1988 Buick Skylark 2.4 from North America

Summary:

This car is cozy and was made strong, I love it!

Faults:

The alternator burned out around 80,000 miles.

The heating block cracked 100,000 miles.

General Comments:

I believe since this was my first car and I was broke that I could have eliminated the wear and tear on my vehicle. My car still starts up with no problem. I love this car. She has never left me stranded. I don't plan on ever getting rid of this car!

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

Review Date: 2nd July, 2005

1988 Buick Skylark 2.3 Quad 4 from North America

Summary:

A quick and well built little granny car

Faults:

I haven't had any major problems with the car, but the sun roof does leak and the defrost and windshield washer buttons have broke in the middle also the power antenna does not go all the way down. All of these problems started around 60,000 miles.

General Comments:

I think this is a well built car, it has a good power plant. The quad-4 is a excellent engine, the little in-line four cylinder can out perform or keep up with most 6 cylinders. I think the the three speed trans should be up graded to a four speed for better highway mpg.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th December, 2003

1988 Buick Skylark Custom 2.3L Quad 4 from North America

Summary:

A unique, sporty, yet economical car

Faults:

The gauge cluster was sent back to GM to be rebuilt at approximately 74000 miles (because the speedometer stopped working properly).

The fuel pump was replaced at approximately 77000 miles.

The rack will be replaced within a week or two of writing this at approximately 82000 miles.

General Comments:

This car is still in overall excellent condition despite being 15 years old (by model year).

The Quad 4 engine has loads of low end torque and can get this light weight little car moving very quickly. It can outperform many accepted sporty cars, and with a few minor modifications, it could embarrass V-8 cars like Mustangs and Camaro's. I still manage 25-30mpg with the relatively wide tires I put on the car and the fair amount of stop and go city driving I do.

This car handles extremely well, due mostly to its light weight. Note: My car has the optional alloy wheels and I replaced the original tires with 215/60/R14 Cooper Cobra Radial GT's when I purchased the car.

This car is quite unique, featuring blackout trim (traditionally an option on sporty Buicks) and a Grand National style leather steering wheel. It also has bucket seats.

The leather steering wheel is a very nice touch and adds to the sporty theme my car was built/optioned with.

I bought this car as a fun little sports car, and it has served me very well. You really stand out from the crowd in a Buick.

The only complaints I have deal with long standing GM problems:

1) Poor paint quality-while my car is not rusting to pieces, the paint could be better.

2) Instrument Panel Durability-my speedometer broke once, and my trip odometer has never worked, not even after the whole gauge cluster was rebuilt by GM. Also, the fuel gauge does not accurately depict the true fuel level.

That said, I would recommend Skylark 2 doors to anyone who wants a fun little car with plenty of room, plenty of power, and a little touch of luxury. Like their old advertisements used to say, "Wouldn't you really rather have a Buick?"

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th July, 2002

3rd Oct 2003, 19:41

Sporty? Are you kidding? These things handle like floating boats. I've had the V6 version and they are very front end heavy. The 80's to early 90s compact Buick sucks in reliability. The brakes are also very dangerous. They never did stop well.

21st Mar 2004, 06:28

I once had a 1988 Skylark as well. It sounds like the reviewer and myself had similar cars. Mine was "Ruby Red" (official factory designation) in color, black out trim and grille, and aero rockers, and a little luggage rack type thing on the trunk (also blacked out), making for a very sporty looking car.

That Quad4 engine was a blast to drive and as the reviewer said, could trounce a lot of cars off the line. The GranTouring suspension, Grand National style steering wheel, and alloys made the car a great handling one, a great looking one, and as I said, great fun to drive. I miss my Buick. Contrary to what the first commenter stated, this car DID NOT handle like a boat. I'd go so far as to say that it handled pretty near as well as my 2000 Saturn LS2 does with its Germanesque suspension.

I never had the speedometer fail on me, but the trip odomoter broke on mine as well. I never bothered to have it fixed.

1988 Buick Skylark from North America

Faults:

Everything.

Transmission went out 4 times.

Alternator went out 4 times.

Air conditioner went out 3 times.

Leaked oil.

Rack and pinion had to be replaced 3 times.

Rattled and vibrated when you drove it, not a solid car. Loose all over.

Junk, junk junk!!!

General Comments:

Will never own a Buick again, even if it was a new one. I don't like them. Had two of them in my life time and they both gave me nothing but problems.

I forgot to mention that wipers went out a few times and power windows always got stuck. Other things went wrong too. Can't remember everything, but do remember the day I got rid of it. Happiest day of my life!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 24th May, 2002

8th Mar 2010, 20:23

Sorry you had a bad experience with your Buick. From all the other positive comments, I think I will hang on to mine for some time. I would be interested to find out what vehicle you bought that didn't give you any trouble. I have owned all USA brand used vehicles and have found that what makes a vehicle last is maintenance. I hope whatever you have now is making you happy. I would not buy a Toyota because of the recall on their brakes, and gas pedal sticking problems.