Faults:

I have all the service records since new. This is a list of what I consider repairs.

2 water pumps.

Air conditioner compressor and evaporator at different times.

1 transmission rebuild in 2005.

2 alternators.

1 starter motor.

Front end rebuilt in 1997.

Motor mounts.

Radiator x2.

Exhaust system in 2003, and deleted the catalytic converter + smog pump.

Drive shaft joints recently.

General Comments:

This car can tell stories. Purchased brand new by my grandpa in 1980. He had it til 1995, then my dad drove it as a family car up until 2005 when I acquired it as a daily driver til 10 years ago, and it has been registered as an antique ever since. My dad wanted to sell it in 2005, I told him no way, I want it!

The plan is to keep it alive and well. I do as much of the maintenance as I can myself. It has always had up to date oil changes, transmission services, coolant flushes and differential oil services on time every time. This explains the mileage and reliability this car has provided over the years.

The paint and interior are original and in great condition being parked under a carport and being garaged its whole Florida life. The vinyl top has been replaced once.

This was the last year for the trusty Oldsmobile gas 350 engine. It runs so well and very smooth. Much more power than the 307 that replaced it. The 3 speed automatic shifts smooth and effortlessly. Soooo comfortable to drive with loose pillow seats and room for 6 if you wanted.

Another thing I like was this was the year before GM started using the computer command control system AKA check engine light.

This car has outlasted many different family vehicle brands including Toyota, Nissan, Dodge and BMW. So many people on car forums like to play the claim that newer vehicles are so much better these days when they couldn't hold a candle compared to this car and what it has done over the years. It's all the proof that I need. Even though the final decade of Oldsmobile was a dismal time. The division has really had some iconic and reliable vehicles in the prior years, including the Toronado, 442, and the best selling car in America in the late 70s-mid 80s Cutlass Supreme.

Faults:

What didn't go wrong with this car is a better question.

Well... the ash tray never broke.

Where do I start?

1. Transmission at 13k miles failed. The transmission that was installed in the car was a turbo 200 model. This transmission was designed for a small, lightweight car, about the size of a Vega. What moron from General Motors decided to install this transmission into a vehicle the size of Cadillac and expected it to function? Can we say DUMB ASS?

2. Engine: The same moron's that selected the trasmission must have been smoking dope while designing the 5.7L diesel. This motor had more problems than I could list. Head-gaskets, rocker assemblies, injector pump, broken head bolts, multiple starters, and the finally a broken crankshaft.

3. Differential and Axles: This car left me stranded 2 times with damaged rear wheel bearings. Again the same dope smoking moron's from above decided to redesign the rear end. Take a perfectly good working axle and wheel bearing, then remove the inner race of the bearing, and have the wheel bearing ride directly on the axle without a hardened steel race. (gotta save a few cents). Unfortunately they never grasped the concept that the bearing was harder than the axle, and as wear occurs that the axle would become damaged. This problem occurred 2 times, and of course the axles had to be special ordered each time (about 3 weeks of downtime).

General Comments:

I will never even consider another General Motors product after this car.

GM... GO TO HELL!!