1978 Oldsmobile 98 Regency review from North America

Not too many "major" components have failed on the car, with the exception of:

The alternator in December 2003;

A complete exhaust system replacement, including muffler... August 2003;

Replaced carburetor in November 2003...used the original Rochester

quadrajet---replaced with a rebuilt unit.

The a/c needs recharging, but I don't see this as a necessity here in

Denver...

There are some minor leaks occuring in the engine (around the timing chain cover) and it also appears

as if the power steering pump might be

seeping just a bit... I will continue to

watch both of these, but will just wait

and see what happens... as long as the

levels are maintained they should be OK.

Other than the above the car has

required only scheduled maintenance-oil, tune up, tires, etc... It has been

very reliable for me, even on the coldest December mornings!!!

The 1978 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight is one of the last "land yachts" from the era of the big, luxury cars.

It looks, has the equipment, and

performs much like its GM counter part

"Cadillac", but cost some 30% less than the Cadillac.

My "98" is equipped with the 403

V-8 and four barrell Rochester quadrajet carb; it has decent acceleration and is the ultimate highway cruiser... it has no problem

holding at 70 to 80 miles per hour and

feels like its just "floating"---I have never driven a more enjoyable car on the highway!!!

Obviously, the size of the car lends itself to great comfort... as I have read previously, it is almost like driving a car in your recliner

chair...very well designed on the interior... every detail to comfort was

taken into account.

If I had to make one negative comment about this car it is the acceleration "off the line"...it is quite slow to take off from a dead stop

but seems to definately hold its own on the long road trip... I was told that

this was due to the rear end gear ratio and the relatively low horsepower (185 hp) that this engine

produces...I really don't plan to race it at any time, but it just surprised me a bit when I first drove it.