Thinking about buying a 88

Recently I got in a car accident and my car is totaled. I am in search of a new car. I am pretty picky about my cars, but right now I need one. My friend works at a shop that is selling a 1997 oldsmobile eighty-eight for 2400 dollars. It has 60,000 some miles, and he said it has a nice interior, some options, the 3.8 (I have a feeling that is standard), and the exterior is a little beat up. Sounds like a great deal, but it really isnt the car I am looking for. I am 21 and would rather have a sportier car for a younger audience, but if this is that good of a deal, I will go for it. Please give some advice.

sporty is for guys with small penis'. This car is big and comfy. Nice to mack girls in.

Haha, Thanks, I needed a good laugh...

Can anyone tell me these problems I read about with the eighty-eights? I hear people are stalling when driving, some people have problems with starting, and something else I just forgot. What are these problems? Are they still with the newer models? (97+)

don't forget tranny problems as well.

I don't see too many problems in the near future with only 60,000 miles. If it was not used like a tractor it should be good for a while yet. Tranny trouble is a common issue but still should not happen anytime soon from what I know of these cars.
The 3800 V6 is a great engine and it can really move. I've had 2 cars with V8 engins that couldn't do what the 3800 could. I've got an 87 Olds 88 now with about 200,000 miles on it and the 3800 is still as good as it was the day I bought it years ago. Great on gas too.

As for wanting something sporty, well, I agree with flojob;)....I guess people like different things in cars, but for me bigger is alwasy better...Especially when it comes in the form of a luxary car like the Olds Eighty Eight...

I have a 1994 88 LSS with 165,000 miles and it runs great. It has gone through a couple of alternators and had to have a pair of solenoids replaced IN the transmission at 120,000 miles. It is now starting to rust, but it still gets 24 to 28 mpg ...... must be the light-weight body!

Mine is fine after 106000 miles. Really no probs but tranny is a little noticable but thats because my brother drove it for a while(he's hard on cars)
Also sporty cars aren't for guys with a small thing. Big huge trucks are..
If you looking for something that will get you into the car croud or make you noticeable dont get this, simpily because it is an olds.

I got the hand me down car... Go for a 4.3 s-10 if you want sporty but not too sporty.

Hey guys,
I have never done a thread thing like this before, so if I am doing it wrong or something, please just hang with me. I have a 90 Cutlass Ciera , its a 2 door coupe. It got stolen the other day, and luckily enough the cops found it, but it has been totally trashed. The passenger side window was broken, so if someone could please lead me to a website or something that would sell this type of window, that would be amazing. Also, the back seat (which is a bench) was ripped out, and I was wondering how I would go about putting it back in. thanks, nick

yeah that is one hell of a deal considering a late 90's GP GT 3800 with 60K will go for 4000-6000 non s/c'ed if you are lucky. Is it really worth 2 or 3 thousand more for a sportier car with the identical drivetrain and that has probably been stepped on more?

Not the car to bring to the races but good for the highway and comfortable. I am about your same age and I get shit for driving "grandma" cars, yet I spend the least ammount of money on repairs and gas.


On this one you WILL HAVE TO REPLACE the upper intake manifolds becuase GM is stupid and made it of plastic right in front of the EGR Pipe so it will melt and you oil will be full of good ol antifreeze. BTW this concerns all the L36 motors from 95 and up.

the people that would buy these cars new were usually pretty old and we all know MOST old people do take care of their cars, dont step on the gas at all and take to dealership EVERY time EVERY 3000 miles to change the oil sorta thing. And you know how stealerships are. A lot will try to take advantage of the uninformed.

dealer: "Well grandpa your oil looks good but we noticed some wear on your alternator and water pump as well as your A/C compressor so we replaced those too. "

old person: "oh thanks, here you go."

If you dont burn rubber at every light the transmissions will tend to last alright.

Don't let the look of the car fool you. I'm young myself just turned 20. I drive a 96 LSS. Its pretty much a delta 88 but with more options, auto A/C, CD changer, moonroof, etc. Its one of the quickest "grandma" cars I've ever driven, and I don't even have the supercharger. The same engine is in the Grand Prix and the V6 firebirds and Cameros of the time, although those are RWD.

I love this car despite some small mechanical problems. I recently replaced the water pump because of a leak, the alternator is noisy, but because of all the options, I think the load is heavy. And there is something wrong with the clutch thingy for the A/C. The car drives really well. Its got enough power to destroy all the wannabe ricers you'll meet, and it will also survive a crash with one. I have experience in the former, not the latter thankfully.

Hope you're happy with whatever you buy though.

I am about your same age and I get shit for driving "grandma" cars, yet I spend the least ammount of money on repairs and gas.

Yeah, I take flak too in my '99 Eighty-Eight until they ride in it. It's a nice riding, nice handling car. I think the only reason is gets so much flak is because it's an Olds. 206 horse is not a bad engine for stock in my understanding. With a little work, you could probably make a head turner out of it. :icon16:

Thanks for the replies guys. But I first posted a while ago, and I have a new car now. It is not the 88. I had someone who knew the car and he said it was a beater for the guy's wife.

Anyways, for anyone who cares, I ended up with a 97 subaru legacy gt with a 5 speed, it is a blast to drive. Very happy with the purchase. Subaru forum is huge too, hah.