This car was very good to me. The only major part I had to replace was the ABS unit, but that was covered under my extended warranty. Besides that one air shock went bad and had to be replaced at 120,000 miles (Not bad!). This car alway had water leaks. In the windshield, and in the driver's door window. Also the real wheel well on the passenger side had a 4" hole rotted in it that I repaired in 1998 and I thought that was sort of unusual since the car was only 5 years old at the time. The trim rail along the roof (plastic) cracked after 6 years and I had a lot of water coming in everywhere! Now for the best part. All of a sudden (it must have started from the inside) the unibody started rusting so bad that I could no longer jack up the car! The floors were fine and rust free, but the rest of the car started to rot underneath. All around and under the battery and coolant tank and also near the canister on the left side. Both dimming mirrors (driver's door and rear view) turned yellow. Plastic front fender cracked from age. The 4T60E transmission started slipping and whining at 100,000 but I hear many cars including other General Motor's making the same noise. If I revved it up a bit while in park it would lunge ahead!
If GM had put a little more in the construction part of this car it would have been much longer lasting. Overall it was very dependable though. Engine performance was great. Mileage was very good too.
Thank you for your review - I am considering purchasing a 98 from a garage, and I found the same rusting situation on it!
My 1993 98 Regency Elite has started shifting rough from a stop, and first to second. Third and overdrive shift perfectly. I know the history on this car, it is 100% adult driven and well mantained. I hope that this is not a serious problem. I have also got water leaks, but have not had any rust problems. However, the struts on all four corners need replacing, most noteably the rear struts, which are load adjusting air units. There are several minor appearance defects, but I'm satisfied with the car overall.
I just went to buy a used NinetyEight from 1992, It looked good. I will probably buy it due to your overall commenting about it. Thanks!
No rust (Houston) from what I could see. Here are the problems I saw. The back seats had mold under them! Water leakage. The trunk lid wouldn't close automatically. Is that expensive? Will tell more after I've owned it for a few months.
Carl/Houston.
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