1978 Oldsmobile 98 Regency Sedan from North America - Comments

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!

Sounds like a great 98. My name is Chris and I am the owner of the 98LS on this survey too. The one called the best Oldsmobile ever. I just wanted to say that it is cool that I am not the only young guy out there that loves these boats from the past. So to you I say just keep on rollin'.

I recently purchased as my first car a vehicle of this type. A monster that I call the 'Land Yacht'. In cherry condition I am looking to recondition it to its stock form if I can within the next few years, but its been a good car in the time I've had it, and I absolutely love the sound of it starting. Even in lower Michigan the sound of that engine grasping out the 350 V8 brings out enough power that my dad's new GMC Jimmy can't match, not to mention the size and stock radio which gets more power through it. I only hope mine lasts as long as my Grandmother's old Cutlass Supreme had. Otherwise, rock on!

I am 17 and I want one so bad. I have researching them and I think they are great. And American V-8's are the best.

Hello all, I am from Philadelphia, PA and I love the big 98's so that I have and Olds license plate that reads 98-4LIFE on the car. I have a 1982 98 Brougham with a 1968 olds 455 c.i. motor in it, dual exhausts and 15" cragar true spokes. This car is Midnight Blue metallic with a full padded vinyl top and matching vinyl covered side skirts. Nothing comes past me on the boulevard. Keep those big Olds' rollin'.

E-mail me at 984life@yahoo.com for pointers on your Olds' or just to chat Oldsmobile stuff!

I just picked up an '82 Olds 98 4 door. The car was sitting in an impound yard. It has some problems, mainly the starter seems shot, it needs an alignment/front end work, according to the temp light it runs a bit hot sometimes, and the impound yard only had an ignition key for it. But all in all, not bad for only $225. The motor and trans are fine, the interior is in good shape, and the car is straight and has only minimal surface rust. It has potential.

Hi, this is Mike. I currently own 2 Oldsmobile 98's. One 1982 which I am driving now and another 1983 Olds 98 Regency Brougham that I received from my older sister on my 16th Birthday. It was a gift to her after my Great-grandparents passed and my grandmother inherited it. It is currently sitting under a tarp until this summer when I push the roof up an inch after it was rolled in an unfortunate tire blow-out. I replaced the factory 307 and 200R4 tranny with an Olds 350 and Turbo 350 tranny (the best GM transmission ever built other than the Turbo 400.) It will be back on the road again soon and I plan to keep my '82 as a spare.

I recently purchased a 1978 Oldsmobile Regency 98 and I will have to agree with the comments already leveled about this fine automobile.

Admittedly, I realize that this car won't get top billing as far as gasoline economy, but, for my dollar this car is the greatest...!!!

My "98" has come equipped with a 403 cu. in. and 4 bbl carb.; It is in very good condition for a vehicle over a

quarter-century old. The car has 127,000 miles at present, but with routine maintenance I hope to get much

more. There are a couple of small problems that I have

encountered...it does have an oil leak and I think it is

coming out around the front oil seal--at this time, however, I think that I can live with it. There are also the "normal" wear and tear items approaching soon--i.e

brakes and tires--but, once again, for a $900.00 car, it is

quite a bargain and in excellent shape.

Just thought I'd drop a couple lines in support of this

very fine vehicle... I forgot how much I really liked these

"boats" until after my last car (a 1999 Kia Sephia)...and,

obviously, my mind has again changed (ha ha).

So, in conclusion, my first week of ownership with this car has been very rewarding...and...for those of you entertaining the idea of buying an Oldsmobile "98"--I can

say, please do!!! (if you keep your foot off the accelerator some--hard to do--- you will be pleasantly surprised as to your MPG...). Replacement parts are still

very much available on this vehicle and you will be pleased as to how inexpensive they are.

Please buy one and enjoy this legendary Detroit classic!!!

(oh, ya... I forgot to mention... the air conditioning still

blows nice and cold in this beast; hard to believe it, but

it does!!!)

I own a 1978 Oldsmobile 98. Her name is Rosie and she is the greatest car I have ever owned. We replaced the quadrajet with an edelbrock and there are not many cars on the road who can keep up with us! Big, safe and comfortable, I wouldn't trade her for any of the new cars on the road today.

Hello to all.

My name is Todd and I live in Western N.Y. I own (2) 98-Regencys. My first one is a 1979 4-door. It only has 59,866 original miles with a 350 running this machine. I have owned it for about a month and I already love it. I was at the right place at the right time. I purchased it from the original owners for only $1,200 and EVERYTHING in this fine automobile works including A/C. It is dark blue with the powder blue vinyl top and matching pillowed cloth interior. Absolutely No-Rust.

My other Regency is an 1994. This cream puff NEVER saw a winter. I have the 17-series, Tru-spoke rims. Each rim has 50-spokes so it doesn't look like too many spokes on the rim. I also just mounted a set of Vogue tires on the rims. The color of this car is Black Cherry with matching leather seats. This car has EVERY option available in 1994 including a factory power roof. I have only 61,434 original miles on this one.

I drive a 1992 Olds 88 for my winter car. This has 192,000 miles and runs like a bear. Also pretty clean itself.

Any comments, please respond.

Nice to see that others own and appreciate the fine older Olds 98s. I have a 1966 98 LS 4-dr that is in good condition, and a great runner with 132,000 miles. It's a big heavy car, but gets up and goes!

Two years ago I was very fortunate to find and purchase a 1978 Olds 98 LS coupe from the original owner. The car had been garaged since new, with seatcovers since new, and had only 58,000 miles. The asking price was $1600, and I didn't even make a lower offer or hesitate! This car too is a nice performer, but due to the lower compression and smog equipment, it wouldn't stay with the '66. After replacing a few things with NOS parts, I'm ready for some serious detailing in July, to attend the Olds club national show in Seattle July 13-16.

Any Olds fans that can make it, should not miss that get together!

I also had a 1978 98 with the 403 as a teen. For a 16 year old guy, this car was the best and if I had known what I had, I would never have let it go. It finally died at 450,000kms with rusted floors, bumper falling off, old worn paint and the fabric on the roof shrinking worse every year. Since I have owned a 1996 98 with all the bells and whistles and put over 300,000 kms on it, a 1981 Cutlass with over 25,000kms on it and I miss them all.

Currently, we have a 2002 Olds Intrigue. It only has 90,000kms on it and seems as though it might simply fall apart on any given day. I long for the good old days and I am almost glad they have gotten rid of the Olds line so the new lower standards of quality will not tarnish the great history of these American classics.

All comments about a 1978 Oldsmobile 98 are greatly appreciated.

I bought a 1978 Regency 2 door sedan with vinyl top in July 2007 sight unseen for $250 with 403ci. The car is in very good condition, no rust, all original and appears to be 10 years old! One original owner and then to his daughter - clearly her 'baby'.

The daughter's husband estimated mileage on car at 300,000 km or about 180,000 miles.

I am planning a rebuild of the engine, A/C, steering,brakes,

and cruise control. Starter, and heater core need replacing.

I do this to all vehicles I acquire and always drive at least another 120,000 miles.

Oddly the fan control does not work, but I suspect corrosion in a plug connector since swapping parts under hood did not find it.

Automatic power antenna probably stuck for the same reason.

This auto is VERY well made, great integrity in wiring of all

systems, and superior coach.

I hope to have many years of driving this vehicle as a comfortable summer car for long trips and vacations, since I am now retired.

Greeting 98' owners

i picked a 1978 regency for fully loaded leather interior (white) with a vinyl roof w/o I rip or tear! original 67k on the dash and never seen snow! I have an 02' Bravada bought new and has more rust than the 30 year old giant, it runs like a sewing machine I like you hope to enjoy ot a long time.