Used 1996 Buick Skylark Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 1996 Skylark, so we've included reviews for other years of the Skylark since its last redesign.
Good car
drc37, 03/10/2003
1995 Buick Skylark Custom 4dr Sedan
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
It has worked well for us for the last 5 years. No complaints. Nothing ever really broke besides the standard items like brakes and battery.
8 Years of Headaches!!!
bewareskylark, 06/09/2003
1995 Buick Skylark Custom 4dr Sedan
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Wish my mechanics were with me before I bought it. Mainly drove to the train. But it needed brand new brakes & roters 3x’s and a new engine after 5 yrs. With low speed driving, the oil can’t burn off efficiently, even with regular oil changes. The front alingment design caused flat tires and needed new lower ball joints. It had continued fuse problems, and the alternator got replaced twice. 1 month ago it died on the expressway without warning. Another engine design problem allowed the antifreeze to leak into the engine & overheat. Never did any warning lights go off. With 67K miles, the body looked great, but under the hood was junk!!!
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See all 0 listingsIt Never Dies
Mr Blah Blah, 02/14/2009
1996 Buick Skylark Custom 4dr Sedan
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I purchased this car from my father-in- law who put 112,000 miles on it. I have a 76 mile round-trip commute to work and go through about a tank of gas a week. I can get close to 400 miles off of one tank. Had a not-so-easy-to-find electrical problem with it, but once that was ironed out, no other problems. I now have 150,000 miles on it and love it. One of the most dependable cars I have ever owned.
Takes a beating
luvinit, 04/28/2006
1996 Buick Skylark Custom 4dr Sedan
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I despised this vehicle when I first began to drive it because it is a "grandma" sedan. Over a year of driving it, i have learned to love it. I have had some pricy repairs but given the age, the mileage and some of the notorious parts that come with it standard, i had expected it. The parts I believe may be due to the dealership's, and the previous owners fault; they were in moderate condition when purchased but went far downhill over the course of five years. My vehicle has had basicly everything worked on except for the lower portion of the engine. The repair costs that i have suffered are most likely not common given that the main notorious object in the vehicle, has just failed(tranny)
Good Mid-sized Car
Bobbyboy, 09/18/2003
1996 Buick Skylark Custom 2dr Coupe
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Bought this car used with 28,000 miles on it and although it looked perfect, I wondered about the mechinical shape it was in. Having had it for 5 years I haven't put a cent in it except for normal maintence.
great auto
papanana, 05/16/2004
1995 Buick Skylark Custom 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
triple aaa with power to spare on hwy at high speeds ,very comforable and safe..
Fun car, but problematic.
blahblah718293, 12/20/2006
1995 Buick Skylark Custom 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This was my first car at 131k miles. As soon as I got it it started having problems. The radiator cracked and needed to be replaced, then the heater core went and got antifreeze all over the floor on the passenger side. Other than that I get about 24 mpg overall, but I drive through a lot of hills and it takes quite a bit of gas to lug the 3800 lb car around. The engine is plenty powerful and I've never had any problems with it or the transmission. Just the cooling/heating system that needs work.
Decent for quite a while
Amanda Cole, 07/15/2008
1996 Buick Skylark Custom 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I inherited this car 9 years ago and it was extremely reliable for several years. In the past 3 years I've had to put a lot of work and money into it replacing the entire steering column because of a problem with the computer (that was very annoying) and now the transmission is slipping. Other repairs have been minimal, it gets good gas mileage on the highway (about 30 mpg), the A/C is very cold, which I like a lot! it's very comfortable and doesn't feel like a huge car, but is still roomy. Also replacing window motors in the past 2 years was bad news. Several small things gone bad lately.
Champion Underdog
EmeraldGreenSkylark, 10/07/2002
1996 Buick Skylark Custom 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Really awesome for a first car. With the V6, outperforms most other cars I've driven. Stomp on the gas in optimal gear-drop ranges (25-30 for 1st and 60-65 for 2nd) and you feel like you're about to launch. Elegant design, love the color (green). Joy to drive, feels 100% stable even at 90+. Seems like a car people love to hate though. Has needed some expensive repairs.
Best Car I Ever Had
foxhunter, 08/16/2003
1996 Buick Skylark Custom 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I bought this car new in June of '96 for my wife, who gave up driving shortly thereafter. I took it over, and it's been the best car I've ever owned. It handles very well, has had minimal maintainence and still looks good.
Tough Car
LostRealist, 05/09/2006
1996 Buick Skylark Custom 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This is a really tough car. In the 3 months I've had it, it's held up to a lot of abuse. I push this car everyday, and while I get pretty bad gas mileage from driving in a very "spirited" way, I get really good performance and the entire car is extremely tough (engine, chassis, trans, suspension, etc). I've heard some really good things about this car, and so far its lived up to the expectations. Theres only few minor electrical problems with the car, but all of them have been previously recalled. The previous owner did not fix them. Basic maintainence is all that has been needed for this car. Overall, this car is a tremedously good buy.
GOOD CAR
Mjkkcooper, 03/03/2005
1996 Buick Skylark Custom 2dr Coupe
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I bought this car from a friend's dad back in 2002. At the time it had 109K on it. It now has 157K and it's still running great. No engine or trans problems. The only issue we have had is this annoying coolant leak. We have replaced the radiator once and the hoses 3 times. Now we believe it is leaking from else were. We spend $15 a week on coolant! Besides that, I love this car, good gas mileage, but if you have a family go for the 4 door. And always the V-6! Good luck.
Luv that car-O-mine!
Proud Buick Owner, 04/04/2003
1996 Buick Skylark Custom 2dr Coupe
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Go 50-55 mph on a long trip, and get mid-30 mpg. The 6 cylinder is torquey, but the overdrive keeps the mileage in the mid to upper 20s. It's solid enough that if someone rear ends you, you and car are functional. It's not a land yacht, but can carry four people in reasonable comfort (the back seat is a bit tight). Easy to insure, easy to travel in () though I like a pillow, or small poodle, for neck rest support. Could use better lumbar support. It always runs! The speedometer is HUGE (as it should be). Happy with the 6-banger 'lark.
Piece of junk
JP2009, 05/13/2009
1996 Buick Skylark Custom 4dr Sedan
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
I bought this car in 2005 as a first car from a friend that was very reliable, i knew he would not rip me off. At first it was great and handled well and was fairly good for being a 1996. I must say i have had so many problems with this car. It doesnt start, i hate to turn it over twice everytime i get in it. It has had tons of faulty electical problems, to the point where my car wouldnt start for 3 months and i took it to 5 different mechanics!! Over all i have had nothing but problems with this car and put WAY to much money into it. It also only has 70,000 miles on it right now so it is not like it has alot of miles. there is not reason it shoudl be this bad other than it is old.
95 Buick Skylark
Linda, 12/13/2006
1995 Buick Skylark Custom 4dr Sedan
4 of 6 people found this review helpful
Have been unable to find water leak in rain that causes water to set on driver side front floor. Anti lock brake dash light and service engine soon dash light keeps going on and then back off. Unable to find problem. Also had oil leak that was repaired, cost $900. Horn problem that was repaired and worked for 1 month, cost $280.
Mechanically sound with poor interior
ijonb44, 05/12/2002
1996 Buick Skylark Custom 4dr Sedan
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
I have had very few mechanical problems with this vehicle. It is a basic, reliable vehicle. While it rides better on the highway, it isn't too bad in the city. This car does, however, have one * major* flaw. The interior has been falling apart since I purchased it! The carpet was warn within a year, and most things plastic are either cracked or have falled off. This car is well cared for, and kept in good conidition. When I asked the Buick dealership about this, they did not act surprised. So, if you are looking for reliable transportation, but do not necessarily care what the interior looks like, the Skylark is right up your alley!
It's been a good ride
Paraglider, 01/04/2010
1995 Buick Skylark Gran Sport 2dr Coupe
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Have enjoyed driving the Skylark Gran Sport for almost five years. Bought the car with 144000 miles and it now has 185000. I wouldn't be moving on to a new rig, but recently developed a drivetrain noise that sounds like expensive repairs will soon be here. However, I have really enjoyed driving the little Buick. It gets 26-28 mpg reliably, good performance, fun to whip thru the curves with it's "riding on rails" suspension. I have fixed a few things (alternator- water pump- radiator re-done) but overall it's been some good cheap driving. I like Buicks- great cars.
Skylark Grand Sport
groth, 07/28/2002
1995 Buick Skylark Gran Sport 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This car just jumped out out me on the new car lot when I bought it. I have had it now over seven years and do not plan to trade it. I have had minor repairs but nothing out of the ordinary; ie. batteries, brakes and air conditioner repair. I did replace alternator two years ago.
Love My Buick
Hip321, 09/04/2003
1995 Buick Skylark Custom 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I'm not your typical Buick owner, I bought my 1st Skylark when I was 24, I am now 31. I can't say enough about how I love my Buick. It is safe, reliable and I enjoy driving it. Yes, I too have repaired & replaced my fair share of things, but with over 107k miles on it, that's to be expected. The worst repair I had to make was replacing the transmission at 90k miles. This is my 2nd Skylark, I lost my 1st in '97 in a nasty accident (rear-ended at a stoplight by a 12-ton truck). Since I walked away from that, I was determined to find myself another one.
Good Car
JDon, 12/29/2003
1995 Buick Skylark Custom 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Very Dependable...easy to lock yourself out of this car. Not easy to get in or out of...short doors. Extremely dependable little car.
Great Little Sporty Car
Paraglider, 09/23/2006
1995 Buick Skylark Gran Sport 2dr Coupe
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have been driving my 1995 Buick Skylark GS for about three years now. I purchased it the last time gas was three dollars a gallon as an inexpensive commuter car to use instead of driving my diesel pickup all the time. I could not be more pleased with this car! The Skylark is the second Buick I have owned. I find them well built, economical, and a good alternative to the imports. I get as good of gas mileage as many imports, with a much more powerful, nicer car to boot. It is a pretty red with dark gray exterior trim and black and gray leather/fabric interior. The exterior of the car looks sporty (for a Buick!) but dulls
Eh, must not have got the same car
jcran2181, 07/02/2008
1996 Buick Skylark Custom 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I must not have gotten the same car these other reviewers got! I bought this car used, by a guy I trusted and knew wouldn't give me a bad deal (granted, I did get it used). I suppose most of these reviews are based on dealership bought cars, but this car was just a lemon as is most American cars after they get 100,000 miles on them. It looked real slick for a brutha to go round and jam his music to, it was fun, but I was under the hood every two to three days tryin to fix something. Just wasn't a dependable car. I was suprised how much a car can really fall apart in the span of about 6 months, but then again, it's a '96 car in 2008, so maybe it just needed to find a retirement home.
Got me where I needed to go
densachan, 10/29/2012
1996 Buick Skylark Custom 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This was basically my first car and I planned to use it until my credit was better established and suitable for a newer, smaller car. The car did just that and held out for the time I needed it to. It made for a smooth ride, good braking system and had powerful acceleration. The troubles started at the very end and were all contributed to the coolant system. The water pump and radiator needed replacement which cost 500+. Soon after, they found a leak in a component behind the heat shield which I needed up fixing with a leak seal. I am just glad that the car got me where I needed to go until I was in a position to buy another car.
Good little car
Will, 02/07/2018
1996 Buick Skylark Custom 2dr Coupe
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Had mine since 2004 it had 53000 -now in 2018 it has 119000 and still runs great and hasnt required alot of repairs
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Bought it new
jeff, 11/25/2005
1995 Buick Skylark Custom 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Wife's car, worst problem so far was the a/c condenser. The front brakes only lasted 20k, then replaced. 3.1 v6 runs great. 85k now. It has been the perfect car for her, I like it too. Suspension is soft.
Snow Cutter
mruprell, 10/21/2004
1996 Buick Skylark Custom 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Buick Skylark is my snow cutter .... cuts throught he piles of snow through running across the mid state country side