Used 1999 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight
Pros & Cons
- Powerful 205-horsepower V6 engine, spacious interior, good value.
- Rapidly aging design, retirement village image.
Edmunds' Expert Review
Vehicle overview
The Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight remains one of the better full-size family cars you can buy. It sports contemporary styling, an ergonomically correct interior and a powerful V6 engine driving the front wheels. There is room inside for six adults, and the Eighty-Eight has proven to be reliable. Oldsmobile's "value-pricing'' strategy has paid off with the Eighty-Eight; it comes well-equipped right out of the box, with few options available. So why haven't these cars sold as well as, say, the Ford Crown Victoria?
We used to think the reason was the uncomfortable seats, because they were this big Olds' only apparent flaw. The rest of the car is admittedly designed to appeal to middle Americans who just want to get from point A to point B in relative safety and comfort. But with mushy, unsupportive seats, the Eighty-Eight didn't fulfill the comfort portion of the equation.
Interior upgrades came along in 1997, including a nice 55/45 split bench seat. So what is the problem these days? Aging design. Although the Eighty-Eight had minor exterior freshening back in 1996, the current design dates back to 1992, and it feels like it. Let's put it this way: If you were standing in an Olds showroom viewing the Eighty-Eight, Aurora, Intrigue and new Alero, which would you be tempted to buy?
No new reasons to select the Eighty-Eight are offered for 1999. Changes are so minimal that the car is essentially a carryover model. Word is that it has one year left before a replacement arrives, in the guise of the model-year 2000 Aurora sedan.
Despite nose-heavy handling, we still think the Eighty-Eight is a great full-size value. And we are not alone. The current generation 88 has been winning "best buy'' type of accolades from the media since its introduction. But its basic design, its demographic orientation, and the nameplate itself are all on life-support. If you've gotta have a full-size sedan, and it's gotta wear an Oldsmobile badge, we strongly suggest you wait out temptation to grab a 1999 Eighty-Eight (repeat that one, fast, three times). Take a look at the changes occurring at Oldsmobile. Unless the 50th anniversary model excites you, get ready to say good-bye to the Eighty-Eight. The upcoming replacement is a shoo-in to be a better product on all fronts.
1999 Highlights
Scorecard
| Overall | undefined / 5 |
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Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 1999 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight.
Trending topics in reviews
- reliability & manufacturing quality
- comfort
- appearance
- spaciousness
- driving experience
- handling & steering
- ride quality
- transmission
- doors
- sound system
- dashboard
- wheels & tires
- infotainment system
- lights
- steering wheel
- interior
- maintenance & parts
- value
- seats
- oil
- visibility
- climate control
- fuel efficiency
- engine
Most helpful consumer reviews
In my eyes it's good looking, my kids are not thrilled about it's appearance though. It has been a good and very reliable friend. It does not require much maintenance or repair. I have 112,000 miles on it and it's still very solid. Obviously it is not a good idea to sell it, you won't be paid much for it and the clear coat is still shiny, so why bother. It's paid for and the insurance is peanuts on it. This Anniversary Edition has every luxury option and they all work fine! If you find one, don't hesitate to buy it. It's a very nice vehicle. Oil changes every 3,000 miles are a must, Synthetic oil will give you about 30 MPG on the highway, every so often go for the high octane gas that has cleaners (BP Gold, Chevron 93 or Shell 93).
I love this car. The only problem I've had - and it was big - was when a gasket leak took out the engine about a year ago. It appears to be a known problem - but they gave me little relief. One drawback is that the back seat does not have headrests. The driver's seat leather is splitting. But I love the look of this car and it's comfort. It's hard to find a vehicle as nice for its price. I'm at 108,000 miles now and hoping for many more.
My 1999 Oldsmobile 88 was my grandparents car and was given to my twin brother and I as our first car with only 42k miles on it! We have been driving it for about 5 years now and it has 69k miles on it. They 88 has been outstandingly reliable, we have under $1200 of maintenance into it in 5 years. We had the common intake leak and the power antenna is stuck up but else it is perfect. I use to hate how it looked but it has grown on me. It is factory Crimson Red and I have white strip tires on it, it looks sharp and stands out among today's cars. The ride and handling is like a marshmallow, but that is often a good thing. It is plenty quick too! I also enjoy the huge trunk!
I also hate that GM did not cover my expensive gasket problem when it happened in 2005 with just under 90,000 miles on it. Now have 141,000 miles and it has a few minor things wrong with it that I won't bother to fix - but I do love driving it. Also had problems with splitting leather problems the last 5 years. Somehow that hasn't held me back and I wish I could find another like it!
Features & Specs
| 4dr Sedan N/A | |
|---|---|
| MPG | 17 city / 27 hwy |
| Seats 0 | |
| 4-speed automatic | |
| Gas | |
| 205 hp @ 5200 rpm |
| LS 4dr Sedan N/A | |
|---|---|
| MPG | 17 city / 27 hwy |
| Seats 0 | |
| 4-speed automatic | |
| Gas | |
| 205 hp @ 5200 rpm |
| 50th Anniversary 4dr Sedan N/A | |
|---|---|
| MPG | 17 city / 27 hwy |
| Seats 0 | |
| 4-speed automatic | |
| Gas | |
| 205 hp @ 5200 rpm |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
| Side Impact Test | Not Tested |
|---|---|
| Roof Strength Test | Not Tested |
| Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint | Not Tested |
| IIHS Small Overlap Front Test | Not Tested |
| Moderate Overlap Front Test | 0 |
FAQ
Is the Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight a good car?
Is the Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight reliable?
Is the 1999 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight a good car?
How much should I pay for a 1999 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight?
The least-expensive 1999 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight is the 1999 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight 50th Anniversary 4dr Sedan. Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $0.
Other versions include:
What are the different models of Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight?
More about the 1999 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight
Used 1999 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight Overview
The Used 1999 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight is offered in the following submodels: Eighty-Eight Sedan. Available styles include 4dr Sedan, LS 4dr Sedan, and 50th Anniversary 4dr Sedan.
What do people think of the 1999 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 1999 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 1999 Eighty-Eight 4.9 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 1999 Eighty-Eight.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 1999 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 1999 Eighty-Eight featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
What's a good price for a New 1999 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight?
Which 1999 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eights are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 1999 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight for sale near. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the 1999 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight.
Can't find a new 1999 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eights you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
Find a new Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight for sale - 3 great deals out of 8 listings starting at $8,244.
Find a new Oldsmobile for sale - 2 great deals out of 17 listings starting at $21,689.
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Should I lease or buy a 1999 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out Oldsmobile lease specials