The 1987 Oldsmobile 88 (often seen as Delta 88 and Delta 88 Royale) is a full-size, rear-wheel-drive sedan built for comfort, smooth highway cruising, and classic American roominess. It’s ideal for drivers who want a traditional V8-powered cruiser with a soft ride, simple layout, and easy drivability compared to many modern cars. In the market, it sat as Oldsmobile’s mainstream full-size sedan—more upscale than basic transportation, but generally more attainable than premium luxury models. For 1987, the 88 continued in the same late-1980s downsized full-size era rather than being a clean-sheet redesign, focusing on refinement and features.

- Full-size comfort in a manageable footprint: Wide seats, a roomy rear bench, and a compliant suspension tuned more for ride quality than sharp handling. - Classic rear-wheel-drive layout: Simple drivetrain packaging and straightforward service access compared to many front-drive cars of the era. - V8 power availability: Many 1987 88 models were equipped with Oldsmobile’s 307 cubic-inch (5.0L) V8, typically paired with a smooth automatic transmission, delivering relaxed acceleration and strong low-end torque for easy cruising. - Highway-friendly manners: Long-wheelbase stability, quiet cruising character, and a “floating” ride that many owners still seek out for long trips. - Popular comfort/convenience options: Depending on trim, buyers could find features like power windows/locks, power seats, cruise control, air conditioning, and upgraded cloth or velour interiors on Royale models.

Shoppers researching 1987 Oldsmobile 88 reliability, 1987 Oldsmobile 88 problems, and 1987 Oldsmobile 88 common issues should know these cars can be dependable when maintained, but age-related failures and a few repeat trouble spots are common. 1) Cooling system leaks and overheating (often 80,000–140,000 miles, but age is the bigger factor)