1997 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight Review
1997 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Good full-size sedan value, smartly styled interior, powerful standard engine, standard ABS
Cons
- Front quarter windows are distracting, dull exterior design
What’s new
Side-impact protection is upgraded to federal safety standards, interiors are improved and new Oldsmobile logos adorn the body.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1997 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 $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$208/mo for Eighty-Eight Base
Eighty-Eight Base
vs
$219/mo
Avg. Large Car
Vehicle overview
The Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight is one of the best full-size family cars you can buy. It sports contemporary but non-descript styling, an ergonomically correct interior, and a powerful V6 engine driving the front wheels. There is room inside for six adults, and the Eight-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 think it must be the uncomfortable seats, because the seats 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.
This year, the Eighty-Eight receives a new 55/45-split bench seat. We haven't tried this new bench to see if it's more comfortable than the old one. Buckets continue as standard equipment on the LS, and do not receive upgrades this year. Passenger assist handles are new for 1997, along with reading lamps, an overhead storage bin and new interior trim materials. Seatbelt buckles have relocated release buttons for easier operation. New Oldsmobile logos are affixed to the car, and side-impact protection is improved to federal standards.
Despite nose-heavy handling, we think the Eighty-Eight is a great full-size value. But is it comfortable? We suspect that the LS, which does not receive a seat upgrade this year, still suffers low comfort levels. As soon as we can, we'll check the new base bench for improvement. In the meantime, keep this family-oriented Olds on your shopping list.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1997 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight.
5 star(69%)
4 star(31%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
16 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.13 out of 5 stars
Awesome first Car
mancheskia, 11/29/2011
1996 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight LSS 4dr Sedan
This was my first car that I owned when I got my license. Gas mileage was great 28 mpg hwy with a V6 and about 16 city for a 1996 I would consider that very good especially since car these day aren't getting much better mileage if they are at all better in the same class. Car was very comfortable and reliability wasn't much of an issue until I had about 200,000 miles on the car.
4.13 out of 5 stars
Love this car
brminder, 03/31/2002
1996 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight LS 4dr Sedan
Bought it with 112000 miles on it, doesn't burn any oil, gets about 30 on the highway, 22-25 in town, lots of power, quiet, smooth ride. It's just a great car.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Fun to drive.
Dave, 04/11/2006
1996 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight LSS 4dr Sedan
The Olds Eighty-eight is a great highway car! It is very stable at high speeds, has good acceleration, is comfortable, and has acceptable gas mileage considering the horsepower. Like all sporty cars, this is not the most maintenance-free I've owned. That is not to say it left me stranded on the side of the road, it just needed attention periodically; lots of little things quit working … properly. Overall a good second car, and a great family vacation car.
4.63 out of 5 stars
Long live the 88
jks, 06/08/2006
1996 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight LSS 4dr Sedan
I bought this car with 160,000 miles on it, it now has 190,000 and is still going strong. It leaks a little oil but burns none. I have never have to add any between oil changes (3,000mi.). It is very quick for a big car with a V6 engnie. It has a very comfortable ride. Its body roll is a bit much in a hard corner but then it's not a sports car. It has been very reliable.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1997 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight, so we've included reviews for other years of the Eighty-Eight since its last redesign.
1997 Eighty-Eight Highlights
Base
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 20 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $208/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 18.0 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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