1990-1992 Oldsmobile Toronado/Trofeo: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
1992 Oldsmobile Toronado/Trofeo
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1990-1992 Oldsmobile Toronado/Trofeo
- Price Range: $700 - $1,500
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1990-1992 Oldsmobile Toronado/Trofeo and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Antilock brakes
- Quietness
- Acceleration
- Steering/handling (Trofeo)
Cons
- Rear-seat room
- Entry/exit
- Fuel economy
Vehicle Highlights
For 1990, Oldsmobile's luxury coupe got new body panels that added more than a foot of overall length. That stretch increased trunk space by 2.5 cubic feet, but interior dimensions were unchanged. Also new was a driver-side airbag. Close relatives included the Buick Riviera and the Cadillac Eldorado.The sole powertrain consisted of GM's 3.8-liter V6 and a 4-speed automatic transmission. Antilock braking was optional. A sporty Trofeo edition, introduced in 1987, carried leather bucket seats and an FE3 sport suspension, as well as an optional video Visual Information Center. That system included a small video screen in the center of the dashboard.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Oldsmobile Toronado Trofeo Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 6 | |
| Fuel Economy | 4 | |
| Ride Quality | 5 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 6 | |
| Quietness | 5 | |
| Controls/Materials | 6 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 2 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 2 | |
| Value within Class | 4 | |
| Total Score: | 45 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1990-1992 Oldsmobile Toronado/Trofeo. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1990-1992 Oldsmobile Toronado/Trofeo.
Year to Year Changes
1991 Oldsmobile Toronado/Trofeo:
An improved 3.8-liter V6 engine with 170 horsepower went into the 1991 models. The Toronado's automatic transmission also was improved, adopting electronic controls. Antilock brakes now were standard on the Toronado as well as the Trofeo. Steering-wheel controls for the stereo and climate system became standard on Trofeo, and optional on the Toronado.
1992 Oldsmobile Toronado/Trofeo:
Virtually unchanged this year, Oldsmobile's personal-luxury coupe continued in both Toronado and sportier Trofeo trim.
Our road test for the 1990-1992 Oldsmobile Toronado/Trofeo includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1990-1992 Oldsmobile Toronado/Trofeo and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1990-1992 Oldsmobile Toronado/Trofeo is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Oldsmobile's 3.8-liter V6 engine provides sufficient pickup. The improved engine and transmission for 1991 did not produce a big boost in acceleration potential, but they combined to deliver power in a smoother, more timely fashion. Unlike the earlier transmission, the 1991-92 unit does not constantly shift in and out of overdrive. Fuel economy is about average for the class. Toronado is reasonably agile and responsive, but expect ample body roll in turns. The firmer suspension in a Trofeo improves cornering ability, at the expense of ride comfort. Standard 4-wheel disc brakes work well. Gadgets galore provide all the comfort and convenience expected in cars of this caliber, but the Trofeo's available Visual Information Center complicates stereo and climate-system controls. We recommend looking for a Trofeo without that system. Rear-seat room is modest. Only two adults fit reasonably in the back seat, and they might lack sufficient head room to sit upright. Worse yet, the back seat is too firm and poorly shaped. Wide, heavy doors can be a hassle when parking in tight spots. Visibility can be a problem, both over-the-shoulder and directly rearward, due to thick rear roof pillars. Cargo space isn't the greatest.
Value for the Money
If you're in the market for an older coupe, you get pleasing performance and a boatload of features. As long as you don't need space for four people or a full load of luggage, either model ranks as a comfortable and competent touring machine.
If you're in the market for an older coupe, you get pleasing performance and a boatload of features. As long as you don't need space for four people or a full load of luggage, either model ranks as a comfortable and competent touring machine.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Oldsmobile Toronado Trofeo Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 6 | |
| Fuel Economy | 4 | |
| Ride Quality | 5 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 6 | |
| Quietness | 5 | |
| Controls/Materials | 6 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 2 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 2 | |
| Value within Class | 4 | |
| Total Score: | 45 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Oldsmobile Toronado/Trofeo includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Oldsmobile Toronado/Trofeo .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Battery:
Battery may go dead overnight on cars with electronic level control (1990-92)
Dashboard lights:
Occasionally the gauges on the instrument cluster do not work properly (except the tachometer) until the engine is warm. (1990)
Engine noise:
A rattling noise on cold startups could be due to oil-pump starvation and cavitation in the automatic transmission. Accoding to GM, this will not harm the transmission. (1991-92)
Engine noise:
Bearing knock was common due to too much clearance on the number-one main bearing. (1992)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $465 |
| Alternator | $265 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $895 |
| Brakes | $230 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $870 |
| Exhaust System | $430 |
| Radiator | $410 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $1,300 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $225 |
Our price chart for this generation Oldsmobile Toronado/Trofeo details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1992 | |||
| Toronado | $1,500-2,000 | $1,000-1,300 | $200-300 |
| Trofeo | $1,600-2,200 | $1,100-1,500 | $200-300 |
| 1991 | |||
| Toronado | $1,300-1,700 | $800-1,100 | $200 |
| Trofeo | $1,400-1,900 | $900-1,200 | $200 |
| 1990 | |||
| Toronado | $1,100-1,500 | $700-900 | $100-200 |
| Trofeo | $1,200-1,600 | $700-1,000 | $100-200 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Oldsmobile Toronado/Trofeo include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 2-door coupe | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 108.0 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 200.3 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 72.8 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 53.0 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3462 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 15.8 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 18.8 | |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 37.8 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 43.0 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 37.8 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 35.7 | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
Sole powertrain was a 3.8-liter V6 engine, driving a 4-speed automatic transmission. For 1991, though, the V6 engine was fortified, gaining five horsepower, and a new automatic transmission contained electronic controls.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohv V6 | 3.8 / 231 | 165-170 | 210-220 | 4-speed automatic: 18/27 | 4-speed automatic: 18.3 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: USA
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Oldsmobile Toronado/Trofeo include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1990-1992 Oldsmobile Toronado/Trofeo directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1990:
Cable may disengage from transaxle's floor-shift control so driver might be unable to determine which gear is engaged, resulting in unexpected movement.
1990-92:
Front outer shoulder-belt web can become stuck in its retractor.
1992:
Intermediate shaft to steering-rack pinch bolt may be missing on some cars; disengagement produces loss of steering control.
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