Opinions: Olds Van

[firefighter525]

I'm going tonight to look at a 2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette van. It would replace our 99 Grand Prix. My buddy says its very nice but I have a few concerns. Other than being another GM product, it has around 160000 miles and has the 3.4L V6. I've never owned a vehicle with that high of mileage. I have read good reviews on the van but the 3.4L has a tendancy to develop a lower intake gasket leak which appears difficult to fix and costly for a shop to do. I will definatly be looking for signs of that. Anyone own one of these or work on one? Like it, hate it? I'm interested in reading your opinons on these vans.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Everyone ive seen has been junk.

later,
Dustin

 

[Shran]

I drove one around at work a while and it was alright. Not my first choice but had a lot more balls than the Town & Country that I usually drive. It had a lot of the typical GM interior issues...ie, chunks taken out of the steering wheel, broken radio, power window buttons broken, interior trim falling apart, etc... not impressive at all in that aspect.

Personally I would not buy it unless you get a REALLY good deal on it. I think there are much better vans out there and most of the ones GM made suck.

 

[exbass94]

I think the 3.4 was one of the engines known for intake gaskets, along with the 3.1. If you get the upgraded gaskets and flush all the Dex-Cool out of there and put in some G-05 antifreeze, you should be ok.

 

[firefighter525]

Well the van was ok but i wasn't overly impressed with it either. The owner said he put a new head and gaskets on it and there was no sign of the gasket leak. With 162,000 miles it drove and sounded very smooth. The tranny fluid looked like motor oil on the dipstick and that concerns me.

Shran was right about the typical GM interior.The interior was pretty dirty but all the power stuff and switches worked. The glove box hinge was broke and the door fell completely off when I opened it. And some of the the rear storage compartment door hinges were almost the same. The driver seat was pretty tore up.

It also had some deer damage on the passenger side with a large dent on the front door that prevented it from being opened from the outside. Although the dents weren't creased and should pop out with some work. I talked him down to 800 cash or a possible even trade for my 1997 4x4 four wheeler. I think thats the only way I'm taking it is if he wants the 4 wheeler. I wanted to get rid of the four wheeler anyways.

 

[Ozwynn]

if thats the same as a Pontiac Montana then it they are prone to transmission issues. my neighbor had one and he put 3 transmissions in between 100,xxx miles and 215,xxx miles........ all factory remans right from GM.......... the condition of the transmission fluid concerns me