The 1998 Buick Skylark, the latest model year on record, is 189.4″ long, 68.1″ wide and 53.5″ tall on a 103.5″ wheelbase, and weighs 2,948 lb. At 15.8 ft it fits a standard garage and leaves 2.2 ft spare in an 18-foot street space.
Every Buick Skylark generation, measured
The biggest change in weight came in 1992: 126 lb heavier than before.
| Generation | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971–1972 | 207.1″ | 79.9″ | 53.9″ | 122″ | 3,415 lb |
| 1976–1980 | 200.4″ | 72.8″ | 53.1″ | 111″ | 3,391 lb |
| 1981–1985 | 181.1″ | 69.3″ | 53.5″ | 104.7″ | 2,491 lb |
| 1987–1991 | 180.3″ | 66.5″ | 52″ | 103.5″ | 2,575 lb |
| 1992–1998 | 189.4″ | 68.1″ | 53.1″ | 103.5″ | 2,701 lb |
Skylark year by year
| Model year | Length | Width | Wheelbase | Curb weight | Body styles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 189.4″ | 68.1″ | 103.5″ | 1 | |
| 1997 | 189″ | 68.1″ | 103.5″ | 2 | |
| 1996 | 189″ | 68.1″ | 103.5″ | 2 | |
| 1995 | 189″ | 68.9″ | 103.5″ | 2 | |
| 1994 | 189″ | 67.7″ | 103.5″ | 2 | |
| 1993 | 189.4″ | 68.1″ | 103.5″ | 2 | |
| 1992 | 189.4″ | 68.1″ | 103.5″ | 2 | |
| 1991 | 179.9″ | 66.5″ | 103.5″ | 2 | |
| 1990 | 179.9″ | 66.5″ | 103.5″ | 2 | |
| 1989 | 179.9″ | 67.7″ | 103.5″ | 2 | |
| 1988 | 180.3″ | 66.5″ | 103.5″ | 2 | |
| 1987 | 180.3″ | 66.5″ | 103.5″ | 2 | |
| 1985 | 181.1″ | 69.3″ | 104.7″ | 2 | |
| 1984 | 181.1″ | 69.3″ | 104.7″ | 2 | |
| 1983 | 181.1″ | 69.3″ | 104.7″ | 2 | |
| 1982 | 181.1″ | 69.3″ | 104.7″ | 6 | |
| 1981 | 181.1″ | 69.3″ | 104.7″ | 5 | |
| 1980 | 200.4″ | 72.8″ | 111″ | 2 | |
| 1979 | 200.4″ | 72.8″ | 111″ | 3 | |
| 1978 | 200.4″ | 72.8″ | 111″ | 3 | |
| 1977 | 200.4″ | 72.8″ | 111″ | 3 | |
| 1976 | 200.4″ | 72.8″ | 111″ | 3 | |
| 1972 | 205.1″ | 76.8″ | 119.3″ | 2 | |
| 1971 | 205.9″ | 79.1″ | 120.1″ | 3 |
Will a Skylark fit
| Space | Typical size | This car | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single garage | 20 ft deep | 15.8 ft | Fits, with room to open the door |
| Street parking space | 18 ft | 15.8 ft | Fits comfortably |
| Standard parking bay width | 8.5 ft wide | 5.7 ft | Room to open doors both sides |
Against cars of the same length
Among the 1,054 cars within 10″ of its length, the Skylark is lighter than 92% and narrower than 93%, and has a shorter wheelbase than 91%.
| Measure | This car | Typical of 1,054 cars within 10″ of its length | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 68.1″ | 73.2″ | −5.1″ |
| Wheelbase | 103.5″ | 109.8″ | −6.3″ |
| Curb weight | 2,948 lb | 3,847 lb | −899 lb |
Skylark against its rivals
Next to the Saab 900, Chevrolet Beretta and Ford Contour, the Skylark is the longest and the lightest of the four.
| Model | Model year | Length | Width | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buick Skylark (this car) | 1998 | 189.4″ | 68.1″ | 2,948 lb |
| Saab 900 | 1998 | 182.7″ | 67.3″ | 3,003 lb |
| Chevrolet Beretta | 1996 | 187.4″ | 68.1″ | 2,989 lb |
| Ford Contour | 1999 | 184.3″ | 69.3″ | 2,954 lb |
Specs vary by trim. Yours decodes from the VIN.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Skylark bigger than the 1997?
No. The 1998 and 1997 Skylark are the same size, within half an inch and 16 lb of each other.
Which Skylark years share the same body?
By our measurements the body changed in 1976, 1981, 1987 and 1992. Model years inside each range, such as 1992–1998, share the same dimensions; the boundaries are estimated from changes in size.
Which is bigger, the Skylark or the Saab 900?
The 1998 Saab 900 is 6.7″ shorter and 55 lb heavier than the 1998 Skylark.
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