1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue Review
1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue Review
View more photos
Used Intrigue for sale
Appraise This CarSee Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Fun to drive. Powerful V6 engine. Comfortable seats. Nicely styled inside and out.
Cons
- Noise isolation is lacking. Some interior components lack refinement.
What’s new
Oldsmobile dumps the stodgy Cutlass Supreme for the Intrigue: a suave, sophisticated, sporty sedan designed to take on the best of the imports. Too bad refinement issues exist. Second-generation airbags are standard equipment.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue GLS 4dr Sedan and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$203/mo for Intrigue GLS
Intrigue GLS
vs
$181/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
A few years ago, Oldsmobile appeared to be gasping its final breaths. Product was not moving, designs were aging rapidly and within the new brand management culture at General Motors, Oldsmobile was hard to define because of models whose missions overlapped with cars from Chevrolet, Buick and Cadillac.
The first step Oldsmobile took to return to viability was to introduce the Aurora. Sleekly styled, solidly engineered and packed full of Northstar V8 powertrain, the Aurora showcased the direction in which Oldsmobile was moving. It was clear that wire wheels and whitewalls were on the way out, to be replaced with attractive, contemporary cars and trucks that would appeal to import-intenders.
Next out of the chute was the Bravada, a mildly reworked Blazer/Jimmy with an impressive all-wheel drive powertrain. The Silhouette and Cutlass came next, sporting modern style and driver-friendly handling characteristics. The Intrigue is the latest in a line of new Oldsmobile models that have redefined a dying brand.
Powered by a strong 3800 Series II V6 engine (which will be replaced as early as mid-1998 by an all-new overhead cam V6 based on the Northstar V8), the new Intrigue features a strong body structure for better stiffness and fewer squeaks and rattles. The interior is functionally designed to provide a minimum of glitz and a maximum of ergonomic operation. Providing space for five adults, the Intrigue offers appreciably more interior room than major competitors at the expense of exterior size and a hefty curb weight.
Driving the Intrigue, you'd swear you were in an import. Speed sensitive steering provides good feedback, while the brake pedal has lost most of that dreaded GM numbness. Seats are comfortable and supportive. The transmission shifts almost imperceptibly. While the car is big, it doesn't feel like it from the driver's seat, thanks to responsive handling and good visibility. Exterior styling is muscular yet understated, providing a strong family tie to the Aurora in the headlights, front fascia and rear quarters. A handsome car, indeed.
Pricing is in line with the Toyota Camry LE and XLE V6, the Nissan Maxima SE and GLE and the Mercury Sable LS. Offering style, room and power, the Oldsmobile Intrigue is one sedan shoppers looking in the mid-20s ought to drive.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue.
5 star(61%)
4 star(33%)
3 star(5%)
2 star(1%)
1 star(0%)
84 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4 out of 5 stars
Beastmobile
Reedy, 09/01/2015
1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue 4dr Sedan
I got this car my senior year of high school at 94k miles and after beating the complete dog mess out of it for 3 years and about 30k miles later, this car still runs like a champion! Never lost to a Honda, plowed through the snow like a subie, please believe I had tons of fun in this car being able to turn the traction control off at a touch of a button. I finally blew the tranny back … in November after making travels across the state of Wa and decided it was time for something different, but I would recommend this car to anyone. Can't go wrong with a Gm 3.8l v6, right ?
4.38 out of 5 stars
I love my Intrigue!
ashley17, 12/20/2011
1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue GLS 4dr Sedan
I received my Intrigue December of 2011 for a X-mas present. So far it has made it 138,410 miles, so all of you who think that high mileage is bad, its not it just depends on who is taking care of it. No problems except having to restore front lenses, and covering up a few dings. This car is fun and smooth, almost ;like riding on a cloud. So for all who are looking for a good starter car … I reccomend this beautiful car.
3.63 out of 5 stars
Been A Good Car
hogan01, 09/27/2011
1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue 4dr Sedan
I bought this car in 2006 and I have no complaints. It is starting to fall apart but I expected this to happen soon with over 241,000 miles on it. It has always been reliable Abd I have no complaints
4.5 out of 5 stars
It's a Great Old Man Car
CanonGuy, 03/08/2007
1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue GL 4dr Sedan
I purchased this car with 155,000 miles on it. It is a rather large car, but it gets excellent gas mileage. I averaged low 20s in the city and high 20s on the highway. I mainly used it for winter, cause its fwd and with snow tires I managed to go everywhere. I replaced the rotors at 164,000 miles. It needed new belt a little while after that at 189,000 miles. The intake manifold went … and it cost $1,500 for new engine, but considering the miles, I sold it to my mechanic. I see that he's been driving it around, so it must be doing good.
1998 Intrigue Highlights
GLS
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $203/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 16.3 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger1 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalAcceptable
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
Related Used 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Nissan NV200 2016
- Used Lexus GS 300 2018
- Used Volkswagen Touareg 2013
- Used Lamborghini Gallardo 2013
- Used Ford C-Max Hybrid 2016
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- BMW M3 2023
- Nissan Truck 2023
- 2023 Chevrolet Malibu
- Lexus LC
- 2023 Chevrolet S-10
- 2023 Kia Forte
- 2023 Acura RDX
- 2025 Chevrolet Malibu News
- Ford 15 Passenger Van
- 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Other models
- Used Acura CL in Pharr, TX
- Used Cadillac CT6-V in Lilburn, GA
- Used Mercury Milan in Houma, LA
- New Ford Transit-Connect-Passenger-Wagon for Sale in Whittier, CA
- New Nissan Z for Sale in Claremont, NH
- New Toyota Gr-Corolla for Sale in Bountiful, UT
- New Toyota Rav4-Prime for Sale in Osseo, MN
- New Audi RS-Q8 for Sale in Spring Hill, FL
- Used Dodge Neon in Phoenix, AZ
- Used Kia Rio in Opelousas, LA