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Hello, I am new to Oldsmobile, I am looking to purchase a 1984 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight. Recently getting out of an 2008 Bmw 535xi as my daily, so I don’t have a car right now. I wanted something American next and I have set my sight on an Oldsmobile! This is listed at a dealership near me for 12,900.
I know that I will have to keep in mind that a car that is ~35yr old will most definitely have things to replace due to its age. Often its not turn key and worry free, but that risk is balanced out by its widely available and relatively cheap parts (77-95 GM) and simplicity in engineering (compared to new vehicles).
Really just wondering here, is this a good price? And would like to hear any experiences others have had these cars. Thank you for your time guys!
While my car appreciation stopped in 73, mainly because these cars were simple and mechanical parts are plentiful. Getting up into the 80's with their miles of vacuum lines, poor electrical systems and components, and lack of performance they are far from simple. With that said, if the car your looking at has very low miles and is as nice as the pictures, I would say its worth around $8-10k.
Original miles or a older rebuild, original paint or a repaint, same with the interior. milage? Makes a difference because original is neat but it is 35 years old and if this is your daily driver it will show it's age sooner than later. Car looks great and you couldn't build one for that price but if me, unless you really have a attachment for that year car I would try and work a better price if possible.... Just my thoughts from afar with to few pictures....Tedd
Original miles or a older rebuild, original paint or a repaint, same with the interior. milage? Makes a difference because original is neat but it is 35 years old and if this is your daily driver it will show it's age sooner than later. Car looks great and you couldn't build one for that price but if me, unless you really have a attachment for that year car I would try and work a better price if possible.... Just my thoughts from afar with to few pictures....Tedd
It’s at a small dealership in my city, and in the ad it is listed as Original, 74,457 miles! Garage kept since new.
Nice looking car. I would rather preserve it! Of course the price is up there. There is a 83 98 sedan that was priced at a small dealer up here in the Lansing area, nice condition 64,000 miles not perfect listed at $6999.00 back in July. It's now listed for $4900 and no takers. I would be a player at $4k
Nice looking car. I would rather preserve it! Of course the price is up there. There is a 83 98 sedan that was priced at a small dealer up here in the Lansing area, nice condition 64,000 miles not perfect listed at $6999.00 back in July. It's now listed for $4900 and no takers. I would be a player at $4k
Pat
Good morning Pat, I am here in the Naples, Fl area.
is there another model of olds that would be better as a daily?
Nice clean car and looks exactly as if it was a garage kept car but 80's era cars don't bring big money. Low compression, short on HP, smog motors with a new to the era computerized system makes them not as desirable as the earlier cars but they ride like no other and I kinda like the big car style and comfort.
Something to keep in mind the timing chain is about time to be changed as these engines have nylon covered teeth and will deteriorate around 80-90 thousand miles and sprinkle parts into the pan and other places so be aware....Tedd
But am I the ******* when I walk in there and offer that much? Lol.
The worst they can do is say no. I'm sure the salespeople have thick skins, and that has to be especially true when selling an older car like this one where there isn't a manufacturer's invoice to go by nor much in the way of sales of comparable vehicles to base a price on. The dealer doesn't really know what the market is on this car, so he'll price it high, hope for the best, and realize that he might have to lower the price considerably to move it. If you offer him $6000 and it's the only offer he gets on the car after two or three months go by, he might call you back.
If you really want the car, and owning it will make you happy, the cost doesn't really matter if you can afford it. Pay the $13k, ignore all of the armchair quarterbacks on this site, and enjoy the car.
Last edited by jaunty75; Oct 17, 2020 at 07:53 PM.
I had an 85 in 90 - 88 2 door Royale Brougham Silver with Blue plush padded interior - I bought it with 65,000 for $6000 on it and 3 years later sold it with 130,000 for $4500. Car ran really nice.
Originally Posted by Blackjack419View Post
But am I the ******* when I walk in there and offer that much? Lol.
You offer $6000, if they really want to sell it they may meet you half way, not many people shopping for that era car overall +- and they know it
btw with them asking such a high price, maybe it's them who is the A H
I had an 85 in 90 - 88 2 door Royale Brougham Silver with Blue plush padded interior - I bought it with 65,000 for $6000 on it and 3 years later sold it with 130,000 for $4500. Car ran really nice.
Originally Posted by Blackjack419View Post
But am I the ******* when I walk in there and offer that much? Lol.
You offer $6000, if they really want to sell it they may meet you half way, not many people shopping for that era car overall +- and they know it
btw with them asking such a high price, maybe it's them who is the A H
just may end up doing this! Will keep you guys posted within the next week or so.
Like I said earlier, the value is relative. The book value for a car like this is in the $5000 to $6000 range. But these cars don't grow on trees. If this one is in the same town as you and buying it is no more complicated than going to the corner store and buying a quart of milk, that's worth something. If you do a search, you can find cars like this, maybe a model year earlier or later as well, for the prices we've been talking about. But if those cars are 1000 or 2000 miles away, you're going to incur a cost in getting it to you. So that makes that pristine $6000 '84 Delta 88 in Omaha a $7000 or $7500 or $8000 car, depending on the cost of shipping, unless you want to go get it and drive it home. But you'll still be paying airfare to get there and gas, meals, and hotels to get it home.
Like I said earlier, if you like the car, go buy it, and don't worry about what the "experts" like me on this site say. My guess is that the price is probably not hard and fast, and that if you offered him something like $7000 or $8000 to start, you might end up settling for a price around $10K. You never know. Make him an offer. The worst he can do is say no. If he counteroffers, well, then you're on to something.
The next photo we want to see is of this car in your driveway with your wife in the passenger seat.
It is pretty. Nothing rides like a big rwd gm. The price is out there. And as mentioned numerous times not the most desirable of powerplants. I just thought of something, THERE IS NO WAY THAT DEALER GAVE ANYWHERE NEAR THAT FOR IT. I agree with Joe Pavado's estimate. It would be a fun car to LS swap.
I disagree, too much work to do an LS swap. Drop an Olds 425 in it. There is a guy on OCA facebook page. I think his name is Kenny Bustard who has done this. He even has a video of him going down the ATCO dragstrip. I think he did around 14.6 ET at 95mph.
BTW. Nice car, my Dad had one that he bought new. Very similar four door. I may have some spare wire wheel hubcaps.
It is definitely more work, but the end result in my opinion would be worth it. Reliability/power/ cool factor. I have developed a dislike for 3 spd automatics, having gotten used to overdrive transmissions over the last 30 yrs, also soured on carburetors. I always lost my patience with carbs.
I was gonna swap my 75 conv (350) but a 455/400 came my way, already rebuilt. I had an 03 Sierra 5.3, 373's it was a great combo never had a problem in 16 yrs other than rust. I gave the truck to my brother, if he didn't take it it i would have yanked the 5.3, and had at it. Only reason I gave it up was rust and it wouldn't pass Pa insp due to rust. I like my new one even more.. This is just my opinion. You know what they say about opinions.
Hey guys, sorry for the hiatus, impromptu trip to the parents in North Carolina. I will be in FL tomorrow and I plan on stopping by to see that car once I get back! Haha, so what I’m hearing is go in there and start at around 5-6k and hope he bites!? Seriously thank you everyone for the info!
If you don't end up buying that car, here's a nice looking 98 of the same year for the price that the Delta is worth. He doesn't say the mileage, but it looks good.
It is definitely more work, but the end result in my opinion would be worth it. Reliability/power/ cool factor. I have developed a dislike for 3 spd automatics, having gotten used to overdrive transmissions over the last 30 yrs,
I understood all 1981 up full size Olds with a V8 had an overdrive 4 speed transmission.
I understood all 1981 up full size Olds with a V8 had an overdrive 4 speed transmission.
True for Delta 88. For the 98, it actually went beyond V-8s. The last year a V-8 was available in a 98 was 1984, but an overdrive transmission continued to be standard equipment beyond that year.
I understood all 1981 up full size Olds with a V8 had an overdrive 4 speed transmission.
Roger.
Actually, the 1982 350 diesel came with the 3spd AT through the 1982 model year. This page is from the 1982 dealer brochure. Note that the 4spd AT is only shown as standard with the the 5.0 V8. In the 1983 brochure, the 4spd AT is shown as standard with both 5.0 and 5.7 diesel.
Hey guys, sorry for the hiatus, impromptu trip to the parents in North Carolina. I will be in FL tomorrow and I plan on stopping by to see that car once I get back! Haha, so what I’m hearing is go in there and start at around 5-6k and hope he bites!? Seriously thank you everyone for the info!
If you haven't gone already, you could go in, be a little enthused, and say that you just don't think you could get to a number that works. Eventually, they'll press you for the number, you pull out the 5 k, they say way too low, and you agree that you can't meet on price. Leave your name and number and GO. They'll call you back in a week to sell at your price, but to save face, like we have to move it, etc, etc.
If you haven't gone already, you could go in, be a little enthused, and say that you just don't think you could get to a number that works. Eventually, they'll press you for the number, you pull out the 5 k, they say way too low, and you agree that you can't meet on price. Leave your name and number and GO. They'll call you back in a week to sell at your price, but to save face, like we have to move it, etc, etc.
so many things going on I haven’t even gone in there yet, just found out the house I’m living in is getting sold within the next few months lol! So figuring that out but yes I am going offer 5-6k and see within the next few weeks if it’s still there
I am looking to purchase a 1984 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight. Recently getting out of an 2008 Bmw 535xi as my daily, so I don’t have a car right now. I wanted something American next and I have set my sight on an Oldsmobile!
Well your considering going from a helluva car to a helluva car. Only thing is they are 24 years apart and its really going to show... And I'm thinking you being very young (half my age) are really gonna notice. A 1984 Olds 88 is, big, good looking, and a very comfortable ride. The essence of a cruiser. But it handles like a tank and is slow as molasses compared to your previous daily.
If you haven't test driven an 88 please do, before anything. No amount of tweaking as is will get it even remotely close to your previous cars performance
Now with all that said the white 88 your interested in is a beautiful car in fantastic condition, and will make for a great daily driver. Reliable, safe, and relatively easy on upkeep. Engine seems to be able to last forever when properly maintained. 12,900 is sky high in my opinion. Half of that makes sense, maybe 7500 tops because it literally looks like a show winner.
Well your considering going from a helluva car to a helluva car. Only thing is they are 24 years apart and its really going to show... And I'm thinking you being very young (half my age) are really gonna notice. A 1984 Olds 88 is, big, good looking, and a very comfortable ride. The essence of a cruiser. But it handles like a tank and is slow as molasses compared to your previous daily.
If you haven't test driven an 88 please do, before anything. No amount of tweaking as is will get it even remotely close to your previous cars performance
Now with all that said the white 88 your interested in is a beautiful car in fantastic condition, and will make for a great daily driver. Reliable, safe, and relatively easy on upkeep. Engine seems to be able to last forever when properly maintained. 12,900 is sky high in my opinion. Half of that makes sense, maybe 7500 tops because it literally looks like a show winner.
just put a deposit down on it! Working the next 6 days hoping to get to everything squared away by the weekend!
No way 12 k 5-6, maybe 7500 if you really gotta have it. I am in agreement with most of what has been posted, and here's my 2 cents.
If that is an original unrestored car there is no way it should be a daily driver. Pleasure car yes. Daily driver no. (Get a beater for around town) It will ride like you're on a cloud, but my 400,000 mile mazda 3 will run circles around it. Mechanical parts are easy to come by, but body parts are getting scarcer. I had an 85 Lesabre in the early 90's which is the sister car to the Delta 88. (Same chassis , driveline), Bought it from an old man with a knock in the 307, and faded paint.but it was straight as an arrow, super clean interior. Put a 403 in it still couldn't get out of its own way, but with a fresh paint job, set of basket spokes & whitewalls, damn it looked good, and I enjoyed the hell out of driving it. They suck in the snow, and you ain't winning any races, but I still love big ol rwd Gm's. The ride is fantastic.
Good luck with whatever you decide, I hope you get a deal that makes you happy.
Oh, one quick story, I have a 73 Sedan Deville survivor. Took it to a local pub one day for late lunch/ early dinner with my little cousin and his buddy. Some P.O.S. treehugger I'm guessing decided to kick a dent on the passenger front door while we where dining. People can suck, and a car that nice should be enjoyed but preserved as well.
Jim
No way 12 k 5-6, maybe 7500 if you really gotta have it. I am in agreement with most of what has been posted, and here's my 2 cents.
If that is an original unrestored car there is no way it should be a daily driver. Pleasure car yes. Daily driver no. (Get a beater for around town) It will ride like you're on a cloud, but my 400,000 mile mazda 3 will run circles around it. Mechanical parts are easy to come by, but body parts are getting scarcer. I had an 85 Lesabre in the early 90's which is the sister car to the Delta 88. (Same chassis , driveline), Bought it from an old man with a knock in the 307, and faded paint.but it was straight as an arrow, super clean interior. Put a 403 in it still couldn't get out of its own way, but with a fresh paint job, set of basket spokes & whitewalls, damn it looked good, and I enjoyed the hell out of driving it. They suck in the snow, and you ain't winning any races, but I still love big ol rwd Gm's. The ride is fantastic.
Good luck with whatever you decide, I hope you get a deal that makes you happy.
Oh, one quick story, I have a 73 Sedan Deville survivor. Took it to a local pub one day for late lunch/ early dinner with my little cousin and his buddy. Some P.O.S. treehugger I'm guessing decided to kick a dent on the passenger front door while we where dining. People can suck, and a car that nice should be enjoyed but preserved as well.
Jim
