1987 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Brougham review from North America

Transmission went at 96k miles. $1200 to fix. Front struts replaced at 100k miles. Door trim loose. Door lock and window mechanisms need work after 100k miles (TLC).

This is a proverbial "cream-puff" driven by a retired couple on long trips and to church on Sundays. Stored in a heated garage, washed, waxed, oil changed 3k miles, all fluids changed and maintained. I bought it from their estate after they died. Quality of paint is amazing. I wash it every week and wax it every month and you couldn't tell it's a 1987; the paint is so good.

Styling screams old folks (nobody will steal this car), but I can run with V6 Camaros and stomp V6 Mustangs off the line. 3.8L SFI V6 is rock solid, straight out of the Buick Grand National (without the turbo) and makes tons of torque. A good custom exhaust and intake would really help out top end. Lots of torque steer because of the FWD though. Floor it and you'll be in the next lane over. Handling is Grandma.

Brakes are adequate but not exceptional. Parts are cheap, and you could probably get sport suspension items from the 1988 Buick Regal T-type which uses the same platform.

The factory stereo blew me away. It's amazing, and it even ran my 10" subwoofer unamplified without too much of a problem.

AC is ice-cold, heat is super hot. Gas mileage on the highway is at least 30mpg; around town is 20. Interior is quiet, soothing. An excellent car for being 12 years old, and just goes to show you that if taken care of, any car will shine in its old age. At anything under $2800 in good shape this car is a steal. Be careful about transmissions though; they last 100k miles and cost a buttload of money to fix/replace. Not something the DIYer could do either. DIYers should buy an 80's Chevy Caprice. See my '86 Caprice Wagon review in the appropriate section.