1986 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale 3.8L V6

Summary:

Reliable, Comfortable Transportation

Faults:

I have replaced the alternator, CV Joints, brakes (front and rear), the water pump, timing chain, spark plug wires and spark plugs. I have done oil changes and lubes religiously.

The radiator sprung a leak and had to be cleaned and sealed. I also had the radiator fan motor go out.

The paint job is shot with all the clear-coat peeling off of the hood and trunk. Some guy ran into my passenger door 2 years ago, causing only cosmetic damage.

The worst problem I have encountered were the window regulators breaking. This car is one of the few with manual windows, the tape drive inside the door likes to break and GM does not make replacement parts for it anymore.

General Comments:

This car held up well. I was surprised with how powerful the 3.8 was. It is no sports car, but it has enough power to comfortably go down the road. The suspension is really soft and the handling leaves some to be desired, but I have been pleased with this car overall.

The car has developed some squeaks and rattles, which I consider normal given the mileage and age of the vehicle. The body may be going bad, but the engine in this car could go for another 100,000.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th December, 2002

1986 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royal Broughm 3.8L V6

Summary:

Lots of room and mobility for cheap

Faults:

Bad battery connection.

Driver side windshield wiper was broken.

LOTS of short circuits (windows, door locks, radio, etc.)

Air conditioning never worked.

Main engine bearing broke dramatically decreasing acceleration and ultimately killed the car ($500 fix was too much for the long neglected car)

General Comments:

This was my first car and I loved it!!!

It only cost me $500 Canadian and it drove incredibly well. It went absolutely EVERYWHERE! I have so many great memories of it. It accelerated really well (0-60 in 12 seconds), had a top speed of 170km/h and it was the kind of car that you'd throw $20 of gas in it and it would go.

I got 26 miles per gallon which is pretty good and it was rusty so I never washed it.

It had oodles of legroom both in the front and back seats and it had a really rich velvet interior.

The best thing about the car was the fact that the factory premium stereo system always shorted out, but if you kicked it in the right place it would go on for another 5 minutes or so. My friends and I had lots of enjoyment kicking it!

One of my tires was badly bald so there was also an invigorating sense of danger of it exploding. Teenagers can find some really weird things amusing don't they?

I had the car for barely 2 months before the main bearing went in the engine. The $500 bill was too much so I sold it to some guy who wanted the transmission. I then got a $1,250 1980 Chrysler Cordoba that's been very reliable (you can see my review on that car too), but it still doesn't quite live up to the sheer fun of the Olds' 88.

Now that I look back at those times, I would've gladly taken that $500 repair bill to breathe life into that car to continue the fun memories.

Obviously it's a great first car if you don't have that same engine problem.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th November, 2002

1986 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale

Summary:

Definitely worth a look

Faults:

The only thing I found that has gone wrong with the car is that the exhaust had a major leak when I first bought it, the muffler needed to be replaced, and the brakes were starting to go. The exhaust and the muffler problems were a result of sitting outside all season during a particularly wet Michigan winter. The right rear door doesn't open and the right front passenger window doesn't roll down.

General Comments:

This car has to be one of the most reliable vehicles I've ever driven.

I absolutely love it.

On rainy nights when I was camping with my friends, I often slept in the backseat of my car because its SO comfortable.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd October, 2002

1986 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royal Brougham 3.8 Liter V6

Summary:

My big red beast

Faults:

Water pump went at 145,000 miles.

Starter went at 148,000 miles.

Fouled up spark plugs caused poor running at 149,000 miles.

Replaced driver's side power window motor in 2001.

New windshield washer pump in 2001 also.

General Comments:

My car handles corners very well.

Upon purchasing, I installed a CD player with a 1000 watt amp and two 10 inch sub-woofers.

The car originally came from Maryland and has no rust.

I recently took off the standard muffler and replaced it with a cherry bomb exhaust instead.

I tinted all side windows, rear window, and darkened the original tint on the windshield.

I have been adding an octane booster to my fuel tank every time I fill my tank since October 2001.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th September, 2002

1986 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Brougham 3.8 V6

Summary:

There's nothing like Royale Brougham style and comfort!

Faults:

I had a timing chain problem shortly after buying the car, which is typical for a 3.8.

I had to replace the alternator.

My power steering pump decided to stop working recently.

The performance is, but sufficient by my standards, but the sad part is, it's better than most things on the road today.

General Comments:

This car has had few problems, and I have fixed all of them myself to date.

This was my first car, and I love it to death.

She'll fire up and run like a dream every time. Washes up real nice for a car bought from some strange abandoned field owner (really long story).

It features power steering, power brakes, power windows, power locks, power seats, CD player, and as much leg room as you could ask for from a two door coupe.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd July, 2002