Which is cheaper to maintain, the Oldsmobile 98 or the Oldsmobile 98?

Based on 5-year routine maintenance labor at a $150/hr indie shop rate, the Oldsmobile 98 is cheaper to maintain — about $10,262 less over 60,000 miles. Parts cost is not included.

What's the labor difference between the 403ci V8 and the 3.8L V6?

Across 38 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 Oldsmobile 98 or Oldsmobile 98?

The Oldsmobile 98 has 0 open NHTSA recalls. The Oldsmobile 98 has 2 open recalls. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

1984 Oldsmobile 98 vs 1996 Oldsmobile 98 — Labor Times, Costs & Recalls

Specifications

Year

1984

1996

Engine

403ci V8

3.8L V6

Drivetrain

RWD

FWD

Transmission

automatic

Fuel

gas

Cost of Ownership

5-Year Maintenance

$47,267

0.79 $/mi

★ WINNER

5-Year Maintenance

$37,005

0.62 $/mi

🏆

ADVANTAGEOldsmobile 98 — Saves you $10,262 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

9.6 hrs$17,760 / 5yr

8.0 hrs$14,880 / 5yr

Tire rotation

2.4 hrs$2,880 / 5yr

2.0 hrs$2,400 / 5yr

Wiper blades

3.6 hrs$2,280 / 5yr

3.0 hrs$1,920 / 5yr

Cabin air filter

4.8 hrs$2,235 / 5yr

4.0 hrs$1,875 / 5yr

350 Diesel Engine Catastrophic Failures

— hrs$3,250 / 5yr

— hrs

Serpentine belt

9.6 hrs$1,475 / 5yr

8.0 hrs$1,235 / 5yr

PCV valve

9.6 hrs$1,460 / 5yr

8.0 hrs$1,220 / 5yr

Body and Frame Rust (Northern Cars)

— hrs$2,275 / 5yr

— hrs

4T60-E Transmission Failure

— hrs

— hrs$1,950 / 5yr

Fuel filter

3.0 hrs$960 / 5yr

2.5 hrs$810 / 5yr

Front brake pads

2.4 hrs$880 / 5yr

2.0 hrs$760 / 5yr

THM200-4R Transmission Failures

— hrs$1,625 / 5yr

— hrs

Rear brake pads

2.4 hrs$860 / 5yr

2.0 hrs$740 / 5yr

Differential fluid

2.4 hrs$800 / 5yr

2.0 hrs$680 / 5yr

Engine Knock/Rod Bearing Failure

— hrs

— hrs$1,453 / 5yr

Engine air filter

2.4 hrs$780 / 5yr

2.0 hrs$660 / 5yr

Brake fluid flush

2.4 hrs$750 / 5yr

2.0 hrs$630 / 5yr

Valve cover gasket

9.6 hrs$600 / 5yr

8.0 hrs$504 / 5yr

Coolant flush

3.6 hrs$590 / 5yr

3.0 hrs$500 / 5yr

12V battery

2.4 hrs$560 / 5yr

2.0 hrs$500 / 5yr

Power steering flush

3.0 hrs$470 / 5yr

2.5 hrs$395 / 5yr

Intake manifold gasket

9.6 hrs$459 / 5yr

8.0 hrs$387 / 5yr

Rear Main Seal and Oil Pan Gasket Leaks

— hrs$780 / 5yr

— hrs

Oil pan gasket

9.6 hrs$373 / 5yr

8.0 hrs$313 / 5yr

Spark plugs

1.8 hrs$350 / 5yr

1.5 hrs$305 / 5yr

Oxygen sensor

3.6 hrs$330 / 5yr

3.0 hrs$285 / 5yr

Timing Chain Stretch and Failure (Gas V8s)

— hrs$601 / 5yr

— hrs

Upper Intake Manifold Gasket Failure (3800 Series II)

— hrs

— hrs$585 / 5yr

Water pump

3.6 hrs$231 / 5yr

3.0 hrs$200 / 5yr

Thermostat

3.6 hrs$203 / 5yr

3.0 hrs$172 / 5yr

Alternator

2.4 hrs$165 / 5yr

2.0 hrs$150 / 5yr

Ignition coil

1.8 hrs$140 / 5yr

1.5 hrs$122 / 5yr

Fuel Pump/Sending Unit Failure

— hrs

— hrs$227 / 5yr

Starter motor

2.4 hrs$112 / 5yr

2.0 hrs$100 / 5yr

Q-Jet Carburetor Issues

— hrs$193 / 5yr

— hrs

Passkey II Anti-Theft System Failure

— hrs

— hrs$175 / 5yr

Transmission Mount Failure

— hrs

— hrs$172 / 5yr

Digital Dash Cluster Failures

— hrs$140 / 5yr

— hrs

Active Recalls

★ WINNER

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

Open NHTSA Recalls

2 open

🏆

ADVANTAGEOldsmobile 98 — 2 fewer open recalls from the NHTSA

Fluid Capacities

Oldsmobile 98

No fluid spec data available

Oldsmobile 98

brake · DOT 4 Brake Fluid

coolant13.00 qt · DEX-COOL Extended Life (Orange)

engine_oil6.50 qt · 5W-30 Conventional

power_steering1.00 qt · Power Steering Fluid

transmission_auto10.00 qt · Dexron III ATF

washer3.50 qt · Windshield Washer Fluid

The Verdict

🏆

THE WINNER

1996 Oldsmobile 98

3.8L V6

Oldsmobile 98 is cheaper to maintain (saves ~$10,262 over 5 years)
Oldsmobile 98 has 2 fewer open NHTSA recalls

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.