1987 Oldsmobile 98 Regency Brougham 3.8L

Summary:

It's a lazy-boy on wheels

Faults:

Drivers window is painfully slow to rise. Sometimes when it is cold outside, extra help is required to get it up.

A bumping noise has developed coming from drivers front. I suspect it is the transaxle seal going into the auto transmission.

General Comments:

Driving a couch is pretty much dead on description. Very comfortable.

The 3.8L engine is very responsive, and I enjoy driving this car. I bought it for 300 bucks, spent another 600 recently in tires and rear brakes/cylinders, which were probably not needed, but required by the overzealous mechanic at shop for inspection.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th March, 2011

3rd Aug 2023, 03:35

I agree totally with everything above. It's now August of 2023 and I acquired mine in 2022 with 63000 miles and have same issues, but LOVE the car!

1987 Oldsmobile 98 Brougham 3.8

Summary:

Excellent transportation if repairs are performed in your own garage

Faults:

Transmission needed a re-build at 36,000 miles from deteriorated seals, and plastic internal parts.

Rear air struts at 45,000 miles; became leaky, causing air pump to operate non stop with the engine running.

Ignition coil pack at 50,000 miles, because spark plug wires burned open at spark plug.

Radiator at 51,000 miles; cracked at ribs near transmission cooling lines.

Master cylinder at 52,000 miles; seals leaky, causing pedal to sink to the floor.

Windshield wiper motor brushes at 55,000; brush broke, because commutator had raised bar, caused by frozen bearing in housing.

Parking brake cable froze at 55500 miles, because of water getting under the carpet, causing the cable to seize.

58,000 miles; had to replace front brake calipers seized.

Other nickel and dime items; switches on power windows, heater core, bearing on drive side of alternator, CV boots, 1 ball joint.

General Comments:

The 3.8 liter motor is bullet proof. No internal mechanical failures ever. Always starts hot, cold, or wet.

Fuel injection system flawless, seats no longer made as comfortable. Best climate control made. Delco Remy radio still works great.

You must keep log of to fix list, and have tools handy for general repairs such as:

Power door lock mechanism, bushings, window guide clips, seat belt retractor springs, and head liner fabric.

Is it time for a new car yet? NO, the 3.8 liter motor keeps going.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 28th September, 2010

1987 Oldsmobile 98 Regency Brougham 3.8 Liter (3.8 Series)

Summary:

One of the best and longest lasting GM cars in history

Faults:

193,121 - Purchased Car ($1200)

193,187 - Minor Front End Collision, Headlights and Radiator replaced. ($390)

194,320 - Front Motor Mounts replaced for the first time. ($150)

194, 320 - 1 Front Disc Rotor and Pads - ($120)

194,680 - Passenger 8 way Power Seat switch failed, no longer moves forward, ($4 used)

197,080 - Oil, Filter and Lube ($14)

198,695 - ATF Changed ($25)

202,941 - Oil, Filter and Lube.

202,842 - 2 New Tires - ($120)

203,080 - Passenger 8 way Power Seat switch failed, no longer moves forward, ($4 used)

206, 486 - Oil Change ($14)

207,541 - Tension Pulley Bearings Broke, Froze Belt - ($28)

207,541 - Belt - ($10)

207,905 - Catalytic Converter Failed ($194)

208,445 - Starter Failed ($100)

209,233 - Oil Change ($14)

209, 447 - Fuel Filter Change ($26)

210,211 - Passenger 8 way Power Seat switch failed, no longer moves forward, no repair.

211,676 - Rear Brake Shoes Replaced ($90)

211,689 - (Today) After a hard winter it looks as if the alignment may have be messed up as I am getting irregular tire wear, and a loud clanking noise is coming from the suspension up front and on turns. Overall, car still runs great.

General Comments:

Since it is one of 124 2 door Regency Broughams Produced, Parts can be hard to find.

A "defect" is the windows are extremely underpowered and use the same motor that is used in all GM Cars of this vintage.

The Door Locks have to be pressed 2 times for both sides to engage.

Windshield Cracks easily due to missing plastics around edges.

Vinyl Roof is starting to spread apart due to temperature changes and dark blue color absorbing sun.

Paint on roof is faded, paint on everywhere else is still near-perfect, No clear coat flaking.

Transmission kicks down VERY HARD from 3rd to 2nd.

Most comfortable late 80's car I have ever sat in.

Imagine Driving a couch.

Also the quickest V6 non performance car I have been in.

The previous owner ran it with a huge hole halfway down the radiator for over 20,000 miles!!! Then I crashed it a few days after I bought it I HAD to replace the radiator as it was bent. Engine could have overheating mildly for 20,000 miles to the best of my knowledge.

Headlamps were $170 each.

Hood has rock chips, as it has been a highway car it's whole life.

I have been impressed with the 3800 series motor.

The best car I have ever owned. period. For a thousand bucks and just minor repair costs every few months or so, it is a pretty good deal for someone who is in college or on a lower income.

I also run a 1600 watt Stereo system on the stock alternator and it has yet to fail.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th April, 2004

7th May 2010, 22:54

I have one too- 1987 Olds 98 Regency Brougham Coupe. It has 91,000 on it. It is Lt. blue with blue half vinyl top, square headlight covers. Did they really only produce 124? Is it that rare? Thanks.

16th Jun 2010, 22:19

The actual production figure for the '87 Oldsmobile 98 Regency Brougham coupe is NOT 124 -- it is 4207, which hardly qualifies as "rare".

A true "rare" Oldsmobile model would be the 88 Royale in its last year of production in coupe form, 1991. With a production of only 234 base models, plus another 458 in Brougham trim, the number of surviving models now is likely to be only in double digits.

In reply to 16th Jun 2010, 22:19

11th Feb 2012, 21:30

Where did you find the production numbers for the 87 Brougham Coupe? I have a 1985 Regency Brougham Coupe, and would like to know the production numbers for the 85.

20th Jun 2017, 12:54

I wondered what the source was for only 124 2-door 1987 Olds 98 Regency Brougham being produced?

In reply to 20th Jun 2017, 12:54

20th Jun 2017, 21:56

It's called made it up on the spot.

Feel free to provide proof refuting that ("proof" does NOT mean some other anonymous online claim that they only made 124).

In reply to 20th Jun 2017, 21:56

21st Jun 2017, 11:08

Sometimes I see people that claim they have a car that few were made. As an example... Like someone that has a Black Pacer. Few were painted black. Does that make it more valuable? Perhaps to that person. Total production is more accurate in this case.

25th Jun 2017, 22:39

These cars are really great! I owned a 91 LeSabre with the same 3800 engine and it was such a great car! Sold it to my friend and he's still driving it now. It was ultra reliable and would start in -35 Canadian winters; also had a great heater for the winter. Loved the plush seats, smooth and silent ride, as well tons of power from the 3800 for smooth cruising at high speed on the open road. Amazing fuel mileage on long distance trips and highway driving too. I'd buy another any day!

In reply to 25th Jun 2017, 22:39

27th Feb 2020, 16:49

Yes, the 3.8L engine is the same, but they are different versions:

LG3 was the series in 1987; it made 150hp.

LN3 (considered pre-series 1) in 1988; it made 165hp.

L27 (the true series 1 3800) in 1991; it made 170hp.

They continue to work on this engine and made millions of them. Some parts can be interchanged between them, but you really have to know what you are doing.