1991 Oldsmobile Toronado Trofeo from North America - Comments

Interior:

Lower front seats are cracked due to leather drying out.

Dash is cracked in a couple of areas from sun damage.

Carpet is faded a bit.

Exterior:

When first purchased, car was in need of a repaint, due to clearcoat beginning to peel on roof.

Clearcoat on wheels was beginning to deteriorate.

Chassis:

Two wheel bearings have needed replacement- $75 apiece.

Front shocks replaced for $80 a side.

Driver's side window tends to 'hang up' in a spot when going up.

Engine:

Water pump replaced- $25.

Oil pump replaced.

Fuel pressure regulator replaced- $75.

Fuel pump replaced- $75.

Camshaft position sensor and button replaced- $20.

Crankshaft position sensor replaced- $20.

Idle air control solenoid replaced- $80.

All coil packs, plugs, wires replaced- $150.

Accessory belt replaced- $30.

As you can tell, I have replaced a few parts on this car since I first purchased it. I take this car on road trips often, and it has been dead reliable, from day one. It has only let me sit one time, due to an incorrect water pump pulley that was installed by a previous owner. The pulley was for a C code 3.8 V6, and this car has an L code 3.8 V6.

The Buick derived series 1 3.8 V6 is a highly reliable, smooth engine, with years of development since the early days when it was first released 40 years ago. Like any engine, it has a few quirks. With the later series 1 V6,the water pump, and accessory belt should both be replaced every 30,000 miles. This was an inherent design flaw that resulted in the series 2 V6 having the accesories repositioned, and the belt routed differently.

This car turns almost as many heads as my 67 MGB, and Datsun 240Z. It is a comfortable highway cruiser, and although not fast, can hold it's own from stoplight to stoplight, and on the highway.

The interior is typical early 90's GM, with modular styling (read, blue plastic everywhere) and doesn't seem to fit well with the exterior. Nonetheless, some tasteful window tint, a dashmat, and some nice seat leather seat cushions can have you back into business in the interior asthetics department.

When purchasing a Trofeo, watch out for:

Miles over 150k. If they are, inquire about the fuel system, and what has been replaced. Look for fuel pump, regulator, and possibly injectors to be due for a change.

Interior. My car didn't fare too well in this area, as the last owner used it as more of point A to point B transportation, and didn't take good care of the car. If you don't have cracks in your seats, be sure to use a GOOD leather restorative on them before you start using the car. Good would not include Armor-All.

Suspension. Watch out for bad self-leveling suspensions. They can drain your wallet if they go bad, and drain your pocketbook to have it fixed.

Electronics. So many gizmos, so much to go wrong. Watch out for a bad IPC (instrument panel cluster), this can cause all of your gauges to die, except for the tachometer, or speedometer, I don't remember which. If you have lumbar supports, check out and make sure the bags in the seats inflate/deflate, or you'll be looking for a seat control module, a NLA (no longer available) GM part.

Body. Grab the wheels, and give them a good shake. If they feel a bit loose, and you are sure that the wheel is bolted/torqued properly onto the car, look at a wheel bearing/hub replacement. Check the front shocks with a one/two bounce. Bounce the front of the car a couple of times, it should rebound, and stop. Anymore than that, and you are looking at new shocks.

Headlight covers. I see these broken all the time. Make sure that they work, and that if you do purchase the car, you keep all of the moving parts WELL LUBRICATED. You should hardly be able to hear them go up and down when inside the car, with the engine off and the windows up. If you do, grease those things.

Does yours have the touch-screen driver information center?

I'm sorry, I forgot to mention that. It does not have the VIC (Vehicle Information Center) unit. At the time I bought the car, I had my choice between the two units, as there were two cars for sale. I went for the one without, as I did some checking around, and new/functioning VIC units aren't exactly being sold at your local WalMart!

Hello. Thanks for the trofeo tips. As the proud owner of three of these beauties, I can assure you that any money spent on these is money well spent. As an artist, I have what my friends would refer to as "unique taste" and these cars fit the bill.

I have a rather unique collection consisting of : a 1984 volvo turbo wagon with an amazing bought from my aunt 90,000 miles, a 1995 camaro rag-top, a 1978 ford ranchero (classic lines as in the trofeo) And the cream of the crop, a prestine GM employee couple owned 1990 "silver-shadow" trofeo, along with a 1991 pearl beauty with wine interior and the latest addition is a pearl beauty with gray interior and touch sceen.

During the last fifteen years, I have been able to buy more cars than I would like to remember, from mercedes to audi, cadillac's to lincoln's.

None will ever compare to the trofeo. They are solid, heavy, beautiful cars with a unique, beautiful style that parts them from any other car on the road today (current or classic) This alone, along with very low production numbers, will assure a truly one-of-a-kind vehicle that gives one a true feeling of uniqueness without a ton of money.

My problem is finding a daily driver. Every time I find a Trofeo with the intent on driving it all of the time, I end up putting it up like a fine bottle of wine. Which, as Martha Stewart would say is "a good thing".

I've got a 1991 Olds Toronado Trofeo. Burgandy with burgandy interior. Its got the touchscreen dash and steering wheel climate and stereo controls. It runs great, but its got major electrical problems. I haven't checked on the price of fixing this problem, but I'm fearing the worst. It is in excellent exterior condition except for a dent in the front bumper. The interior isn't in the greatest shape, but can be dealt with. I'm considering selling it. If anyone is interested contact Brandon at arlissnd@yahoo.com. I can get pictures if needed.

To all Toronado owners; fixing the dead gages is no longer a bank breaking proposition. There are companies on ebay (and probably other places as well) that sell rebuilt gauge clusters. You can buy these rebuilt/refurbished clusters for around $110 and then return your old gauge cluster as a "core" to be rebuilt and resold. I did this with my 1990 and everything works perfectly and it was not difficult to install. Also, nearly all these clusters come with a warranty of some kind.

Do what it takes to keep these cars on the road, the parts and technology are out there. Preserve the Toronado!

As the folks above have mentioned, the Toro is an awesome automobile. Here's a link for you if you want to fix your IPC yourself. It takes roughly two hours including remove and replace: http://www.csciltd.com/gen_iv/ipc_fix.htm.

I am looking to purchase a trofeo, what resource would you recommend to search and find the vehicle? thanks. einajr@yahoo.com

Toronados of any year aren't exactly common, especially the 4th generation cars (1986-1992). The best way to track one down is to hunt ebay motors or autotrader online. That's how I found mine. Finding one with low miles will be a challenge, but worth while.

Hello I just purchased a 1992 trofeo from ebay. It does not have the touchscreen VIC. What I would like to know is, can you buy one, say off ebay, and install it?

Thanks.

My Husband has a 1990 Trofeo with 40K miles on it. Very well maintained. He is a certified GM tech for over 30 years. We purchased the vehicle new and have stored it for about 12 years now. We are debating whether to put the car on the road and use it or leave it as a future classic. Any insight would be appreciated.

I have a black w/burgundy interior 1992. I am having the typical problems. My friends and family say I should junk the car. I need an Instrument Panel Cluster. I really love the car and don't want to ditch it, but I don't want to throw a bag of money at it either. Anyone who has access to an IPC please let me know.

ENCINOMANGT@AOL.COM.

Peace.