Oldsmobile Silhouette

Year / Model Reviewed:
pre 1997 Silhouette

Summary:
(pre 1997 Model) - Am in the process of trading vehicle in because so many things have gone wrong, power windows,windshield wiper,H2O pump,radiator,battery,alarm,exterior trim and decals, manifold, strutts, on and on for only 3-1/2 years.

Strengths:
Good interior design,roomy,little storage areas,sleek design

Weaknesses:
Mechanically was built to die around 50,000 miles, very poor components

Price Paid:  $29000.00

Summary:
Wasn't really looking for a gm van, but got a good deal and I think its a great van

Strengths:
good looks, lots of "extra's" (power seats, windows,heated seats,love the leather interior)vey smooth ride

Weaknesses:
Had 1 problem after only 2 weeks. Had a leak in the fron windshield and water leaked on the interior.

Similar Products Used:
1st van

Price Paid:  $17500.00 from Carbone, Yorkville,

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 GL Silhouette

Summary:
Purchased the vehicle because our family had out grown our 95 base Caravan. Got a great deal van had 34,500 mi on it and the dealer wanted $19,900 and I got it for $17,500 I traded in an 89 Chevy Celebrity wagon with a 139,00 mi. on it and it was rusty and rotten but it ran great.

Strengths:
Had a problem with the tranny shuttering in first gear sporadically once a week right after the end of my 90 day warranty. To make a long story short the van was a rental vehicle from down in Maryland. Even though the van was p[ast warranty by a month and a half they backdated the mileage on it and took care of it as a warranty. So i got a brand new S.R.T. A tranny with a 3 yr. 50,000 mi. warranty. Man when they put that new tranny in it was so quiet in the van I could not believe it. Being that the car was a a rental it probably had the snot beaten out of it. We love the Van rides nicer than the Caravan and with the cabin filters the interior air just feels so much cleaner. The compressor is very convenient. The motor is slightly undersized for the weight of the vehicle would have liked to seea 4.3 in that.

Weaknesses:
The dealer did not discover the tie rod failing on the right side but my mechanic noticed it and the dealer took care of replacing it. Interior plastic is easily breakable especially with kids.

Similar Products Used:
95 Dodge Caravan, 98 Dodge Grand Caravan

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Electrical nightmare, dash lights go, LED lights so its not just a bulb, brake lights go, no fuse so computer must be replaced, seat heaters stop working, electric windows stop working, door hinges drop, engine temp varies as you drive, transmission ejects fluid when towing a heavy trailer. Tire rims leak so flats are frequent.

Strengths:
space

Weaknesses:
maintenance nightmare

Similar Products Used:
GM Limina

Price Paid:  $32000.00 from royal olds/gmc

Year / Model Reviewed:
2000 silhouette

Summary:
a nice ride. somewhat slugish on acceleration unless I really punch the accelerator. bad paint on door handles. no major problems with 35000 miles.

Strengths:
roomy and nice design. drives like a dream.

Weaknesses:
brakes. acceleration. tie rods had to be replaced at 14000 miles.

Similar Products Used:
91 olds,96 grand caravan,98 grand caravan. dodges were horrible (chrysler replaced the 96 with the 98 at nocharge). still driving the 91 olds with 180000 miles.