1998 Oldsmobile Achieva Consumer Reviews

It is 22 years old; I have owned it for about 18 years. I ran over the wrong curb a few years ago and did a bit of damage, but it still runs and serves my purposes just fine. Sometimes I consider buying a new car, but when I think of the cost, I decide it is better to keep the Oldsmobile Achieva for local driving and rent a car if I want to go on longer trips. All in all, it has served me just fine.

The Achieva SCX is a LOT of fun. the W41 Quad 4 runs hard even in stock form, but there are some penalties to drive this car. The used one I brought had a well worn driver seat, which started to dig into my back after a few years of use. The engine is a little noisey as well, but is powerful AND gets great mpg. Before I modified mine, I used to average around 30 mpg on the highways of Colorado behind Denver. 5 spd shifts great is has very high gearing 3.94, which with the low diameter 14 inch performance 215/60r14 tires will make the performance Quad 4 roar. Passing power will NOT be a problem on this car, except in higher altitude enviroments where it will take a some revs to get into the power band. The power band kicked in around 4000 rpms on mine due to altitude (8000 feet altitude). Very reliable car over all. GM did saddle it with too small of intake and exhaust systems (2", I would recommend tearing It all out and getting a dual of 2" inlet performance mufflers, y-pipe, and going to 2.5" piping to mufflers, and throw in inline 2.5"resounator as well) and creating a intake system (stock one is quiet, but does rob power and mileage) by getting an turbo nitrile adapter ( 2.75" to 3" and going to 3" cone filter). Most of engine and transmission parts for this car do interchange with HO Quad 4s Achievas version of this car. I would suggest everyone to check electronic shock system, shocks over time do leak, these are very expensive and hard to replace. Other owners have converted over to gas KYB shocks( not being able to get electronic OEM shocks) . Sometimes GM did have them, and sometime they didn't.Handling is first class. Great suspension system when working, Touring was a great setting when driving for long distances. Fun car to get service on GM dealerships, was a favorites of local GM dealership mechanics who were awed with it, usually cutting down service waiting time with it. Anti lock brakes is decent with discs in front and drums in back, I would recommend replacing disc rotors and pads with high performance replacements (like slotted rotors and carbon performance pads), combined with anti lock tech, works beautifully). getting to ECM under dash Is a bit of a pain, 92 versions can be reprogrammed with 4 more degrees of advance for more mpg and pwr). I would recommend dynomating this car under hood, and under rear seat and trunk area to cut down some noise, and rust proofing (use POR 15) under and in trunk area as well. and look at aftermarket driver seat replacement as well.

Just prior to acquiring it from grandparents Nov 2014, the security engine lock started going off. At first, 1-2 week. After a month, as much as 10 consecutive times. Can reset lockout, but still has problems staying on; after few 3s starts, tends to lockout again. Can't recall what problem was, but wasn't computer, mechanical, might have been whole ignition system. Was told something odd about fixing it: Had to be replaced with a new manufacturer part, but the parts are no longer made? Regardless, Olds dealership and two other shops quoted $2000 just to fix. Otherwise, car is simple, not too bad on gas, runs well mechanically, outside body held up perfect. Bottom rotted out despite not on rarely driven and parked for winter.

this car is now 17 yrs old and runs very well---especially highway driving----only thing out on it is the anti lock brake system---has regular brakes

great on gas mileage, at 202,000 miles right now!

I think if I ever sold this car be in amount of $600 because probably wouldn't have the best blue book price read reviews these cars suffer lots of major problems. I drive a 97 Achieva SL car is okay in reliability but it has suffer some mechanical issues as left me stranded out on the desert roads while vacation in Nevada with 110'F degree weather overheated and everything a mechanic kept my car for over two weeks because can't count the problems went wrong in that amount of time. It runs well being a Oldsmobile GM vehicle but will never buy another vehicle from this manufacture again after giving me the Olds BLUES had nothing but overheating problems. Thank goodness have an air condition and heater still working overall the car exterior and interior looks good being in Wisconsin weather no rust spot anywhere. I do like the car but love how it drives like a more luxury car that is it other than that be a money pit in expensive repairs so a between love hate relationship out this vehicle. Gas mileage is very good so far just needed major recalls on mechanical issues GM never recalled as didn't do with Chevy Cobalt, Saturn Sky and Pontiac G5 my next ride will be a Dodge.

Not even a month after I Bought the car, the security system acted up on it. I have spent over $800.00 in the last year just on the security alone. And I still have problems with security. When it first started, they told me to turn the ignition on and leave it on til the security light stops blinking..preferably on a battery charger cause I'm always near a freakin outlet. There has been times that I have waited almost two hours before I could get the car to start and its worse when winter is around....Goood Luck Getting It To Start!!! The car is 15 years old..parts are gonna start breaking down eventually. So far I have put brand new tires on it, a new gas cable, the battery has been replaced, I got the front aligment done,serpentine belt has been replaced. The car does get a regular oil/filter change. The car is a great car but the biggest flaw is the security system. That is the one problem and the biggest problem. Thats why I wont recommend it for that reason. I will say this though, I do alot of highway driving so I need a car thats good on gas(if well taken care of)....and good when it comes to winter and this car is.

This was my 1st car for high school and it is durable and I feel safe (good for accidental fender benders). Very comfortable. However. It is money consuming because I had to invest in it every winter and summer. The tires are hard to find and very expensive. The security on it malfunctioned and would make it so my car would not start. It had a lot of continuous brake and alignment problems as well.