The original Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 allegedly got its name from its four-barrel carburetor, four-speed manual transmission and dual exhausts, but the name eventually became synonymous with Oldsmobile performance cars, so not all models with a 442 badge featured such a setup.
By the time the Cutlass nameplate had reached the later portion of its life in the early 1990s, the Oldsmobile 442 had been undeniably watered down. The sixth-generation Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais Quad 442, built for the 1990 and 1991 model years, featured a 180-horsepower four-cylinder engine, a five-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive. General Motors justified the name by saying it had a four-cylinder engine with four valves per cylinder and two camshafts, but this engine wasn’t really setting the Cutlass apart at the time.
While the 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais Quad 442 wasn’t a worthy successor to the legendary muscle car that made the nameplate famous, it still makes a fairly interesting used car, in our opinion. Take this one currently for sale on Facebook Marketplace, for example. This is a relatively obscure and decently reliable GM vehicle in great condition and, best of all, it’s for sale for less than $4,000. That seems like a good deal to us, no matter how underwhelming this 442’s performance may have been when it was new. This car has clearly been well taken care of throughout its life, as well, and stayed with the original buyer in California from 1991 to 2015.
The body of the car has 135,000 miles on the odometer, while the engine only has about 44,000. The owner says the vehicle underwent an engine change at a GM Goodwrench service center in 1995 when the car had 91,000 miles on the clock. The clutch was also upgraded at the same time, which seems to be the last time it was serviced, surprisingly.
Is this unique Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 worth the $3,950 this seller is asking? Let us know in the comments down below.
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Comments
I almost bought one years ago for under $2k, price isn’t bad but don’t need one now.
I know about the “need” part. It’s the ‘want’ that was always a problem with me. For all of that, I’ve had my day in the sun. Still, this survivor is a real looker.
I am interested in buying this car. I had one of these in high school. It’s still one of my favorite cars I’ve ever had. It’s a peppy engine for a 4cy. It’s a standard transmission, which I love. It rides smooth. Reliable, etc.
Jufair price, appeared to be in good condition
4 Cylinder 4 Speed 2 tail pipes?
It’s a 5 speed.
What a beautiful example of a vehicle from a bygone era. That spoiler adds a jaunty touch. Someone is going to wind up with something special.
Yep
I had a 1990 Chevy Beretta GTZ with the same engine / transmission package. Certainly not a powerhouse by todays standards, but for 1990 it was a speedy little thing. Plus you could set the cruise at 100 and it could happily do that all day long, and get nearly 30mpg doing it. The only downside was that even though it wasn’t turbo’d or supercharged, it was a high compression engine, so it required premium gas. It was just about the most comfortable road trip car I’ve ever owned.
That 1990 Chevy Beretta GTZ was a real looker back in the day. I always wanted one too.
made at the wilmington delaware assembly plant i might add….
Roger Smith’s Cookie Cutter Cars caused the failing of Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and Saturn.
That Quad 4 was a noisy engine especially with air intake noise at heavy throttle; plagued by head gasket failures. The Calais could not compete with its foreign competitors and never deserved the 442 badge.
Bought new built Fire Engine Red 1989 Cutlass Calais SC with Quad 4. Got a 5 yr/100K Warranty which was good thing as went threw 5 Head Gaskets in 4yrs and 98K. An expensive fix each time from Dealership except for my $50 each time deductible saved me well over $5000. Sold it as Warranty expired
This was a great example of why Pontiac refrained from a Grand Am GTO based model.
This car was not a looker like the Beretta GTZ was and these engines really did have head gasket issues and not all that much power looking back.
But even today it is difficult to do a decent FWD car with more than 300 HP right. Most just will not put the power down to the ground.
When driving my Beretta GTZ I’d watch the temp gauge slowly climb to about 1/2, then plunge to about 1/4, over and over again. It’s no wonder they had head gasket failures, that aluminum head must have been flexing like crazy on top of the cast iron block. Fortunately GM came out with a redesigned head gasket, so when they failed (like mine did) the new gasket solved the problem. Also, they were prone to burning out the expensive Ignition “Coil Cover.” The cover was easy to replace, but they were pricey. (as much as $65 these days) They had to be changed fairly often too (I think I was changing it every year) otherwise the Quad 4 would develop a horrible misfire.
Despite the issues though, I still miss that car…
If only the GTZ had the Turbo LNF engine and the suspension from the Cobalt SS with AWD.
Yes been there and done that on the GTZ, My buddy owned one but I drove it often. If we went some place on weekends I would drive as he got tired of shifting gears all week driving for work. He had head gaskets go but GM paid for it when they recalled them. I replaced coils. And finally it got broken into and trashed inside. It was all repaired but he was getting married and needed a house so it went before he got the miles too high on it to sell. While not a perfect car it was one of the better ones in a dark era for GM.
I was interested, so I looked at the listing…
Marketplace
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Vehicles
Sold 1991
Oldsmobile Cutlass · Quad 4 442 5 speed
London, KY · over a week ago ·
I want it.
I was selling at the Buick, Cadillac, GMC and Honda store that year (1991). We still had new cars for demo’s and it was great. I loved being able to pick a new Buick every few months and not have to pay a dime! But back to this article, I had the sister car (Buick Skylark) demo in 1991 with the 3300 V6. This was basically the detuned version of the great 3800. Paired with that smaller Skylark, the car was fast as heck. Hate to admit it, but one night going home I was going a little too fast and went past a local police officer (who happened to be one of my class mates and friend). The power got the best of me and Wayne never knew what happened or where I went. Although he didn’t know it was me, a few years later at a class reunion, we were talking and I brought up that event. We all laughed and he said all he could see was my red tail lights.
1 always thought that 442 meant 400cubic. 4 barrel carb. And (2) dial exhaust
The first year or two you could only get a 4 speed in the 442 so it was 4 speed. I heard after they offered an automatic it changed to 400 cubic inch
1991 per Olds ment 4 cams, 4 valves per cylinder and dual exhaust. It did back it up with performance better then the latter V8 442s. Some cars that didn’t deserve it’s name around this time period would be Charger, Duster, Skylark GS, Nova, Capri…
The first year it only had a 330 ci., 1970 it had a 455, 1977 it had a 403, etc.
Most of you people commenting are ignorant. This car would blow the doors off any 442 made after 1972. The quad 4 in the Olds Aerotech in 1987 was 2.0 liters and had 1000 hp. I own a 1967 442 which I built at the age of 15. This car deserves its name. End of discussion.
What do I have to do to get that car, my name is Greg S. and I haven’t had a car since my wife’s death. My oldest son has a 2014 chevrolet camaro and my youngest son is in need of lessons but I am not a man of much means and all I keep hearing from everyone is thAt nobody has 5 speed’s no more, and I am the biggest fan of this whole thing. I don’t care for the newer cars, in fact I told everyone that I would not get a car unless it is an older model, well kept and must have a stick shift. I don’t have alot of cash as to where I am on disability when my back went out on me in 1998 and I woke up paralyzed but they fixed me up with surgery and with my first ssi check I bought a 5speed probe, I do detail work on all types of car’s and can install any stereo system with the most top notch technology, in fact until I found the car I wanted I bought 2 8inch Rockford fosgate speakers with a Rockford fosgate amp just waiting to put in a car I deemed worthy and I don’t know if you can tell but I seem that car worthy, I can pay monthly payments, I have alot of merchandise, lots of jewelry with diamonds and ruby’s and opals and many more I cannot mention right now but if your looking for a guy to take care of that car it would make the most awesome 40th birthday present which is November 2nd. If you could see my face right now I am just like a teenager again, please let me know what I can do to own that car, I’ll pay you $250.00 a month for 14months, plus I’ll throw in some gold and silver and let you pick out what you want within reason of market value of course, please do this and you will literally be saving my life. You can meet me first and if you don’t think I’m worth it then we’ll part ways, I’d be heart broken but I respect other pol’s wishes. Please considerate, I haven’t even drove since I was like 32, I kinda got beat down by police deputies in clayton county and I swear to you and God as my witness they totally jumped me for no reason but forget all that, you’ll never find a car enthusiast quiet like me.
What exactly was underwhelming about this car’s performance back in 1991? Looking at past performance figures this car would blow away any 442 made after 1972 including the weak 180 HP 1985-1987 G-body 307 equipped versions along with the 1983-84 Hurst version.
I have a 1995 oldsmobile aurora. An awesome car. Too bad they didn’t keep making them.
180hp from any 4cyl in 91 is impressive. All Honda enthusiasts were raving about 160hp from the 99-2k Civic Si. So it’s safe to say 180 was pretty good from a GM four banger.
run away motors are junk could not get a rebuilt motor in late 90s due to lack of cores and customers was not rebuildable he parted out a relatively nice car
Vernell I would buy it
Bought one of these in black brand new in 1990. The thing was a blast! One of the most reliable cars I ever owned…except for a head gasket change and a driver’s side window that wouldn’t roll down. The 5 speed stick was clunky as heck but never needed any attention in the 150k miles I put on it before I sold it. And it was fast…if I got off the line well I could keep up with 5.0 mustangs as long as they weren’t too new. I wish I had kept it…
BTW. The one in the pic has the wrong wheels but they’re nicer than the stock ones.
I love that car I would buy it
Had a 1990 oldsmobile calia. With the iron duke engine. Would love to have another one . None to my under standing are to be found in this state of pennsylvania existing. Don’t know if the quad four is an iron duke engine. But would have a home here and not let it get away!
The quad four is an much newer design (all aluminum, 16 valve) with nearly double the HP compared to the Iron Duke (cast iron 8 valve), so for sure not the same.
Hey don’t beat up on Gregory like that. I love the car. I would put up the money for him to get it. No questions asked. Hey Gregory I understand bro. These kind of things don’t come easy.
You would have to pay me to take this piece of crap off your hands
It has a W-41 engine cover, but not the badges. If a W-41, it had 190 HP.
This car is the epitome of GM’s answer to the Chrysler “K car! This is an Abonomation on wheels I wouldn’t touch this if you paid me just think about, Don’t consider giving four grand this rowing piece of boxwood, Don’t put your soul out on the line like you haven’’t driven a vehicle before. So you’re on disability ?So am I! catch an angle man make you some legit money just don’t burn people! Peace out…
442 in this iteration should have meant, 4 cylinder, 4 valves per cylinder and 2 turbo’s. About 290 hp and a shed load of torque would have awesome for the early 90’s.
Is it automatic.I would love to buy.
Memories😌. First car was an 85 cutlass. 2nd was a 95. Reliable to a fault. Would gladly pay for this car if not for living off veterans disability payments that allow us to get by but never ahead. Love the car though. Would recommend buying one for your kids first car. Impossible to kill one of these things and a joy for long trips.
Looks like a bathtub with tires
Automatic ?
5 Speed.
I have 5 crisp 100 dolla bills, for it right now!!! I’ll even come pick it up. Drive it home if its capable if not, I have 3 crisp 100 dolla bills!!
This car is cool. Think about the time, we just had the war in Iraq and won, and the economy was at a standstill (was hard to find a job from 90-94) and Nirvana Nevermind was a hit on the radio. Everything looked like this, boxy, pastel colors for cars were a thing, and the day 2 mods were not built out v8 engines but cassette and later CD player in dash deck units, amps and speaker systems. The fact this had a manual with some hp is just cool.
The challenge of comparing this to a 99-00 160hp civic si is that the civic weighted less and had an insane redline, you could ride the clutch and make a civic do things it technically shouldn’t be able to. Those civics of that time period will someday be viewed like the tri-five are viewed today as a popular car to hotrod because of the platform options.
Now take that and compare it to this, if GM took a different approach they could have completed with Civics, this did it nearly 10 years ahead of Honda. It’s a cool car, but it’s not worth 5k though, I think 2,500 is the right price.
I very much agree. That Civic was impressive as well. That little B16 damaged so many V8 egos 🤣
Good times 😂
I take a 442 cutlass 1972 anytime the best of our times
I had a 1972 442 It was Candy apple red with a vinal black top leather interior automatic gear shifter on console it had booze speakers all over this car was special ordered for me by my Daddy it had a cassette player do you know it didn’t cost my Daddy $3,600.00 of course he was a GM fan I was taught how to drive at 4 yrs old first our tractor then a 59 3 speed on the column chevy Truck he made my sister who could not drive sit in the floor and I had to tell her when to pull the clutch out slowly and then give it gas and we would go flying across our 5 acre garden now when she got her 1st car it was a American Made Javlin no a/s no power stirring it had a 343 engine it could fly but of course she wrecked it constantly my 442 was in the garage when I wasn’t driving it well when I got Pregnant my mother decided that since she had a 3 yr old daughter she needed it more than me well scared not to be able to pay the Dr bill my husband was fired from his job for hurting his back from his brother in law they made carbon paper and you had to lift hugh rolls on the ink side carbon was everywhere he got a job after going to Dr Sweat a chiropractor he got better so he worked for a Service Station that did all kinds of repairs at the time he had a ford gran toreno1972 model so we got my aunt to give me her car for what we had in it I got a 1972 chevy nova he was driving the Javelin then what really mad me mad her husband sold it for 500 dollars it had 30 thousand miles on it and this was in 1977 it was still in perfect condition but my 442 would out run any car I could race I still get mad Im 66 yrs old now and thats my 442 story
Not bad HP from a 4 cyl in 92. Would keep up with most V8’s. Worked on them the stick was definitely fun to drive.
I had a 1988 Cutlass Calais International. Great car – wish I still had it.
Is car still available? I love manual transmission, been looking for older car.
My name is Brandon I want that car ASAP call me 559-790-2037 please that’s my dream car
442 …four barrel, four speed, positrac.
I would like to see more pictures. Would love to have it.
It’s worth that…if it were me I would not ask for any less..
I remember reading the shifter was really clunky (Which mine was, a clunky shifter working 2 push/pull cables) but the 5 speed itself was a highly regarded unit manufactured through a joint venture between Muncie & Getrag. Being a typical earlier DOHC engine without any turbos, etc. It was a little weak down low, but kept building power, almost all the way to redline. In fact, I think max horsepower hit just a few hundred RPM below the fairly high (6000+) redline.
I want this car. 5133847459
This car was/is a piece of work, I am sure it gave about 40mpg, could never figure out why GM stopped production. Fast, nimble, cornered perfectly, it’s, light years better than any compact out there.
My first car ever was a 89 Calais quad 4 with 5 star rims. My parents bought it for me when I was 16. Used to cruise around town and show it off. What a great car. I wish I still had mine!
My first car was actually 1965 cutlass 442 triple Red in and out my Dad bought it for me for my 15th Birthday that car was a classic and fast I really enjoyed it
Lovely car I would love to own it
I recently lost my car to not passing smog I would love to have this car for my family needs
What’s an Oldsmobile was it made by Kia?
Yes, I will give the asking price for it. All I need is
where the car is located, owner contact information and a copy of the title sent to me.
Thanks,
Beautiful car, my sister had an olds for her first car, it was cream puff. I would love to own a car like this. My car was stolen and involved in a high speed chase almost killing the 2 people in the other car. I have been without a vehicle ever since. Im 58 and getting my 2 month old granddaughter from foster care. Facing another North Dakota winter with an infant and no vehicle. But i could only do it if i could make payments. I have been trying to find a reliable safe and affordable car and this would fit the bill
Great car! I like. It is Awesome!
Lost my car when my wife passed away
Been walking around now for 7 years now,,, I’m interested in the car,,,,
My tell# is 781-709-7530
I’m an auto mechanic and worked on these cars when new…they were badly made ..poorly engineered ..likely horribly in a modern crash test..dont buy it and let it go to a museum or wrecker..
Lost my car when my wife passed away
Been walking around now for 7 years now,,, I’m interested in the car,,,,
My tell# is 781-709-7530
Hey my names cody mcconaughey and I love the car as well as all Olds buick gmc chevys whatever from those years are cool. If you guys could txt me the info qbout title and everything I have the money for it
Cody McConaughey =3214174762
Like Olds?? Have 3 for sale, my mother’s 76 Cutlass Salon, original owner, T-tops & 455, a 72 442 convertible, low miles, straight body, lots of options and a loaded Alero GLS (2000), 128K original miles, 90% factory paint, call me if interested, thanks! Mark 305-858-6478
I like to buy this car and have it as a historical collectors car if you would let me buy it that’s cool.
500 bucks. Junk. Junk rom the get go.
At this late stage, Buick, Olds, Pontiac, and Chevrolet had models sharing the same platform and basic drive train as the 442 pictured. Though at one time the 442 was a powerful and desirable car, this one had little in common with the muscle cars of the late 60’s.
It’s an attractive car .. I had the Pontiac version. They drive and handle well. They are comfortable for the folks in the front seats.
But with that being said, it is far from being unique. The value? More like 1500 to 2000. A future collector car is not in its future.
That little engine redlines at 9k rpm has more torqe steer than one can handle and it would smoke cameros all day long sure do miss mine
I bet the owner wants to upgrade to a ’74 Mustang…..
I had this exact same car when I was in high school it was awesome when it wasn’t in the shop that quad 4 was junk . It ran like racehorse when it was running properly. I do miss it even though the motor was junk
I had a 91 Beretta GTZ for a little while. The quad 4 was years ahead of its time… as in premature birth. Ate head gaskets like candy. Replaced the first one at 50,000mi and sold the car when it showed signs of failing again at 110,000mi. Great car when it was running, just as quick as the BMW M3 of the same period and would give Fox Body 5.0s a run for their money too. But ultimately too much of a pain to keep running. I wouldn’t pay $500 for this 442.
Yes its worth it. I had a 90 model cutles suprem. The sports package wld love to still have it or another. My cell number is 9033067866
I have Oldsmobile Alero v6 engine 3400 running tip top love the Oldsmobile
I would love to buy it
Have a 94 Olds Ciera 6 cyl less than 65k miles! Runs great. It sat in a garage when the lady passed so had to do brakes, exhaust, battery, but solid car. I’m 6-2 and find seat doesn’t go back far enough so selling. In Boston area. It’s Blue 4 door, Automatic.
It’s cars like this are the reason Oldsmobiles aren’t made anymore!
If u dont sell I would offer 2000 cash.
I was a young full-time automotive tech when these engines came out. I was not fond of them at all! But as the years went by I found them easy to fix and maintain for the most part. The timing chain and water pump setup seemed kind of complicated at the time. GM used forms of this engine for a lot of years. They’re still Millions on the road right now! Nice car!
I’ve got a sweet 1999 Oldsmobile intrigue that’s a great car. I’d but just about any Oldsmobile aroundZ
Sweet car as you say. I recall when the Intrigue was featured in the X-Files (1998). It looked great in that film.
I have a 1987 Olds Cutless Ciera with 81,300 original miles for sale. It’s in great condition.
May current 2011 Buick LaCrosse is a much better car then this. The ecotec 2.5 also puts out more horsepower. The Buick has more style, more room, and is better insulation.
It also handles better, has better high speed tires and the 0-60mph is quicker and the top end speed is 140mph. This Buick easily leaves many cars behind. The Buick also has high strength light weight steel construction. This Buick by far also is a better car then most of the Cadillacs manufactured today. I have drove V6 version of my Buick and that car easily beats the Northstar 4.6L V8 in horsepower and handling. I owned 94-99 Cadillac STS and my Buick is better then that car. I also owned a 2000 Cadillac DTS and this Buick has more room and a better ride and this Buick with the ECOTEC 2.5 could have run away from the DTS. This OLDS was no muscle car and my Buick would eat its lunch. These cars were a huge reason why Olds no longer exist. The demise of the American Sedan is happening because downsizing went to far.
Poor interior space and poor trunk space.
Sedan used to handle 6 people comfortably and Coupes used to hand 4-5 comfortably.
The engine in this car for the time was a good economy car platform but by no means was this a muscle car. The last muscle car Olds ended in 1970. In 73 they changed platforms and downsized the engine. The cars kept getting smaller and smaller as did the engine.
Roger Smith era at GM was horrible. And Mary Barra era is killing Cadillac. Buick will be more viable as the are swiftly moving to crossovers.
They do lack a rear wheel drive CUV or SUV on a body on frame platform and would be in better shape if the had an Escalade size model.
Quad 4, Olds diesel, Cadillac 8-6-4, Cadillac 4.1, Vega 4 cyl., 5.7 V-8 with knock on startup, all engines with problems caused by bad design work at GM. Better hope their first electric motors are better engineered. Personally, I will buy a Tesla long before a GM electric until they prove reliable. My two neighbors love their Teslas.
Lol back in the 90’s I seen one of these blow the doors off of an old Cutlas with a 350 olds four barrel & dual exhaust. It was supposed to be a joke race & everyone thought the old Cutlas would win but we were definitely wrong
Is this still for sale.
Is this still for sale
I had a 1989 Cutlas Calais. I would be interested in purchasing this one.
Is this car still for sale?
I’d be willing to trade a rust free 93 5.0 mustang gt for a 1990 442 in same condition pm me if anyone has one or a 86 regal
I have a 1990 cutlass Calais S coupe quad4 auto has 63,000 original miles on it inside is clean as a pin so is motor I’m the second owner would like to sell if anyone interested I’m in Tennessee