What does ATOT think about this car?

[BMdoobieW]

nice car.

 

[sisq0kidd]

AHH ITS A DOMESTIC!

 

[DaFOBulous1]

Get a Camry..

 

[Muadib]

It seems ok for the most part. The biggest question I have is can you afford it? You don't appear to have any money for repairs. What happens when something goes wrong?

 

[geno]

This seems to be a pretty damned nice car for $4000

That's the result of massive depreciation after the brand died...

 

[Demon-Xanth]

One thing to note: The 3.8's reliability is freaking awesome. It's one of the best engines GM has ever put out. Even auto mags that knock GM reliability and quality give props to the 3.8. Parts wise, it shares enough parts with Chevy/Pontiac/Olds cars that anything is going to be available for a good long time. GM cars have also been well supported by third party parts manufacturers. 102,000 miles is not really that long, I bought my Grand Prix for $5500 in 1997 with 146,000, sold it in 2001 with about 250,000 for $2500. It was a great car. Very comfortable, especially on long trips.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: Pciber
I am thinking of buying a car thursday.. but I am still a little bit indecisive. Right now I am living with my parents (hey, its ok, i'm only 18), and use their vehicles most of the time... but my dad is getting annoyed because his yukon is getting too many miles on it, and he wants it to last (he is disabled due to a hit and run accident, and medically retired. He stopped driving due to the accident.. the yukon makes trips comfortable for him and can hold his wheelchair). I need to get my own car eventually, and i'de prefer to have one when I go to a 4-year university in ~1-2 years (finishing high school and an AA degree at the community college right now). Now seems like a good time to start payments on a car, so I can pay it off sooner. Yes, i could always save up money and buy it with a huge down payment, or entirely in cash, but i wouldn't build credit in the process, and i wouldn't have my very own car to drive, either!

Ok, now on to the car. Its a 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue (note, thats the exact car).. 102,000 miles on it, 3.8L v6, ABS, 6-cd changer, red... $4000. This seems to be a pretty damned nice car for $4000. I've test driven it, it rides smooth and fits comfortably (i'm 6'6" and 300lbs), and I had my Uncle, a former GM certified mechanic, check it out - he says it looks mechanically sound. He also reccomends the 3.8L engines, as they are supposed to last longer.

for this $4000 car, I would put ~$300 down, and take out a 24-month loan for the rest. Since I have no credit, good or bad, my parents would have to co-sign, and they are fine with that. Payments would be ~$160/month, plus maybe $120 a month insurance (cheaper than normal because its combined with my parent's plan), and ~$40/month gas. So that is $320 a month for this car, and I make anywhere from $360 to $600 a month (after taxes), depending on how many hours I get at Circuit City. I expect that to go up soon, as summer is just weeks away and I will be able to work more hours, plus I might take on a second job at a security company a friend is starting. I think most of my extra money I would just dump into paying off the car faster.

Now, I ask you: Do I really need a car right now? should I save up and keep looking? Is this the right car to buy?

-Dane

It's a good car. I've got an Olds myself ('97 Olds Regency/88) with the same engine. 132k miles and still going strong. 29mpg on highway :thumbsup:
I like the Intrigue and Aurora.
Easily one of the best looking 4d sedans from GM. I'm surprised they didn't kill Pontiac instead.

 

[iversonyin]

Reason you shouldn't get a car at all:

You don't have a full time job, and your parttime pay barely cover the cost.
You totally forgot about maintenance cost. What if the car break down? need new brake? for $300-600 part time pay, even the cost of wind shield wiper and oil change will kill you.

and did I mention rising gasoline price?

 

[RU482]

anyone who praises the 3800's reliability hasn't had the Intake Manifold bust and fill the cylinders with coolant (and the $800 fix to correct it)
that said, if I were to buy a car with a 3800, I would get the $50 aftermarket upgraded part, fix it myself, and then have a rock solid reliable motor

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: redly1
anyone who praises the 3800's reliability hasn't had the Intake Manifold bust and fill the cylinders with coolant (and the $800 fix to correct it)
that said, if I were to buy a car with a 3800, I would get the $50 aftermarket upgraded part, fix it myself, and then have a rock solid reliable motor

It happened to me 6 months after I bought mine. It had 110k when I got it. I just went to the junkyard and got a complete intake (booth upper and lower part) for $85 and put it in myself.
The thing that breaks is the upper plastic plenum on top of the bottom aluminum part. The coolant makes a loop up into the plastic part and the plastic doesn't take the heat so it breaks. The leak is very hard to find and can be mistaken for cracked heads but once you know where to look it's OK.
All you need is a good set of tools and a Hayne's manual. It took I while for me to get it done because I'm new at it.

 

I'm not sure I would buy an olds with over 100K on it for 4K. I would say there are better deals out there for you.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: SampSon
I'm not sure I would buy an olds with over 100K on it for 4K. I would say there are better deals out there for you.

The guy is 6'6". He needs a roomy car so a Civic, Corolla or similar ain't gonna cut it. It's not a bad deal.

 

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser

Originally posted by: SampSon
I'm not sure I would buy an olds with over 100K on it for 4K. I would say there are better deals out there for you.

The guy is 6'6". He needs a roomy car so a Civic, Corolla or similar ain't gonna cut it. It's not a bad deal.

I'm not sure where I mentioned a civic of corolla, or anything similar. Don't make assumptions.

There are plenty of other cars out there in that range. He could probably find a lower mile grand prix or crown vic for the same price.

 

[dandruff]

in a hurry .. but for $160 pm i think u can do better ...

 

[Pciber]

Originally posted by: dandruff
in a hurry .. but for $160 pm i think u can do better ...

oh wow its one of those people that thinks the cost of the car is completely dependant on the payments per month. Look at total cost and the shortest loan possible you can afford. I have a strange feeling you've either been brainwashed by crappy car dealerships, or you are a car dealership.


oh, and SampSon, there really aren't too many cars around my area in that range, especially ones that fit me well. There is a grand prix ~300 miles away for $4500, a 2000 w/ 80k miles. doesn't seem worth the drive over this car. There is also the occaisional crown vic, but for the most part its retired, abused state trooper cars.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: RaynorWolfcastle
Strike 1: It's an Oldsmobile. The brand is dead, that's probably not too good for part availability if you do need to make some repairs. Its a GM. Olds parts = Pontiac parts = Chevy parts for the most part
Strike 2: It's got 102k miles on it. I'm not a mechanic, but I wouldn't buy a GM that has 102k miles on it unless it was very temporary Agreed. My main concern would be the tranny. Have that beast looked at carefully, bad tranny = you stuck somewhere & mucho repair bills
Strike 3: You only have $300 to put down on it? I'd save up a little more and forego the loan.Try to get the parents to "loan" you money. That way you're not in debt to a bank. If you want to build credit, get a CC.

I say pass on this one.

edited my speeling

 

[phantom309]

102k/mi is nothing for a Honda, Toyota or Nissan - but in an American car all bets are off after 100k.

 

[StageLeft]

I sure wouldn't.

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: Pciber
I am thinking of buying a car thursday.. but I am still a little bit indecisive. Right now I am living with my parents (hey, its ok, i'm only 18), and use their vehicles most of the time... but my dad is getting annoyed because his yukon is getting too many miles on it, and he wants it to last (he is disabled due to a hit and run accident, and medically retired. He stopped driving due to the accident.. the yukon makes trips comfortable for him and can hold his wheelchair). I need to get my own car eventually, and i'de prefer to have one when I go to a 4-year university in ~1-2 years (finishing high school and an AA degree at the community college right now). Now seems like a good time to start payments on a car, so I can pay it off sooner. Yes, i could always save up money and buy it with a huge down payment, or entirely in cash, but i wouldn't build credit in the process, and i wouldn't have my very own car to drive, either!

Ok, now on to the car. Its a 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue (note, thats the exact car).. 102,000 miles on it, 3.8L v6, ABS, 6-cd changer, red... $4000. This seems to be a pretty damned nice car for $4000. I've test driven it, it rides smooth and fits comfortably (i'm 6'6" and 300lbs), and I had my Uncle, a former GM certified mechanic, check it out - he says it looks mechanically sound. He also reccomends the 3.8L engines, as they are supposed to last longer.

for this $4000 car, I would put ~$300 down, and take out a 24-month loan for the rest. Since I have no credit, good or bad, my parents would have to co-sign, and they are fine with that. Payments would be ~$160/month, plus maybe $120 a month insurance (cheaper than normal because its combined with my parent's plan), and ~$40/month gas. So that is $320 a month for this car, and I make anywhere from $360 to $600 a month (after taxes), depending on how many hours I get at Circuit City. I expect that to go up soon, as summer is just weeks away and I will be able to work more hours, plus I might take on a second job at a security company a friend is starting. I think most of my extra money I would just dump into paying off the car faster.

Now, I ask you: Do I really need a car right now? should I save up and keep looking? Is this the right car to buy?

-Dane

i have basically the same car in Dark Green. i don't have the changer tho. it's in great shape considering its 6 yrs old. i need new struts but it runs great.

however, it is a gas hog, so if you are looking for something with decent mileage this isn't it.

 

[RU482]

Originally posted by: phantom309
102k/mi is nothing for a Honda, Toyota or Nissan - but in an American car all bets are off after 100k.

tell that to the 99 Camry I used to have. With 91k miles it got a new transmission. Plus it leaked oil like crazy

 

[radioouman]

If you only make $360 per month, spending $320 per month on a car probably isn't smart.

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

Yep, anything go wrong with the car during that time or gas price goes up or he gets into an accident and has to pay deductible or his insurance sky rockets he's pretty much SOL. Living with financial burden is not fun. Stay away from it if at all possible.

 

[Pciber]

Originally posted by: phantom309
102k/mi is nothing for a Honda, Toyota or Nissan - but in an American car all bets are off after 100k.

Tell that to my brother's 96 honda accord. The cam shaft cracked w/ about 100k miles on it, and it was leaking oil like crazy because of it... my brother ignored it, and the engine siezed up just a bit later. $5000 later it has a rebuilt engine its working fine again... and my brother now owes $10,000 on a $6,000 car.

by contrast, right now I am driving a 94 dodge caravan, loaned to me by my aunt. It has 199,500 miles on it. Theres a tiny oil leak somewhere, and the engine makes a funny clanking sound while it warms up, but it still runs like a champ.

Also, getting my parents to loan me the money is out of the question. They don't have the money, and would have to loan it themselves. besides, when you use "loan" like that, you seem to be implying not paying them back fully - screw that.

the possible repair factor is a good point, though. i'll keep that in mind.

 

[KarenMarie]

if you are american... buy american.
buy somethat that you can easily afford and pay off quickly. insurance will be cheaper, and you dont have to be afraid of dings, you can park it anywhere.

my opinion.

 

[Pciber]

I am buying it tomorrow, unless something goes wrong. Is a carfax report worth it?