The water pump burned out prematurely when the car had less than 2,500 miles on it. Dealer replaced it, and it has been fine since.
The A/C system has not been very reliable, and continues to be a problem.
Most major components have been reliable and fault free.
The interior was first rate in quality and it's fit and finish was very good. The interior is still in good shape, although now the head liner is starting to drop here and there.
Oil filter access is a nightmare on the 2.5 4 cylinder.
The little Calais handles well and rides pretty good for such a small car.
It will not out perform the newer cars of today, but it does well for a car designed almost 20 years ago.
Unfortunately, these little Oldsmobile's will never receive the respect of their big muscle car brothers, and collectors will ignore them. They will fade into history without much recognition.
Very well written AND accurate.
I have a 1985 Calais that I'm restoring - your comments on the tight frame, great fit & finish and the oil filter are all true.
I have 261,524 mile on mine (bought new with 3 miles on it) - I rebuilt the engine during my restoration (taking me over 2 years to do, but it started out as a paint job and turned into restoration). You gotta admit 261,524 on a GM T/H-125 tanny's a great comment on the car. The only reason I rebuilt the engine was I'd pulled it to paint under the hood (changing color from silver to red, and my OCD forces me to paint EVERYTHING).
So, I guess I'd say that to me, this is a great car - destined to be one of those quirky classics like the Pacer, Gremlin and the ugly-ass 1978 Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon fastback thing. Like the Edsel, ugly then, ugly now, but it would be fun to own one (if you have garage to hide it in...)
The Calais was a very good looking car in my opion, I also like the look of the '78-'80 Cutlass Salon (Though I may be the only one)
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