Faults:

Struts/shocks wore out.

Power steering rack wore out.

Slight fuel pump noise since 44,000.

Headliner sag.

Cruise will kick in on its own if switch is left on.

General Comments:

Fastest thing I've had in decades, plenty of passing power. According to the muffler shop, it has the high-performance exhaust. The engine, a 3800, is flawless.

30 miles per gallon highway, 24 local on E-10 (89 octane gasohol, 10% ethanol).

Handling and stability okay with the new struts and shocks, not nearly as good as that of my '88 Sable, but the Ciera is a much better car overall.

Worst part of the car is the front seats. Driver's seat is power front-back, up-down and tilt, but the seat back does not recline independently. I'm 6'4" and I can't really get comfortable. Passenger seat is non-power with no recline. Would like very much to have 6-way power seats that also recline (not just tilt).

My wife's uncle (on Oldsmobile Dealership mechanic) bought the car new, and sold it to my mother-in-law at 32,000. I have maintained it since that time. Oil consumption is neglible. Drove it from Kansas to San Jose California and back two years ago, averaged 29.6 for mileage. That includes the 75mph cruising across Arizona and New Mexico.

Faults:

The perforated leather in the driver's side front seat has started to split. Otherwise, the seats are very robust and quite comfortable.

The timing chain has been replace twice. It's probably due for another.

The alternator has been replaced twice.

The power antenna has been broken for over ten years. Since it failed in the up position, I have left it alone.

The fog lights have also been inoperative for over ten years.

The cassette drive belt in the premium audio system broke six or seven years ago. Replacing it required removing the whole dashboard. Fortunately, I had the assistance of an experienced mechanic.

General Comments:

It's a very attractive car, metallic burgundy with crisp lines and nice silver trim. Thieves stole the hood ornament and all, but one of the small hub caps on the mag wheels within the first two years.

The paint job began flaking off after five or six years. This seems to be a problem for a lot of 1987 cars. I've seen the same problem with 1987 GM cars and Ford Tauruses. We had it repainted above the belt line with a significant discount (although a neighbor with a Chevy got his repainted for free!).

There is significant rust at the bottom of the trunk lid and the after end of the driver's door, particularly where the trim strip is fastened.

We now have an L-shaped 18-inch-long crack in the windshield from the top and coming six inches down and then turning 12 inches left. I can't feel it from either the inside or the outside.

Its performance has always been exhilarating. Between the 3.8 L V-6, the tight transmission, and the FE3 suspension, it has always handled well. At about 98,000 miles, we started hearing an unusual sound from the engine that my wife describes as sounding like a helicopter. One repair shop told us that the engine should be replaced. We didn't do it. Now, almost 100,000 miles later, the sound is still there.

Faults:

78,000 Fuel pump relay

79,000 Exhaust

79,000 Tires and front brakes

83,000 Front brakes again, plus rear brakes

89,000 Heater Core

96,000 Front brakes yet again

98,000 Gas tank.

General Comments:

I have to say this was a very reliable car. It never left me stranded and was never in need of any bad repair. The A/C never quit and had never been touched for 120,000 miles and worked great! It was very comfortable and roomy and when I cleaned it up it really looked sharp.