One giveaway to know that this 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera has the FE3 suspension package would be the N78 Aluminum Styled Wheels, which were available on the International Series and Cieras with the FE3 package. Another one, of course, is the FE3 badge on the trunk lid. This incredible survivor is posted here on craigslist in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and they’re asking $5,900 (assuming Canadian dollars? If so, that’s just $4,278 U.S. dollars). Here is the original listing, and thanks to Curvette for the tip!
The seller lists the mileage of this gorgeous, almost-perfectly-preserved Olds as being 42,500 km, which converts to 26,410 miles. Wow, after 37 years, this car has only been driven 26,410 miles? I believe this is a Brougham, known as an SL on two-door models in 1988, and it appears to be loaded to the gills with features and options. A sunroof was available for the first time in 1988 on four-door sedans, and this car has one.
Speaking of the FE3 badge, there it is. The FE3 package gave GM a way to market a special suspension upgrade to better compete with imports, which typically had better handling rather than relying on a pillow-like ride for freeway cruising as with a lot (most?) of American cars. It added some special suspension components and a tighter steering gear. It’s a somewhat rare and desirable option, and just shows what a special car this is. It’s hard to tell the condition from the photos, as there are no detailed images, but I noticed some trim damage on the right rear wheel well, and that’s about all I can see that could use some help.
Optional leather seats? Full power accessories? Cold air-conditioning? Yes, yes, yes! 1982 through 1996 were the model years that GM offered the Cutlass Ciera through its network of Oldsmobile dealerships. Because they were Oldsmobiles. Yeah, ok, SG, nice deduction there. I don’t know how this car is still for sale at this price; it was about as high a level as it gets, but I’m assuming if it had two doors, it would be long gone already. There was an International Series that would have been above this car in trim, but this one works for me. This car has an automatic transmission with a console selector; there was no manual after 1984.
Another in the back-seat-looks-like-an-engine series, sadly, the seller didn’t bother to pop the hood for one lone engine photo. I believe this car would have GM’s 2.8-liter OHV V6, but a 3.8-liter V6 was optional. The seller just lists it as a 6-cylinder, but they also say rear-wheel drive, and this car is front-wheel drive, of course. It could have the 3.8 since it’s loaded in every other way, and that would have had 150 horsepower, a 25 hp bump from the 2.8. For $4,278 in U.S. dollars, this seems like a steal to me for a loaded car in such nice condition. Have any of you (in the U.S.) gotten a car in Canada and brought it back across the U.S. border?
The Dueck autogroup. They’ve sold alot of GMs from back in the day. Still going. Nice looking loaded Olds sedan here. With the handling pkg, and luggage 🧳 rack. Thanks SG.
Wow!!! Very nice clean original Ciera. My FIL had an ’86 ( I think it was 25 years ago) with the larger 3.8 Buick V6. Really moved along the road nicely. This is a gem for sure. The interior looks great. Would’ve liked to see under the hood but I think we’ve all become accustomed to that by now. Nice find Curvette. I enjoyed your write up Scotty. Thank you
Nice car, nicely optioned, and I’ve never seen one with a factory moonroof before, and these were everywhere!
If the v6 motor is so good, where r they all now? Did they all rust out? Was the auto trans junk?
I do not remember seeing 1 of these 2 doors! …
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/26/Oldsmobile-Ciera-Coupe.jpg
Used up or rusted away, for sure. And I definitely remember seeing quite a few of the two door variety.
The 3.8L engine was one of the best GM engines ever built, especially once they became known as the “3800” series. For reliability, power and economy. As for why so few exist today, the last one sold was 29 years ago, so you do the math.
Oh, and I remember quite a few 2 door coupes. More 4 door sedans and wagons, but the coupes were not rare.
I had a new 83 cutlass Ciera Brougham 2 Dr and my wife loved it. Dark brown with brown velour. This one looks like a great deal and nice colors and equipment. I’ve never brought a car in from Canada but if you talked to a dealer there they do it all the time.
I’m pretty positive that the 3.8 L was not available but the shorter deck 3.3 L was. It’s hard to say for certain because it’s Canadian and they did get a few unique options. Either way this is a really neat find.
Jwzg, the bottom of page 15 of this brochure on the right side mentions that a 3.8-liter V6 can be ordered for the Ciera.
https://xr793.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/1988-Oldsmobile-Mid-Size.pdf
3.8 L was an option in 1988, and the torque was amazing in these light cars. Looked at an ’86 Ciera wagon that was being sold because the seller “didn’t want his teenage son driving it.” At the time I was driving a later 3300 powered 4-door, and the 3.8 was a whole different experience.
when these were new, they were always a special ordered and sold when they came in. i love buckets and console. always a blast to test drive when doing the P.D.I. inspections. if this were closer i would taking this Ciera. to quote a line from “Fargo”
We owned several Buicks and Olds of this era. The first was a 1991 Buick Century, purchased brand new, and the last was a 1994 Century with many in between. Every one of these cars were GREAT. We traded in our Ford vehicles for the GM brand. The GM brand of vehicles always treated us very well. I am waiting to pick up my 2026 GMC Terrain. Good luck with the sale. Someone will get a beautiful and very dependable car at a nice price.
Great find and write-up !
Not many of these with leather and this one’s really loaded. Nice color combo, too.
I’d could do without the sunroof, since I’d never use it. I like my music!
This is a heck of a steal . Where else do you find a 26,000 mi. car for under 5gs?
This car just goes to show you car still get a nice affordable used car for under 5k. Nice Cutless.
I drove one of these back in 88. It was a good car, reliable, low on power for the size of the engine, very comfy, and middle of the pack regarding mileage. Also, it’s looks were akin to stealth technology: cops didn’t see you, girls didn’t see you, the other guys with cooler cars completely ignored you-except the K-car crowd. They always thought you were twinning them.
I may be mistaken but it looks like the band under the Cutlass Ciera on the front fenders is the International Series sequence of flags. That would mean that this is indeed the International Series. Although it seems like those had the same parade of country flags in a ring around the trunk key cylinder. Or maybe that was only on certain years and certain models. But it does look like the band under the fender emblem is the International Series banner.