1970 Oldsmobile 98 Luxury Sedan review from North America
"A powerful, solid, safe automobile"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Nothing that prevented the vehicle from being used. Normal service items, battery, exhaust, radiator.
Rear axle developed a noise.
Original brakes lasted 92000 miles of highway use.
Replaced timing chain at about 122,000 miles.
General comments?
This was an absolutely solid, well built North American tank. Car was handed down from my father who purchased it new. There were never any major problems with it, but it was involved in a few major collisions during its life, but was driven away from each one. These were severe enough to cause serious injury and require the jaws of life to rescue occupants from one of today's cars.
The car could only deliver about 12 mpg for around town driving. Acceleration was always sluggish until I discovered that the throttle linkage was not allowing the throttle to open fully. Once that was fixed, the car went like a bat out of hell. Ride, comfort and interior noise levels were not perfect, but acceptable for a car of its size and vintage.
This remains one of the most powerful cars I have ever had my hands on.
Fairly rust resistant for a car of its time. The safest, and most solid of all the cars I have ever owned.
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| Outstanding car as long as you fix the stupid stuff |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Don't Know |
| Year of manufacture | 1970 |
| First year of ownership | 1978 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 1979 |
| Engine and transmission | 455 cu. in. 4bbl Automatic |
| Performance marks | 10 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 10 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 2 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 116000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 133000 miles |
| Date of Entry | 13th February, 2004 |