1985 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Reviews from North America

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1985 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Brougham 5.0 307

Model year1985
Year of manufacture1985
First year of ownership2011
Most recent year of ownership2011
Engine and transmission 5.0 307 Automatic
Performance marks 5 / 10
Reliability marks 10 / 10
Comfort marks 10 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)
8.3 / 10
Distance when acquired85000 miles
Most recent distance90000 miles
Previous carBuick LeSabre

Summary:

Couch on wheels

Faults:

Radiator was leaking.

Power seat won't move.

Driver's window stripped.

General Comments:

I purchased the car from its original owner. The car had sat up for the last few years.

The car has a ride out of this world.

After fixing bugs from the car sitting, the more I drive it, the better it runs.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 8th September, 2011

Comment on this review

8th Sep 2011, 18:08

Couch on wheels is right! You cannot beat these for comfort and ride quality.

This car will last forever if well maintained, these are way tougher than the newer plastic toy cars.

If it has been sitting for a while, I recommend running a tank of premium fuel through it, and a small bottle of carburetor / fuel injector cleaner. It will run like a top, and takes care of any problems from the car sitting.

Happy motoring, and enjoy that beautiful land yacht!

Reply to this comment
In reply to 8th Sep 2011, 18:08

16th May 2012, 22:08

The best car I ever owned. Bought it new and toured across the U.S. and Canada 24 times. I traded an '82 Cadillac Sedan DE Ville for it, and the Olds was superior in every way.

It now has covered 440,000 kilometers, and I still use it as my daily driver (May, 2012) summer and winter. Always starts in the coldest Western Canadian winter weather. The only trouble was rebuilding the transmission twice, new starter once, new shocks and new paint in '92 (GM painting was crappy in those years).

Believe it or not, it still has the original factory exhaust system.

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1985 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Brougham LS Oldsmobile Rocket 5.0L (307CI) 4bbl

Model year1985
Year of manufacture1985
First year of ownership2009
Most recent year of ownership2009
Engine and transmission Oldsmobile Rocket 5.0L (307CI) 4bbl Automatic
Performance marks 10 / 10
Reliability marks 10 / 10
Comfort marks 10 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper) 8 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)
9.5 / 10
Distance when acquired97250 kilometres
Most recent distance99200 kilometres
Previous carOldsmobile Ciera

Summary:

Is there a law saying manufacturers can't produce cars to be proud of anymore?

Faults:

Cassette/FM Tuner was crap, needed a CD deck anyways.

The car was dirty when I bought it. Had to invest in a fundraiser car wash in a 7/11 parking lot.

Bird crap magnet.

Squeaky air compressor belt.

Unreasonably over-comfortable.

Absolutely useless in snow.

General Comments:

This car is the most beautifully crafted piece of machinery I have ever laid my eyes on or rode in, let alone OWNED. Wall to wall carpet, actually it goes up the walls. If something on this car isn't solid steel or velor, it's faux wood or vinyl.

This car is all stock except for the stereo and speakers. She has under 100k original KM and starts right away in any climate conditions. This car absorbs everything. You could back over somebody and not feel it.

The cab seats six, the trunk seats six, and the engine bay seats 8 cylinders, delivering more power than you could ever need.

I get 750Km out of a tank, which costs me 85 dollars at 95 cents a litre. Seems to get better mileage than my Ciera.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th March, 2009

Comment on this review

31st Mar 2009, 11:36

Not poodles, bodies, get it right man!!!

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1985 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Brougham 307

Model year1985
Year of manufacture1985
First year of ownership2005
Most recent year of ownership2008
Engine and transmission 307 Automatic
Performance marks 6 / 10
Reliability marks 7 / 10
Comfort marks 9 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper) 6 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)
7.0 / 10
Distance when acquired83500 miles
Most recent distance86000 miles
Previous carOldsmobile Delta 88

Summary:

Full-sized, 80's comfortable ride

Faults:

Fuel sending unit.

Gas gauge.

EGR valve.

EFE valve.

Heater core.

Water pump.

Fuel pump.

Alternator.

General Comments:

I bought this car at an auction for $750. I originally intended to use the car as a "donor" for restoring a 1984 Delta 88, but I could not bear to scrap it.

It has been a fun adventure bringing this car back from one step from the salvage yard! Luckily, there are still many parts to be found at the salvage yards, because models 1980-1985 have many shared parts. I found a replacement door, trim, engine parts and gauges for reasonable prices. E-bay has been useful also.

Perhaps the greatest challenge was making sure all the vacuum hoses are routed properly! This is critical on these 80's motors.

I am happy, now that I have fixed it to be a reliable driver. The ride is typical Olds smooth, power accessories are nice, comfortable interior, lots of leg room, and the A/C is nice to have in Arizona.

I could buy a used newer car, but there is something unique about driving these older cars. At least I can still work on it with a basic tool set!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd April, 2008

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Average review marks: 7.9 / 10, based on 24 reviews