stevengerard

My sister has a 99 Olds Intrigue. It has about 150,000 miles, but the original transmission was rebuilt in Oct 2010 (cost us $1700) and has 400 miles on it. The tires are Michelin Symmetry’s with a 65,000 mile warranty and they have about 35,000 miles on them now. The brakes were done in March 2010 when the car had 143,455 miles. Interior is mint - been a Northern Florida southern CA car all its life. She has all the repair/maintenance records too

supposedly the car needs valve work. With a valve job, will it run another 50,000 miles, at least? What's it worth? She is willing to give it to any of us siblings but she is in FLA and we are all around Chicago, not sure if its worth the repairs and shipping

Redog

They are pretty good cars, but with needing a valve job, it's probably good to buy the car as a shell and then swap the motor.

They have the 3800 motor in them, right? or is it the 3500 DOHC engine? I know the 3800's are easy to get. Most guys want the SC ones so a NA should be pretty cheap

442much

The 1998 has the 3.8. The rest have the 3.5. Check how much a junkyard engine is. I bought a 2001 Aurora with 160,000 mile. I found the same engine in a junkyard with 40,000 mi. for $1000 and swapped them out. No issues. If you change the engine or do a rebuild just make sure you replace the intake manifold gasket. They are notorious for failing. It's easier to do if the engine is out. Other than that, they are good cars. Check the FL junkyards. http://car-part.com/

oldsguybry

hey , my Chrysler Town & Country has a 3.8 , 75,000 miles....im sure it is probably way different then GM , lol but that is the only good thing about that van is the motor...has some good power and that is why the tranny cant handle it...even if you drive it easy. The reason I brought this up is some yo yo told me that the 3.8 in my van is the same basic motor as the 3.8 that is in the Grand National...I'm thinking probably not.

Redog

A Chrysler motor and Buick motor might be set up the same way, but they are NOT the same motor

Both are 90* motors just like the V8 versions. Most of you 3.8's are like a V8 with 2 cyl chopped off. I'm willing to bet that's what your friend meant

stevengerard

my sister said a valve job would cost her 300 seems a lot cheaper than swamping a motor. Hmm, anyone interested in this car near Gainsville FLorida

edj1993

We have a'99 with the 3800 motor and the car has 140k. If you can get a good valve job for $300, the car has alot of good miles left. The 3800 has a history of going well over 150k with no issues. The motor in our car runs like the day it was new.