1978 Oldsmobile 98 Regency Sedan review from North America

Water pump, power steering pump, radiator, tie rod ends and shocks.

When I turned 16, this was my grandpa's birthday present for me. I thought it was a monster when I first saw it, but after a couple weeks of driving I fell in love with it. Since it had sat for nearly three years prior, and is 4 years older than me, I figured the car had a right to be a bit troublesome and touchy at first.

After a rough start, it's been 100% trouble free for the past year and a half.

Being only 5'7", I can barely see the end of the hood from the seat.

The styling is timeless, and it has character, unlike the look-alike new cars of today. It has beatiful Dark Carmine red paint, chrome trim, and wire wheel covers. I can easily pick it out in a crowded parking lot, the front and rear extend a good 2 feet past the modern "full-size" car.

The engine has got some serious balls, and also drinks some serious gas, like a pig I might add.

3 months after I got it, me and my friends road-tripped to the Harley-Davidson Rally in Sturgis, SD. My friends used to always make fun of it, but they realized you can't beat a big old hunk of Detroit Iron for comfort on long road trips. The car used only a half-quart of oil between Sault Ste. Marie and Sturgis, and averaged about 19 MPG at around 75 MPH. The local drivers of wimpy stock 80's Firebirds, Camaros and Stangs crap their britches when they see me coming, knowing my car will eat theirs alive at the stoplight anyday.

It's quieter than most modern 4-cylinders or 6's, but will rip up the blacktop on demand.

ALL the original electronics work, meaning power seats (on both front seats), power locks, power antenna and power trunk release. The original GM Delco cassette player had to go though, I bought a new kick ass system, which includes two 12"'s in the trunk. And there's still room for 3 or 4 people's luggage.

I feel comfortable knowing my car won't disintegrate in a collision, as proven by the driver of a brand-new '00 Honda Civic, who decided to run a stop sign. I broadsided him, plowing him into a guardrail as my car finally skidded to a stop. I was horrified and thought it was the end for my baby, but when I got out, the damage wasn't too bad considering I was doing about 40 when I smacked him. The Civic was a pile of plastic and rubble, but the Olds suffered only a bent bumper, crumpled right front fender, busted grille and front clip. Of course the insurance company totalled it, but we had the option of taking the check for damages and keeping the car. The finishing touches are done, and the new paint all around is drying as I speak.

The winters here in the Michigan U.P. are harsh, and I keep my baby in the garage when the roads are sloppy. But she has no trouble starting no matter how cold it may be. I drive an old beat to hell Dodge Omni in the winter, but the Olds will always be my baby. That's all!