1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight Review
1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Roomy interior. Powerful V6 engine.
Cons
- Rapidly aging design.
What’s new
Virtually nothing, unless you find a new fuel cap, better access to rear seatbelts, new ABS wheel-speed sensors and a couple of new colors intriguing. Second-generation airbags are standard.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight 4dr Sedan and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$195/mo for Eighty-Eight Base
Eighty-Eight Base
vs
$213/mo
Avg. Large Car
Vehicle overview
The Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight is 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?
Used to be that we thought it was the uncomfortable seats, because they were really 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.
Last year, the Eighty-Eight received a new 55/45 split bench seat. So what is the problem these days? Aging design. The current Eighty-Eight is now seven seasons old, and it feels like it. Standing in an Oldsmobile showroom viewing the Eighty-Eight, the Aurora and the new Intrigue, which would you be tempted to buy?
No new reasons to select the Eighty-Eight are offered for 1998. Changes are minimal, and are related to such minor improvements and trim changes that the car is essentially a carryover model. It has one year left before a replacement arrives, in the guise of the 1999 or 2000 Anthem sedan.
Despite nose-heavy handling, we still think the Eighty-Eight is a great full-size value. But the design, the demographic orientation and the nameplate 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 1998 Eighty-Eight (repeat that one fast three times). Take a look at the changes occurring at Oldsmobile. The upcoming replacement for the Eighty-Eight is almost guaranteed to be a sure thing.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight.
5 star(64%)
4 star(25%)
3 star(11%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
28 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.63 out of 5 stars
Update on Eighty Eigh LS
robbed718, 02/23/2011
1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight LS 4dr Sedan
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!
2.63 out of 5 stars
A Bottomless Money Pit
Joe, 05/31/2010
1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight 4dr Sedan
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.
4.75 out of 5 stars
Loved my little old car!
kmfresh, 08/23/2012
1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight LS 4dr Sedan
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.
3.75 out of 5 stars
Replace Plenum before it wrecks engine
Steve, 09/25/2009
1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight 4dr Sedan
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.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight, so we've included reviews for other years of the Eighty-Eight since its last redesign.
1998 Eighty-Eight Highlights
Base
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $195/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 17.9 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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