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We decided to road trip to Houston, TX since there were 2 Regency Elites for sale in the area (better than going all the way to Phoenix, AZ). We didn't even look at the red one I posted in the end of the thread above. I found this one through the Offer Up app at a little used car dealership in central Houston. It was a bit more costly with about 94k miles, but I think I made the right choice.
I think the car is fully loaded for a 96, I'm not sure if it has the load leveling rear suspension. I need to check the window sticker or crawl underneath it to find out since it needs struts. There wasn't a supercharger available in 96 according to Edmunds:
I've only seen 4-6 supercharged 90s Oldsmobiles in 20 years (and only 1 in person). Interestingly, you can get an aftermarket supercharger for the Series II 3.8l from this supplier:
For now though I plan on disassembling the upper and lower intake manifold, replacing the old heater hose elbows, de-sludging the throttle body and IAC, installing new spark plugs and wires, replacing the struts and driving it. It runs well enough for having been neglected, it just needs some TLC from an Oldsmobile man. I would much rather drive my Olds than momma's old Kia Soul.
So, I included pics of the tires because when I test drove the car the dealership owner had the 225/55 R16 on the front passenger's side and old 205/70 R15s on all the other corners. SOOO... test driving it was HORRIBLE!
It hopped along and I never drove it more than 40 mph. Oldsguy and I were confident it was the odd-ball tire and not a catastrophically failed CV shaft or something else. I offered cash for the car and we agreed upon a fair price. After paying for the car I drove it 10 miles at 20 mph to the closest Sam's Club and replaced all the tires. Unfortunately, they didn't have white walls available. There was the 4th alloy rim in the trunk with a blown 205/70 R15 on it. The dealership owner said he had sold it to a guy with in house financing and the guy never paid. I think most of the stuff I got with the car in the trunk belonged to that guy. TECHNICALLY... I'm only the 2nd owner.
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Nice car Jesse! I loved mine but it got terminal cancer and had to go to Olds Heaven. I agree It would look even better with whitewalls. Does it also have the level ride? Can't see from the pictures if it has the digital dash. Mine did and it was really cool, except when bright sun washed it out.
Allan, it does have the digit dash and is in suprisingly good condition. Not a rip in the leather, crack in the dash or damage to the ***** and dials. It also has the combo CD/casette player. The antenna mast doesn't deploy though so it has losuy reception.
I need to replace the battery cables as well. The negative cable is wrapped in electrical tape. I think a faulty ground is causing electrical gremlins. The trip computer "distance left to empty" field actually counts up when I reset it.
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
I remember those gadgets. They were a lot of fun to play with. You'll notice the fuel economy (gallons per mile) will also go to a really high number when you're stopped at a light. We use metric up here so that Metric button on the left side of the dash was really handy when changing from miles to km. Also look for the master cylinder to have an issue soon. Not a hard fix as you know. IIRC that engine (3800 Series II?) was so reliable and dependable. 205 hp isn't a lot for a car that size but it moved it around really nicely, even on the highway. Oh, double check the electrical to the cooling fans, mine crapped out and the only way I knew it was that digital display on the right crept up to above normal temp reading.
I think you can get and aftermarket antenna for that car. I replaced mine 2x for exactly the reason you did. Got mine from donors at the boneyard though. I doubt there's many in Okie though.
Yes, I intend to sell my 71 soon. First I need to remove the rebuilt 455 and TH400 though. The ones I removed years ago were running and have been sitting in my garage since.
Thanks for the advice. I will keep everyone posted on my repairs to the 96.
September 6th, 2019, 06:04 AM
I would much rather drive my Olds than momma's old Kia Soul. 
There was the 4th alloy rim in the trunk with a blown 205/70 R15 on it. The dealership owner said he had sold it to a guy with in house financing and the guy never paid. I think most of the stuff I got with the car in the trunk belonged to that guy. TECHNICALLY... I'm only the 2nd owner. 
