In the 1980s, Oldsmobile had two automobiles bearing the Cutlass nameplate. One was the rear-wheel-drive edition that dated to the early 1960s, while the other was the more fuel-efficient Ciera with front-wheel drive. The former was retired (as RWD) in 1988, leaving the A-bodied Ciera to continue, the equivalent of the Buick Century, Pontiac 6000, and Chevy Celebrity. This faded 1992 Ciera “S” 4-door sedan has had some recent mechanical work done and might be a great second (or third) car at the asking price of $2,800. Located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, this Olds is available here on Facebook Marketplace (and could be offered up by a dealer). A tip brought to us by none other than “Lothar… of the Hill People.”
The Ciera enjoyed a long production run from 1982 to 1996 with a couple of styling updates along the way. Though several body styles were offered, by 1992 the 4-door sedan dominated at 88% of sales. Though the Ciera shared the 3.8-liter V6 with the “regular” Cutlass for several years, a new 3.3-liter GM “corporate” V6 took the lead after 1989 (and is what’s in the seller’s car at 148,000 well-earned miles). Oldsmobile peddled nearly 140,000 Ciera’s in 1992 of which 123,000 were the “S” sedan like the seller’s example.
We don’t know the history of this Olds, but a photo of an expired Tennessee license plate suggests it may have been off the road for at least a year. Recent work includes a tune-up, new lower intake manifold gaskets, and a new valve cover gasket, so a lot of leaks should have been cut off. We assume the car runs well, though the seller makes no mention, and it may be ready to deliver the 27-mpg highway that the seller makes a point of mentioning.
The body may be okay, but the light brown paint is faded. It may respond to a coat of wax, which could be all you’d want to do for a potential daily driver. The matching interior looks good enough and the car has a few creature comforts like an automatic transmission and power windows. I don’t remember reading anything negative about these cars when they were new, so this might be a good cheap wheels buy if you’re looking for such a thing.
My FIL bought a used 85 or 86. Light blue with one of those dark blue fake convertible tops that was so popular. It was a nice car, the blue was faded at 12 years of age and he worked at compounding and polishing it to try to get it back. It had the 3.8 V6 and drove great, never gave him a lick of trouble. These were good cars. I remember the nice looking 2 door coupes they had I always liked. A cutting wheel and compound just might bring some life back to the paint, and the interior, what you can see doesnt look too bad.
Seen high, very high mileage motoring from these bread and butter GM sedans. 3.1, 3.3, 3800. Regular maintenance was what they all had in common.
Carl Showalter – You got the car?
Jerry Lundegaard – Yeah. You bet. It’s out in the lot there, brand-new, Burnt Umber Ciera.
-Fargo
“Tan Sierra! Tan Sierra!”.
I had 2 of these Cieras back in the day. Both were V6 Diesels.
Ran great b’cause I knew how to give the diesels the love they needed!
Jim Z:
There was a Diesel version listed here last week!!!
the 3.3 is a nice little engine that if maintained runs well and long. The body has also had work to it. Price is a bit high..but still reliable.Don’t buy for speed.It’s for reliability only!
we had 1991 3.8 V6 – brand new to 100k – NEVER one single problem – & we were a broke young family – WHEW – thanks OLDSMOBILE –
Though not expensive, 9 weeks on the market says it’s overpriced.
Steve R
I drove a rural mail route in New England and had several of the A-Body GMs Including Pontiac 6000s, Buick Centurys, Chevy Celebritys and Olds Cutlass Cieras. I didn’t like the Celebritys because of their 4-cylinder engines but the rest were wonderful cars and stood up well to 100 miles per day of stop and go driving. I later bought a almost new off-lease V-6 Celebrity for my father and it servrd him well.
Should have ponied up to the V6. Much better driver. But those Grumman mail trucks may indicate the durability of the four.
These were great cars. With regular oil changes they will last a long time. They were well built and the interiors were good quality.
I owned an ’88 Century Limited back ni the early ’90’s. Was (at that time) the most luxurious car I’ve owned (after years of Tercels and Horizons). It was my first car with: AC, power locks/windows/seat, velour (velcro) upholstry. Drove great, and the 3800 was great on gas on the highway (got up to 30 mpg at one point).