Faults:

This was my first car and I didn't know about any maintenance. I just did engine oil change at every 3,000 miles at a local gas station, and that was it (no coolant or transmission fluid changes, etc).

The things that have gone bad - brake pad, brake master cylinder, brake fluid leak, signal lights, headlights, seatbelt, waterpump, drive belt broke while driving (never changed it before, I guess that's why).

Bad rack and pinion, shocks and struts - Goodyear tire shop (they suck) wanted $1,500 to replace them, a local Oldsmobile dealer wanted $1,100, but ended up doing no repairs and drove the car like that for almost 5 years. Power steering fluid leaked and had to top off monthly or it would become empty. Used Locas PSF fluid that was guaranteed to stop leaks, and the leak stopped after two bottles.

General Comments:

I bought this car for $2,000 in 1996 from someone who worked at an embassy and was going back to his country. He told me he traveled a lot with his family, and the car had 140,000 miles on it. This was my first car and I drove it until 2004. The car failed a safety inspection for suspension and brakes, so I just donated the car and bought a new car. The car had 240,000 miles on it when I donated and it still ran smooth.

I didn't do any preventive maintenance other than oil changes, so some went bad, but for the last 2 years of the car, nothing broke down. $2,000 really well spent! Oh BTW, I found out the car had bad rack and pinion, and shocks and struts in 2000. I didn't fix any of them and drove it like that until 2004 November.

Faults:

EGR valve was bad at purchase - replaced, $450.

Brake hoses were cracked at purchase - replaced, $150.

Ignition coil pack didn't work the first cold day I owned it - replaced. $225.

Passenger side electric window track failed - fixed, $105.

A/C got weak - recharged, $70. So far it's holding the charge.

Alternator failed - replaced along with serpentine belt, $325.

Car squeaks a fair amount, and all the foam in the vent system is deteriorating and being blown out onto the dash.

Paint is in good shape, very few scratches.

General Comments:

This car has lots of power with the 3.8L.

Comfortable, and at least as quiet inside on the road as a 2000 Grand Marquis I've driven in.

Only had 82,000 miles at purchase, and amazingly clean. A VIN check and talking to the previous owners shows that it was owned by two older couples, and the last couple put 5000 miles on it from 1992 to 2004. Garaged and well kept the whole time, and it shows. Cost me $1500; a little high, but it was in such nice shape. Makes you feel good while driving. Safe, too.

Brakes are a little weak; takes longer to stop than my Geo does. Not dangerous, just need to plan ahead a little more.

It looks like a lot of repairs, but I think I'm just catching the car up on a decade of preventive maintenance. It's really a nice car, and I don't feel bad putting money into it. $100/month in maintenance and repair isn't unreasonable for a used car.

A good buy.

Faults:

When we got it, the 'check engine' light was on, apparently because of an EGR valve (?). Cost about $600. Also had to replace the front mirror.

First real cold day it didn't start, the coil pack needed to be replaced.

A/C (!) stopped working, charged it back up, still works after 3-4 months.

Had to get new tires.

Seats and interior are a little creaky, and the A/C blows out disintegrating bits of duct seal (spongy stuff).

Electric window, front passenger side, failed. Had to take it apart (pop rivets), fix, and replace. Not too expensive.

General Comments:

I needed a safe, cheap, reliable car that would last for 5-6 years for my son. That narrowed it down to a late 80's, early-to-mid 90's LeSabre/Bonneville/88/etc (95 and later the 3.8s were screwed up). Found this owned by an elderly widow (sold by her son) ; it was very clean and well cared for, with no rust, but some scratches. $1500 purchase price plus required repairs was a little steep, but not bad, and it was so clean and well cared for, inside and out, I decided to go for it. Plus, my son was driving me crazy looking, so I had to get something before too long. Luckily, he likes the way it looks and handles.

I'm used to a 1.6L Prizm, and the 88's 3.8L has got 10X more power to it. Goes any speed you want (I don't think my son goes too fast, but perhaps I'm kidding myself). A little boaty, and the brakes are a little weak, but after driving the 88 around, I'm having a hard time buying a economy car for myself like I've always done. If you can find one without much rust, I'd recommend it. It feels perfectly reliable.