1987 Oldsmobile 98 Reviews from North America

Drivers window is painfully slow to rise. Sometimes when it is cold outside, extra help is required to get it up.

A bumping noise has developed coming from drivers front. I suspect it is the transaxle seal going into the auto transmission.

Driving a couch is pretty much dead on description. Very comfortable.

The 3.8L engine is very responsive, and I enjoy driving this car. I bought it for 300 bucks, spent another 600 recently in tires and rear brakes/cylinders, which were probably not needed, but required by the overzealous mechanic at shop for inspection.

Transmission needed a re-build at 36,000 miles from deteriorated seals, and plastic internal parts.

Rear air struts at 45,000 miles; became leaky, causing air pump to operate non stop with the engine running.

Ignition coil pack at 50,000 miles, because spark plug wires burned open at spark plug.

Radiator at 51,000 miles; cracked at ribs near transmission cooling lines.

Master cylinder at 52,000 miles; seals leaky, causing pedal to sink to the floor.

Windshield wiper motor brushes at 55,000; brush broke, because commutator had raised bar, caused by frozen bearing in housing.

Parking brake cable froze at 55500 miles, because of water getting under the carpet, causing the cable to seize.

58,000 miles; had to replace front brake calipers seized.

Other nickel and dime items; switches on power windows, heater core, bearing on drive side of alternator, CV boots, 1 ball joint.

The 3.8 liter motor is bullet proof. No internal mechanical failures ever. Always starts hot, cold, or wet.

Fuel injection system flawless, seats no longer made as comfortable. Best climate control made. Delco Remy radio still works great.

You must keep log of to fix list, and have tools handy for general repairs such as:

Power door lock mechanism, bushings, window guide clips, seat belt retractor springs, and head liner fabric.

Is it time for a new car yet? NO, the 3.8 liter motor keeps going.

193,121 - Purchased Car ($1200)

193,187 - Minor Front End Collision, Headlights and Radiator replaced. ($390)

194,320 - Front Motor Mounts replaced for the first time. ($150)

194, 320 - 1 Front Disc Rotor and Pads - ($120)

194,680 - Passenger 8 way Power Seat switch failed, no longer moves forward, ($4 used)

197,080 - Oil, Filter and Lube ($14)

198,695 - ATF Changed ($25)

202,941 - Oil, Filter and Lube.

202,842 - 2 New Tires - ($120)

203,080 - Passenger 8 way Power Seat switch failed, no longer moves forward, ($4 used)

206, 486 - Oil Change ($14)

207,541 - Tension Pulley Bearings Broke, Froze Belt - ($28)

207,541 - Belt - ($10)

207,905 - Catalytic Converter Failed ($194)

208,445 - Starter Failed ($100)

209,233 - Oil Change ($14)

209, 447 - Fuel Filter Change ($26)

210,211 - Passenger 8 way Power Seat switch failed, no longer moves forward, no repair.

211,676 - Rear Brake Shoes Replaced ($90)

211,689 - (Today) After a hard winter it looks as if the alignment may have be messed up as I am getting irregular tire wear, and a loud clanking noise is coming from the suspension up front and on turns. Overall, car still runs great.

Since it is one of 124 2 door Regency Broughams Produced, Parts can be hard to find.

A "defect" is the windows are extremely underpowered and use the same motor that is used in all GM Cars of this vintage.

The Door Locks have to be pressed 2 times for both sides to engage.

Windshield Cracks easily due to missing plastics around edges.

Vinyl Roof is starting to spread apart due to temperature changes and dark blue color absorbing sun.

Paint on roof is faded, paint on everywhere else is still near-perfect, No clear coat flaking.

Transmission kicks down VERY HARD from 3rd to 2nd.

Most comfortable late 80's car I have ever sat in.

Imagine Driving a couch.

Also the quickest V6 non performance car I have been in.

The previous owner ran it with a huge hole halfway down the radiator for over 20,000 miles!!! Then I crashed it a few days after I bought it I HAD to replace the radiator as it was bent. Engine could have overheating mildly for 20,000 miles to the best of my knowledge.

Headlamps were $170 each.

Hood has rock chips, as it has been a highway car it's whole life.

I have been impressed with the 3800 series motor.

The best car I have ever owned. period. For a thousand bucks and just minor repair costs every few months or so, it is a pretty good deal for someone who is in college or on a lower income.

I also run a 1600 watt Stereo system on the stock alternator and it has yet to fail.