1980 Oldsmobile 98 Regency Sedan from North America - Comments

A/C, water pump, passenger power window motor, not much besides normal maintenance.

BY FAR, the most reliable car I've ever owned!!! I originally bought it as a "beater" to drive to work so my '93 Cadillac wouldn't get sloppy from winter roads. I ended up falling so much in Love with the car, I spent $600 repainting it, almost as much as I paid for it.

The 350 V8 performs well for such a beast, and gas mileage is excellent for a big monster (22 MPG sometimes on the highway at 70 MPH). Handling is also fairly nimble, considering the car is about 19 feet long and weighs about 2 tons. The engine has no problems starting whether it's -40 in January or 110 in July. My wife has spent more on repairs on her '99 Camry than I have in 6 years on this car.

One night, as I was driving home from a wedding reception, a drunk driver in a Mazda Miata ran a red light and I ended up broadsiding him. The Miata was reduced to nearly 2/3 of its original size, and for some reason, rolled on its roof. The driver was hospitalized for 2 weeks with neck and back injuries, but I only suffered a bump to the head. The Olds suffered only a bent bumper, broken grille and headlights, and a dented fender. And the Olds is fine today, beautiful as ever, and still on the road.

NOTE-----IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A CHEAP, RELIABLE CAR, GET A "77-'84 FULL-SIZE OLDS OR BUICK!!!!!

I own a 1980 Olds 98 Regency. I am 15 years old. I have put this vehicle through hell and back, and yet it continues to run like a dream. I've hit drainage ditches at 65 m/p/h, had all 4 tires off of the ground, and put a hole in the gas tank. I think I could light a match and drive it off of a cliff and it would still start in the morning when I leave for school. These vehicles are #1.

I originally submitted this review. My wife owns a '94 Camry, not a '99. Wish that junker (the Toyota) was still under warranty. I know what you mean about old Olds's being reliable, Especially 77-84 98's and 88's. I own an '83 Buick Le Sabre that has a 307 Olds V8 Engine (Read my review on the Buick page titled "an ugly old thing that won't give up.) I used to beat the hell out of this car in high school, and at 242,000 miles it still does not burn a drop of oil today. It had about 159,000 miles on it when I purchased in in the fall of '96. It's a sad replacement for the 350 as far as power goes (GM was smoking some serious crack in the 80's by dropping the 350 and 403 from Olds and Buick), but its also a tank that won't die. I have NEVER been stranded in this car. Just out of curiosity, what state are you from?

I have a 1977 Olds 98 Regency. The green machine was my first ride, which I inherited from my grandfather. It's not presently running, but I would hate to see it go to a scrap yard, and don't have the time to fix it up for daily driving or the demo derby. At this point, I would be more than willing to give it to someone who would show it the love it deserves. If anyone is interested, or has a suggestion, please drop me a line at jdkd001@msn.com. By the way, I'm in Central PA.

My first car was an '83 98 regency. It took all sorts of abuse from an 18-24 year old girl. I drove it like crazy, and it was indeed a faithful friend. If I were to have that car now, I would treat it so much better. I miss it ever so, and no other car could ever take it's place. It was the best. Other cars (including a Subaru wagon) tried to smash it, and I never got more than scratches and goofy looks. Olds rocks!!!

I've owned 5 Oldsmobile's and I'm only 23. All Regency 98's 4dr 1980-1984. I totally pimped these babies out like no other, beautiful vehicles. I've sold 2 and I've totaled one. I've never gotten over my 1981 Olds. I'm having her tattooed on my ankle this Summer. I consider my cars to be my children...I'm obsessed with the Olds 98's. I've also owned a 1977 and a 1979 and 1983 Buick Park Avenue. But none of these compare to my Olds. They are just the perfect cars and I don't think there will ever be a comparison.Ever!!

In my life I have owned a total of 6 Oldsmobile's all 98 regencies 79-84 execpt one. These cars will not leave you stranded out in the middle of nowhere or dead in a collision. I love these old steel tanks. My only old's left in my fleet is a mix of power and refinement. It is a 1980 Old's Regency 98 4dr tricked out to the extreme inside. But the shocker is underneath; when my '70 Cutlass Supreme made its final rest in my pasture I had decided to upgrade my 350 ci engine and th350 turbo tranny with the 455ci (442) and a rebuilt 400 series tranny, while also adding sway-bars, flowmaster headers and exhaust, and topping it off with a 3.90 geared Eaton locker rear end. Now that the car is finished it follows the saying "Will pass anything, but a gas station." But with prices on gas the way they are this car is now my toy to play with at my leisure, as long as I'm willing to take out another mortgage on my home to top off the tank.

Iowa farm boy.