Very Good Acceleration
Smooth & Comfortable Ride
"Big Car" Interior & Features
Excellent Gas Mileage

Transmission a Bit Harsh

I purchased this Regency with 75K miles. The Regency is the top-of-the-line Eighty-Eight model. After the Ninety-Eight was discontinued, Oldsmobile shoved most, if not all, of it's features into an Eighty-Eight and called it the Regency.

The car has many features which cannot be found on the other Eighty-Eights of the same year. The most obvious ones are the rear air suspension, memory driver's seat, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The same front clip as the 98 was used on the Regency, so it also has cornering lights, which cannot be found on the Eighty-Eight or LSS of the same year.

The interior is tan leather, the carpet is plush, space is good. The only downside for me is the bench, not bucket, front seat. The instrument panel includes a tachometer and also low fuel, washer, oil and coolant warnings. There's an auto-dimming rear-view mirror which is linked to a heated & dimming driver's side outside rear-view mirror. The memory function controls the driver's seat and both mirror positions. When you hit the "UNLOCK" button on the keyless entry remote, the seat and mirrors automatically move to your position. A second remote can be programmed to a second driver. The climate control is automatic and allows the passenger to control how warm or cold their side is compared to the main temperature. There are rear seat heat/AC vents. Legroom is good in the rear seat. There's also a center armrest and foldout dual cup holder. There's a nifty little overhead storage "cubby" with a sunglasses holder.
There are steering wheel controls for both the radio (volume, seek & program) and the climate control (temperature & fan speed). The factory six-speaker stereo system is quite adequate for my needs. There's a CD player, Tape Deck and, of course, AM/FM Radio. There's also a rear power antenna. The trunk is surprisingly large and there's a power trunk release.

The engine is silky-smooth and very refined. Power off the line is surprisingly good for a 2-ton, 17 foot land yacht. Passing power on the highway is also fantastic. There's a nice little whine that comes from the engine when rev it, it's really quite nice. I've noticed that my transmission seems to shift rough into 3rd, 4th, and Torque Converter Lockup when hot. I'll be changing the fluid and filter... It's not really serious now.

The only flaw with these 3800 Series II engines is a design error. GM used a plastic upper intake manifold. There's a tube for the EGR (Hot!) that passes through the plastic and guess what... It tends to melt the plastic causing a coolant leak. Sometimes, the Lower Intake Manifold Gasket can leak too, but a revised metal/rubber gasket was designed to fix this.

My car is painted in Light Antelope Metallic, a nice gold color. The paint has moderate swirl marks all over the car; it seems like someone dried the car off with a towel they covered in sand. Will a bit of swirl remover and a Porter Cable, the paint will shine like new. The exterior appearance & trim looks quite antique, but I kinda like it.

The car really shines on the highway. It soaks up road imperfections, has a slight Big-American-Car-Bounce that you'd expect when going over bumps, but it's very comfortable. I average 30.6MPG doing my 40-mile commute to college every day. You really can't ask for more...


So far, I've changed the spark plugs, wires & PCV (I was getting a misfire under moderate acceleration) - $64, I've replaced the driver's side (main) air mixer motor in the dash which blends hot/cold air to get your desired temperature - $30, and I've had the fuel sending unit replaced (by a shop) due to a fuel leak - $464.

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1988 Cadillac Brougham d'Elegance
1992 Buick Park Avenue
1997 Oldsmobile Bravada

Nice squishy ride. Makes bumps feel like riding a roller coaster.
Trunk space is amazing though I wish it where flat.
6 seat belts
More power than a Jap Econo box.
Stands out from other cars. Interesting styling.
Awesome fuel millage. I get 24mpg avg.

Horrific handling.
Not very much interior room for the size of the car.
Windshield wipers scratched my windshield.
Worlds softest and vague steering.

This is an extremely reliable car. Has a wonderful but very squishy ride. Has some power but it is certainly not fast.

I got it with 44,000 miles on it and it is still in nearly brand new condition. It is the base model so there are not any parts on it to break. Though it does have a block heater which surprised me a lot.

The handling is absolutely awful.

The stereo is very good, much better than the one in my parents BMW 740il. It is the only Olds 88 I have every seen with a CD player from the factory.

The car is built very well but the pannel gaps are massive! There are many places where pannels and covers are to short. I can fit my whole hand between the front door and the dash on both sides!

I really don't know why every body thinks this car has a lot of room. It has the least room of any car my family has owned since I was born. The leg room in the back is awful. The seats don't move back far enough either for even a 6ft tall person.

I would highly recommend this car to any College student or any one who needs and inexpensive car to operate.
Not recommended for any one who cares about how a car drives.

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1998 BMW 740iL
2001 BMW 740iL
1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited. The Jeep drives very much like the 88 but with less power.

3.8L V6
Nice, roomy interior and trunk space
Digital instrumentation
Classic "big car" look and feel

Spongy brakes, steering and suspension (probably attributable to its age);
Air conditioning not functioning properly (age);
Power windows and door locks not functioning properly (age);
Not the most stylish car on the road in terms of looks

Originally when this car was given to me, the plan was to use it for a year or two until I saved the money to get what I really wanted (an Oldsmobile Aurora). But after driving her for a couple of days, I have fallen in love with this car!!! After spending yearsof driving those little four cylinder pea shooters, itfelt nice to drive a BIG car with some POWER!!!
Even at almost 18 years, the 3.8L V6 (in my opinion the best engine GM EVER produced) still has a lot of kick and does not burn a drop of oil, and the transmission shifts pretty good as well.
The seats are nice and comfortable for a husky guy (6-1, 260) and there's lots of room for five other people too.The ride is a bit too spongy for such a large car, but some struts should take care of that. Also the brakes are a bit spongy (I've had those done and they still are quite a bit soft). Did I mention that the steering could be a bit tighter as well, but I guess that can be chalked up to age as well.
As far as looks are concerned, to me it's very understated; with just the right touches (tinted windows and a good compound job on the paint) it would be a very appealing car to the eye!

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Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera-got that from my dad for free. Drove it for a year with a bad steering pump, never changed the fluids, leaked oil like a sieve and still squeezed out 10,000 miles out of her. Imagine how many miles I can get out of this Olds!!!And of course, my next car will be an Olds!!!

Solid, well built, simple performance. A pleasure to drive. Mechanically good so far. Milage has been surprisingly good at 25 city and 31 hwy.

Rear suspension tuning should be a little stiffer, but this can be accomplished with shock selection next time.

I was in the market for a mid-size sedan as a second family car. Found this 88 LS on the lot via an internet posting and put a deposit on it that evening. Kelly BB showed ~ $4200 market value, but the dealer wanted ~ $5000. We compromised and I brought it home for $4600, taxes included. At the time, I wasn't sure what I had, but it fit the bill.

It's been nine months / 15 kmiles and I'm falling in love with it. Initially I replaced shocks, the belt, and upgraded to a CD / cassette combo bought from a refurbisher in CA. I'll probably replace the AC compressor soon. I've settled into the feel of a soft ride, but the control is good. From the leather seats to the solid "thud" when closing the door, this car is a pleasure. It's heavy, tight, quiet, smooth, and has plenty of power on tap for traffic and highway. Best of all, there's a nice understated simplicity to this car which translates into fewer gadgets to break and disappoint. No other mechnical issues so far, but time will tell.

Why do people go for the lightweight feel of Japanese cars at extra expense? My growing family has ample room in the back. My daughter calls it the "spiffy" car. I'm looking for simlar cars for may sons' first cars as they go to college. Even they are convinced.

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None, but plan to purchase another one.

Very comfy Powerful engine bulletproof reliability

Bland Styling (but who cares?)

My dad gave me his 92 Olds 88, and I love this car. Comfy as hell, 3.8 L V8 is very strong engine, moves briskly. On road trips people fight to get in my car than my friends civic. The olds is that much roomier and comfier. Huge Trunk. Very little maintence needs to be done. Got 190K on it and it shows no sign of stopping. Very pleased with this car.

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None

Dual power seats, CD, high quality leather, keyless entry, auto down driver window, back seat air ducts, great steering wheel controls, and great body integrity.

Weak 3800 V6 engine. Have replaced spark plugs with bosch platinums (best you can buy), fuel filter, fuel injectors, and engine control modual. I also put in Mobile 1 fully synthetic motor oil. All these things have had little to no affect. Had transmission checked and told not the problem.

This is the best luxury car money can buy if the engine were to perform properly. This car has every option possible. The automatic climate control is great as well as the steering wheel controls. The leather seats look like new at 104000 miles. Everything is in top notch condition exept for the cars performance. I have heard that the 3800 series V6 engine by GM is one of the most strong performing V6 engines ever made. I have heard and read that it offers brisk acceleration and smooth effortless crusing. This is not the case in my car. My 3800 is very anemic and has sluggish acceleration. It dreads hills and with the AC on can barely keep up with semi trucks from a standing stop. I have repaired just about everything to do with the cars performance and yet seen no result. (See list in weaknesses). Any advice would be helpful. I would hate to have to get rid of the car.

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1989 Mercury Grand Marquis.- 225000 miles and runs great. Weighs 3900 pounds and has 150 horsepower and out accelerates the Olds and climbs up hills with ease. The Olds weighs 3400 pounds and has 170 horsepower. (no wonder I am conserned) 1990 Dodge Dynasty.- Very bad car. Lousy transmission. Poor integrity.

Dual power seats, CD, high quality leather, keyless entry, auto down driver window, back seat air ducts, great steering wheel controls, and great body integrity.

Weak 3800 V6 engine. Have replaced spark plugs with bosch platinums (best you can buy), fuel filter, fuel injectors, and engine control modual. I also put in Mobile 1 fully synthetic motor oil. All these things have had little to no affect. Had transmission checked and told not the problem.

This is the best luxury car money can buy if the engine were to perform properly. This car has every option possible. The automatic climate control is great as well as the steering wheel controls. The leather seats look like new at 104000 miles. Everything is in top notch condition exept for the cars performance. I have heard that the 3800 series V6 engine by GM is one of the most strong performing V6 engines ever made. I have heard and read that it offers brisk acceleration and smooth effortless crusing. This is not the case in my car. My 3800 is very anemic and has sluggish acceleration. It dreads hills and with the AC on can barely keep up with semi trucks from a standing stop. I have repaired just about everything to do with the cars performance and yet seen no result. (See list in weaknesses). Any advice would be helpful. I would hate to have to get rid of the car.

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1989 Mercury Grand Marquis.- 225000 miles and runs great. Weighs 3900 pounds and has 150 horsepower and out accelerates the Olds and climbs up hills with ease. The Olds weighs 3400 pounds and has 170 horsepower. (no wonder I am conserned) 1990 Dodge Dynasty.- Very bad car. Lousy transmission. Poor integrity.

Again as I said the best ride money can buy.

Looks like it belongs to an older person, eh well I guess I'm getting there soon. Didn't like the pseudo vent windows in the front but don't mind them now. No toher weaknesses so far.

A beautiful riding car thats very economical , 3.8 L V6 (32 mpg town) It has good power yet not super gutsy for take off. Excellent interior features such as velour seats, comfy power driver seat, fast power windows, and extremely comfortable ride. Engine noted for its longevity as compared to 3.1 L. Bought it with only 82,000 km. Well maintained.

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Chrysler Dynasty '92(harder on fuel for sure) VW Rabbit (best fuel economy yet, too bad they quit making this little runabout). Eagle Vision ('93) very nice car, stylish,less economical). Olds 98 T

Comfort, reliability, power when you need it, decent gas mileage. All around great car.

Soft suspension (can also be considered a good thing), transmission went out.

I bought this car somewhat grudgingly from my parents. Never really liked it much before I drove it. I guess it just seemed too "old person car". I was so wrong, that was an awesome car. It was comfortable, roomy and didn't get bad gas mileage. It was also extremely reliable (even though I drove it hard). It's a great car if you have lots of friends to lug around, even with 6 people you travel in comfort. The 3.8 liter V-6 had more than sufficient power in reserve for when you need it. The only problem I had with it was the transmission went bad at 163,000 miles. We got the transmission replaced and I sold it to a friend when I joined the AirForce. It's hitting 200,000 miles now and still going strong. I wish I would of kept it, I now have a cadillac with only 60K miles that has so many more problems.

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Nothing compares...

Great fuel economy. It also seems as if it will run forever.

Not the best looking car on the road.

This car is great. I purchased it from my parents 5 years ago with 100,000 miles on it. It now has 260,000 miles on it and it is still in great shape. It runs very well and I have not had to do many repairs to it. It is easy to work on so many of the repairs I have done myself. We need to replace my wife's car and she wants to get another one of these. I would recommend one to anyone.

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