1980 Oldsmobile 98 Regency from North America

Summary:

Best vehicle ever

Faults:

Made a hole in the gas tank after jumping a drainage ditch.

The gas bill can get a little high in the middle of winter when it gets 6 mpg.

General Comments:

This is the toughest vehicle I have ever driven, seen, or been 1000 miles from.

The engine will not quit, the transmission should be laying on the road somewhere but it still works great.

The seats are more comfortable than a Lazyboy, and the 8 track player is the finishing touch.

If you want to get the ladies, this vehicle will get you laid. Between the fender skirts or the CB radio, they're bound to fall for you.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th April, 2001

24th Jul 2001, 21:29

My 1982 Olds 98 was purchased third hand, with 143,000 miles on it. It still burns no oil at 145,000 miles; and the transmission + other major components are still functioning just fine.

The only thing I have had serious trouble with is the climate control system which physically jammed on heater, then the "programmer" jammed on full blast heat. My gas mileage, with a V8 of unknown size and four barrel carburetor is about what you would expect for a big car like this one

(10 -14), but I certainly think I got more than my moneys worth with this car. I only buy used cars, so who knows what I will buy next. But, if another good Olds is around at the time, I will probably "jump on it," based on my satisfaction with this Olds, plus with a 1964 F-85 Olds that I drove to 210,000 miles before bidding it a sad goodbye.

1980 Oldsmobile 98 Regency Sedan 350 V8 (5.7 Liter) from North America

Summary:

Your father's (or grandfather's) Oldsmobile

Faults:

A/C, water pump, passenger power window motor, not much besides normal maintenance.

General Comments:

BY FAR, the most reliable car I've ever owned!!! I originally bought it as a "beater" to drive to work so my '93 Cadillac wouldn't get sloppy from winter roads. I ended up falling so much in Love with the car, I spent $600 repainting it, almost as much as I paid for it.

The 350 V8 performs well for such a beast, and gas mileage is excellent for a big monster (22 MPG sometimes on the highway at 70 MPH). Handling is also fairly nimble, considering the car is about 19 feet long and weighs about 2 tons. The engine has no problems starting whether it's -40 in January or 110 in July. My wife has spent more on repairs on her '99 Camry than I have in 6 years on this car.

One night, as I was driving home from a wedding reception, a drunk driver in a Mazda Miata ran a red light and I ended up broadsiding him. The Miata was reduced to nearly 2/3 of its original size, and for some reason, rolled on its roof. The driver was hospitalized for 2 weeks with neck and back injuries, but I only suffered a bump to the head. The Olds suffered only a bent bumper, broken grille and headlights, and a dented fender. And the Olds is fine today, beautiful as ever, and still on the road.

NOTE-----IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A CHEAP, RELIABLE CAR, GET A "77-'84 FULL-SIZE OLDS OR BUICK!!!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th July, 2000

22nd Mar 2001, 20:31

I own a 1980 Olds 98 Regency. I am 15 years old. I have put this vehicle through hell and back, and yet it continues to run like a dream. I've hit drainage ditches at 65 m/p/h, had all 4 tires off of the ground, and put a hole in the gas tank. I think I could light a match and drive it off of a cliff and it would still start in the morning when I leave for school. These vehicles are #1.