Used 1998 Oldsmobile Achieva Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 1998 Achieva, so we've included reviews for other years of the Achieva since its last redesign.
Lila
XxKilr0yxX, 05/18/2009
1997 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought this car from a used dealer once I graduated high school. Once I found the car on the lot I knew I had to have it, but I was a little afraid because it had around 150,000 miles when I bought it. Now after years of driving for work, school and whatever else she is still running strong. The car has 227,000 miles right now I have not had to replace anything too major, the most expensive thing I have replaced was the memory chip for the computer. I love this car, and it is extremely reliable still to this day. Bottom line is if you can find a used Achieva do not be afraid if it has high miles but sounds great, I listened to mine and it has gotten me this far.
My baby
donnamc55, 07/18/2003
1998 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I love my Acheiva.....I was in an accident in 2000,I was stopped at a red light and someone hit me from behind and then I hit the car in front of me...so the car was like an accordian..had close to 9,000 damage. But I got it back good as new. The only problems since then was the replacement of the passenger right side window power moter, alternator, and battery.
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See all 0 listingsI love my Achieva
cls, 04/21/2006
1998 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I have put 55,000 miles on my car in addition to the 40,000 that it had when I acquired it. I have replaced the brakes (normal wear) and the battery. That's all! This car gets 30 (yes, 30) miles per gallon and has as much power and pickup as anyone will need. The transmission is smooth and nothing has given me any trouble. It doesn't have the cool factor of other cars, but its cost of ownership is really affordable and so far it is safe and reliable. PS I live / drive in Massachusetts so if a car survives here it can survive anywhere!
ups and downs
brett favre fan4, 07/22/2009
1997 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
purchased in october of '97. saw car in showroom and fell in love with it. problems started out early. In november of that year, the engine burst into flames while parking. I got the fire out with a mountain dew. luckily the 30 day warrenty was still in effect. so i got a new engine. I had the car until '05 and it ran great. It ran from Milwaukee to Chicago at least 100 times in its life span. unfortunatly, it suddenly just died. My mechanic couldnt start it, I couldnt start it. Worst of all, it only had 98,000 miles on it. All in all it was a great car to me. I really miss it.
My First Car
firstcarreview04, 06/28/2007
1997 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I bought a 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva with about 80,000 miles three years ago. It has taken me from the West Coast to the East Coast twice. All I can say is that this car is very well built. It feels solid, has excellent safety features, and gets extremely good gas mileage for an American car (particularly on the highway). The twin cam engine is quite powerful and was easily able to tow a u-haul trailer from South Carolina to New Mexico. The ride is very comfortable. This car is extremely reliable. I have left it for about a month without running it and it started up with no problems. With regular maintenance only minor repairs are required.
Great Car
lightning95, 04/13/2009
1998 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
My achieva is the greatest gas mileage car I have owned yet, I did a minor tune up on it and I get great gas mileage
This Is a Great Car
papaB, 12/11/2004
1998 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Except for my '64 Mustang this is the best fun car I have owned. Space, reliability and comfort . Too Bad they dont make them anymore . Never had any problems.
I Love This Old Car
teddy13, 08/12/2008
1997 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Bought in 1998. It was a rental car. It has had some problems, like ones I have already read: all but one window is not working, engine cuts out when on "C" in winter, metal trim falling off, front end banged up by a hit and run so does not look so good. I have to make sure it is above "c" otherwise will die. Comfortable and fun to drive. I prefer to drive this one around town rather than my 2003 Jeep. Good gas mileage. Have had to replace battery and alternator, but that's about it. Have over 92K miles on it and it is still reliable. But due to its age and miles, I don't drive this car on out of town trips.
150,000 miles And going strong
Patrick, 09/26/2008
1997 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
My Family and I have had this car for over 3 years and have little to no problems with this car. Other than my brother hit a snow bank with the car 2 years ago this car runs just fine and get around 33 MPG on the highway and around 27 MPG in the City With the 4 popper engine.
ACCURATE IMPRESSION
Bon, 05/19/2002
1997 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This vehicle has it's quirks and shouldn't be chosen by anyone who will be spending alot of time on the road.
Next best thing to a BMW
justdoug, 09/17/2002
1997 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This is one of the most comfortable small American cars I have ever driven. The drivers seat has a tilting base and the seatback has a lumbar adjustment as well as tilting. For a 6'5" driver to get comfortable in this small of a car is wonderful. I could drive this car across the country with no problem. The suspension is very supple yet responsive. After driving it for a week it reminded me of a BMW I owned back in the early 80's. This car is actually fun to drive. The "Quad 4" engine is smooth, powerful and it gets great gas mileage. This is a superior vehicle that represents truly great value.
good car
shaffer, 02/26/2003
1997 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This was my grandfathers car, now my moms car and I drive it often, so I am very familiar with the car. First of all, it is a good little car. It already has 118K on it. The ride is very smooth for a small car. The safety features are big pluses. The dislikes is the "check engine light", as well as the "ETS off" lights are illuminating at times. Repair shop said oxygen sensor, but cannot figure out what that has to do with the traction control. They are either both on or off, which seems like they are linked. Also, when first started when engine is warm, there is a rattling sound, that does go away after a minute.
Terrible
Sam13, 07/09/2003
1997 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The ABS light is always on along with the CHECK ENGINGE light and the ETS OFF light. This is a pain and will not ever go off. The engine has very little power and not worth it. The car also has a tendency to stall out on me. It would stall and then take at least 5 minutes of pumping the gas and turning the key. This is not what I want in a car.
Achieva Review
chrisluvsanimals, 07/20/2003
1997 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Car has been an excellent choice for my son. It has been driven a LOT, and has had no major problems. The car handles extremely well, with great pick-up speed and goes more than fast enough top end. It gets excellent gas milage(approx 26mpg), especially for as fast as it has been driven, but even though it has been driven fairly hard, it continues to perform well.For a mid-sized car,my 6'2" son fits easily into it with more than enough head and leg room.
Great car
Matt00002, 08/11/2003
1997 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This car handles great, tight turning, and great accelleration. I had the 2.4L engine, it had 69k on it when i bought it, and the water pump goes out at about 70k miles on almost all 2.4l's. also, the ETS off and the check engine lights only come on when it's hot outside, they turn off in the winter, it's a confessed mistake by GM. Though there is nothing wrong with the ETS or engine, the lights do come on for no reason at times.
What a car!
Mabel, 06/08/2007
1997 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought this car looking for something to use for work that was inexpensive and reliable (two family members had brand new ones and they lasted well over 200k with original drivetrain/tranny!) Despite an accident shortly after purchase I have loved this car. Great in every way. It rocks!
1997 olds
jah, 03/23/2002
1997 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
excell car! have had since new in 97..no problems
Great Car
SRB, 12/04/2006
1998 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This car has been a fun car to drive, but I have had some problems with it. One being that the struts went out, that cost a pretty penny but the car was owned before and driven hard. I have had some electrical problems one being no hazard lights and the other with the automatic windows - only the front goes down and the driver's side lock dosn't lock with the automatic lock. Other than these issues, this car has been very good to me and is reliable, even though there were problems that I needed to adjust to.
Pretty good buy
bap, 05/07/2003
1998 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This car is pretty fun to drive with decent fuel economy. The seats aren't the most comfortable, but they are quite durable. The interior is roomy and laid out well. I especially like the height of the armrest. A few problems: The drivers' side door molding is loose and the motor for the power window has pretty much failed. I also had to replace the alternator and the battery. The cassette tape player died, but the radio still works. Other than those issues, the car has been very reliable.
Oldsmobile Achieva
mabrad2, 08/05/2002
1997 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Royal Piece of Crap have had 2 trunk releases replaced 2 window motors I Co2 chip and now another problem catylliyc convertor I trashed it a got a brand new buick century
Great car for daily commuting
tinkersk, 09/19/2002
1997 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is an economical car to run, reliable, easy to handle and park. Not too small like a sub-compact, but not too big for city driving. Plain look inside and outside, but comfortable. Never had a problem mechanically for four years. Highly recommended.
Perfect First Car
eThom07, 11/09/2006
1997 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I purchased this car on my own when I was 17 [last year] and I never took it in for a single problem. Actually, it'd been through two accidents by the time I got into a third accident where the other party totaled the car. I hadn't ever put any money into it, it's a sound, tight little car, and it gets pretty good gas mileage as well. It's an inexpensive buy and I recommend it to any first-time driver. It made a few weird noises once it got below zero, but nothing serious.
Great overall -- minus the transmission
Joe Teijido, 10/25/2008
1998 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Be prepared with buying an Achieva to have the transmission rebuilt or replaced. It is the weak spot of the achieva and grand am. Mine went out at 90,000 miles. Other than that it has been an absolutely great vehicle. The 3.1 V6 gives you the power and fuel economy necessary - I absolutely love the 3.1 actually more than the famous GM 3.8 V6 on most grand prixs. This is the most comfortable vehicle I have ever driven. I had to replace the water pump once and that is it for the maintenance. If your original transmission hasn't gone out by 80,000 miles I would highly recommend that you get it services or checked up at least - spend the money in order to avoid spending 1,400 for a rebuilt
Beware of the power windows!
Lakesha , 08/11/2002
1998 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Great car! But the power windows seem to have went out on my car. My brother fix cars and he notice the power window on almost ever Oldsmobile Acheiva is broken.
The worst car we ever bought!
stupid, 09/02/2002
1998 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We have had to replace the A-frame bushings three times, the alt., and the head gasket, the motor for the window. This car has been nothing but trouble since we bought it.
worst car I've ever owned
Dan23, 11/08/2002
1998 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Replaced suspension 3 times, gone through 4 alternators, 3 batteries, electrical problems, etc. This car doesn't handle as well as most trucks and suvs, and gets about the same gas mileage. The traction control is a joke, and the abs is constantly making noises when I'm not even braking. Save yourself alot of time and money and stay away from one of these, unless you want to buy mine!
Good overall value and Quality
pinkie, 01/03/2003
1998 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is my first time driving an American car, and to my surprise, it has been a very reliable car... very comfortable, and rides nice on the highway.
I love my Achieva!
Firegirl, 01/17/2003
1998 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have had my Achieva for over 4 years now and I have had no major problems. The only problems I have ever experienced are usually due to maintenance. I recently had an accident with it and had to have the whole vehicle repainted. I plan to hang on to this car as long as I can!
A good car
JoeMac, 09/21/2007
1998 Oldsmobile Achieva SL 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this car with 45,000 miles on it and six years later it has 210,000. It's been a wonderful car. Non-routine maintenance: the water pump broke, the alternator and battery went out, and the automatic headlight switch went out. The car is pretty ugly, I must admit, but it has never failed to crank and it has never broken down on me.
Very Happy with my Old Olds!
Very Happy with Olds, 09/20/2005
1997 Oldsmobile Achieva SC 2dr Coupe
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
I orginally purchased this car with 89,000 miles on it and it is now at 230,000 and still running like a baby. I have had my share of problems, (transmission *put used in for less than 700*, belts, alternator, seals, catalytic converter *less than 200*) but I could not ask for a better vehicle. I have driven it everywhere without any major problems. Every problem is fixable and affordable and it runs better than my other vehicle with half the miles. I also have my Check Engine light and ETS light on constantly, but I chalk it up to one of it's tiny quirks. It runs no better or worse when the lights are on. This was my first vehicle and it will be may "last". I will never buy anything but and Oldsmobiles again.