1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass ciera xc Special Edition 3.8 liter

Summary:

Great power... Great comfort...Great car!

Faults:

My transmission went out at 96,000 miles.

My engine locked up at 98,000 miles.

I had these problems because I abused the car.

General Comments:

The Special Edition is defiantly special!

This car has incredible speed and can handle corners with confidence.

Stop and go driving or road trips this car is great for both.

I have always been able to depend on the Cutlass Ciera Special Edition in snow, rain, mudd, and all other driving conditions.

I have taken this car off the road in the mountains of Pennsylvania after a big rain storm... never got stuck!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th April, 2002

1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 2.8 multi-port

Summary:

The biggest pile of junk I have ever driven

Faults:

I think just about everything has gone wrong with it. Including the digital dash so I don't know how many miles are on it. And sometimes I don't know how fast I am going because the digital dash doesn't work half the time.

The motor is something to be desired, when it wants to run it will, but when it doesn't it looks like I am walking home. Same with the heater and A/C and radio, they all have a mind of their own.

And a hint to all you 1988 Cutlass owners, if you want to print the recalls off the Internet, you better have at least twenty pieces of paper in your printer because there are a lot of them.

General Comments:

This car is anything but quick and doesn't handle worth a darn. It wouldn't be a bad car, but the people at Oldsmobile decided to use this car as a test car, they put a bunch of junk on it just to see if it would work.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 14th December, 2001

1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme FE3 2-door 2.8L V6

Summary:

The ultra reliable car for the whole family

Faults:

The water pump went on me.

The alternator went on me.

Ignition system shorted out.

Rear brake calipers.

Digital Dashboard Flashes intermitantly.

Metal heater hose.

Driver's side door handle.

General Comments:

The car is very dependable, but not fast. It may look like its given me a lot of problems, but what do you expect for 170,000 miles. Still looks/runs good. The insurance is a little higher than other cars, though. It has a lot of room in the 2-door body style too. I think it looks great!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st September, 2001

27th Sep 2001, 05:25

My dash did the same. I talked to a guy that works for Delco, the company that made the dash. He said they had a problem with bad solder joints. I re-soldered all connections and it works fine. 165000 miles and going strong.

19th Dec 2001, 15:41

Not the solder all the time. Most of the time it is a chip on the back, it's meant to eat itself a way just so the guys at Delco can get a pay check.

That's what's wrong with mine, but it's too expensive ($160) for something not that important. Just stay a little under the speed limit.

Watch your stock radio, that will be the next thing to go. But an easy fix, just gotta find the sweet spot right above the radio and hit it as hard as you can.

1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 2.8

Faults:

Just the normal repairs - water pump, alternator, brakes etc..

General Comments:

This is the best car that I have ever owned. I drive 130 miles round trip to work five days a week and it keeps on ticking. I change the oil every 3,000 miles.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th May, 2001

14th Dec 2001, 15:47

Believe me it all starts out to be just the normal things wrong, but wait till the thing nickel and dimes you to death.

1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme SL 2.8L V-6

Faults:

The paint job was already going downhill by the time I acquired it.

I didn't have any trouble until I went over 180,000 miles, after that the drivers side exterior door handle broke. I also had some rear brake trouble, but nothing really serious.

The engine was having a hard time finding the power to make it up big hills, which there is no shortage of around here. That didn't happen until I passed 200,000 miles, then things went downhill.

General Comments:

The reason I wouldn't buy another car from this manufacturer is the fact that I just put a new engine and transmission in it. I also found some sporty rims that dress it up nicely. I plan to repaint it this summer.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 15th March, 2001

16th Mar 2001, 09:31

What's up with the door handles?

I have a 2 door '88 Cutlass Supreme International and I think the door handles on all cars of this type have that problem.

2nd Apr 2001, 16:07

No doubt on the door handles and the paint. I recently priced a door handle, they said $82.

I drive a 1988 Cutlass Supreme with the 2.8. I have 195,653 miles and have no problems with the motor, runs like new.

27th Apr 2001, 21:26

I have an 89 Grand Prix (same kinda car). Door handles broke too, it's the cold that does it.

31st Jan 2005, 06:51

Re the above comment, you baby your car "to death" but you drive it at 153 mph?

Keep doing the latter and the "death" may be yours, and hopefully no one elses!