1986 Buick Skyhawk Reviews

Nothing. She was owned previously by my grandma, who took it in for any small thing.

This car is a wonderful first car, reliable, sturdy, gets me and my family to wherever we have to go with minimal fuss.

While I had the car (for around one year) :

5 alternators died, killing two batteries in just one year.

I had to replace exhaust system for around $400.

The head gasket blew on the engine.

This car was a beast!! I loved it!

It could've lasted longer than 126,000 miles if I didn't run it into the ground by neglecting to put coolant in it and ultimately causing severe overheating which blew the head gasket on the engine.

Although it took a little while to gain speed, it really ran well and was quite "zippy".

I once backed into my boyfriend's car in a parking lot and my car crushed his driver side door and shattered his window. However, since the Buick Skyhawk is a steel beam with paint on it, there wasn't even a mark on the back from that crash.

The air conditioning didn't work for years, apparently because the ac belt needed to be replaced, and that was pretty bad in the 105-degree summers on Broad Street in North Philadelphia (it's full of smog and not much air).

Replaced Radiator - March 05.

Rigged Temperature Sensor.

Speedometer quit working at 144000.

Short in right turn signal.

Alignment is off a bit, actually pretty bad, 40k mile tires already wore down considerably.

It's my first car, and I never would have thought I would own it for as long as I have had. I've hit a deer, flew off the road and traveled long distances (450 miles one way) and it still, still has never failed me.

To prove me point I took it off road where some 4x4 get stuck. The car sits low to the ground so I was bottoming out, I got stuck in the mud and dug a hole about a foot deep.

It's a small car, but it is fun to drive. The transmission has developed a slip only in passing gear, which makes going up steep grades difficult and higher rpms. Although I can't complain, I've put it trough hell since the day I got behind the wheel. I only paid $500 for it and I'll say this if the engine threw a rod tommorow I would be satisfied.

The Transmission completely fell apart and had to be rebuilt to its entirety at 57,000 Miles.

There was a leak in the transmission fluid line that ran into the Radiator. This was fixed.

The radio wires were crossed and needed to be fixed and outfitted with a new deck and speakers.

The seats were abused by the previous owner and needed covers to be replaced.

The previous owners generally were not skilled in parking, many dents in the fenders. Body work has been done to correct this.

Rust in several area's, including the Roof, doors, fenders and Trunk.

The window actuator on the drivers side needed to be replaced.

This car is my first car, and I love it quite honestly. It has been stable and a learning experience for me.

For a 130-hp Engine, it gets me to the places I need to go. School, the National Guard, Doctors office, work.

I've pushed the car to its limits in some cases, testing speed on the Airport Freeway, and handling on the off-ramps of the highways. It's a really sturdy machine that won't get you up past 90MPH in a straight-away. Though, I wouldn't recomend holding it there for too long as the engine might overheat on you.

But I do believe this is great for a first car for any teenager. Or a teenager who's willing to learn the ropes about mechanics. Things often need replacing in that area.

Driver side door handle broke.

Rear passenger side door doesn't open from outside.

Transmission fails to engage in drive when cold (usually takes 10-60 seconds).

Alignment towed in.

Valve Pan Cover Gasket has some leakage.

Powersteering fluid dirty, wines, and hose leaks.

Exhaust pipes extremely rusted, catalytic converter rusted lose from pipe fittings (held together with tin can and worm clamp).

Interior Carpeting is dirty and stained, particularly in the back seat.

Speedometer went out at 136877, actual mileage is estimated, cannot get a part for it.

Replaced Radiator & Transmission lines at 143000.

Replaced Sparkplugs at 141000.

Flushed transmission fluid at 135000.

Flushed Brake Fluid at 135000.

Car runs fine, only problem is that the tansmission doesn't want to go in gear when cold. The car has decent power for the engine size, but it's not comparable to something like a new LeSabre. 0-60 on level ground about 11 sec.