1990 Oldsmobile 88 Royale 3.8L 3.8 V6

Summary:

One solid reliable car that can do wonders

Faults:

K&N air filter installed when I purchased the car. Cost $0.00 because it was out of my 1990 Cutlass that I totaled 2 days before I purchased this car. Not necessary.

Reese low profile shadow hitch installed at 150,000 miles. Not necessary.

At 151,000 miles it had its first ever tune up. Cost $100 for the spark plugs and wires which it still had the originals.

Air conditioning compressor at 152,000 miles had to be replaced with a used one. It cost $300.

Transmission at 160,000 due to pulling a trailer in overdrive at 60mph for 100miles. But the 2nd gear was still solid for the trip home. It cost $1,400.

Completely accidental since I never pulled a trailer for more than 20miles before.

Paint job and body work due to chipping paint at 153,000 miles. Not necessary, but I did it because I like this car. It cost $3,000.

Complete brake job at 164,000 miles due to rust damage in Michigan. It cost $500.

Harmonic Balancer at 164,300 miles. It cost $225.

New Flo-Pro performance exhaust system installed from the catalytic converter back due to rust damage causing leaks at 164,900 miles. It cost $1,000. The performance system was not necessary, but made the car perform better and sound better.

Custom wheels and new 15inch tires. Cost $1,000. Not necessary.

General Comments:

This is one solid well performing car that can be decked out nicely if you want it to be. The majority of the work done on the car was not necessary.

I purchased this car for $1,000 cash and took an instant liking to it. I abused it for 2 months in winter driving doing things like getting it stuck in snow up to 5ft and forcing it to power its way out.

Later on I decided on restoring the car and making improvements to it. I sunk about $5,000 in improvements into the look of the car and now I have a car that surprises people. Its true what people say, this is a slub = sleeper luxury utility boat.

Recently I have moved from Michigan to Florida and this car blends in nicely despite the fact that its 14yrs old. Also I drove the car all the way from Michigan with no problems and it got gas mileage up to 32miles per gallon on the trip down.

In short for $6,000 I have one solid; well performing; brand new looking; luxury sedan that will out show and out do a lot of the cars on the road today.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd December, 2004

6th Dec 2004, 09:29

You sure seem to spend a lot of money on stuff for this car that you (apparently later) decide is "not necessary"!

12th Feb 2007, 00:02

My roommate owns a 1990 Delta 88 Royale and to this day it looks and performs really well! Starts right up after sitting in the 0 degree weather and never hesitates to take off with authority from a standstill. I agree a performance exhaust would be a good upgrade for this car would definatly bring it up to 175 HP.

Bigger tires are basically required for this car!!

No smaller then 20565R15 inches.

The standard tires compromise handling significantly!

A maaco paint job (750 bucks) is good enough for this car, and besides it will make it shine to the max.

1990 Oldsmobile 88 royale 3.8 V6

Summary:

Great

Faults:

The heater doesn't work very well in the winter, it takes time for it to warm up, but other than that it has been a very dependable car. I bought this car from a friend of the family, he owns his own garage, and he acquired it from this gal who hit a deer with it. I am very surprised to see a car go this long with out any major problems and we haven't had any other than the usual maintenance such as the brakes etc. The seats are normal wear and tear, the cassette deck still works, and the transmission is slowly starting to die, but it's still holding.

General Comments:

I really do love this car for it's dependability. I do own other oldsmobile's and by far this one really outshines them all.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th November, 2004