1986 Oldsmobile Calais from North America

Summary:

A great first car for anyone who has just gotten their license - the car is made entirely of metal!

Faults:

Bought the car for $100 - it was my first car.

It had some electrical work done, some sensors fixed, and other general under the hood things corrected also had some body work done, and that was about it.

Had to sell it because the front end of the car was in horrible shape, and it wasn't worth it to fix it because of how much I paid for the car.

General Comments:

Oldsmobile vehicles have to be one of the MOST reliable, well built, tough, nice driving cars that I have ever owned.

Smashed the car up on boulders, pulled it off, and it drove like it had never been dinged up.

Interior was roomy, and comfortable.

I also felt safe in it because the thing was all metal, as opposed to plastic.

The only thing I didn't like was that the car liked to drink gas, and cost me a lot of money - which I didn't have at the time because I was in school.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st June, 2008

1986 Oldsmobile Calais Supreme 2.3L 4-Inline from North America

Summary:

Has been an awesome first student car

Faults:

Had some issues with the brakes. Had to get new ones. The pads and the calipers.

Car body is starting to rust and fall from the bottom of the car.

The back drum brakes don't seem to work properly, because of my rusted exhaust that was sitting on the brake wires.

The front passenger foot area is rusted, which lets water in at time. But just makes it damp.

Does not have a engine temp meter, so only when the engine goes hot is when an indicator lights up.

Has only front disk brakes. Makes the car a little unstable in rainy conditions.

Power windows seem to give some issues with the auto lock; does not seem to work for all the doors.

Fixed a fuse issue with the stereo system and windows.

General Comments:

Works really well if you maintain it properly. Need to get an oil change every 5000. Reliable but not for long distance. It's an old engine.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th May, 2008

1986 Oldsmobile Calais supreme 2.5L tech 4 cylinder. from North America

Summary:

A good little car if maintained and driven with respect

Faults:

The water pump burned out prematurely when the car had less than 2,500 miles on it. Dealer replaced it, and it has been fine since.

The A/C system has not been very reliable, and continues to be a problem.

Most major components have been reliable and fault free.

The interior was first rate in quality and it's fit and finish was very good. The interior is still in good shape, although now the head liner is starting to drop here and there.

Oil filter access is a nightmare on the 2.5 4 cylinder.

General Comments:

The little Calais handles well and rides pretty good for such a small car.

It will not out perform the newer cars of today, but it does well for a car designed almost 20 years ago.

Unfortunately, these little Oldsmobile's will never receive the respect of their big muscle car brothers, and collectors will ignore them. They will fade into history without much recognition.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th November, 2003

11th Jan 2006, 19:59

Very well written AND accurate.

I have a 1985 Calais that I'm restoring - your comments on the tight frame, great fit & finish and the oil filter are all true.

I have 261,524 mile on mine (bought new with 3 miles on it) - I rebuilt the engine during my restoration (taking me over 2 years to do, but it started out as a paint job and turned into restoration). You gotta admit 261,524 on a GM T/H-125 tanny's a great comment on the car. The only reason I rebuilt the engine was I'd pulled it to paint under the hood (changing color from silver to red, and my OCD forces me to paint EVERYTHING).

So, I guess I'd say that to me, this is a great car - destined to be one of those quirky classics like the Pacer, Gremlin and the ugly-ass 1978 Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon fastback thing. Like the Edsel, ugly then, ugly now, but it would be fun to own one (if you have garage to hide it in...)

17th Jan 2006, 22:56

The Calais was a very good looking car in my opion, I also like the look of the '78-'80 Cutlass Salon (Though I may be the only one)