Faults:

I had to replace the battery a few times. The starter and one of the cables also died. Lastly I had a corroded battery terminal. I suspect that either the bad starter or corroded battery terminal is the reason that I went through so many batteries.

My master cylinder also died at around 116000, causing damage to other parts of the brakes. All and all, the break damage cost me $430.

The paint is "flaking" off the front and rear bumpers, which is only aesthetic.

General Comments:

This car handles well.

It accelerates quickly.

It handles mountainous roads with no problems.

It is very comfortable.

It seats six people.

It has a lot of trunk space.

Good sound system.

Faults:

Very little, other than general maintenance items like tires, brakes, etc. Only had to replace throttle position sensor (twice in three years). When it goes initially, you lose passing gear/overdrive due to computer being fed incorrect info. Eventually, car will start flawlessly every time, but die when you put it in gear.

Paint has chipped off stupid plastic front bumper that auto manufacturers are famous for any more.

Factory radio quit working, although CD and tape still works fine! It's not antenna connection. Already checked that.

General Comments:

3.8 Liter V6 (232 cu. in. for us die hards who hate metric measurements) is a bulletproof engine. Mechanic I know quite well, before going into business for himself, was service manager for 17 years at Olds-Caddy dealership. He said he regularly sees many GM vehicles (Olds, Chevy, Buick, etc.) with Series II 3.8 V6 come rolling in with 300-350K miles on them still running great. Told me he read a mechanic's trade publication which listed the Top 10 engines of all time from foreign and domestic manufacturers. 232 V6 was ranked second, right up there with the 22R Toyota engine, which many do not know was actually a hemispherical construction.

MPG is unbelievable for a land whale this size! Average 26 mpg overall, with 30-31 mpg on highway and 22 or so in town. 4-speed auto drops tach way down once overdrive kicks in. I had a Toyota Tercel wagon with a tiny little 88 cu. in. motor (3AC) that only got 28 mpg average due to having auto tranny.

Oil pressure is incredible. 197,000+ miles and it still runs average of 70 lbs. pressure doing 70 mpg on highway and only drops to around 50 pounds at idle.

Not a bit of rust anywhere on body.

Extremely comfortable ride with power-everything and leather interior. Power seats are great. Like sitting in my La-Z-Boy at home!

Has computerized firm ride stabilization, which still works flawlessly.

Faults:

New Alternator at 87,000 miles.

General Comments:

I put this thing through hilly, curvy road, stop and go driving for 40,000 miles over the course of one year, at temperatures often colder than 10 below zero Fahrenheit, and it always started, always ran perfectly!

Faults:

I bought this car used a few days ago. It needs a new positive battery cable. I'm told by a mechanic that the Del-co battery will leak acid on the cable if anyone tightens the cable terminal too tight. Which is what happened.

General Comments:

The car rides like a dream. It's a cream puff! At 166,000 miles, it is quiet, comfortable and not to expensive to drive.

I travel in my business, and the extra roomy trunk is ideal for carrying merchandise.

The Oldsmobile 98 Regency is the Cadillac of the Oldsmobile line. My car has every power accessory offered. I still can't get over the little air pump in the engine compartment that pumps up the rear shocks whenever I load something heavy in the trunk, even when the engine isn't running.

Faults:

I replaced the O2 sensor at 170,000.

I replaced the EGR valve at 210,000.

Exterior temperature sensor for the climate control just failed at 210,000.

General Comments:

An excellent boat type ride, I drive 30,000 to 50,000 miles a year and am never tired from the drive.

The 3800 motor is bullet proof. This is my second 98 and have placed well over 250,000 miles on these motors.

Over all an excellent car, wish GM would keep building the 98.