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1991-1992 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser Full Review
Date Published: 2/20/08
Our in-depth review covers everything you need to know about this generation Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser. Get the latest news, find a local dealer, and get a free price quote for this generation Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser.
1991-1992 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser Review
Oldsmobile gave its last remaining rear-drive model, the full-size Custom Cruiser station wagon, a swoopy new shape for 1991. It was the first major restyling since the model had been downsized, way back in 1977. Chevrolet and Buick also restyled their wagons this year, and continued to offer sedans built on the same chassis. Olds, on the other hand, issued only the station wagon. Offered in a single trim level, the Custom Cruiser differed from the Buick Estate and Chevrolet Caprice wagons mainly in front/rear styling and instrument-panel design. A new fuel-injected, Chevrolet-designed 5.0-liter V8 engine went beneath the hood, producing 170 horsepower and replacing the prior generation's 140-horsepower carbureted V8. A 4-speed automatic was the sole transmission. Antilock brakes and a heavy-duty suspension were standard. Like the related Buick Roadmaster Estate, the Custom Cruiser had a standard "vista roof," which consisted of a fixed sunroof with dark tinted glass over the middle bench seat. Custom Cruisers also featured an adjustable roof luggage rack. The 2-way tailgate swung down or opened to the left, and its glass rear window flipped up separately. Although the new wagon's 115.9-inch wheelbase was the same as before, it measured 2.8 inches shorter overall, stretching to 217.5 inches. Oldsmobile claimed that the interior was roomier. With middle and rear seats folded, the cargo area could hold a 4x8-foot sheet of plywood--the usual measure for such spaces. A driver's airbag was standard in the redesigned interior, mounted in a tilt steering wheel. Eight-passenger seating was standard, with 3-place front and middle seats plus a 2-place third-row bench.
Year to Year Changes
1992 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser: A larger optional V8 engine became available for 1992, just before Oldsmobile's full-size wagon faded away. The 5.7-liter V8 developed 180 horsepower. With an optional Towing Package, a Custom Cruiser could now haul up to 5000 pounds. Also new this year were a solar reflecting windshield and a manual-mode selector for the optional automatic climate-control system.
1991-1992 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser Road Test
Pros Cons
Acceleration Fuel economy
Passenger room size and weight
Cargo room
Trailer-towing capability
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Even with the new fuel-injected V8 engine, a Custom Cruiser could be counted on to guzzle plenty of gasoline, especially around town. Oldsmobile and the other GM divisions aimed their wagons at families who did not want a van, but sought plenty of passenger and cargo room, as well as trailer-towing brawn. Those attributes come at the price of fuel economy. Acceleration with the 5.0-liter base engine is acceptable, but the 5.7-liter V8 offered for 1992 is especially desirable for those who tow or carry heavy loads. A firmer suspension on this final big-wagon model reduces bouncing on wavy roads and body roll around corners. Still, this is one sizable rear-drive boat, so while the ride is fairly well-controlled, don't expect agile maneuverability. A full set of circular analog gauges, including a tachometer, replaced the old horizontal speedometer, assuring easier reading. The stereo is mounted dead center at the top of the dashboard, with climate controls positioned directly below and all controls easy to reach while driving. All four side doors have map pockets, while the glovebox is bigger than before and supplemented by a storage pouch on the dashboard. Additional storage bins and cubbyholes are available in the rear cargo area.
Value for the Money
For most shoppers, a minivan or a smaller front-drive station wagon would be a wiser choice than a big wagon like the Custom Cruiser. Those who still value full-size, traditional rear-drive wagons might take a look, however, since only three hung on into the early 1990s--all from General Motors. Oldsmobile's version fits right between the Caprice and Estate in price and features.
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser Rating
Performance 5
Fuel Economy 3
Ride Quality 7
Steering/Handling/Braking 4
Quietness 5
Controls/Materials 5
Interior Room 5
Room/Comfort (rear) 5
Cargo Capacity 7
Value within Class 5
Total: 51
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.
1991-1992 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser Reliability
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: A fusible link for the generator (alternator) corrodes inside its insulation causing the battery to go dead and the generator output to be too high or low. (1990)
Cruise control: The cruise control will fail to stay engaged or operate intermittently if the center high-mount stop lamp (CHMSL) is burned out. (1992)
Fuel economy: Poor (V8) engine performance and fuel economy may be misdiagnosed as a problem with the computer-control system when the actual problem is poor connections in the wiring harness' female terminals. (1992)
Hood/trunk: The secondary hood latch rusts making it hard to close the hood fully. The company will replace the latch regardless of time, mileage, or ownership. (1991-92)
None: The five-mile-per-hour bumpers may not survive an impact because the energy-absorbing foam cracks, breaks, and falls out. (1990-92)
Oil consumption and exhaust smoke: Oil consumption and blue smoke from the exhaust, especially when cold, is due to faulty valve-stem seals on V8 engines. (1991)
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 $450
Alternator $220
Automatic Transmission or Transaxle $855
Brakes $390
Constant Velocity Joints $895
Exhaust System $425
Radiator $350
Shocks and/or Struts $290
NHTSA Recall History
1991: Shoulder-belt guide-loop plastic covering may crack and expose the steel subplate, which, in the event of a crash, could cut the safetybelt webbing.
1991-92: Secondary hood-latch assemblies can corrode, causing high latch-release effort and possibly preventing hood from latching properly.
1992: Antilock brake system modulator can corrode and leak fluid from front brake circuit.
1991-1992 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser Prices
Prices Good Average Poor
1991
Custom Cruiser $1,400-1,900 $900-1,200 $200
1992
Custom Cruiser $1,600-2,100 $1,100-1,400 $200-300
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.
1991-1992 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
Specification 4-door wagon
Wheelbase, in. 115.9
Overall Length, in. 217.5
Overall Width, in. 79.7
Overall Height, in. 60.1
Curb Weight, lbs. 4435
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. 91.9
Standard Payload, lbs. --
Fuel Capacity, gals. 22.0
Seating Capacity 8
Front Head Room, in. 39.7
Max. Front Leg Room, in. 42.2
Rear Head Room, in. 39.6
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. 38.0
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Powertrain Options and Availability
Designed by Chevrolet, the 5.0-liter V8 engine developed 170 horsepower and drove a 4-speed automatic transmission.
Engines Size liters /
cu. in
Horse- power Torque Transmission:
EPA city/hgwy
Consumer Guide Observed
ohv V8 5.0 / 305 170 255 4-speed automatic: 16/25 4-speed automatic: --
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
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%. Side-impact 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%.
Built In: USA
Drive Wheels: longitudinal front-engine/rear-wheel drive
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