Cheap Wheels: 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

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The fifth generation of the Cutlass Supreme would run from 1988-97. With front-wheel-drive, it replaced the rear-wheel-drive models whose roots dated to 1964. Its FWD platform was shared with the Pontiac Grand Prix, Buick Regal, and Chevy Lumina. This ’97 edition is a sharp, one-owner car with 80,000 miles and a V6 engine. Located in Huntsville, Alabama, the coupe is available here on craigslist for a reasonable $5,475. Our hats off to Pat L. for the tip!

Aerodynamically shaped, these cars proved successful on the racetrack and brought Oldsmobile 13 wins on the NASCAR Cup circuit before they withdrew from racing in 1992. Initially offered as just coupes, 4-door sedans were added in 1990 and I owned one of those models, but with a Quad inline-4 engine that was reasonably powerful. For the 1997 and last season, more than 71,000 Cutlass Supremes were built, of which about 10,000 were coupes like the seller’s car.

This Cutlass Supreme looks to have been babied over the past 25 years. It comes with just about every power accessory and the leather bucket seats look quite tidy and inviting. The red paint is nice and shiny, and the rust bug doesn’t look to have gotten anywhere near this automobile. The car has been recently serviced and received a new set of tires. As a result, it runs and drives well and the seller knows of no issues.

The red paint is rated a “9” on a scale of 1 to 10 by the seller. The V6 engine looks to be the 3.1-liter edition. Perhaps one of the biggest selling points of this Cutlass is that the seller is throwing in a full tank of gasoline! Online price guides don’t assign big bucks to the resale value of these automobiles, but considering what $5,000 buys today, you could probably do worse than this Oldsmobile.

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Comments

  1. 8banger 8bangerMember

    Looks like it says 3100 on the intake.

    Like 5
    • Russ Dixon Russ DixonAuthor

      Good catch!

      Like 5
  2. Bakyrdhero Bakyrdhero

    I’ve always been a fan of these cars. My aunt brought home a brand new white on maroon sedan in 1990, very sharp car and the interior felt very modern. I had a 3.1 V6 in a 91 Z24 that felt like a mini rocket, and another 3.1 in a 98 Malibu that seemed very sedate and slow in comparison. This is a heavier car and I’d think the 3.4 or 3.8 would have been a little more up to the task, but I’m just speculating. This car looks like a bargain and I’d love to park it in my driveway.

    Like 7
  3. Sam61

    Nice find! My first new car was a “88 Cutlass coupe with the 2.8 v6. It was one my favorite cars. We drove from Indiana to Sarasota and back for spring break without seeing another Cutlass. We moved on to a “92 3.1 Pontiac Grand Prix sedan and finally a “96 Buick 3.8 Regal GS sedan. The Buick was white over gray with chrome Buick mag wheels. Very reliable cars IMHO.

    Like 7
  4. Bick Banter

    This will sell for a small fraction of the 1977 Cutlass Supreme Brougham. That’s too bad. About 3 seconds quicker 0-60 and gas mileage is better by over 7 MPG.

    Like 9
  5. MARK MCKENZIE

    I had a ’96 and absolutely loved that car. Good mpg, relatively-quick and drove great. Miss it! Tempted to snag this one for fun.

    Like 2
    • Mike Dust

      I had a 95 Culass Supreme Convertable red with white top and white leather. I wish I still had it.

      Like 0
  6. Terry

    Had a Lumina and a Grand Prix. The Lumina was very comfortable. Only downside to the 3.1 was intake manifold coolant leaks. We did a bunch of them when I worked at the Chevy dealer.

    Like 2
  7. bobp18436572

    I bought a 1988 model in 1989, with the 2.8 V6. It had been a rental car and had 13k miles. It was a little underpowered but was comfortable and got great gas mileage. I drove it it for five years and other family members continued driving it for many years. Overall a really good little car.

    Like 0
  8. FireAxeGXP

    Really sharp looking car. I remember when you couldn’t drive ten blocks without seeing one. Man I miss Buick Olds & Pontiac.
    And please don’t tell me buick is still around. They don’t make a single car and the potato looking turds they make are mostly made in China.

    Like 5
    • Bakyrdhero Bakyrdhero

      @Fireaxe I couldn’t agree with you more. Thinking recently of turning in my Toyota Tacoma I thought “maybe I’m at an age now where I’d really appreciate a nice riding, comfortable Buick cruiser. No such vehicle exists, all they sell now are SUV’s. I think you can still get a Regal, but not what I had in mind. Sign of the times I guess.

      Like 3
  9. Old Kurt

    Looks like a solid Cutlass. I own a 1995 Cutlass convertible with the 3.4l. Put lots of work in her to keep her on the road (stupid O ring for the deleted distributor), more than she is worth. Remember, rarity (1 of 119 in color combo in 1995) does not equate to value. The market just doesn’t seem to like mid 1990 GM products. There might be a reason for that. But I love driving her down the road, well worth the money spent.

    Like 0
  10. Claudio

    I found 2 convertibl models of these and 2 different garage failed them and said dont buy the shootboxes , not worth the trouble

    Never bought any but always wanted to know , what was so bad about them ?

    Like 0
  11. PRA4SNW

    GONE – looks nice for the money.

    Like 0
  12. Dave Mazz

    I once owned a 1992 Olds Cutlass Supreme that I bought new. 5-speed manual, DOHC V-6, leather seats. etc. During my 60.000 miles of ownership, this car needed a replacement short block, a new transmission, the CPU, the alternator, the AC compressor, the clutch slave cylinder, and a few assorted sensors. When the replacement tranny (a Getrag) started making “funny noises”, I dumped it for $500. Easily the worst car I’ve ever owned. (And the reason why I may buy a GM snowmobile, but I’ll never buy another GM car.)

    Like 0

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