!!!TED!!!

Details please!

Take your time with the window. Be carefull not to break any tabs (dunno how Fords have it). Once re-attached, the door will never be like from the factory. If done wrong, there may be unwelcome squeeks.

Always a catch to a used car.

Man, I didn't even have time to chime in. I was going to say: All your choices look pretty ragged, but the Grand Marquis looks to be the best of the group. I guess you made the right choice then. This would be for your mom, right? Some insight into the Lumina, since we have a '95: They are excellent, dead reliable cars. The 3100 is an excellent engine, with decent power and economy. They ride smoothly and quietly. Problems areas are (as already mentioned) ABS and other sensors, lower intake gasket on the 3100, and frequent front brake replacement (a W-body common flaw). A Lumina with underbody rust may also experience a leaking gas tank (GM gas tanks from the mid-90s are not the best quality). Our Lumina has had the intake gasket done (never any engine problems since, purrs like a kitten). We also changed the gas tank, as it leaked (slightly at first, then it got worse). Its ABS light is on right now, and I know its the damn sensor, because it was raining the last few days, and I "tested" it. ABS works. We had this problem before, and it was the sensor at the wheel not reading. The best Luminas are loaded low mile 3100's, or the later ('98-'99) police spec 9C3's with the 3800! They had full size spares, heavy-duty suspension, engine and transmission oil coolers, digital speedometer, and could have Recaro front buckets.

Photoshoot?

The '92 N-body cars get little credit, but here were 3 cars that had 3 very different interior and exterior themes on the same mechanicals. Each had its own flavour. Don't get me started on the subject! Post MCE interiors: Skylark: Achieva: The "sweet spot" for these cars was 1995, when you could get the original interior plus the 3100 V6 with 4-speed (replacing the 3.3 V6 / 3-speed combo). The tradeoff in the Achieva was the ugly airbag wheel. Buick did a much better job with theirs.

Haha! I love that interior and the pre-MCE Skylark! Very flowing and futuristic, if a bit sparse. The post-MCE interior was very diluted, and shared with the MCE Achieva. At that point, GM gave up on both cars, and focused on the Grand Am. Pre (1995 with better airbag wheel): Post (1997 with geriatric oversized speedo):

Yeah! Sweet little coupe! I wish my engine bay was that clean.

Crazy and scary!

Turning the lights on did not make it work. There is no fuse listed (per OCNs earlier comment). The housing is also not bent. Hmm

I found my 1995 Oldsmobile all-line brochure. The colour might be "Medium Cloisonne Blue Metallic"

I....did NOT know that! Now I have to go check! My mechanic said to apply a piece of double sided tape to the plastic trim inside the fuel door. He thought that it was loose and obstructing it. I did not, as the door seems to be open-able by hand with the right pull. Any and all other tips are highly appreciated! Oh, and welcome to C&G!!! (pics of your car please...so my Achieva isn't lonely)

Very nice! Racing stripes FTW!

Shocking, but I was expecting this move. No future product is safe at this point, no matter how much work has gone into it.

Sexy car! GM Design at its best!

An ES would make a great parts car!

I think its cool that you want to bring the Shadow back to respectability. Do whatever you love. If the money is there to be spent (brothers $), spend it. I would suggest R/T-ing it somehow. At least visually. What year is the car? Pictures (for before purposes)?

Fantastic interiors, great value versus other luxury makes. I am skeptical of their current design direction though.

Ok, so if it wasn't the famouse Malibu, what did Olds Guy see?!

So do I.

Some new pictures from a brief photoshoot yesterday. (this last picture looks like Lake Ontario, but the whole lower half is actually the Achievas roof!) After about 400 Kilometers, here are some thoughts: Total Achieva cost to date (excluding gas): $1650 CAD Favorite features: keyless entry (I have alot of keys), power (great low end torque), design/colour Least favorite feature: Steering wheel is too big with the airbag, obscuring gages. This is GM's fault. The original design (92-93) featured a nice 3 spoke, but was changed to a corporate wheel to meet safety requirements. Fun facts: My car was built on Tuesday March 21, 1995 at Lansing Assembly in Michigan. It went through the "M plant" on line 2. On that date, the pilot episode of premiered on NBC. I also found this: 1995 "In 1475, the Supreme Maya Council revealed the long-held vision of an ancient Solar Grandmother named X'Nuuk'K'in – that a sacred calendar cycle of twice the Kal'Tun (260 years) must go by before the Solar Culture would flourish again. "On March 21, 1995, this 520-year period was completed and the Age of Knowledge (Itza Age) began; a time when ancient and hidden knowledge is to be reawakened; a time when the condor of the south is to meet the eagle of the north and there will be a return of the Light of health, purity, wisdom, and healing on Earth. Via the magnetic grid of energy that envelops planet Earth and the many sensitive spots on the Earth often referred to as Sacred Sites, the elders said that the solar ceremonies in Chichen Itza in March, 1995, anchored the intent to activate humanity in the Light."

Beast 2! Cool!

$h!ty news. I hope for a speedy recovery for Kim.

Achieva update: She is fully plated and ready to go! Did the emission test today, and paassed with flying colours! Runs great. I did some 0-60 laps, and the best one I was able to get was 8.5 (worst 9.5)! Loving this car

Just for kicks, I included the Evoq concept...