1997 Oldsmobile Achieva Reviews, Pricing & Specs

I was a little afraid before the test drive that I wouldn't fit into this smaller Olds (I am 6'5"), but I just make it in. IT is definitely an old lady car, but I like that so it fits. To me it looks classic, unlike lots of new cars out there, so I was drawn to it. That, and it had 37,000 miles and was only $3,000, so it was too good to pass up. Have been very pleased with it, even through the few storms that we've had lately, it hasn't let me down at all. The only problems I have are the relatively cheap interior, which surprises me from a maker like Olds. The seats are a little thin and unforgiving, and the legroom is a bit of an issue for a taller guy like me, but an extra stop on a longer trip takes care of it. Everything I've found is that you can get a great deal on one if you find it, and I would definitely recommend picking it up if you don't mind being mistaken for an 80 year old on the road. Added - recently had an issue where the car would start, but would shut down and not idle for more than a second. After lots of cursing, a day sitting, and a lot of research online (thankfully BEFORE towing it to the garage for an expensive fix that wouldn't work), I heard that the over-zealous security system sometimes thinks you're stealing the car, so it will shut off the fuel injector. To temporarily fix this problem, put the key in and turn, but don't crank to start it. Leave it in, usually 5-10 minutes, and the red 'security' light will stop flashing, and you should be able to turn it on and run normally. The long term fix involves cutting a wire and mounting a switch to manually engage and deactivate the system, but I have yet to attempt this as it has not happened again as of yet.Dec 28, 2013

Great car for elderly folks. Very safe and reliable. Drove like bigger sedans and is built quite heavy. Exterior styling is not the best but not the worst either. It is a very practical car with enough room for taller people. The backseat can be somewhat of a challenge to get out of but is quite comfortable for long trips. Excellent transmission and awesome acceleration for 4-cyl. Very cost efficient in the shop and at the pump.Dec 01, 2011