The first week I had the car, I had to replace the high pressure power steering line.
Replaced both CV joints.
Replaced fuel filter.
New platinum 2 plugs.
New computer.
New PROM chip.
Replaced the coils and ignition module.
Replaced the right headlight.
Hit a deer. Had to replace both grills. Will replace the hood soon.
New timing chain, water pump, and clutch.
At one point it started running on two cylinders and I was told that it could have been a number of things, so I was chasing all of these leads with no luck. Over half of the things I replaced weren't necissary. It turned out to be one bad injector.
Had the AC recharged.
Replaced center console trim piece. The car had been broken into before and they stole the stereo.
Paint is oxidizing on the bumpers and underneath the spoiler. There was a factory recall on that.
The previous owner hit some things with it. Replaced the whole rear taillight assembly. Will soon replace the rear bumper cover. Same with the front left fender.
You have to realize that I got the car for only $1400. It was no were near perfect. I only have about $4500 into it total. Now, the car is incredible. It's fast, it's sexy, and it has never left me stranded, yet it still gets 33 miles to the gallon at 80 miles an hour with the AC on. The parts that I replaced sound bad, but most of them came from a local salvage yard at very low cost. The body is very strait. I make it sound bad, but I am a total perfectionist. If you were to actually see the car now, you wouldn't believe it after reading all of this. A lot of the money I put into it was also for accessories.
Tinted windows.
Blue headlights.
'02 Subaru WRX wheels (yes, they do fit).
WRX hood scoop.
Cold air intake with K&N filter.
Cherry bomb muffler with 4" tip.
Stereo:
Panasonic CD player
Audiobahn 3.5 in. component speakers
Eclipse 5.25 in. coaxial speakers
Volfenhag 1600W amp
2 12" Kicker Comp VR subs.
This car does everything it should do. With at least 190 hp, it is faster than most cars. It handles incredibly well for being related to the Grand Am. Yet with all of this, it is still as economical as a Honda, but much more fun and comfortable to drive. Overall, it really is a ten.
Aside from whether a Calais is "sexy" (or not), exactly which Camaros is this car faster than (when it's running, that is)?
The four-cylinder ones?
Totally Awesome Car, and one of Oldsmobile's best!
The Quad 442 is a very rarest one so hang on to it!
Hey, I have a quad 442, 1990 and I love it, you say it has 190 horsepower? well I did put on a performance air filter, you also say you put on a hood scoop, I am just curious what that looked like, well I would love to share pictures of the quad 442s, all I have to say is that it has so much power and I can beat many of cars out there on the steets, I would also like to get a performance chip for mine, does it help all that much?
442 with a 4 cylinder? NO!!! If it don't got no V-8, it ain't no 442!!!
Perhaps you can help: What size car stereo will fit in this car? I need a replacement, but have no idea what stereo to buy (am looking for something on the cheap at Ebay). This is the standard '90 Calais (4 Door Sedan). E mail:infraredtrance@msn.com.
Thanks!
Poster from 4 may, you should do your research. The Quad 442 was the last of the 442's. Yes it IS a 442. 4 cylinder, 4 valves per cylinder, 2 camshafts. 442 has nothing to do with the number of cylinders in the car, never has.
Sadly, I sold this car for $500 after spinning a bearing. It ran every day that I had it for almost two years. I got it at 16 and sold it in college. I still miss that car with all of my heart. I lost a bearing from a bad head gasket. It started to use oil, but didn't show any signs until the knock came. One of the best cars I have and will ever own. It was still fast as hell with a bad head gasket and a rod knock. I guess the gasket problem was common on that motor around 140,000 to 150,000 miles, and mine went at about 148,000. For only $1400 that was the most amazing front wheel drive car I have ever been in, that was in mostly stock form. It would light up both front wheels for days with that much power and a limited slip diff. Sigh... I will have another. As for anyone else who doesn't agree, I guess you haven't been in one.
My good friends mother owned one, it also blew a head gasket and god knows what happened to the motor. But it is the only Quad 442 I've ever seen...
Yeah I haae a 90 Quad 442 all black with gold trim.. it's sharp..
It's the second car I've had, and I absolutely love it.. and yes it's a four cylinder, but I can light the tires up! And it's a 5 speed.
I have a 1991 quad 442 HO it is the baddest ass 4 cylinder from factory that is naturally aspirated in that era, as we call mine baby girl it is a high maintenance car and it demands to be worked on (as with most real pretty girls) it is well worth it. I would not trade that car for a million dollars and a Lamborghini. (seriously) anyways call me crazy, but I love that car to death and would never get rid of it.
I have to admit, since writing this review I have found another car I like just about as much. Strangely enough it's another GM product that's still closely related (in a manner of speaking). I just got a '99 Grand Am GT about a month ago, and out of the abnormally high number of vehicles I've owned, it's the only thing that comes close to my 442. I have to hand it to General Motors for making such an enjoyable product, given I'm not really a big GM guy. Still want another one though.
My first car was a '91 Quad 442. I miss it more than anything. I am currently looking for one to own again. My '05 430rwhp GTO needs a little brother.
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