Which is cheaper to maintain, the Buick Electra or the Buick Electra?

Based on 5-year routine maintenance labor at a $150/hr indie shop rate, the Buick Electra is cheaper to maintain — about $473 less over 60,000 miles. Parts cost is not included.

What's the labor difference between the 3.8L 3800 V6 (LN3) and the 3.0L V6?

Across 34 common maintenance jobs, hours vary by drivetrain and engine layout. See the side-by-side table on this page for each job's labor hours and estimated cost.

Are there any active recalls on the Buick Electra or Buick Electra?

The Buick Electra has 0 open NHTSA recalls. The Buick Electra has 0 open recalls. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

1989 Buick Electra vs 1986 Buick Electra — Labor Times, Costs & Recalls

Specifications

Year

1989

1986

Engine

3.8L 3800 V6 (LN3)

3.0L V6

Drivetrain

FWD

Transmission

automatic

Fuel

gas

Cost of Ownership

★ WINNER

5-Year Maintenance

$11,160

0.19 $/mi

5-Year Maintenance

$11,633

0.19 $/mi

🏆

ADVANTAGEBuick Electra — Saves you $473 over 5 years (4% less in routine maintenance labor)

Routine maintenance only. Cost = labor hours × $150/hr × estimated 5-yr frequency. Parts cost not included.

Maintenance Breakdown

Hours per common service. Lower is faster (and cheaper) at the shop.

Oil & filter change

0.4 hrs$1,200 / 5yr

440-T4 (4T60) Transaxle Failure

— hrs$1,950 / 5yr

— hrs

200-4R Transmission Failure (Internal Clutches and Torque Converter)

— hrs

— hrs$1,625 / 5yr

3.8L V6 Bottom-End Bearing Failure

— hrs$1,575 / 5yr

— hrs

Piston Ring Wear and Oil Consumption (3.8L V6)

— hrs

— hrs$1,575 / 5yr

Differential fluid

1.5 hrs$530 / 5yr

Front brake pads

1.2 hrs$520 / 5yr

Rear brake pads

1.2 hrs$500 / 5yr

Tire rotation

0.4 hrs$480 / 5yr

Transmission Oil Cooler Line Corrosion and Leaks

— hrs$309 / 5yr

— hrs$276 / 5yr

Brake fluid flush

0.8 hrs$270 / 5yr

Crankshaft Main Bearing Wear

— hrs

— hrs$525 / 5yr

3.8L V6 Intake Manifold Gasket Failure

— hrs

— hrs$520 / 5yr

12V battery

0.3 hrs$245 / 5yr

Wiper blades

0.2 hrs$240 / 5yr

Intake manifold gasket

4.5 hrs$230 / 5yr

Water pump

3.5 hrs$226 / 5yr

Fuel filter

0.5 hrs$210 / 5yr

Spark plugs

0.8 hrs$200 / 5yr

Front Engine Mount and Transmission Mount Collapse

— hrs$341 / 5yr

— hrs

Coolant flush

0.8 hrs$170 / 5yr

Intake Manifold and Plenum Gasket Seepage

— hrs$306 / 5yr

— hrs

Oil pan gasket

3.5 hrs$144 / 5yr

Serpentine belt

0.6 hrs$125 / 5yr

Engine air filter

0.2 hrs$120 / 5yr

Alternator

1.2 hrs$120 / 5yr

Valve cover gasket

1.5 hrs$114 / 5yr

Transmission and Engine Mounts Deterioration

— hrs

— hrs$228 / 5yr

Fuel System Varnish and Injector Clogging (If fuel-injected 3.8L)

— hrs

— hrs$227 / 5yr

Power steering flush

0.5 hrs$95 / 5yr

Thermostat

1.2 hrs$77 / 5yr

Starter motor

1.2 hrs$76 / 5yr

PCV valve

0.3 hrs$65 / 5yr

Fuel Filter Clogging and Fuel Pump Strain

— hrs$22 / 5yr

— hrs

Active Recalls

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

✓ Both vehicles are completely clear of open safety recalls.

Fluid Capacities

Buick Electra

ac_refrigerant · R-12

brake0.75 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 3

coolant12.50 qt · GM 1052753 or equivalent

engine_oil4.00 qt · API SG

power_steering1.50 qt · GM Part 1050017 or equivalent

transmission_auto12.00 qt · GM Dexron II-E

washer2.50 qt · Windshield washer fluid

Buick Electra

ac_refrigerant · R-12

brake0.50 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 3

coolant13.00 qt · GM 1052753

engine_oil4.00 qt · API SF

power_steering1.50 qt · GM 1050017

transmission_auto12.00 qt · GM Dexron II

washer3.00 qt · Windshield washer solvent

The Verdict

TOO CLOSE TO CALL

Across cost of ownership and recall count, neither vehicle pulls decisively ahead. Pick on personal preference — drivetrain, transmission feel, brand loyalty, or the engine that puts a smile on your face.

Open the full dashboard for either truck

Labor times, torque specs, fluid capacities, DTC codes, repair procedures, recalls, common platform problems.