Used 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 1996 Achieva, so we've included reviews for other years of the Achieva since its last redesign.
Good Old Car
Young Gal, 05/28/2008
1996 Oldsmobile Achieva SC 2dr Coupe
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
My 1996 2 door V6 automatic Achieva is a great car, overall it's been very dependable. It was purchased for me about 5 1/2 years ago. If I was to pick a car, this would not be it, but since it was purchased for me I can't complain. It's been a great car, fun to drive with lots of power. The style and look of the car is very "grandparent'ish" but the two door is much better than four door at least. Good back up car to drive to and from work or as a kids first car, nothing to fancy. And gets pretty good gas mileage. Now that its over 12 years old its starting to see some problems with water leaking in, but drill a few holes in the floor and its manageable. Overall, it's been a good ride.
A great, underrated auto......
buggywhip, 09/08/2003
1995 Oldsmobile Achieva S 4dr Sedan
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I have the Achieva 3.1L 6cyl. It's a fine car--always starts, always runs, strong engine. Handles quite well, no squeaks or rattles at 123,000 miles. No rust at all and paint quality is fantastic. Exhaust has lasted over 60k miles too! Easily equal to an Accord of the same vintage. My car drinks coolant faster than a Green Bay Packer guzzles gatorade--I can't find the leak, probably the water pump, no big deal.
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Rookie, 03/25/2003
1996 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
I bought my Achieva used with 32,000 miles on it. Today, I have over 164,000 miles and it's still going. The biggest repair I've so far is I needed a new power stearing unit. There is a problem with the ignition- key release--they key doesn't come out of the column key release very easy at times. The Achieva was a good purchase, very reliable and a great value.
Good work car
me, 11/17/2007
1996 Oldsmobile Achieva SC 2dr Coupe
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
I bought this car just for driving to and from work, it is very reliable, and with the 3.1 V-6, Automatic Tranny, and traction control it preforms great on the snow and ice.
Decent Car
adam_h, 05/04/2002
1995 Oldsmobile Achieva S 2dr Coupe
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This is a decent car. Not as bad as some people say, not as good as other Japanese cars. Quad 4 engine working well for me but supposedly not very good engine.
Its no Porche but its sure close.
marc, 07/15/2009
1995 Oldsmobile Achieva S 2dr Coupe
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I really like to drive this car. its fun with the five speed manual. I can beat some imports on the "strip". Pretty reliable but can have some problems. Its lasted for 190,000 miles of joy riding and highway trips. All around good car.
awesome for money
stangdood, 10/09/2003
1996 Oldsmobile Achieva SC 2dr Coupe
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I've riden this car hard and soft, twice back and forth from Maryland to Florida and it's still my daily driver and runs great. Bought it with 87K and now has 99K in 9 months. Also installed dual exhaust and K&N air intake. Car pushes ~155hp~ and runs a 15.92 1/4 mile on a 5-spd manual tranny...not to shabby.
Love the car
Grandma Gee, 11/15/2003
1996 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
I've had this car for 8 years and it has been very dependable. The only real problems were an air condition problem that was finally rectified, but I blame the service department at the dealership for not fixing it the first time. It has also required two sets of brakes. Otherwise it has been very dependable and still drives and looks like a new car.
Not fun, but it's a fighter
Anders, 06/21/2002
1995 Oldsmobile Achieva S 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have had this car now about 2 1/2 years now, and I have not had a problem yet. It has over 130 000 miles on it and it just keeps on going. It's not pretty and the interior is not fun either. Handling is OK and braking the same. I just hope that my next car will just as reliable as this one.
Bummed
Max, 02/26/2003
1995 Oldsmobile Achieva S 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I had my car for only one year and at first I was pretty satisfied with it. The car picked up quickly, especially when I needed to drive through pesky freeway traffic. But, now I am having engine and radiator problems. The mechanic told me that antifreeze is leaking internally and mixing with my engine oil so now I am forced to either donate my car or junk it.
Fun and Economics
Daniel/Sarah Miller, 11/19/2002
1996 Oldsmobile Achieva SC 2dr Coupe
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
It is a fun car to drive. When I test drove it I swear it had a v-6. The GM quad-4 engine is very stong. It also gets great milage. The seats are comforable and the interior is nicly laid out. I have made many long trips in olds. and comfort was never a problem. The engine is very strong and works well both on anf off the highway.
My Under-Achieva
Burned, 01/16/2003
1996 Oldsmobile Achieva SC 2dr Coupe
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Bot 96 Achieve SC in Aug 98. Had 12.5k mi. By Feb99 veh left me sitting 6 times.Engine stall, sputter, panel lights flash on/off then engine died. Security sensors it took at least 10 min to restart engine. Under warranty, Olds dealerships had lots of difficulty diag. Fall 99 dealer kept veh 3 wks. Dealer maint and manu couldn't find problem. Sol:replaced all sensors. 3 yrs and 67k more miles car was ok. Still thought about when it would leave me sitting again. Finally did Nov 02 & Jan03. 3 stall outs. Maint found no problem. Not comfortable with vehicle. Gave it away for tax writeoff.
Used Achieva
stnongo, 11/08/2003
1995 Oldsmobile Achieva S 4dr Sedan
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
The Achieva is a great car, has given very little problem over the past 6 years, since I bought it used....Strong running great car
Fun to drive and kind of sporty looking
The car man, 11/13/2008
1995 Oldsmobile Achieva S 2dr Coupe
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I purchased this car for a second car for weekend driving. I liked the car and the quad 4 engine was pretty responsive. The head cracked on the quad 4 engine but I saved the car because of my liking it. I wanted more power from it though so I replaced the engine with a 3.1 V6 engine and rewired the entire car for it, but even after all the headaches with that job I got it back on the road with the V6 engine. It still gets great gas mileage, and it has great power now. I plan to keep it til it falls apart now, and I love to drive it around just for the fun of it.
Great car
P. Santo, 07/26/2002
1995 Oldsmobile Achieva S 2dr Coupe
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is a great mid-sized car. Fantastic gas mileage and the air conditioner is awesome! Good pick-up and pretty cool design. Parts are expensive in engine because of the four- quad engine design.
Pretty good car
sulake3, 09/20/2002
1995 Oldsmobile Achieva S 2dr Coupe
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have had this car for about three years now. It performed up to the standard that I expected for it. I had to travel some distances to work and school, etc. and it got me there. I have had problems with rotors going earlier than they should. The gas economy is good on this car. Pickup for passing people, hills, etc. is okay with the 2.3L engine. Design of this hood of the car makes the owner have to get a whole new hood if even a minor accident occurs. Seats are uncomfortable for someone taller than six foot....hurts your back during long trips. You have to fall into the car instead of getting into it.
good all-around car
bhanson, 05/30/2002
1995 Oldsmobile Achieva S 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
loved my acheiva for the last 4 years and the miles i put on only had to replace maintenance items on it - plugs, tires, alternator, starter, etc.
Update on bad reviews
Mandersn, 03/01/2002
1995 Oldsmobile Achieva S 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Don't believe bad reviews on these cars...many people just plain don't take care of their cars and maintaine them like they should. I've had this car 3 years and it's been very reliable.
Don't get a Quad Four
eggrolla, 05/12/2004
1995 Oldsmobile Achieva S 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have had this car for 9 months and i put 25,000 miles on it. Until now the only thing i replaced was the altenator, but now at 102,000 miles the bearing went and the engine is shot no one will rebuild them cause every mechanic I went to said there just a Pain in the ass. I new engine from GM would cost me $3200, I only paid $2600 for it. When it ran I liked it great gas milage for all the power it had. If you lookin at one i think ya should go with the 3.1
Suprised Ohio Owner
Ohio_owner, 03/13/2003
1995 Oldsmobile Achieva S 2dr Coupe
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My experience has been surprisingly good. I purchased this car because I had a large GM-card rebate and didn't like the plastic-clad Pontiac Grand AM (its platform sister). My repair history has been very good- very little has gone wrong, other than what was expected. For example, the water pump failed at 95,000 miles- not cheap repair, but after 95,000 miles that's not too bad.
Bummed
max, 02/26/2003
1995 Oldsmobile Achieva S 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I had my car for only one year and at first I was pretty satisfied with it. The car picked up quickly, especially when I needed to drive through pesky freeway traffic. But, now I am having engine and radiator problems. The mechanic told me that antifreeze is leaking internally and mixing with my engine oil so now I am forced to either donate my car or junk it.
its a fine car
joe olds, 03/15/2002
1995 Oldsmobile Achieva S 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I've owned this car since it was new. It's been reliable and efficient. I do the maintanance according to the mfg. spec's as if it were a Japanese car. I plan to continue to use this car for several years. It is an inexpensive car and it is not the prettiest vehicle so I'm not worried about it being stolen.
96 OLDS
LIFEJACKET, 09/04/2002
1996 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This has been a great car the only thing I have been in the shop for is a water pump at about 60000 miles the front brakes wear fast. I just changed my trans oil at 130000 miles I like this car.
OLDSMOBILES ROCK
Sander, 11/27/2002
1996 Oldsmobile Achieva SC 2dr Coupe
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Great car! Love the 5-speed
great performer
MzkMn, 02/19/2003
1996 Oldsmobile Achieva SC 2dr Coupe
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
i test drove many cars, including a `94 mustang GT, and this one beat em all. zips to 60mph, super comfortable, very nice look, and great handling. car can whip around turns. engine produces a nice roar when gas is floored. for the power, i average around 28mpg. very very nice. you get camaro/mustang/firebird performance in a smaller, more economical design. large trunk space too.
The King of Boring Cars
Michael Mote, 10/01/2019
1996 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I adore this car. It’s not particularly stylish, but not ugly. The 2.4L 4 cylinder isn’t GM’s best, but it still packs a little punch, even with the 4 speed automatic, rather than the 5 speed manual. The steering on mine still feels very tight and it handles great. Mine is currently sitting at around 20-22 MPG because I only do city driving, but the highway does bring out some of the little flaws in the car. Wind noise is astonishingly loud, as is the exhaust when you put your foot down. But the amazing speakers and comfy seats will make you forget about that pretty quickly. My car is not equipped with cruise control, which is a minor annoyance, but if you’re considering one of these, you should check if it has it. Overall, I love it and hope mine lasts for another 10 years