Nostalgia city. My first real car was an 89 Cutlass Calais Quad 4. Maybe not the 442 W41 but it was a damn fun car for a teenager to tool around in. I still miss it.
I had a black ‘89 Olds Calais. It came with ground effects and low profile tires! Totally my favorite car! It looked like a small Grand National! So much fun to drive!!!
I had one for 16 years. Sold it in 2009 and just picked up another one this year with 32,000 miles. Very fun to drive. If you are really driving hard it you need to keep the RPM's up on it.
I used to drive a '90 HO version with the 5 speed. I loved that car! It was fast and mean, and I consistently got mid to high 20s mpg in town, and over 40 on the highway, even with the A/C on. The only downside was that cruising on the highway at around 75 to 80 it would have a loud exhaust rumble. I think it was the mechanics of the exhaust system and the noises of the engine/tranny, all combined. It was on the loud side. But it loved to rev and could corner impressively for a FWD car. That HO Quad 4 was the little engine that could.
Been here since your sub count was in the hundreds I believe. Been watching for 3 or 4 years now and I'm glad to see how your content and channel has grown.
I love nothing more than odd weird rare cars. Everyone always leaves out one that has always baffled me. The Envoy XUV. If you get the chance for the love of all oddities please do it for us.
My wife drove an '89 model back in 1992-93 that was this same GM Torch Red, but the beltline trim had a gold inlay that really made the car stand out. She was always getting compliments on the looks of the car, and even though it wasn't a 442, it was pretty fun with the 170hp Quad. Life goes on and little ones come along, and we needed a bigger ride for car seats, so....
Awesome video my man! I had both a Quad 442 (W40 High Output) and an Achieva SCX. There aren't words for how much fun these cars were and I thoroughly appreciate you capturing what this car offered!
I own a 1990 Calais W30 Quad 442 with about 125k miles on it and don't understand the negative comments about the clutch and shifting. My clutch and shifter work smooth as butter... maybe because I have replaced the shifting cables and clutch plates along with having the flywheel resurfaced. I bought it way back in 1998 for only $1200 at a highway patrol auction, it only had 106k miles on it then and it was forfeited because of too many DUI's- LoL! It is extremely fun to drive and eats the ol' Mustang 5.0's for lunch- LoL!
Congrats on the big 600! This car is a blast from the past for me, I used to have one of these! Totally agree on the clutch and shifter, worst ever but you could rev the hell out of this motor and it would just go!
I had my clock cleaned by one of these in Detroit, circa 1991. I was driving a Dodge Shadow VNT (Turbo IV) feeling pretty salty. The W-41 had a Michigan manufacturer’s plate. Respect.
Sweet ride. I had a 1988 Grand Am sportin' a Quad-4 and really liked it even though it was an automatic. It was the first time I had 4 matching brand new tires, A/C and shiny paint on any car I owned. Unfortunately, It was totaled after getting rear-ended.
Love this car (and its successor, the Achieva SCX)! The door-mounted seatbelts were GM's preferred way of meeting the government's "passive restraint" mandate; the other options for OEMs were the power operated "mouse belt" shoulder straps that moved along the top and back of the front door openings or, of course, airbags. Even the last few years of the boxy Cadillac Brougham (1990-'92) had them!
a little perspective is in order. this car was running mid 14s in 1991. the next 4 banger that could touch it didnt hit US shores until 1997, the integra type-r. the W41 was WAY ahead of its time.
Off subject but want to put this out there, great video! Camera pans, close ups and the sounds. This guy seems like an average Joe that loves cars and doesn't spend half video pushing product and/or sponsors. New subscriber and fan
Congrats my friend! I still remember your early videos, the earliest one i can remember was the one on the 94 f150 i think it was lol. Keep up the great work and never stop to the next 600 heck yeah!!!!.
The B/L setting on the HVAC controls splits airflow between the dash and floor vents. I think that all of the 2 door N-bodies of this generation had the seatbelts in the door. It was a way for GM to delay installing airbags. These were fast cars in the early 90's. V8s twice their size were only putting out 30-40 more hp. I had a '90 Pontiac Grand AM SE - coupe. It had the 180 hp H.O. version of the Quad4 and was only available with the Getrag 5 speed. I beat that car like a rental for 150k miles. It did blow a head gasket and needed a water pump and alternator over those miles. Also, LOTS of tires. I regularly saw 30mpg combined. The shifter also a had a vague feel. I think that the engineers were more concerned with effort vs feel. I think that the Quad4 combined with the '88 suspension improvements could have saved the Fiero. GM management could mess up a semi-trailer full of free money.
Congrats on 600 reviews! Here’s to 600 more! Are you interested in reviewing a 1986 Pontiac Gran Prix 2+2? Future father in law has owned 2 of these in his lifetime (only 1,118 were built). The 86 2+2 is very similar to this Oldsmobile W41 where it was offered for homologation as well. We’re located in Cleveland, OH
I enjoyed this! Seems like a few well placed mods could make it fun-ner...Shifter-clutch upgrade-Turb?? Best of luck in the future, hope it’s healthy and prosperous for you!
American cars in the 90's still saw manual transmissions as the pervue of the poor, they believed automatics were unilaterally superior and universally more desirable
The Oldsmobile's type R, with the 1st twin cam 4 GM ever made, which is very powerful back then! TBH I'm not a fan of its design especially the butt that looks like stairs, although the lines are softened.
Those seatbelts were a GM thing. Friends new Buick Park avenue had them, moms Buick century, my own Pontiac sunbird in 1992 had them. GM got sued when doors came open in accidents and passengers fell out from under the seat belts mounted to the open doors.
Nice video. You said that it failed the bottle test, but didn't explain it. A video for an oldr car might be best with the back drop of what else was being sold at hte time, with some market pricing stuff; What you neglected to mention was that at the time that this car was released, most vehicles on the road were 150hp V8's, or sub-100hp four bangers - and some V6's with power out puts right in the middle - so this was a four cylinder making more power than most of the V8 powered vehicles on the road at the time. The Quad4 HO, not matter which platfrom, was a fun drivetrain. Also, the only items which distinguished a W41 Quad442 from a W40 Quad442 (or any other Quad4HO car) was: 1) cam shafts 2) EEPROM (aka: computer chip) The cams were larger, and the tune was a little more aggressive with a higher rev limiter. I'd love to have a Quad442-W41 coupe, but own a Grand Am becasue I always prefered the stylings that Pontiac chose of the same time (1991 Quad4 Grand Am's even received a short throw shifter, which further sets them apart).
Yeah, the Quad-4 was a very clearly performance-oriented mill. Proper intakes and exhaust headers, big bore, twin cams - and no balance shafts. That's why it was so rough. GM eventually had to cave to customer complaints and tone the engine down, which is why it ended up making a mere 150 hp by the end of its life cycle
!!! Why is there a pulley on the back side of the cam?? There is a timing belt/chain cover on the correct side, but it also looks like a drive belt is on the back side of the engine?? Did they drive all the accessories off the backside of the cam? That's super quirky and cool
@@quad4297 ah! So it looks like the power steering pump is driven off the back side of the cam? I've never seen that done, but given the layout of a transverse engine, I'm surprised I've never seen it before. It's inspired.
Yes you do get to decide where the air goes. That's the upper slider. The one that turns it off and activates the A/C, so the same slider directs air, turns the system off, and activates recirc and a/c. Off, self explanatory. MAX- AC on, dash vents, recirc. NORM- AC on, dash vents, not recirc. B/L- AC on, dash AND foot vents, not recirc. VENT- AC off, dash vents, not recirc. HTR- AC off, foot vents, not recirc. Its very possible the heater core is not in the same location as the AC evaporator, meaning that it is impossible to get heat unless using the foot vents, but I can't tell if that is the case from behind my phone screen. In any case, no, the car does not choose for you where to put the air.
Quote "The Clutch pedal feels like I'm kicking a bucket of Rocks" and the Shifter isn't much better". A 442 in a Chevrolet Citation body isn’t very appealing. So I assume this reincarnation of the iconic 442 stands for 4 cylinders, 4 seats, 2 doors? This competed with the Toyota MR2 and Supra, Nissan 280ZX and the Honda Prelude Si. And You wonder why Toyota is the worlds largest auto maker today?
My dad had one for a bit before he wrecked it coming down an off ramp and slamming into the guard rail on the driver side, totaling the thing. Whole right front was smashed in so was the side. Only came out with a bruise on his leg. Lucky fucker. *Edit* I don't think it was a W41 tho
I'm so glad we were finally able to get together. And I'm glad you enjoyed her!
Still can't wait to fix that headliner it's such a eye sore
Nostalgia city. My first real car was an 89 Cutlass Calais Quad 4. Maybe not the 442 W41 but it was a damn fun car for a teenager to tool around in. I still miss it.
I had a black ‘89 Olds Calais. It came with ground effects and low profile tires! Totally my favorite car! It looked like a small Grand National! So much fun to drive!!!
I had one for 16 years. Sold it in 2009 and just picked up another one this year with 32,000 miles. Very fun to drive. If you are really driving hard it you need to keep the RPM's up on it.
Like most 16V's.
I used to drive a '90 HO version with the 5 speed. I loved that car! It was fast and mean, and I consistently got mid to high 20s mpg in town, and over 40 on the highway, even with the A/C on. The only downside was that cruising on the highway at around 75 to 80 it would have a loud exhaust rumble. I think it was the mechanics of the exhaust system and the noises of the engine/tranny, all combined. It was on the loud side. But it loved to rev and could corner impressively for a FWD car. That HO Quad 4 was the little engine that could.
Been here since your sub count was in the hundreds I believe. Been watching for 3 or 4 years now and I'm glad to see how your content and channel has grown.
You are bar none the best car channel on TH-cam. Keep it up
I love nothing more than odd weird rare cars. Everyone always leaves out one that has always baffled me. The Envoy XUV. If you get the chance for the love of all oddities please do it for us.
one of the rarest cars. i had a manual drive 1986. i loved that car. been looking for one ever since.
My wife drove an '89 model back in 1992-93 that was this same GM Torch Red, but the beltline trim had a gold inlay that really made the car stand out. She was always getting compliments on the looks of the car, and even though it wasn't a 442, it was pretty fun with the 170hp Quad. Life goes on and little ones come along, and we needed a bigger ride for car seats, so....
Awesome video my man! I had both a Quad 442 (W40 High Output) and an Achieva SCX. There aren't words for how much fun these cars were and I thoroughly appreciate you capturing what this car offered!
*W41
Congrats on 600! Your vids are great, glad to see you having success.
I own a 1990 Calais W30 Quad 442 with about 125k miles on it and don't understand the negative comments about the clutch and shifting. My clutch and shifter work smooth as butter... maybe because I have replaced the shifting cables and clutch plates along with having the flywheel resurfaced. I bought it way back in 1998 for only $1200 at a highway patrol auction, it only had 106k miles on it then and it was forfeited because of too many DUI's- LoL! It is extremely fun to drive and eats the ol' Mustang 5.0's for lunch- LoL!
Lol. No, you're not. Maybe a 94/95 automatic. You are never topping a 87-92 5 speed.
I always loved those GM cars with that body style across the line. So classy. The Calais was such a pretty car.
Absolutely love your videos... The retro cars are just awesome! Congrats on your 600th video...
Congrats on 600 vids Zach! I love the obscure car reviews that no one else does
Love that accordion shift boot
Congrats on the big 600! This car is a blast from the past for me, I used to have one of these! Totally agree on the clutch and shifter, worst ever but you could rev the hell out of this motor and it would just go!
I had my clock cleaned by one of these in Detroit, circa 1991. I was driving a Dodge Shadow VNT (Turbo IV) feeling pretty salty. The W-41 had a Michigan manufacturer’s plate. Respect.
Love this review! Makes me miss my dads 1990 Sunbird Le coupe.
Sweet ride. I had a 1988 Grand Am sportin' a Quad-4 and really liked it even though it was an automatic. It was the first time I had 4 matching brand new tires, A/C and shiny paint on any car I owned. Unfortunately, It was totaled after getting rear-ended.
The door handle alone brought me back to my childhood. But that shifter......
congrats on 600th review Zack, I hope someday you will have more than a million subscribers in future, keep up the good work man.
Long live Oldsmobile!
I graduated in 1991! I remember that car!
Congratulations on 600 reviews! Look forward to the next 600!
Love this car (and its successor, the Achieva SCX)!
The door-mounted seatbelts were GM's preferred way of meeting the government's "passive restraint" mandate; the other options for OEMs were the power operated "mouse belt" shoulder straps that moved along the top and back of the front door openings or, of course, airbags. Even the last few years of the boxy Cadillac Brougham (1990-'92) had them!
Thank you for teaching us and helping us !
Bro this intro format is 100000% better. Thanks for listening to some of my opinions.
a little perspective is in order. this car was running mid 14s in 1991. the next 4 banger that could touch it didnt hit US shores until 1997, the integra type-r.
the W41 was WAY ahead of its time.
Off subject but want to put this out there, great video! Camera pans, close ups and the sounds. This guy seems like an average Joe that loves cars and doesn't spend half video pushing product and/or sponsors.
New subscriber and fan
Congrats my friend! I still remember your early videos, the earliest one i can remember was the one on the 94 f150 i think it was lol. Keep up the great work and never stop to the next 600 heck yeah!!!!.
So cool you are living both your dream and mine!
Congratulations on 600 reviews
The B/L setting on the HVAC controls splits airflow between the dash and floor vents.
I think that all of the 2 door N-bodies of this generation had the seatbelts in the door. It was a way for GM to delay installing airbags.
These were fast cars in the early 90's. V8s twice their size were only putting out 30-40 more hp.
I had a '90 Pontiac Grand AM SE - coupe. It had the 180 hp H.O. version of the Quad4 and was only available with the Getrag 5 speed. I beat that car like a rental for 150k miles. It did blow a head gasket and needed a water pump and alternator over those miles. Also, LOTS of tires. I regularly saw 30mpg combined.
The shifter also a had a vague feel. I think that the engineers were more concerned with effort vs feel.
I think that the Quad4 combined with the '88 suspension improvements could have saved the Fiero. GM management could mess up a semi-trailer full of free money.
I have a 92 automobile achievea with the quad 4 D series engine I love it
Love the name of the vehicle Cutlass Calais Quad 442 W41, just like the name of a modern Land Rover or BMW
I had this beauty at 18. My fitst car. Bought it for $850. Not a great car but it nostalgic.
Congrats on 600! Lmk if you wanna review a 2005 benz S600! I'm in Barrrington
Email me! PradelReviews@gmail.com
I'll aways support your channel! I love your mix of werid and quariky cars, with bit of mazda. hope you continue!
I'm a huge Oldsmobile fan, obviously the GBody, rwd, but some of the post 88 fwd are nice too.
My mom had this car but it was a Black/Gold indian Apalias 500 Edition!
Gotta get a 96 beretta z26 or the gtz
Congratulations Zach!
I can't see a old Cutlass Calais without thinking about the cut-ins on The Golden Girls. Bea Arthur's character Dorothy drove a Cutlass Calais.
Congrats on 600 reviews! Here’s to 600 more! Are you interested in reviewing a 1986 Pontiac Gran Prix 2+2? Future father in law has owned 2 of these in his lifetime (only 1,118 were built). The 86 2+2 is very similar to this Oldsmobile W41 where it was offered for homologation as well. We’re located in Cleveland, OH
Email me! PradelReviews@gmail.com
I wanna see a 2+2 review lol
I enjoyed this! Seems like a few well placed mods could make it fun-ner...Shifter-clutch upgrade-Turb??
Best of luck in the future, hope it’s healthy and prosperous for you!
Working on a rebuild after its oil pump died it may get some go fast goodies in the process
American cars in the 90's still saw manual transmissions as the pervue of the poor, they believed automatics were unilaterally superior and universally more desirable
So true!!
Volvo made the same mistake, but only in the US market.
wooooooooo 600 congrats my favorite was the gloria review
W 41 was the suspension package.
I had one! My first ca= after graduation
I had a standard Calais manual and can agree the shifters were absolutely HORRID! It felt like rowing warm oatmeal.
i loved mine. still looking for a manual one.
Congrats🎉
The Oldsmobile's type R, with the 1st twin cam 4 GM ever made, which is very powerful back then! TBH I'm not a fan of its design especially the butt that looks like stairs, although the lines are softened.
The 2 keys thing is kind of synonymous with General Motors. Most GM vehicles were sold that way.
It still would have failed but the cup holders are inside the glove box lol
600th review! Wow nice job also i think you also got 45K sub toady! So toady is your lucky day!
Zack, he's not mad!
Those seatbelts were a GM thing. Friends new Buick Park avenue had them, moms Buick century, my own Pontiac sunbird in 1992 had them. GM got sued when doors came open in accidents and passengers fell out from under the seat belts mounted to the open doors.
Nice video.
You said that it failed the bottle test, but didn't explain it.
A video for an oldr car might be best with the back drop of what else was being sold at hte time, with some market pricing stuff;
What you neglected to mention was that at the time that this car was released, most vehicles on the road were 150hp V8's, or sub-100hp four bangers - and some V6's with power out puts right in the middle - so this was a four cylinder making more power than most of the V8 powered vehicles on the road at the time.
The Quad4 HO, not matter which platfrom, was a fun drivetrain.
Also, the only items which distinguished a W41 Quad442 from a W40 Quad442 (or any other Quad4HO car) was:
1) cam shafts
2) EEPROM (aka: computer chip)
The cams were larger, and the tune was a little more aggressive with a higher rev limiter.
I'd love to have a Quad442-W41 coupe, but own a Grand Am becasue I always prefered the stylings that Pontiac chose of the same time (1991 Quad4 Grand Am's even received a short throw shifter, which further sets them apart).
W41 also have a different suspension package and the trans is geared slightly different. I have bothe a W41 and the W41
Congrats on 600 reviews
I would use " Baby Cutty 452" for it.
Wish i known, Had one of these when i was 18 or 20. Blew 3 head gaskets heh
Congrats on 600 fella! I am impressed with the 190hp from an na 90s engine lol. Neat little bugger!
Yeah, the Quad-4 was a very clearly performance-oriented mill. Proper intakes and exhaust headers, big bore, twin cams - and no balance shafts. That's why it was so rough. GM eventually had to cave to customer complaints and tone the engine down, which is why it ended up making a mere 150 hp by the end of its life cycle
Back when you didn't need dual motors!
Nice video!
Well done!
Guys! I ordered the t'shirt. It's great but the car in the photo is missing the center caps! I'm no Hagerty judge but c'mon!
Sweatshirt ordered too. You guys rock!
The good news is that this car had standard anti-lock brakes. The bad news is that it's a manual only. Not for me.
I see this and think, badass. What is wrong with us car people.
My mom had one. Was totaled it in a flood.
!!! Why is there a pulley on the back side of the cam?? There is a timing belt/chain cover on the correct side, but it also looks like a drive belt is on the back side of the engine?? Did they drive all the accessories off the backside of the cam? That's super quirky and cool
There are two belts one on each side
Both drive accsessories
@@quad4297 ah! So it looks like the power steering pump is driven off the back side of the cam?
I've never seen that done, but given the layout of a transverse engine, I'm surprised I've never seen it before. It's inspired.
@@thirdpedalnirvana you got it lol
The Oldsmobile Calais The Oldsmobile Achieva The Oldsmobile Alero Sedans and Coupes with Rear Deck Spoilers-G.M. Classics 1987 to 2004.
That thing got to the absolute top of the ugly tree, and hit every single branch on the way down... I love it!
Yes you do get to decide where the air goes. That's the upper slider. The one that turns it off and activates the A/C, so the same slider directs air, turns the system off, and activates recirc and a/c.
Off, self explanatory.
MAX- AC on, dash vents, recirc.
NORM- AC on, dash vents, not recirc.
B/L- AC on, dash AND foot vents, not recirc.
VENT- AC off, dash vents, not recirc.
HTR- AC off, foot vents, not recirc.
Its very possible the heater core is not in the same location as the AC evaporator, meaning that it is impossible to get heat unless using the foot vents, but I can't tell if that is the case from behind my phone screen.
In any case, no, the car does not choose for you where to put the air.
Just to add to it “B/L” means Bi-Level and you can have warmed air in any position.
The heater core and evaporator are in the same housing, under the dash on the passenger side towards the center.
Quote "The Clutch pedal feels like I'm kicking a bucket of Rocks" and the Shifter isn't much better".
A 442 in a Chevrolet Citation body isn’t very appealing. So I assume this reincarnation of the iconic 442 stands for 4 cylinders, 4 seats, 2 doors? This competed with the Toyota MR2 and Supra, Nissan 280ZX and the Honda Prelude Si. And You wonder why Toyota is the worlds largest auto maker today?
it was SIGNIFICANTLY faster than any of the cars you mentioned.
My dad had one for a bit before he wrecked it coming down an off ramp and slamming into the guard rail on the driver side, totaling the thing.
Whole right front was smashed in so was the side. Only came out with a bruise on his leg. Lucky fucker.
*Edit* I don't think it was a W41 tho
WHERE DID THAT RADIO COME FROM???
I bought it on Amazon. I can't find the link now
Being that it used the 442 in its name i was imaging that it has a 442 V8, like the older G body cars that had v8's
4 cylinder 4 valves 2 cams
The older 442s weren't named for the motor (There is no 442 inch V8). It was 4 barrel, 4 speed, dual (2) exhaust. They had 350s and 455s.
@@dylanh4657 😁yeah....I thought it had something to do with under the hood
I wonder how hard the design team had to push for that vertical rear window. That's soo bad for aerodynamics and fuel efficiency.
Since the car is based off the Calais which had the windows it carried through.
Most of GM’s cars had this back in that era.
Oldsmobile just pretends to be a near premium brand.