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

Based on 5-year routine maintenance labor at a $150/hr indie shop rate, the Buick Skyhawk is cheaper to maintain — about $5,092 less over 60,000 miles. Parts cost is not included.

What's the labor difference between the 2.0L OHV I4 (LQ5/LL8, TBI) and the 2.0L I4?

Across 36 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 Skyhawk or Buick Skyhawk?

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

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

Specifications

Year

1989

1986

Engine

2.0L OHV I4 (LQ5/LL8, TBI)

2.0L I4

Drivetrain

FWD

Transmission

manual

Fuel

gas

Powertrain

Engine output, acceleration, top speed, handling, braking — and Nürburgring if either car ran one.

Horsepower

—hp

Torque

—lb-ft

0–60 mph

—

Quarter Mile

—

Top Speed

—

Skidpad

—

60–0 Braking

—

70–0 Braking

—

MPG · City

22.5

20.5

MPG · Highway

27.8

MPG · Combined

25.5

23.2

Performance specs synthesized from manufacturer figures and instrumented magazine tests (Car and Driver, Motor Trend, Road & Track). MPG from EPA fueleconomy.gov. Numbers flagged as "low confidence" by AI generation are conservative estimates from related platforms.

Cost of Ownership

★ WINNER

5-Year Maintenance

$23,370

0.39 $/mi

5-Year Maintenance

$28,462

0.47 $/mi

🏆

ADVANTAGEBuick Skyhawk — Saves you $5,092 over 5 years (22% 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

2.0L OHC Engine Bottom-End Failure

— hrs$1,950 / 5yr

— hrs

Catastrophic Engine Bottom-End Failure

— hrs

— hrs$1,723 / 5yr

Piston Ring Wear and Oil Consumption

— hrs$1,625 / 5yr

— hrs

Differential fluid

1.5 hrs$530 / 5yr

Front brake pads

1.2 hrs$520 / 5yr

Rear brake pads

1.2 hrs$500 / 5yr

Transmission Oil Cooler Line Failure and Cooler Clogging

— hrs

— hrs$975 / 5yr

Tire rotation

0.4 hrs$480 / 5yr

Timing belt service

5.0 hrs$460 / 5yr

Piston Ring Blow-By and Oil Consumption

— hrs

— hrs$735 / 5yr

Wiper blades

0.3 hrs$300 / 5yr

Brake fluid flush

0.8 hrs$270 / 5yr

12V battery

0.4 hrs$260 / 5yr

Fuel filter

0.5 hrs$210 / 5yr

Spark plugs

0.8 hrs$200 / 5yr

Water pump

2.5 hrs$173 / 5yr

Coolant flush

0.8 hrs$170 / 5yr

Three-Speed Automatic Transmission Cooler Line Failure

— hrs$325 / 5yr

— hrs

Collapsed Engine and Transmission Mounts

— hrs

— hrs$325 / 5yr

Intake manifold gasket

3.0 hrs$162 / 5yr

Engine air filter

0.3 hrs$150 / 5yr

Oil pan gasket

3.5 hrs$144 / 5yr

Alternator

1.5 hrs$131 / 5yr

Serpentine belt

0.6 hrs$125 / 5yr

Valve cover gasket

1.5 hrs$114 / 5yr

Power steering flush

0.5 hrs$95 / 5yr

Starter motor

1.5 hrs$85 / 5yr

Transmission Mount Collapse

— hrs$163 / 5yr

— hrs

PCV valve

0.4 hrs$80 / 5yr

Ignition coil

0.8 hrs$80 / 5yr

Carburetor Rochester 2SE Idle Circuit Clogging (1.8L)

— hrs

— hrs$140 / 5yr

Fuel Filter Clogging from Tank Sediment

— hrs

— hrs$119 / 5yr

Thermostat

0.8 hrs$56 / 5yr

Crankshaft Position Sensor Intermittent Failure

— hrs$88 / 5yr

— hrs

Fuel Filter Clogging and Fuel Pump Strain

— hrs$24 / 5yr

— hrs

Active Recalls

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

✓ Both vehicles are completely clear of open safety recalls.

Fluid Capacities

Buick Skyhawk

ac_refrigerant · R-12

brake1.00 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 3

coolant9.50 qt · GM 1052753

engine_oil4.00 qt · API SG

power_steering1.00 qt · GM Part 1050017

transmission_manual4.00 qt · GM Part 12345349

washer2.50 qt · Windshield washer fluid

Buick Skyhawk

ac_refrigerant · R-12

brake0.50 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 3

coolant9.50 qt · GM 1052753

engine_oil4.00 qt · API SF or SG

power_steering1.00 qt · GM 1050017

transmission_manual3.00 qt · GM Type II ATF

washer2.50 qt · Windshield washer solvent

The Verdict

🏆

THE WINNER

1989 Buick Skyhawk

2.0L OHV I4 (LQ5/LL8, TBI)

Buick Skyhawk is cheaper to maintain (saves ~$5,092 over 5 years)

Based on objective maintenance and recall data. Driving feel, looks, brand loyalty, and ownership experience are separate (and very valid) considerations.

Open the full dashboard for either truck

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

Buick Skyhawk

2.0L OHV I4 (LQ5/LL8, TBI)