1984 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale review from North America

Head gasket blew in 107-degree weather around 130,000 miles.

Cloth seats wear quickly, and the headliner will need replacement after 150,000 miles.

Transmission needs overhaul after 165,000 miles.

Radio is weak, the AM/FM radio craps out after a little usage.

I bought this car as my first car in 1999 off an old lady that had kept the car garaged for five years, and I had to fix the radiator, compressor, and drive train, among other small things associated with repairing a car that had not run in several years.

After getting the car up, it has only gone down one time when the head gasket blew in 107-degree weather after a freeway commute. Other than that, the car has been flawless. It starts up whenever you need it, will go forever on the highway with its 22-gallon tank, and what it lacks in the safety features of today's small boxes, it more than makes up for in Detroit steel. Costs are incredibly low, the car can be diagnosed and fixed in a backyard, and all parts can be found at any ol' parts store for under fifty bucks. And unless your engine is over 160,000, it should only need oil changes, fluids, and new tires.

However, the car is by no means fast, in fact, I'm almost a danger on the highway. The engine, though a 5-liter, trades some performance for a little fuel economy. It can get around 22 if you drive conservatively, maybe 12 if you go fast. Its practical max speed is 85, after that you can literally watch the gas gauge drop. You'll spend tons on gas if you go far. But you'll be comfortable where you're going, the seats are couches and big enough to fit even the biggest people.