Used 1996 Oldsmobile Silhouette Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 1996 Silhouette, so we've included reviews for other years of the Silhouette since its last redesign.
Olds Van Fan
Scott C. Voelker, 05/14/2004
1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette 3dr Minivan
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
While the early design GM vans were ahead of their time with aerodynamic design, the rewards paid back in fuel efficiency and road handling. After 10 years, I have experience no major mechanical problems other than normal wear. The van has transported soccer babies, soccer kids and towed lightweight trailers.
Not a bad van
happy, 10/22/2008
1995 Oldsmobile Silhouette 3dr Minivan
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Not a bad van. Drivability is nice, handles well, nice power from 3800 v6 engine. Have a 151,000 and have had no major problems. Just a few sensors, EGR valve, Mass Air Flow and Throttle Position Sensor. Great gas mileage for a v6! I pull well over 20 city and almost 30 hwy!
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See all 0 listingsSpot on Oldsmobile!!
Spot on !!, 07/22/2009
1995 Oldsmobile Silhouette 3dr Minivan
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
When I first look at this van I didn't like it, but as time pass by i fall in love with it. We had up's and down's. i only paid 650 for it in Miami, and now I'm in San Diego. All it ask me to do is to change the old sensors (camshaft, crankshaft, oxigen sensor, and crankshaft pulley), wich are pretty easy to replace. It runs like a space machine, so silence and smooth. inside is very comfortable. We travel from Miami to South Carolina and then all the way to California with my wife and our two dogs. Plenty of room for all of us. I higly recomend this van. Like and english man said at a campground in Cali: "Spot on Oldsmobile!!"
Solid van
snucky, 03/04/2003
1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette Special Edition 3dr Minivan
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Bought the van brand new - after 9 years I have been very statisfied. Zero mechanical problems - only thing I have had to do was basic maintance (tires, brakes, LOF etc). No breakdowns vs. friends who had Cavan's. The plastic / composite body is great for Western NY winters where Rock Salt destroys car bodies. This car still looks great. The dustbuster look isn't for everyone but the areodynamics work well to provide pretty good gas mileage. Power is good (180 some horses) for a minivan. Handling is very good for a minivan.
Can't get rid of it.
cherryhill, 09/25/2002
1991 Oldsmobile Silhouette 3dr Minivan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Bought Van in 1991 when I had 3 teenagers at home. Teens are gone but I still have my Van. Every time I visit the dealership to look at new cars, I come back with my Van. Trips to S.C.,Ky., Ind., D.C. and twice to Chicago since last oil change and did not use a drop of oil.
Oldsmobile Silhouette
dave vandusen, 01/19/2006
1992 Oldsmobile Silhouette 3dr Minivan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
My 1992 Oldsmobile Silhouette has been a very good vehicle. It has great handling, a smooth ride, cargo flexibility and good fuel economy. Mechanically it runs great. however, it is on its 4th water pump, third radiator and I don't know why. It does have 176,000 miles on it now, things are wearing out right and left but engine keeps running well. All of the door handles have been repalced because they were poorly made. Also, the seat belts have also been replaced, who has to replace seatbelts and door handles? I never have in any other vehicle That I have owned. Replacing the starter is one of the hardest repairs I have done. Others I could not even attempt, like the intake manifold gasket. With the long nose, shouldn't there be more room under the hood to reach and repair?
Olds Van
Justinkw, 06/18/2002
1995 Oldsmobile Silhouette 3dr Minivan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This van lasted two weeks before the power sliding door broke. From then on, the van started to fall apart. The interior shows some sportyness, though the exterior is shaped like a oddly. The back seats are fairly comfortable, but the three in a row single seats limits room for porky people. I recommend not buying this van, because of reliability problems.
Love the 3800 engine!
icetime, 12/06/2002
1995 Oldsmobile Silhouette 3dr Minivan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Very nice cruiser. Only regular maintenance and a recent $2000 repair have been needed. Door's shape was ill conceived. That "point" at the top has drawn blood from unsuspecting passangers on several occasions (haven't been sued yet). Seats are too low to the ground but newer models have taken care of that. Can't say enough about the ride comfort (have big comfortable leather seats) and the engine power of the 3.8. Newer models should not have gone to 3.4. I agree with other reviewer...engine and drivetrain may last to 250k miles. Here's hoping.
Best minivan
buz, 10/21/2002
1991 Oldsmobile Silhouette 3dr Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This is one of the best vehicles I have ever owned in my 35 years of driving! We were so impressed with it that when we went to buy my wife another car we bought a '98 Silhouette. I hope it's even half as good as my '91.
Great unique confortable ride
norbert kowalski, 03/04/2016
updated 09/04/2016
1992 Oldsmobile Silhouette 3dr Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Bought the vehicle in 2009 with 173k miles for 500$ and it was one of the best 500$ i ever spend. Today i passed 200k miles without any major repairs and ones i had were cheap. I have optional 3.8 3800 engine, leather interior and all options it could get in 1992. This is so tough that it even survived a 2011 hurricane Irene and got flooder above the seat level and whole engine was under water. After draining water from oil and flushing transmission it started right away and runs till today. My two little girls love it so much and love driving with me. I have another 2004 Silhouette but my kids prefer the older one because visibility is better.
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minivan
ceccyy, 09/12/2002
1992 Oldsmobile Silhouette 3dr Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
very confortable for the whole family
Best I have owned
EWB, 08/01/2005
1993 Oldsmobile Silhouette 3dr Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This van is the best vehicle that I have owned. Owned it twice, bought it new, sold it and bought it back again. Still going strong at 12 years and 150,000+ miles.
Great RunningVan
Steve DiGiacomo, 05/13/2003
1993 Oldsmobile Silhouette 3dr Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
we really love the van we have taken it on many trips and it as been a part of our family vacations. Also I have taken it on business trips and my clients could not believe that it was a 93 model. Having a plastic body kepts the finnish looking good.
Best vehicle ever
Rosemarie, 07/02/2019
1993 Oldsmobile Silhouette 3dr Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
303,130 plus miles on the original engine and still going strong.
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My Silhouette Expierence
nate j y, 10/17/2003
1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette 3dr Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought a Silhouette Oldsmobile and I enjoyed it. It help up really well in the interior and exterior. Both the interior and exterior designs are great. The Silhouette was a great van for my family, and it should be one for yours. I got a great van. There is no other van around that has the same sporty looks as ours.
Our Olds Silhouette
Setzer, 12/24/2003
1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette 3dr Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
In December 1994, we bought our van from an elderly couple who had bought it earlier that year. It drove great until a 5 hour trip in the hot sun made it break down. That was in 2002. We got it fixed and then in 2003 we started having problems again. The engine is going, and our mechanic said it is on it's last leg. It's 10 years old with 136,000 miles. I'm surprise that it is still running after all of these years and all of the harsh trips it has been through.
Nice car!!
Mandersn, 03/01/2002
1995 Oldsmobile Silhouette 3dr Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
THis car has been pretty good. I've read only a few bad reviews on them and I think it's the owner's fault for not maintaining and taking car of them. I've only had to take this car in the shop TWICE in 91000 miles....not bad!! I've been happy with it.
Hurray for GM
pr189, 07/27/2002
1996 Oldsmobile Silhouette 3dr Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
We have had this Olds Silhouette for 6 years and 75,000 miles. It's a great vehicle, and we plan to keep another few years at least. The ONLY problems have been: power steering seal (fixed under warranty); power door lock solenoid (minor); and, new AC compressor at 72,000 miles (we use AC constantly in our location). This van gets 26 mpg on interstate and maybe 17 mpg in town. 1996 was the last year for this body style, and evidently GM had the bugs worked out. Until the AC blew out, I was prepared to proclaim Toyota-like quality.
great deal
aztecdriver, 05/07/2003
1992 Oldsmobile Silhouette 3dr Minivan
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
The drive was excellent. My children wasn,t fustrated even without airconditioning. But tommorrow we will have air and they probably wants to ride all day. Im happy thier happy now we can enjoy life and a new nice veichle. Thanks Oldsmobile for all the seats five children.
Not worth it....
Family Mom, 02/08/2003
1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette Special Edition 3dr Minivan
1 of 5 people found this review helpful
I have owned many minivans and this one being on the end of the list, but not as bad as Chrysler and its tranny... See favorites and improvments.
Just won't die !
Brian the Farmer., 09/24/2022
1991 Oldsmobile Silhouette 3dr Minivan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Not the best in mpg but at 30 years old and 437k miles with no major problems. Best reliable I've owned in 45 years and with winter tires. 8 inches of snow is no problem.
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estimatedresalevalue
robertm.smith, 08/17/2002
1993 Oldsmobile Silhouette 3dr Minivan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
my experience has been excellent. since i had this car i have spent about $2000. dollars on repairs. The car has been serviced every 3000 miles. people are always remarking about how well it looks both inside and out. we love the way way it rides.
A Solid Family Hauler
James Bond, 07/16/2002
1995 Oldsmobile Silhouette 3dr Minivan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This van is nicely equipped, and the 3800 V6 is good for 250,000 miles. Even with 82,000 miles on it, it starts up without hesitation and runs like a top. It is comfortable for all 5 of us. The power door is a disaster - just forget about using it with power. Otherwise, a worthy family hauler.
My merry Oldsmobile
Mayonaise, 09/07/2002
1995 Oldsmobile Silhouette 3dr Minivan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We enjoyed using the van for cross country trips and local jaunts to play golf and haul plants, etc. Our next car/van must have the adjustable driver's seat, the power sliding door, the outside temperature gauge, etc. We have had costs to repair at 80,000 miles and about 95,000. We plan to keep it yet, for awhile.
van
Constance Petrik, 04/05/2008
1995 Oldsmobile Silhouette 3dr Minivan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We nothing but problems with this 1995 mini van. We had to have the engine rebuilt when it was five years old with 59,000 miles on it. Then in 5 years after that it blew again. Now we have a used engine and that one blew and now we have another one which seems to be ok so far. Wouldn't buy another one again.
Great Oldsmobile.
NT, 03/22/2010
1996 Oldsmobile Silhouette 3dr Minivan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Bought a fully loaded lumina van in late 93. It was the new 94 style just hitting the market. But in the summer of 96 we had a bad head on collision on our family vacation. Every one walked away with minor injury's. The police said the vans design saved our lives. So we decided to upgrade to the upper level olds silhouette we couldn't afford back in 93. But anyway we bought with leather and the whole works. 110,000 miles and 14 years later we have only needed a wheel bearing. Its fiberglass body still looks new. It's really been an amazing quality van. We would recommend this van to any family because of its reliability and especially the plastic sides. Great with kids around! Buy one!
Silhouette in Plastic is Permanent
Jonow, 01/04/2003
1996 Oldsmobile Silhouette 3dr Minivan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Silhouette is avant garde in styling. It is very versatile - one can remove all five rear seats in four minutes. It is compact and parks well. We have used it for project hauling, and trips to recycling. It is vehicle that earns your respect every day.
Oldie but goodie
Bobkat, 11/09/2004
1995 Oldsmobile Silhouette 3dr Minivan
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Our family bought our 1995 Silhouette new 9 years ago and it has been a champ! The 3.8 V-6 and transmission are fantastic! We have towed boats and trailers with van without incident for years. I never liked the seats as I thought they did not have enough support for long trips - but the van is a great hauler. Now at 103,000 miles some teenager hits it hard and is probably totalled- its a sad day as we will begin our search for another van that will last as long.