1988 Oldsmobile 98 Regency Brougham 3800 Series I from North America
Summary:
Well worth $1200. I will drive it for years to come... maybe until it turns 40
Faults:
Interior lights and power locks on the same circuit. Dead short there somewhere.
Auto headlights not working.
A/C not working.
Windows are slow and the passenger one only goes down half way without falling off track.
General Comments:
29 years old and it rides like a dream. Like driving a La-Z-Boy.
Rack and pinion, brake lines, ECU, and full tune up by the previous owner.
Cannot complain. I will drive it until I cannot afford to maintain it in the future.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 6th September, 2017
8th Sep 2017, 05:26
These are great cars, lots of old school luxury touches with amazing reliability and highway fuel economy from the bulletproof 3800 engine. The super plush seating offers comfort that one just does not find in a modern car at any price. I've owned 2 of these platform cars in the Buick variant, a 91 Lesabre and an 89 Park Avenue. Both were older cars with high mileage, but I never hesitated to take them on long multiday highway roadtrips. The highway fuel economy was amazing for an older large car; the exact same or better than other newer cars I've driven, like the 2003 Century, 2004 Accord, etc.. If you are lucky to find a rust free one, don't hesitate to buy it!
10th Sep 2017, 02:47
These were solid cars by 1988. 1985s were trash, taking a few years get decent quality - especially the drivability (lots of random stalling), and the transmissions struggled to make 50,000 miles without a major failure.
The only consistent issue at this point (as you found) out is the power windows.
The regulators are junk, but parts to fix them can still be had. Worked at a Buick dealer in the early-mid 90s, saw lots of LeSabres/Park Avenues with windows stuck/off the track. The motors and switches aren't perfect, but are a bit more reliable.
This was the 1st year for the 3800 V6 - better performance AND better reliability - Win-Win :)
7th Oct 2017, 15:11
Great reviews. Had a couple of the Olds 98s when I was younger. Just brought a Regency Brougham with 117K. In great shape. No rust to speak of. Black with maroon leather interior. Hope to have it for years to come.
6th Sep 2017, 16:41
Fix the A/C. It's worth it with only 83,500 miles, you are good for another 100,000. This was the best and most reliable years of the 3800. No plastic intake, plastic coolant bypass elbow, and pathetic belt tensioner design. Not to mention "Dex-crap" coolant.