The Skylark nameplate was all over Buick products from the early 1950s until the end of the century. For the seventh and final generation (1992 to 1998), it was a compact car with front wheel drive and Oldsmobile or Chevrolet engines. During its last year, the car was only produced for fleet sales use (rental companies and the like), so the seller’s 1998 Skylark Custom may have come from Hertz or Avis back in the day. With some new parts, this car could only have 51,000 miles and is priced somewhat in Cheap Wheels territory at $4,500 in Highland Mills, New York, and here on craigslist. Where did this tip come from? Mitchell G., of course!

Styling of the 1990s Skylark came from a “Bolero” concept car, with something of a wedge shape and a pointed grille (which would be largely phased out by the end of the run). It was aerodynamically superior to its predecessor in terms of drag coefficient. After 1997, you couldn’t buy a Skylark at your Buick dealer, only a retired one from fleet use (sometimes these former rentals were a bargain depending on any abuse you could identify before buying).

Two engines were available in the “fleet” Skylarks – either a 2.4-liter Olds I-4 or a 3.1-liter Chevy V6. The seller seems confused as to which one is in this car, describing it as a “3.1 4-cylinder”. No under-the-hood photos are provided to help solve the mystery. The car looks to be in good survivor condition and may have been a second or third car in the family based on the odometer.

The body seems okay and could be wearing its original blue/green paint. It has all the usual conveniences you’d expect in a 1990s automobile, including a 4-speed automatic transmission and air conditioning. Some brake and shock work have been done, new tires are on in the front, and the head gasket (s) has/have been replaced. If you need an inexpensive set of wheels for daily life, could this Buick be it?