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Should I buy a used Oldsmobile Silhouette?

3 messages,  Last post on Feb 24, 2009 at 2:05 PM

You are in the Oldsmobile Silhouette Forum.

What is this discussion about? Oldsmobile Silhouette, Car Buying, Van

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#1 of 3 Owner satisfaction with Oldsmobile Silhouette by dougkumo

Jan 02, 2008 (7:18 pm)

I'm looking at a 1995 Olds Silhouette with 180K miles. This looks real real nice, very clean and loaded. I have never seen so many buttons, cubbies and cupholders. Test drive was nice, needs tires but it started right up after sitting for over 5 months. Test drive around the block was good, Quiet car, no tap, rattles, or smoke... I can tell it's welll cared for. Owner has moved on to SUVs as kids got older. Just wondering how some other owners of 1995 - 1996 Oldsmobile Silhouettes like their cars (or disliked) Is the milage too high to consider this one? What can I expect to get on this engine or better stated... when does it start to breakdown and repair costs outweigh vehicle value? Thanks for your help, DK

#2 of 3 Re: Owner satisfaction with Oldsmobile Silhouette [dougkumo] by 96_SILHOUETTE

Jan 08, 2009 (5:39 am)

Replying to: dougkumo (Jan 02, 2008 7:18 pm)
I just got a 1996 Silhouette a few ago months and I love it. I love the style and I have found it to be very well made. It's quiet with virtually no rattles. I have read everything I could find on the car. One complaint I read is that visibility is poor. I think that's nonsense. I can see well in 360 degrees. There is a complaint that you can't see the front of the van. Well, that is true. I rented a Kia minivan right before I got my Olds and - whatayouknow? - I could not see the front of the van. It's really not an issue if you are a competent driver.
     I know that in the final year of the dustbuster look (1996), Olds put in the 3.4 L engine that stayed with the van into the new '97 version and continued until Olds closed down in 2004. The 3.4 seems to get higher marks in Consumer Reports than the previous engine, but I don't think it's a big issue, and it's not like every car lot has a Silhouette.
     Also, I think the Silhouette is better equiped and better looking than the Pontiac Trans Sport and Chevy Lumina vans, but I could have considered one of them, too. All 3 were made in Terrytown, New York in a plant that was torn down after production ended in 1996. The next generation of GM minivans was made in Georgia and got the latest gee-whiz feature; a second sliding door. I don't have it (of course) and I don't miss it. I do have the power sliding door (with remote) and that I love. The Silhouette came in series I and series II. Series II included leather and the power slide door. On series I the power door was an option - but it's virtually impossible to add after the fact if your van doesn't have it.
     I would not consider 180,000 miles too much, as long as you don't assume that you will double those miles - but if you can, more power to you. I love the cupholder location, but the overhang makes them only useful for small drinks and cans. On a long trip I will bring a little plastic tray with cup holders to put on the floor.
     Maybe you already got this van or something else. If I can offer any other opinions for you, just post here. Good luck my fellow dustbuster!

#3 of 3 satisfaction? by lalaland

Feb 24, 2009 (2:05 pm)

Your test drive sounds just like mine did. Then I owned it a few months.

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