Faults:

Electronic Climate Control light is always blinking, but A/C and heater still work fine.

Lockup on torque converter for overdrive is fudged up... Need to fix that soon. Trans is 2004-R.

Quadrajet carb needs a rebuild soon, and it's current state is really hurting my fuel mileage.

Wiper switch is finicky. All these electric or electronic parts like to go for a dump at least once in a lifetime. They are also very expensive and hard to find.

Like all other GM Mid '80's RWD's, the rear frame rails will eventually rot out. They're toast on my dad's '81 LeSabre. Oil sprays and car-washes are mandatory if you live in the rust belt.

General Comments:

This car is totally comfy! If you position the power seats correctly, it feels like you're in a recliner! Lots of room, and did I mention comfy?

Electronic Climate Control (ECC) and all the power options make you feel like you own a car newer than what it is. ECC is a neat feature when it works properly.

The 307 Olds is a total dog. No horsepower and even less torque. That's why I'm contemplating the Buick 455 swap. It's fairly cheap to do and will make a nice sleeper. Plus, if you locate a Monte Carlo SS or Grand National 2004-R, it will bolt up to the 455! Big block and overdrive! Otherwise, the 307 is great for mileage and reliability when tuned correctly (a 2bbl carb will help mileage greatly).

Try and find a set of the 5 spoke road wheels. They really set the car off nicely. Also find a set of winter wheels/tires to keep the others clean.

Personally, I prefer the 4 door over the 2 door cars. They have a cleaner look, easier back seat accessibility, and don't have 3 ton doors.

Faults:

Rebuilt engine at 250,000 km due to flooding carburetor, causing a main bearing to prematurely wear out. But I could have continued running the engine indefinitely.

I'm on my third rad and third water pump.

Most of the front suspension parts have been replaced over the years.

Three sets of front rotors and pads.

Replaced original rear brake drums and all rear brake components at 350,000 km.

Rust in floor-board, rear wheel- wells, rocker panels, front door posts and roof.

Vinyl Roof deteriorated and was removed.

Paint started to fade so it was repainted in 2000.

General Comments:

This car spent most of its life in Ontario where they salt the roads every winter. I had the car sprayed with oil every fall so the car is still solid. All the rust spots were small and repairable with new metal and fiberglass. Every mechanic comments on the good condition of my vehicle.

I don't plan on buying a new vehicle any time soon. The V8 engine is running strong and the car handles well with 205/75/R15 's on the front and 235/70/R15's on the back.

I have driven this car from Toronto to Vancouver three times in the winter using Yokohama all season tires. I got caught in a blizzard on I90 somewhere in Minnesota and had to run for twenty miles on a closed highway. Also I've driven all day on pure ice, passing numerous 4X4's in the ditch.

This is an excellent highway cruiser. It will run all day at a hundred miles an hour pulling a trailer. The trunk is huge.

The interior is crushed velvet with fake wood everywhere and chrome which is very cool. Also armrests which fold into the seats and seat-belts for six people. The front bench seats split for a drivers side power seat. It's a very comfortable ride. Everybody says how smooth it runs.

The Olds 307 motor is stock except for a chrome air-cleaner which makes a nice sound when the four-barrel kicks in. It could be more powerful, but the gas mileage isn't too bad for a large car, 18 to 25 mpg if you don't race. It comes equipped with a four speed auto which is very nice, at legal highway speeds the engine sounds like its barely working.

Overall I'm very happy with it.