1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass SL review from North America

Drivers side door handle broke because someone tried to break in before I bought the car.

The catalytic converter has broken inside and rattles, but quits when the car warms up.

The cloth on the roof inside is coming unglued. Used some contact cement and problem solved.

Car has been in three accidents. My dad backed into it in the driveway, as did my mom. And I was rear ended in an intersection. Despite the three hits, there is no scratch, no dents and no damage.

Slow leak in the tire, but fix-a-flat took care of that.

Sudden loss of power one day, thought the transmission had gone because the car shook at cruising speeds, found it was running on 5 cylinders due to a spark plug snapped in 1/2. How the hell did that happen?!

What a car! I bought it from a lady who just felt bad having it sit in her driveway all the time, she never drove it.

The car is ABSOLUTELY mint, not a scratch on the paint, not a drop of rust and the interior is clean, and scratch free. Paid about a 1/4 of what it could have been sold for, I got it for 1000, easily could have gotten 3500 or more, considering the condition.

Only real problem was the driver's side door handle, fixed that by getting the guts of the handle from a junkyard and now works like a charm (no more getting in from passenger's side).

As far as speed and acceleration, I can beat or hold my ground against most of my friend's cars, although it cannot compare to a Mustang or anything, it still does very well for a rather small V6 engine.

The car handles well, can take corners great, but you know when not to push it, maybe a lower center of gravity would help, but..

In the snow the car is unbelievable. It's actually hard to lose control of the car on ice. But pop it into reverse, and have yourself a good time.

I do tend to beat on this car, not always, but once in a while, but I think that that's fine as long as you treat your car with love, with changing all the oils regularly, car washes and waxes. I spend at least one day a week washing and waxing and vacuuming my car. Keep it in good health and it will return the favor. Has worked with me, the Cutlass has never let me down once.