1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Test Drive
Oldsmobile’s exercise in suspended animation, the Ciera, was mercifully terminated. In its place was the vigorous new Cutlass, a clean-slate effort ‘exactly’ related to Chevy’s Malibu mid-size sedan for 1997. About all that was left from the old Ciera bloodline was Oldsmobile’s close attention to the bottom line. On the features per dollar score the 1997 Cutlass racked up plenty of points. And with a long 107 inch wheelbase, it was bigger inside than the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. The stiff uni body was engineered with an eye on safety and quite smoothness – an effort advanced furthered by the Cutlass’ standard 3.1 liter 160 horse V6.
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Easily the blandest car ever made.
that is arguable!
While in hindsight it may not have been worse than the competition at the time, when it came out I recall thinking that it was a car for people who had stopped caring.
John Davis was too optimistic because this car did not save the Oldsmobile division!
Unfortunately, the Cutlass only lasted 3 model years (97-99). I’m in the search of a secondary “beater” car, and wouldn’t mind finding one with low mileage and in good condition. The only downer is the dreaded intake manifold gasket issue that all of GM 60 degree V6 engines of that period had. That’s what’s making me shy away from generally all V6 equipped GM cars of the late 90s and early 00s.