High Mileage

Today I met a woman with a 2000 Intrigue with 234,000 miles on it. I think that may be the highest mileage I've seen on an Intrigue with a 3.5. I've seen several 3.8's with 170,000+ miles and a few with over 200k miles (only a few 3.8 Intrigues like this - usually I see Buicks with over 200k miles). By the way, I've actually driven these cars (I valet in Pittsburgh). The 2000 felt really good, with the engine starting up and running great, as if it had 23k miles on it. She said she had it since new and did mostly highway miles.

Anyone here have higher miles?

As for me, I'll be happy to make it to 150k miles, especially with the way I push mine often.

Well the 3.5 is just as solid as the 3.8, and they use the same tranny found in some of the 3.8 cars, so its not uncommon. I think the uncommonness is the fact its still a somewhat new car with that high of mileage.

Personally ive got 152,xxx miles and still goin strong, and I push mine pretty hard. Ive had it since 105,xxx

I put 230k on a '98 (3.8) and currently have 140k my 2000 (3.5)

314,000 km and running good here..

I'm at 245K MILES on the 2nd tranny, original engine. ('98 GSL). Everything works OK except the A/C compressor needs a new shaft seal, will get to it this summer. Radio sometimes doesn't work on the rear speakers if it is below 45 degrees outside, but if the interior gets warm enough, they will come on. All in all, its been a great car, and I will continue to band-aid it until she blows up! Have you looked at the price of new cars lately??!!

That sounds like the perfect excuse to get new speakers. You shouldnt have to suffer by waiting until the car warms up to listen to music. Thats just not fair. At least thats what you should tell anyone who doesnt think you need new ones.

Do you know if your Upper Intake Manifold has been replaced remark?

2000 Intrigue - 155,000 miles. Bought in jan of 2004 with 61,000 miles.

That sounds like the perfect excuse to get new speakers. You shouldnt have to suffer by waiting until the car warms up to listen to music. Thats just not fair. At least thats what you should tell anyone who doesnt think you need new ones.

Do you know if your Upper Intake Manifold has been replaced remark?

mine is the original UIM and I hope it never has to be replaced. I think the more north you live the less common the UIM failure is. I live in ontario, canada..while we do get hot summers it rarely goes over 95f...and i know in the south it easily hits 110+...but on the subject i did notice a bit of smoke coming from the exhaust area under the throttle body:eek: ...not loosing any coolant, runs fine, and does not smell like coolant...so im gonna pray its just oil (engine does drip oil on the garage floor when parked for a bit)

She has had the UIM replaced, at 90 K. The speaker issue isn't in the speakers, however, it is the crappy solder joints in the Delco head. I worked for GM for 20+ years, and Delco radios (and all of their electronics for that matter) were known for the marginal solder bath temperatures, resulting in cold joints. These were the products manufactured in Mexico, I am not aware of the quality of the Chinese and Malaysian products.

I have a 2000 3.5 and just pasted 180,000. Still going strong and I love my Intrigue! I bought it with 30k and I couldn't be happier. I'm glad to hear others have high miles as well.

Have a 2000 Intrigue gx 95k runs good but mpg is the worst part about it right now all gaskets look a bit greasy at 92000mi to 94600 now I've added over a quart and a half of oil. The fuel gauge drops everytime I push it. I've seen a low of 15mpg and it smells like coolant and im always checking oil and coolant. I dont see a coolant drip or leak on the floor but I am unsure about it leaking oil. No SES SVS lights are on either and best I got was 21mpg when it was driven 85% highway. My tank range is like 225miles as fuel light appears.

The 3.5L engine is a known oil burner. Not uncommon to have to add a quart of oil every 1500 miles. You need to find out why you are losing coolant. Check your air filter and while you are at it, clean the mass air flow sensor and throttle body plate. Changing the spark plugs will probably help as well.

I have 157k miles on my 2000 Intrigue. With my daily commute I average between 24-27 mpg. It all depends on how many errands I have to run over the weekend.

Changing the oxygen sensor located in the rear exhaust manifold can have a large effect on gas mileage, if you are burning coolant and very likely burning oil, those two things can kill an oxygen sensor in no time, just because it doesnt throw a code doesnt mean its not in need of replacement. The sensor head can become coated with the remnants of coolant and oil and not read properly.

Changing the oxygen sensor located in the rear exhaust manifold can have a large effect on gas mileage, if you are burning coolant and very likely burning oil, those two things can kill an oxygen sensor in no time, just because it doesnt throw a code doesnt mean its not in need of replacement. The sensor head can become coated with the remnants of coolant and oil and not read properly.

On the highway, I'm getting about 27 mpg doing 75 to 80 mph. What is your opinion of that gas mileage? 99 Intrigue with 100k miles.

Sounds pretty good to me, its definetely in the EPA estimate range. According to my calculations, when I went to OK this past summer I got about 28-29 running those same speeds with the AC on. Into the 30s with some drafting.

Each car is different, and theres a lot of variables, so Id say youre doing just fine. You might be able to squeak out a little more by running a bit more air in your tires, see how much air your tires are rated for though, most can handle a lot more than the 31 or whatever that GM recommends. I usually run about 35 in mine. I think I used to run about 40 in the tires I had when I went to OK because they were rated for like 45 or 50 I think. Some folks dont like to exceed the manufacture rating, but Ive never had an issue with it. Every tire is different so how can they apply one figure to rule them all?

Good point. I'm running 32 psi in the tires (Goodyear ComforTreads) which are rated at max pressure of 44 psi. Think I'll boost them back up to 36 psi.

ON a different aspect of the topic of "high mileage", what is your opinion on the best mileage to change the struts, assuming that money was no constraint and best ride/handling very important? I've taken my Intrigue into the shop at 80k and 90k miles for new struts and they said the struts were still good. At what point does having new struts (springs?) makes sense given the likelihood of reaching 200k miles?

Actually if you are able to keep your speed to 65 mph (yeah I know it's hard to do on open highway), you'll probably see closer to 30 mpg. But 27 mpg is pretty good.

That's not bad at all. At 86,000 miles I'm only getting 24mpg highway. I'm sure this thing has the original plugs in it, so that could be it.

If you want the best fuel mileage, you want the highest gear at the lowest RPM, so really about 50mph or so would be the best, I think the TCC locks in at around 47, so 50 should be good, but if 65 is hard to do, 50 would be worse. Just boils down to whether time or money is more important to you haha.

Ive always heard around 100k was good to change out struts, the springs and struts are different parts on this car, it uses a MacPherson strut which is basically just a strut with a spring around it. Struts are kind of a subjective thing unless they are straight up blown and not functioning at all. If youve got the time and money, I say go for it. The springs can get weak over time as well, but most folks generally stick to just changing the struts. A lot of it just depends on how the vehicle has been driven during its lifetime.

I had my front struts replaced at 75k miles with gabriels. Both my ride quality and handling were substantially better. At the time, they said the rears didn't need replacing so i haven't done those yet.

I felt this is one of the better things i've done to maintain the feel of the car as it reaches 100k.

I just replaced the struts this weekend only 69k on em. Ill try and get a video of them up here, its pretty bad.

Thanks guys for the sage advice!! I think I'll change the front struts this Fall when Monroe has its annual rebate program. With the recession looming they might even sweeten it more than usual.