Perhaps some of you can enlighten me. I am going to be picking up a 1996 Olds 98 at the end of june. The problem I am having is that I can't seem to find any drivers impressions of it on the internet.

I understand the basics like what to expect for mileage but have yet to read anything about how it will drive.

Please if any of you have an opinion of this nice car please share it with me. Thanks in advance.

Those cars are beautiful. They ride like a big boat, nice and smooth over the bumps. The 3800 has lots of power to spare, and the gas mileage is great.

What specifically are you looking to learn about?

I have a 1994 98. I love it. It rides so smooth that we take it for trips rather than my van. I get about 20 mpg in town and about 25 on the highway. The 3800 has lots of power and does very well in traffic. You will thoroughly love this car. I have only had mine for about 2 months, but I absolutely love it.

I guess if I had specific concerns they would start with how well those neat cup holders really work. Will they hold a 12 oz can of coke without spilling? Will they hold styrofoam coffee cups ( those big ones)? I only ask because they look kind of fragile in the pictures I've seen. But to be fair they have never looked like they were broken either.

In addition how dependable are those cool steering wheel control buttons ( fan speed, temp control, Volume ETC...). i understand the controls in the car I've yet to pick up work well but my experience with these creature comforts in other cars I have owned leaves me skeptical. Also the seat controls. Anyone have problems with those?

These concerns seem trivial I realize but Cadillacs of the same year seem plagued with problems in the areas I have mentioned. The 98 was Oldsmobiles top of the line until the Aurora and frankly I have no experience with Oldsmobiles. Now that I have a horse in the race so to speak my curiosity is killing me ( not literally of course).

Of course another concern is how easy is it to work on, The engine bay looks tight ( like most FWD cars and vans). How is the steering pump, AC compressor or alternator to replace? Is there room for a full size spare in the trunk provided spare tire recess or just a donut ?

And how about that trunk. Is it really as big as it looks in pictures? How big is the gas tank?

It should be obvious I am an Oldsmobile newby. Thank you for your patience.

The cup holder works really well. It definately is large enough to hold a can of soda and I put my coffee mug in there every morning. It might look flimsy, but it works really well.

As for the controls on the steering wheel. They work nice. I haven't had any problems with them in my car and as a matter of fact I have gotten so used to them that when I drive my wifes van I really miss them. They make driving and changing that stuff so easy.

The engine bay might look tight, but there is plenty of room to be able to work on all the things you mentioned very comfortably. You should not have any problems in this area.

The trunk is definately as large as you think it is. It is very large. My family just visited and when I picked them up from the airport they had 4 large suitcases. They very easily fit in the trunk with enough room to stuff a person in there as well.

I definately think that you will thoroughly enjoy your new ride, I know I enjoy mine.

Thanks Afrats and 88 delta 88. You have both helped to calm the quiet storm of my curiousity.

That trunk does look big... right out of the 60s from the pictures I've seen.