1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme review from North America

At 139,000 miles, the car developed a severe leak in the rear main seal. All the oil leaked out in a very short period of time, which led to a spun bearing before I knew what was happening, and very quickly, a complete seize-up of the engine.

I bought this car off of an older couple about three months ago. I have a Civic that I drive regularly, but I was going to be working on a farm during the summer. I didn't want to drive the Civic on the farm (I have invested a lot of money in it) and wanted something to make a simple 10-mile round trip every day. The car made it through the summer with no problems, but then I also took it to school at the University of Maryland at College Park, because I was afraid of the Civic getting stolen.

I had the oil changed just before leaving for school, and there were no problems reported by the service center. Three weeks later, the car suddenly started making a knocking sound and cutting off when I tried to make a turn. The knocking sound meant the car was out of oil. I put three quarts in it, but it was too late. Ten miles later, on I-95, in rush-hour traffic no less, the engine seized up and died. Sure, I could have gotten it fixed, but I only paid $1100 for the car in the first place and it wasn't worth the money. I had owned the car for exactly three months and two days.

While the car was alive, it wasn't a horrible car. It was a bit under-powered, but it handled decently at highway speeds. The A/C worked very well, and I never had any problems with the digital instrument panel.

However, none of that matters when the car doesn't run. Now my Honda is sitting where the thieves can get it every night and I have learned a lesson: stick to my imports. I'll never buy a domestic again, at least not a GM. I know I only paid $1100 for the car, and I wasn't expecting a whole lot out of it, just reliable transportation for a couple of years until I graduated. I barely got three months out of that pile.