55:1 rear gear ($355), an AM/FM/CD changer system that eats six discs straight into the dash (a bargain at $270), the $750 Convenience Group (cruise control, leather tilt wheel, remote keyless entry), and another $1495 for the Leather Comfort Group (overhead console, a floor console, power six-way driver seat, and, of course, leather upholstery). The rear removable cargo cage, or bed extender, ran us another $195, plus $575 for D&D; all in, our Toreador Red Clearcoat ST rings the register at $26,140. The 205-horse SOHC V-6 and five-speed automatic are standard. So far, no service issues or problems to discuss.

Logbook Quote"Leather, rubber, faux-alloy, plastic, Berber floormats-very cool use of interior materials."