25th Jan 2015, 23:05

Assuming condition and mileage are similar, I would prefer the Oldsmobile 98. I've had great luck with several early 80s Olds 98s and 88s. However given both are very old already, and the '83 is seven years older, be sure to check it out very closely.

26th Jan 2015, 01:56

The Cadillac will hold its value much better, as it is a lot more desirable among collectors, plus it is 7 years newer.

26th Jan 2015, 14:16

If you think "they're basically the same car and look very similar", what difference does it make? Flip a coin and go with that.

28th Jan 2015, 02:43

That really is a tough one, as both cars ride on the same platform and use the same engine and transmission (and probably so many other similar components). They do look scarily similar, as they use the same platform as I said before. Both vehicles offer virtually the same driving/riding experience, and have almost all the same luxury features.

Everybody here is right, both cars are a great buy for the money and will last a long time with no real problems, so long as they've been correctly maintained. I would get a quote for both cars, and if the Oldsmobile comes out significantly cheaper (it likely will), I'd shoot for that instead of the Cadillac Brougham.

The Brougham is a great car, but the Oldsmobile 98 is a better buy. As noted by previous posters, parts are cheaper, and they don't have the cheap pla-rubber fillers that will break down after a couple years and cost a fortune to replace. The 307 it comes with is also a little less wheezy, and believe it or not, the Oldsmobile has very slightly more interior and trunk space to boot as well.

Personally, I've had better experiences with the Oldsmobile 98 than the Cadillac Brougham, despite the two being so similar. Both cars are really great, but the Olds is a bit better. I've had less reliability problems and they're more understated, meaning they don't get nearly as much attention as the Cadillacs do, which is what I personally prefer. Shame on GM for not carrying on the C-body Oldsmobile in at least a renamed form like the Brougham to compete with the Mercury Grand Marquis.

28th Jun 2018, 00:51

I worked for GM for 15 years from 1969 to 1985, and GM used the Oldsmobile as the test car for Cadillac. They would try everything in the Oldsmobile first, then what doesn't work out in the Olds, they would improve it for the Caddy. But basically they are the same car, and GM made sure both cars had the best they could offer. The Oldsmobile 350 engine saved GM in 1975 to 1979 remember.

.VLBJ