Customers have high expectations from a brands flagship model, and considering what times were like in the auto industry during the mid-eighties the 1984 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight was actually a fairly solid offering, with the Olds brochure describing it as “a thinking man’s luxury car”. I’m not exactly sure what the company meant by that statement unless maybe it was subliminal to warn buyers to think twice before deciding on the diesel-burning model. But the good news here is this 1984 Oldsmobile 98 Regency here on Craigslist is equipped with a good old-fashioned gasoline-powered V8, and if you’ve been looking for a nicely preserved luxurious 2-Door GM car from this period it’s probably a strong candidate. The Olds is in Penfield, New York, with the asking price set at a whopping $28,000.
We’d like to thank Rocco B. for the tip on this one! 1984 was the last in line for the tenth-generation Ninety-Eight, and considering the car was downsized significantly and lost several hundred pounds when it was redesigned for ’77 it still looked like a mini land yacht, but the lines worked and the styling still looks classy even today. It’s really surprising how few actual details we’re given about this car’s history, few as in none, other than the seller describing the condition as mint inside and out. So we’ll have to let the pictures do the talking, and trying as I am to find something to nitpick it’s just not happening. The body appears immaculate, and GM wasn’t exactly putting the most durable paint jobs on their cars during these years either, so if that’s the original finish it looks pretty amazing.
The days of an available 455 were long gone by 1984, but a 350 could still be had, that is if you wanted a diesel. The powers that be at Oldsmobile supposedly began working on that concept around 1973, and with the oil embargoes lurking it was probably a good idea at the time, as diesel was less expensive back then and fuel economy was better. Suffice it to say the endeavor is not well remembered in the automotive archives, as the outcome was plagued with several issues such as head gaskets blowing and water getting into the fuel, causing injector failure. That’s not going to be a problem here, as this one’s got a gasoline-powered 307 under the hood with a reported 19,832 miles on it.
It’s hard not to be a bit skeptical of a car nearly 40 years old with such a low mileage claim, but opening the doors reveals an interior that looks about as good as the exterior, and the inside definitely doesn’t appear like it’s been sat in for 100k additional miles. Those seats seem like they would absorb a body and provide comfort that lasts for hours, with power everything in there too. Given the condition and limited amount of time this one’s been on the road, is $28,000 reasonable for what you’re seeing here?
Not exactly designed with flowing lines. There are more right-angled corners here than on a box. $28K? Good luck with that pipe dream.
These have beautiful lines. I’d take this styling any day over the junk they make now. I’m at a point in life now where I can buy pretty much any non exotic car I want, and basically nothing made now interests me in the least. Maytag bubble, whirlpool bubble, take your pick.
These big Olds and Buicks rode great, were comfortable, inviting, quiet and a nice serene place to watch the scenery go by.
Yes the price is high, but it is a nice vehicle regardless.
It presents well and since these are no longer in production (no kidding) it may well catch someone’s eye who might want this time capsule that relates so nicely to the mid-’80s.
Boy does this one bring back memories. I think my best friends family growing up had like 3 of these. These were everywhere at one time and I mean everywhere. Yes , I would say the mileage looks correct. This one is too nice, the engine and interior are too clean for it to be 119k and I can’t find anything on the body. This was someone’s baby for sure. 28 large? Yeah I know I know find another in this condition. I think anything under 20k is a bargain but I just couldn’t part with 28k. GLWTA
Good comment T. These interiors are sublime. The cars ride like a dream. Easy 10hr days on the hwy. These eat up the miles.
28k large is just too large, but nice find other than the sellers asking price.
Here in Northern California, diesel fuel is even higher than premium gas. Still see lots of big, heavy duty diesel pickups, though.
Pops was an Olds guy until the diesel debacle. Last one he owned, before moving onto Caddies and finally Chrysler Town and Countries, was a1979 98. Black with red leather interior. That was the car I officially learned to drive in. Exxon Valdez sized fuel tank and the mpgs of a diesel meant over 600 miles of range. A person could really eat up some distance as long as you didn’t need to pass anyone.
I would part with 28k if I could go back to 1984, I was in the best shape of my life, my gf was the hottest girl in my college, and the Detroit Tigers won the World Series. But if parting with 28k just gives me this nice, but underpowered malaise era yacht, the answer is no. I owned a 1988 Cadillac D’Elegance Fleetwood Brougham with 40k and was an Arizona car for 800.00. it also had the 307 which was the wrong engine but at least it wasn’t the diesel. Weed is legal now and for all ages, I think someone’s been hitting the bong. Maybe 5k for condition and miles, but I would still bet the under.
My parents had a 1982 98 Brougham Diesel. Light grey with blue velour. Rode like a pillow! I guess we got lucky on the engine, because it was never a problem. I never realized until later it only made 125hp, but had loads of torque like you’d expect. I was “rolling coal” before they even made that up! Loved that land yacht.
Beautiful car in beautiful condition, I wish it were mine, but not at that price. A pipe dream is right!
I laugh my arse off when I read things like “downsized”, thing is huge.
Nice car when I was 18 my Mom said if you want a car you have to buy it yourself ok that was 300+ car’s ago I had totally forgotten that I had a red one until this email $28 is a bit rich for me and for what it is if the price was closer to $5k I might have another one in my driveway
Everyone agrees that $28k is ridiculous, but what’s wrong with starting out high? You can always lower the price, but it’s a little harder to raise it. I’d offer $15k, but my wife said she’d be embarrassed to ride with me.
The cars of this era are gaining in popularity lately and this one certainly looks like a pristine example. I hope the seller is very flexible because $28K is asking a lot. I know that some low-mileage originals are bringing huge money on BaT, but I would think $15,000 would be appropriate for this car.
Don’t knock the diesels (pun intended). Some of us has exceptionally good service out of them.
This is a beautiful car at a ridiculous price. If this is worth the asking price, then my 1978 Electra Limited is worth $75K.
28K..? No thanks. There was a 4 door version of this same car and color at Mecum Indy auction last week. I believe the high bid was in the upper teens, did not meet reserve. It was a low mileage example like this as well. Good luck to the seller at his asking price…he may need to get out a knife and fork and eat the damn thing!
real nice but 10,000 is more like it
I like big coupes or Coupes’ and this one looks to be in superb shape. But for the color, it’s plain vanilla, bland over bland with a bland vinyl top. Blegh. Needs to be Navy, Black, Maroon with leather. I’d even take white with red or navy leather.
Had three of these 80’s thru 90’s – there’s not too much of a general audience for these I know. but I love these 98 – ride smooth / reliable / wear out parts are cheap.
I’m a velour interior guy so this is a beauty to me. agree is on the high side because is just not a popular model vs 2 dr sports. too bad no cash or room.
I had an opportunity to buy a 4-door version of this a few years ago from an Olds dealer that I had purchased many cars. It had about 85,000 miles on it and belonged to the Parts Manager. The price was a what I thought was a fair $2500 but my wife (now an ex) said she didn’t like it. (She didn’t like the ’75 Caddy Seville I bought new either; constantly complained until I traded for a new ’77 Buick Estate Wagon.) I would like to have this car but not for 28 Grand! Not even close!
You sound like an ex Buick guy.
The worst part of this car is the slug 307 boat anchor engine, had an 83 Riviera brand new, the only way to pick up speed was to push it off the top of a building, a 4cylinder is 10X more efficient and powerful than this 80s nightmare, drive it first!
I had a 1988 Regency 98, 3.8 V6 four door.
I drove it from Canada (Toronto area) to Memphis where of course we went to Graceland.
Myself, ex-wife, 3 kids and our Nanny.
Smooth, comfortable, economical and powerful enough.
At the time it was a fabulous “luxury” car.
Had it for 10 years and put close to 350,000 kilometers on it.
I would not mind having the featured car, but to reiterate what everyone else is saying…….not for that price!
OMG! Beautiful car! I for one, loved the nip and tuck aero restyle. That hood line was meant to flow towards those square head lights, that roof was meant to be squared off.. No diesel motor? I’m in love. I was that weird late 70s kid with car brochures plastered (much to mom’s chagrin) over my bedroom walls. I had everything from Plymouth Champs to cars like this, a few Trans Am’s, Cordoba’s, Thunderbirds, Rivera’s, Celica’s etc., taped to my walls. Big, small, when it came to cars, loved them all! What a beauty! BTW, my stepdad had an 80 Delta 88 company sedan with the diesel motor. I understand that hate for those motors. left us stranded more than a few times with no one able to work on it at 2 am on I-44. His company finally converted it to a regular Olds 350. This 98 is amazing. those seats are to die for. Too bad they’re so 2023 grey. Still love them though. Show me those seats in blue or blood red however…….