1984 Oldsmobile Toronado 5.0 V8 from North America
Summary:
This is an exceptionally great car!
Faults:
My headlight switch broke at the worst time possible, on a narrow back-road at night, while I was switching from my brights to normal headlights, with moderate traffic making the problem worse. Even though that was a horrible situation, it was easily remedied the next day.
The front and rear bumper molding filler has completely cracked and fallen away.
The paint isn't horrible, but there is chipping and a few small rust spots that I plan on fixing very soon.
General Comments:
This car has serious character, weighing in at 3740 lbs (almost two tons!) the V8 5.0 liter engine really gets this car moving!
When I first purchased the car it was somewhat stubborn, not readily accepting the pedal that I was giving it, but it seems to have adapted and I have been told that there is a computer chip in the car that adjusts to the drivers habits.
The enterior is in immaculate shape.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 18th February, 2005
29th Nov 2005, 10:31
I presently own an 86 Olds Toronado. As everyone knows, it was a car ahead of its time, and still is.
This was a gift from my brother about 10 years ago in exchange for a car I gave him in 1956 when he was getting married. In the beginning, it was plagued with electrical problems; chimes would ring constantly, tightened some grounds and connections, but still occasionally chimes would sound. Olds dealers gave up on it, and we just got used to pressing the silence button on the dash.
Then the timing chain went and caused a bent valve. Estimates were over a thousand to repair it. It was a gamble, but I removed the front head and replaced a valve, timing chain and gaskets, put it all together and drove it for a few more years, then passed it down to my son in college. He took out the radio, and designed and built a LCD display and control to a computer motherboard with 12 volt supply, all mounted in an old alarm panel box in the trunk; a sophisticated stereo music system that held a thousand or so music selections.
The headlights were erratic, and had to be locked open, motor mounts sagged, transmission started to leak and slip, other odds and ends caused it to be put aside; maybe I will sell it. My wife wants to scrap it. We now have other cars in the family, but the good feeling you get when you get in the Olds and drive cannot be explained. Everyone misses it, and someday I would like to restore it or pass it on to someone or a club who has the passion we had.
Thank you, Ed. eddwood_39@msn.com