2000 Olds with 36,000 miles on it

[Master01]

Hi, I was wondering how well is this particular model built. The one I was looking at has 36,000 miles on it. I have had GM cars for years, but I am not familiar with the 3500 twin cam engine nor the intrique(had a lot of Buicks and Chevys). How reliable are they? Is there any problems that you have seen with this car\engine?

Thanks

[LittleHoov]

The 3.5 is a good, well-built engine. It is similar in power output to the GM Series II 3800, although their powerbands are much different. There arent really any major common engine problems, they do generally mysteriously lose a little oil, but I think its part of normal operation.

The Intrigue is built on the same platform as the Buick Regal and Chevy Impala and Monte Carlo since youre a Buick and Chevy person the Grand Prix is also in there.

Transmissions can be a weak point, but thats not specific to the Intrigue. The alternator will cause your lights to flicker a little when its cold outside, basically it reverts back and forth between battery power and alternator power very fast, causing your lights to flicker, but they wont go out, and your battery wont die. Ignition switches cause some issues occasionally, but thats pretty easily fixed, same with various sensors.

I could go on, but bottom line is that theyre pretty good cars, a few electrical gremlins from time to time, and sometimes the interior pieces can do some stuff that will make the car feel cheap.

But if you take care of it that car should last for a long time. 200k is by no means out of the question.

[maxwedge]

Originally Posted by LittleHoov

The 3.5 is a good, well-built engine. It is similar in power output to the GM Series II 3800, although their powerbands are much different. There arent really any major common engine problems, they do generally mysteriously lose a little oil, but I think its part of normal operation.

The Intrigue is built on the same platform as the Buick Regal and Chevy Impala and Monte Carlo since youre a Buick and Chevy person the Grand Prix is also in there.

Transmissions can be a weak point, but thats not specific to the Intrigue. The alternator will cause your lights to flicker a little when its cold outside, basically it reverts back and forth between battery power and alternator power very fast, causing your lights to flicker, but they wont go out, and your battery wont die. Ignition switches cause some issues occasionally, but thats pretty easily fixed, same with various sensors.

I could go on, but bottom line is that theyre pretty good cars, a few electrical gremlins from time to time, and sometimes the interior pieces can do some stuff that will make the car feel cheap.

But if you take care of it that car should last for a long time. 200k is by no means out of the question.

Nicely done!!

[dtownfb]

How much are they asking for the Intrigue?

I have a 2000 Intrigue that I bought used from a friend with 61k miles on it. I now have 153k miles on it. The previous post pretty much sums it up. I consider myself lucky as my issues have been relatively inexpensive and minor. Many others haven't had such luck as you can tell by the numerous topics. If you do purchase the vehicle, get it checked out by a mechanic.

[LittleHoov]

If you know how to turn a wrench, the vast majority of problems with the Intrigue can be fixed for I would say.....less than 300 dollars, but thats just a rough estimate.

Transmissions of course are more expensive. But given your low mileage the first thing I would do is a shift kit, and with that comes new fluid. Then change the fluid every 50,000 miles.

[skidoddle]

LittleHoov you mention in your post a shift kit every 50k miles

My car just turned 5o k and I looked at the Trans Fluid
Looks pretty good (A ligth Red Color) with no dirt or
crap in the fluid at all.

Easy miles on this car and it has been garaged.

Should I change the Trans Fuild and if so what
is the Trans Kit you are talking about???

I have heard here you can have problems after
chaning the Trans fiuld???

SKI

[LittleHoov]

No, I mentioned a shift kit, which is a performance mod by nature, but will actually extend the life of your clutches.

As part of a shift kit installation, the fluid in the pan is drained, needing refilled and giving you about 65% new fluid.

I was also recommending to drop the pan and again replace that 65% or so fluid every 50,000 miles, sorry for any miscommunication. A shift kit only needs done once, some would say it wouldnt need done at all, but it can possibly extend the life of your transmission, and will lead to firmer, better shifts, which is something the Intrigue could use.

Most of the problems Ive ever heard of after a fluid change arent from the traditional drop the pan and change the fluid, but instead are from taking it somewhere where they use pressure to remove all of the fluid from the system, which can also remove dirt deposits and things like that, which can sometimes be the only thing holding the transmission together haha.