Oldsmobile Silhouette Minivans | Wagons
Oldsmobile Silhouette Minivans | Wagons
[Apr 05, 2001]
Lee
Strength:
Looks good, rides excellent, rear seats-love the flip up ability for more
Weakness:
Poor quality interior materials, lack of power, top heavy driving curvey mountain roads. Slow to warm up in the winter. Cup holders are poor. This is our 4th mini van, Areostar, Caravan, Windstar, the Silo has a great hiway ride and this vehicle has a lot of useful features that work well; ie. headlights come on at dusk, doors lock and unlock automatically, remote keyless entry and other electronic stuff can be programmed by owner, full time outside temperature and compass display, audio has CD AND cassette, lots of cubby holes. but cup holders are poor. Similar Products Used: Windstar .. more power, better interior materials, ride was much worse than the Silo. |
[Mar 31, 2001]
jeff mc
Strength:
Tv almost every thing on this van we love it we had 1 problem with it in 1 year
Weakness:
BAD CUPHOLDERS DUMPED POP 2 TIMES!! I love this van it is the best van we ever had i cant belive how cool it is Similar Products Used: all the gm van RULE |
[Mar 14, 2001]
larry
Model Reviewed:
olds silhoutte
Strength:
bought the van when it had 142k on it. it has the 3.8. the only engine to own with the standard options, pw, pwr doors, ac, roof rack, am/fm,cass, rear wiper, pwr mirror, pwr drivers seat & steering. installed auto start. van has been a great starter & traveler. seats arrangments have made this option great. like the ability to move them around. we now have about 156k
Weakness:
had problems with heater blower fan, fixed ac clutch, rear bearings, electric door lock sometimes will not unlock side door. did not like styling but since owning really like it now. really like the van for a family. wife & i haven't decided if we will get another but have really considered it. since kids will be moving on may look at a sedan instead. can't say enough about the 3.8 v6. next car or van will have to have this engine. looked at newer ones and sorry to see gm not using this engine. Similar Products Used: ford taurus wagon 1991 (peice of junk) |
[Oct 26, 2000]
Harlan Allen
Model Reviewed:
GLS
Strength:
Good gas mileage in city and highway driving. Adequate but jerky power in most situations.
Weakness:
The ORPHAN Maker! What a horrible name, however, the nickname is correctly placed on this deathtrap. Who would believe that GM makes the most dangerous minivan on the market today. These low ratings are what led to my departure with this minivan. I feel that GM should recall all Oldsmobile Silhouettes, Chevrolet Ventures, and Pontiac Transports due to this defect. In a 40mph crash, the driver will be seriously or fatally injured. Unacceptable for any vehicle, especially a minivan! See the following link for additional information. http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/vans/trans_sport.htm Not a bad minivan if you can swallow the fact that you will most likely be seriously injured in a minor accident and can deal with second rate workmanship throughout. Similar Products Used: 2000 Honda Odyssey is superior in handling, comfort, roominess, power, quietness at highway speeds, attention to detail, ergonomics, smooth power delivery, not to mention much better headlights even when compared to the Silhouette with foglights turned on. The Silhouette has one item I wish my Odyssey had...intermittant rear winshield wiper. Honda has added the intermittant rear wiper for 2001. The Odyssey is worth the wait. |
[Oct 27, 2000]
B Frank
Strength:
Great looks, smooth ride, great visability, rust free plastic bidy panels
Weakness:
Problems galore. The only saving grace was the extended warranty and a great dealer in Mass. Engine needed replacement, transmission failed, Oil filter extension housing leaked real bad (oil everywhere), AC evaporator replaced, heater core replaced,and the sliding door repaired . It is unfortunate that GM and Oldsmobile did not put the quality into this vehicle. Instead of GM hireing product experts to determine why people do not buy their products, they should look at the quality ( or lack of) of the products they sell. This car has been in the shop for weeks at a time. With most cars you need a spare tire, with this one you need a spare car! I come from a family that owned Oldsmobiles since 1950. I have to say the quality of this vehicle is the worse I have owned. I will really have to re-evaluate if I purchase another GM car again. Similar Products Used: None |
[Aug 10, 2000]
Marybeth Hall-McDaniel
Model Reviewed:
Oldsmobile Silhouette GLS
Strength:
A very good looking automobile. Packages are very well put together and so is the design of the interior. It sits you up high like in a truck but it has a lovely smoothe ride to it like a luxury vehicle. The engine in it is tuned up quite well as is the air conditioner for both front and rear. Lots of cargo room and lots of options. I used it for business trips over the state and vacations and the occasional trip to Home Depot for pool supplies.
Weakness:
I as well as my passengers complained about the flimsy cupholders. I did notice after running the vehicle on the highway with the air conditioner off that I got a bit of wind noise but nothing too bad. Another thing that was brought to my attention was how far I had to plant my foot on the brake to get a reaction. Like I said earlier, I used this vehicle for taking friend and business contacts out for lunchens and trips because it was roomy and very easy to use. I do recommend it for a fleet vehicle as well as for personal use. Very versatile.For this model I believe the price was somewhere $29,000. I thought the price was a little high but I was glad to pay it for such a well balanced vehicle. You could even get away with calling this vehicle "Sporty". That is only if get it in that dark black with leather and chrome wheels. Why I do believe MiniVans are making a comeback. Similar Products Used: I have ridden in a Dodge Caravan and the Dodge seems to ahve a better power and brake combination but the Olds drives better and smoother. The Dodge tends to have a feel of a sport type suspension. |
[Jun 20, 2000]
Randy
Strength:
Rides like a luxury car,
Weakness:
Maybe would be better with two power sliding doors (instead of 1 power / 1 manual). We got the Premiere version of the Olds Silhouette about a year ago and think it is terrific. Similar Products Used: Windstar, Aerostar, Caravan, Suburban |
[May 01, 2000]
LPS
Strength:
Very smooth ride - drives like a car not a truck. Each rear seat (5) can be individually removed and situated the way desired. Handles well on ice/snow. Great for a growing family. Good on the highway and in town.
Weakness:
The door locks & power windows become inoperable and must be repaired occasionally. We paid $13500 for this van in 1992. It had 15,000 miles on it at that time. IT NOW HAS 182,000! The only MAJOR repair has been an alternator replacement. Of course, the brakes & struts have been replaced. We still get 20 miles to the gallon. This car has been everywhere and worth every dime we paid. Similar Products Used: Ford Windstar is built on a truck frame and rides like it. Plymouth Voyager is similar but I like the individual seats of the silouhette versus the bench seats. |
[May 01, 2000]
Claire
Strength:
Great Interior, we have a Premiere with the entertainment system which is priceless. Strong stereo, turning radius is just like a car's. Has a really cool air pump that we use to blow up raft's, bike tires, stroller tires.
Weakness:
Some of the components like the bumpers seem weak and some of the interior things like the glove box Love the car. Getting great gas mileage. Up to 24 mpg on the highway with the A/C on. Would definitely buy again! This is a great car for people with families whether the kids are 2 or 20 as the back seat passengers can listen to the radio or the CD at the same time the TV/video player are on. Kids can hook up Sega/Nintendo too. Car looks sharp and rides like a luxury car. Similar Products Used: We test drove the Odyssey (didn't want to pay MSRP++, sales people were obnoxious, couldn't get leather or TV from factory), Sienna (loved it was our second choice), and then this one. Chose the Oldsmobile because we got the TV and leather from factory and got .9% financing for five years which no one could match. |
[Nov 27, 1999]
L
Strength:
Handles well. Comfortable seating. Good acceleration.
Weakness:
A bit pricey compared to some of its competitors. Have used this product for over 2 years, have had no problems. Has low mileage, 25,000. Am in the process of looking for a new vehicle and will definately consider it again. |