Used 1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 1998 Eighty-Eight, so we've included reviews for other years of the Eighty-Eight since its last redesign.
A Bottomless Money Pit
Joe, 05/31/2010
1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight 4dr Sedan
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
This car has caused me quite a bit of trouble. I bought it with 30,000 miles on it and it now has just under 100,000. I've had to replace mufflers on it three times. I replaced the gas tank on it, along with a fuel pump because I would nearly stall after coming down certain hills. This probably needs to be fixed again, as it's acting up. About 1,000 miles ago my belt tensioner broke, spinning my belt off the pulleys so that no water made it to my radiator and so my engine overheated on the spot. This happened out of nowhere for no reason. A cable snapped in my left mirror so I need to wedge something there to keep the mirror aimed where I want it. This car needs one fix after another.
Update on Eighty Eigh LS
robbed718, 02/23/2011
1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight LS 4dr Sedan
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Robbed718 back. Update on the Oldsmobile Eighty Eight I bought with 53,000 miles in March of 2010 from the old lady whom lost her vision. The car now has 77,000 miles on it. I've had to replace a belt tensioner, tires and a sepentine belt since. Everything is still holding up good on the car, engine is still powerful and not bad on gas. (I get about 24mpg) . I think I could get 175-200K out of this baby. I'm gonna plan on it!
1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight for sale near you
Showing 2 of 2 listings
- LS SedanMSRP: $2,995214 mi away
- Base SedanMSRP: $8,977834 mi away
Loved my little old car!
kmfresh, 08/23/2012
1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight LS 4dr Sedan
12 of 14 people found this review helpful
I absolutely loved my eighty-eight. Only problem I ever had with it was the water pump breaking and the belt breaking (only one-time fixes for me). I drove 12 hour round trips at least once a month and drove it every single day around town, to and from work, and across state for over 2 years and it always got me where I needed to go, no problems. Very reliable and dependable. I miss my Rico. I'd definitely buy another one if I got the chance.
Buyer beware
macinman, 09/06/2010
1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight LS 4dr Sedan
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I bought this car back in February and the thing has since blown up, only had 120,000 miles on when died, things that went wrong were the intake manifold, head gasket, fuel pump, transmission started to slip, and many many small problems.
Awesome Car
hayley, 06/15/2010
1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight 4dr Sedan
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
For my first car its a good one. My grandparents had it before me and had no problems what so ever. It's fun to drive and handles well. It gets me through any kind of weather well. The only thing I've had to replace on it was the battery. I also changed out the tape player/radio with a CD player/radio. Over all its an awesome car. I would recommend it to anyone.
I LOVE this car but...
Lady who buys cars, 05/07/2010
1997 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight LS 4dr Sedan
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I bought this used as a second car for the family. I love it and it's totally fun to drive. We also have a 1993 Buick Park Avenue. It's the same car only a little older. I like the updates on the Old's 88 but i'm having some old car type problems. The anti theft system engaged and had to be bypassed. The lighters don't work so I can't plug things in. The fuel sending unit rusted. $600. There just seems to be a lot of little things. I'm not sure if it's because the car is old. My other old car (the Park Ave) didn't have these problem - from what I recall. This car feels like luxury when you drive it. THAT's nice!
Good car got me thru few years
Russ.s.dorr91@gmail.com, 07/23/2018
1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight 4dr Sedan
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Good car while I had it. Drove it a lot for about 3 years with one major issue after 1.5 years. Head gasket blew and engine water locked. $1100 repair and drove for another 1.5 yr without issue. Sold to my buddy for cheap and he drove it for about 1.5 years and only issue was radiator leak after he crashed it multiple times. Still running strong when he got rid of it
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Replace Plenum before it wrecks engine
Steve, 09/25/2009
1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight 4dr Sedan
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
Intake manifold gasket was replaced before I bought it. However, the plenum went and water went into the engine. After 600 dollar plenum repair, a valve was bad. After a couple hundred miles it needed a 1200 dollar valve repair. After a couple hundred miles a piece of engine (probably connecting rod) went through the engine block. Replace the original plenum and manifold gasket to avoid costly repairs. This happend on a 94 Park Avenue of mine with 156000 miles, a 99 Park Avenue with 190,000 miles and now a 98 Olds 88 with 111,000 miles. Great engine except for the plenums and intake manifold gaskets.
A Bargain Family Car
ddonn315, 04/10/2002
1997 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight LS 4dr Sedan
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
We bought this car to replace our aging '87 Delta 88, which we decided to keep, and still have! Just as the '87 is, this car is a sleeper of a bargain as a family car. They are as reliable as any car can get, We consistently get 33mpg on the highway. It rides like a luxury car, and has the smooth quiet power that everyone enjoys. We live in the snow belt of upstate NY, and this car never ever spins a wheel any time! It's just so sure footed, no need for alll wheel drive here! I recommend any of these cars that have been well maintained. Used ones are plentiful, and cheap!
A Very Good Car
jeffnkim, 09/06/2003
1997 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight LS 4dr Sedan
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
We bought this car used in '99 with 101,000 on the odometer. Has been a very good car, with only minor repairs. It seems to be hard on front brake hardware like pads and disc rotors (probably the way wifey drives!) but otherwise VERY dependable and I would recommend it to anyone. Styling is somewhat "dumpy" but still a very good car.
Piece Of steaming crap.
macinman, 08/09/2010
1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight LS 4dr Sedan
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought my 98 olds at a dealership and from day 1 the car has had problem after problem and now after 7 months the rod blew out the side of the car and is being deemed totaled.
Has more power than meets the eye!
Mother of 2, 04/12/2002
1997 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This has been a wonderful car. In going from the comfort and power of a Cadillac Sedan Deville (used) to a smaller car I was a bit concerned. But it didn't take me long to fall in love with this vehicle. The V6 Engine has plenty of get up and go and if I had my foot to the pedal I could have taken that Firebird! As far as reliability, I follow routine maintenance and have no problems except for a faulty gas gage. I would recommend this car to anyone if they can still find one that was taken good care of.
Great Car
Old Ted, 01/23/2003
1997 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight LS 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
We bought the car with about 30K miles. The cassette deck immediately ate a tape. At about 80K miles the fuel pump and sender unit had a melt down and cost us over $900 CDN to repair. Too many of these expensive setbacks could quickly turn a person off. Otherwise the car has been excellent in every way.
1998 Olds LS
Stephen D. Bright Sr, 06/20/2002
1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight LS 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This vehicle is fun to drive handles well and is very dependable. It has a very responsive and powerful 205hp V/6 engine. Great fuel economy as much as 30 mpg on the highway and approximately 25 mpg aroung town. Negatives include excessive wind noise at high speed 70 mph or greater from both front doors. There are also several squeaks in the interior trim especially around the dash.
poor engineering
got screwed consumer, 12/22/2003
1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I bought this car used from a private party and it only had 36,000 miles on it. At 53,000 miles the engine started taking in water. Took to dealership and the two section plastic molded intake had to be replaced for $1200.00 dollars. Oldsmobile no help with repair even though dealership admitted intake had a flaw in the original design. At 63,000 miles the throttle body started leaking. Took back to dealership and it had to be replaced for $600 dollars. Again Oldsmobile no help. NO WONDER OLDSMOBILE IS BEING DISCONTINUED. I would not buy one of these cars again, even if it were free. Great job General Motors.
Bring 'Em Back
art thomson, 01/16/2006
1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
The 1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight is my kind of car. It's fun to drive, and has lots of power. Thats it. The down side: the plastic cup holders are lousy. They broke off and are long gone. The radio is very good, though I wish there had a CD player since the cassette player broke. I would buy another Olds if only they were still making them. I guess it will be a Buick or Caddy for me, since I only buy American.
American Classic
BT, 08/05/2004
1997 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight 4dr Sedan
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
Bought as dealer exec car with 5,500 miles on it. Big brawny rugged reliable American classic. It's a shame Olds is no longer made. We had a Pontiac 6000 LE for 15 years which was a great car. When we looked for its replacement, this Olds 88 was even better.
I love this used car!!!!
victor26, 12/29/2010
1997 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight LS 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Comfortable with no problems at all. We bought it with 30K miles on it and have had not one problem in the past year. My Mom swears it is a Cadillac because of the comfort and pick up. We do change the oil and take good care of the car...it is a great ride!
Solid, dependable car
Kapok, 07/02/2008
1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Bought the car in '02 with 60K miles on it. Now has 189K and still going strong. However, it has a main seal and oil pan gasket leaks, too much $$ to spend on such an old car. It has served my family well.
A Good Solid Lux Automobile
Robbed718, 03/06/2010
1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight LS 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought this car about a week ago now with 54,000 miles on it. It was from a little old lady who lost her vision and the car was rarely used. I bought it and brought it to the mechanic. Apparently the V5 A/C Compressors on this car are horrible. It is making a sound when the belt turns but I ordered one online for only 200 bucks (Mechanics shop wants $450 just for the compressor) I heard these are great cars esp with the 3800 that's why I bought it. I plan on keeping it a while, it drives beautifully. Very Comfortable, decent gas mileage and fun to drive. Its basically like driving a big leather couch with lots of power. Overall I am very happy so far and it is worth the money
Big and Economical!
GMCK25004x4, 01/09/2010
1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight 4dr Sedan
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
I don't know what was wrong with other 88's, but mine got 33 mpg on the highway and 27-29 in freaking town! I loved this car! it had 147000 miles on it when I sold it. hated to get rid of it but wife hit a deer. I replaced the hood, header panel, and fender, but it needed paint, only. Only mtce done to the car was water pump. Tranny or rear end seemed to skip and cause the car to skid every now and then...strange..but it was a very reliable car and I am looking for another one because of the mpg and size! Buy one! It is WELL worth it!
Excellent Car
britnyscc, 04/13/2007
1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight LS 4dr Sedan
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
My husband and I bought this car last summer and we have fallen in love with it since. It's never given us any major trouble. The rear brakes are beginning to rub, but they only rub in the mornings when you first drive it. Very reliable. If we could buy another we definitely would!
my 88
daddy weber, 01/17/2010
1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
i got a 88 about a year ago for 1,799and it runs like a champ only put like 600 into it since i got it and its the best car ive ever owned reliability wise.
Come back, PLEASE
macinman, 02/16/2010
1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have owned onjly one other car than the eighty eight and that was a ford escort ZX2, this car is a tank but ive fallen in love with it, very safe reliable, engine was rebilt last year aparently.
Great Vehicle
Mr. Toyota, 11/11/2003
1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight LS 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is a great vehicle for the money. Powerful, comfortable, and reliable all desribe this car perfectly. The car has very responsive handling and get great fuel milage.
Love My `98 `88LS
Jobuck1, 12/08/2004
1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight LS 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this car used last year from a dealership and they put me in touch with the previous owner. Luckily he was an older fellow who had bought the car new and had taken excellent care of it. All the servicing done on time, and logged in the owners' manual. I was able to pick right up where he left off. About once a month I make a trip up through the Ozark mountains on a twisting, up and down highway and I love the way the car handles and performs. I think that 3.8L is one of the better motors ever manufactured. Plenty of power and and decent gas mileage. I get around 19mpg in town and 26mpg on the highway. All in all I've been very satisfied with this car.
1998- 88 Oldsmobile reliabiliy.
Richard C. Schaeffer, 11/04/2007
1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The 1998 Oldsmobile 88 is the most reliable automobile my wife and I have owned in the past fifty years. It has retained its 'clear coat' paint finish without being housed in a garage.
Very Nice
acnoogs, 06/03/2003
1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Simply, it runs like a dream. For a car not built for performance, it performs. And what a comfort it is to drive in this one. A little boxy, but otherwise a stylish car.