1988 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royal Brougham 3.8 V6 from North America

Summary:

Fast for its size and comfortable

Faults:

Fuel pump died (under warranty)

Radiator rotted out

Power antenna quit

Mass air flow sensor quit

Throttle positioner sensor quit

Emergency brake cable rusted and broke

Door panel broke

Starter quit

Passenger window goes up slow, rubbing on something

Opera lights don't work any more (can't figure out where the light comes from)

Electronic heater controller quit

Gas line rusted out

A/C quit working refrigerant leaked out

Both air level struts at back blew (after 365000 KM)

General Comments:

Great car, had it for 20 years.

Drove long distances in the winter (lots of salt on road), so rust has taken hold of it.

If Olds was still in business, I would buy another one.

Pull a part has lots of these cars for parts (put in new struts, E brake and radiator, but used parts for everything else.

Son is driving it now.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd July, 2008

1988 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Brougham 3.8L V6 from North America

Summary:

Good, but the transmission wasn't

Faults:

The heating ducts were stuck open, allowing cold air into the car and the heat didn't blow because the blower motor was bad too. Dealer fixed under warranty.

The transmission would "slam" into reverse, causing the car to leave black marks on pavement even with the park brake and regular brakes on. The dealer refused to replace transmission, so car was returned.

General Comments:

I bought this car from a dealer with a 100% 30 day warranty. I drove the car a total of 4 days, the rest of the time I owned it it sat on the dealership lot. I loved the ride, the comfort of the car, and the power it had. If the transmission hadn't been going, I would have kept it. I almost wish I had gotten a lawyer to get that new transmission put in by the dealer under warranty. I liked that car a lot.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd January, 2008

1988 Oldsmobile Delta 88 3.8 from North America

Summary:

It is an excellent automobile!

Faults:

Transmission rebuilt at 217000.

Crank sensor at 401000.

General Comments:

This car has been a joy to own and drive. It is incredibly reliable, very economical, and has withstood the driving and minor accidents of two teenagers. I hope to drive it many more years!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th February, 2006

1988 Oldsmobile Delta 88 3.8L from North America

Summary:

She will run like a champ if you baby her

Faults:

Interior lights do not work.

Lock for my glove compartment is non existent, so now I have this piece of plastic holding it put.

Dash board lights do not work and I cannot figure out why for the life of me. Instead, I have a flashlight duct taped to my dashboard.

Speakers are cracked and the stereo doesn't stay on.

What everyone has said is true about the transmission... at around 120000 miles it has suddenly begun to die on me. It doesn't have a second gear anymore and so there is a lovely grinding noise from 20-40 miles an hour.

Radiator and the fan have gone out at around 125000. I just got the parts at a junk yard.

Leaks oil, radiator fluid and transmission fluid EVERYWHERE.

Muffler is cracked and extremely loud.

The seals for my windows are cracked too, it leaks water everywhere. I now need to have two towels in my car in case of an emergency.

The seats do not move back.

The handles for my manual windows are sticking so now I have an extremely strong left arm!!

I go through windshield wipers like mad.

The SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT is on all the time.

The gauge that tells you how much gas you have in your tank is broken so now I drive on a prayer when I am not sure how much gas I have in the car.

Heat barely works and the A/C is non existent.

The primer is completely gone now so my car doesn't have that much color anymore.

Seat belts do not work for they are stuck.

The license plate lights do not like to work...EVER.

The cloth from the roof of the car is completely loose so now I have tacks holding them in place.

General Comments:

When I am at a red light for too long it feels like someone kicks my car from the behind and the SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT will flicker on and stay on until I accelerate.

It used to accelerate like a dream until I started having these gear problems. Now I can barely push it to thirty miles an hour in less than two or three minutes.

The seats are uncomfortable, but extremely large. Good for college students.

This car sucks gas up like you would not believe. I barely get 9 miles to the gallon.

Despite all the problems I have with this car, I can honestly say it is not that bad of a deal. I bought it for 600 dollars about eight months ago. The previous owner had really beaten her up and I'm afraid I wasn't any nicer.

She may be ugly, but she has been running a lot longer than I expected. For 600 dollars... I got the most for my money. I am a bit sad to see her go...

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

Review Date: 14th December, 2005

11th Jan 2006, 12:43

You need a distributor module! (kick from behind when hot)