MotorWeek | Retro Review: 1990 Chrysler Imperial

[@ZIGZAG12345]

For 1990 that is a seriously good looking saloon car. I'm from the UK, watching these old MW vids it always surprises me how highly regarded Mercedes was back then as a "luxury brand". A 1990 Mercedes would certainly still have had the "bank vault" feel to it, but the sumptuous, highly spacious, comfy-looking, inviting, welcoming luxurious interior of this old Chrysler is way ahead of anything we had in Europe at the time, unless you were obscenely rich and could have a Bentley Turbo R or whatever. The interior of this car is AMAZING, like it even looks like you could sleep quite comfily in the back of one. Jaguars of that time had nice looking interiors, but there was way less space and it still wasn't "armchair nice" like this thing. With that 3.3 it'd be almost as fast and way more reliable too.

[@jamesmyers9285]

I have friends who keep buying Mercedes even though they are a mechanical nightmare to maintain. One friend told me that is why he only leases them for five years? They are still a problem regardless! Not impressed, I rather like my Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland.

[@vermin1970]

Chrysler was doing some good things during this time..

[@ZIGZAG12345]

@@jamesmyers9285 Yeah, the 1990 Mercedes was a solid tank of a thing, and felt like it was too. That age has long passed now, same with other brands. I still consider Toyota and Honda capable of making "well made" cars, but even they too still make some of the same mistakes as other manufacturers do nowadays too with certain well known issues/engines/model ranges best avoided..

[@davidgoldberg4307]

I had one and at the time was the most reliable car I had owned. Went 107000 miles without turning a wrench other than routine maintenance. Unfortunately a tree fell on it in a nice storm. I miss that car

[@cdncitizen4700]

... storm didn't seem very "nice", did it? But I feel your pain, some cars become family.

[@poky1958]

my dad had one in black cherry, it got struck by lightening!

[@LakeHowellDigitalVideo]

I love the fact that this car used similar front end styling to the 1981 - 1983 Imperial coupes. It was a nice styling touch.

[@emeyer6963]

These were for last time buyer's.

[@generalzod7959]

E Meyer: yes, the next set of wheels they'd be riding in would be a hearse.

[@jdrancho1864]

I didn't even know the term existed ...

[@Esdeath_0001]

@@jdrancho1864 yeah it's a morbid sales term but it is true

[@NovaScotiaKevin]

Nailed it.

[@w.s.soapcompany94]

"Gimme the best one on the lot sonny."

[@deloreanman14]

A couple years ago I was at a U-Pull It junkyard and found one of these in baby blue with a dark blue velour interior. If my memory serves, it only had 77,000 miles on it and looked to be in good shape but I'm guessing a mechanical failure doomed it. Knowing Chrysler, it was probably the transmission. In examining the interior, I found the original sales brochure under the front seat, complete with the hand-written markings (indicating what she did and didn't want) from the old lady that bought it. My guess is she kept it until she died, one of the grandchildren got it and drove it until the transmission imploded...then off to the junkyard it went once they saw the price tag to fix it. That car has long since been crushed, recycled and reborn as something else but I still have the brochure in my collection.

[@AightBro123]

deloreanman14 can I see the brochure

[@jdrancho1864]

Re-born as a dish washer ...

[@styldsteel1]

or razor blades.

[@mcp12300]

Thomas Smith As if they were going to do anything but throw it out really.

[@Fucknuts4u]

you should see all the high dollar stuff ive stolen from junkyards over the years. get off your high horse.

[@TheHelado36]

That diamond cut front is beautiful !

[@MoskusMoskiferus1611]

The Car is Beautiful in General

[@michaellovely6601]

@@MoskusMoskiferus1611 I would be shocked if someone had both a 1990 Chrysler Imperial and a 1990 Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue sitting in their driveway.

[@U.S.S.SOUTHSIDE]

​@@michaellovely6601...And a Dodge Dynasty!!!😮

[@FactsOfNature123]

John 3 16-21! 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

[@DP-qt5ck]

It's that one car that has been parked by the curb for 20 years, and you can never figure out which one of your neighbors owns it.

[@zyxzyx3030]

I've never been privileged enough to live in an area where a car can sit there that long, let alone live somewhere that long .

[@pskittle488]

It was a good enough car for it's day. They got a lot of use out of that old K car platform and it pretty much saved the company. This was right near the end of that platforms life and the new LH platform was in development, nearly ready to be released in only a few years. A lot of pretty good models, overall.

[@sthfldguy]

Huge B pillar?? Um, that would be the C Pillar.

[@rixille]

Lots of C-pillars were like these in the late 80's early 90's. Very vertical and flat. The Buicks had them too.

[@jamesslick4790]

@@rixille Yes, But a "C" pillar (regardless of style) is NOT a "B" pillar. The "B" pillar (on this car) is the pillar between the front and back door.

[@MDQDZINE]

@sthfldguy ..came here looking for this

[@quad5186]

@@rixille

[@justsumguy2u]

Let's make no mistake, the Imperial was designed for only one market segment in mind; the elderly. The customer this car attracted was the same customer that remembered his '66 Imperial, the kind of buyer that only cared about comfort, size, and nothing else. I suppose for that niche market, it was good enough.

[@kirksway1]

status @@kenbob1071

[@albear972]

No kidding! At my old job one of the owners of the business was a man in his late 60's and he bought a fully loaded one of these back in 90' When he told me how much that was, I thought to myself, what a friggin' waste of money for such a fugly car.

[@scdevon]

@@albear972 A so-called flagship vehicle with wire wheel cover hubcaps was fugly even in 1990. Rental cars had hubcaps in 1990.

[@jamesmyers9285]

My Dad and Mother had one in the most beautiful shade of Green I ever saw. My Father and Mother were born in 1940, so they were not considered elderly. They kept the car for twenty-two years, bought a 2012 Chrysler 300c, but kept the Imperial which I might add was flawless but had 221,000 miles on the odometer. The only repair was a transmission rebuild at 145,000 miles, so they definitely got their money's worth.

[@broadstreet21]

Yes, it's an older conservative luxury car. Affluent yuppies wouldn't be so interested in it, unless they were your average conservative.

[@dwderp]

When I was in my 20s, I would wait hopefully for this particular tester to show up on screen. I always thought he was absolutely dreamy.

[@sneakerfreak2002]

Sure is!

[@FactsOfNature123]

John 3 16-21! 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

[@ParadoxdesignsOrg]

That's one pricey K-Car.

[@Nuttty]

i saw one of these on the road the other day two old people and car looked brand new

[@richardgroves8565]

Not too often you see brand new looking old people ;-)

[@panchopantera7321]

And four year later , the old people is dead and a black dude with 26's is driving the car!!

[@cadillacdevile]

@@panchopantera7321 Not surprised ....

[@bastianfromkwhbsn8498]

Love this old fashioned style car.. My first car in the early 2000s was a 1994 Chrysler LeBaron sedan and I always dreamt of an Imperial like this. Nothing beats that rectangular rear window :)

[@MrScottie68]

My first new car was a 1993 Chrysler LeBaron sedan and I loved it, even though I really wanted the Chrysler New Yorker but couldn’t afford it. Unfortunately in 2006, I was rear ended while stopped at a red light and it was totaled. But for all those years, it was a very good car except for the water pump.....that had to be replaced 2x.

[@Timbrock1000]

MY FATHER WORKED FOR CHRYSLER AS AN ENGINEER. PLAYED A ROLE IN DEVELOPING THIS CAR. My father graduated from Texas Tech University in 1961 with a degree in structural engineering. He was hired by Chrysler and went to work in their Chassis and Structural development department. He was an Associate Engineer II when the Imperial was dropped. It involved a modified K Series platform. It was modified by streaching it by 16 inches, adding 3 lateral braces, adding extended axles, larger wheels and wider tires. There was also a softer suspension system, larger brakes, and more sound insulation.

[@crankychris2]

That's sad. They call that 'badge engineering'.

[@MrScottie68]

I wish your dad could start working at Chrysler again. I’d love to see a new version of the Imperial or New Yorker hit the showrooms.

[@ianclaudio777]

Look at the interior! Gorgeous!

[@fernandorocha901]

Beautifull interior this car

[@MarkWG]

I was 29 years old when these were in showrooms. I had to go test drive a new "Imperial". Loved the looks so much. Just fits my tastes. It was really, really stretching the K-car's limits. Even though the new Imperial had long proportions and nice interior room, it was still plagued by a short and tiny, 109" wheelbase. Notice that the length is in the long front and rear overhangs. It was quick on the go. But the ride was NOT an Imperial at all. Those 6-cylinder sounds coming from the engine bay were most definitely NOT Imperial either. Owning the last, TRUE Imperial of 1974-75 with a 440cid V8, I can tell you for sure this 1990 K-car stretch was no Imperial.

[@shawnz241]

That brought back some memories! My dad had the Imperial and the NY Fifth Avenue and they were thoroughly comfortable cars to be in - big floating barges.

[@michaellovely6601]

Wow! I would be gobsmacked to see that someone had both the 1990 Chrysler Imperial and the 1990 Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue in their driveway.

[@gonzalezjulian1350]

No matter what, this car ... same white color was my best car on the late 90's ever,....and i was 25 year old at the time!! Miss my old Chrysler!!!

[@arabcampers9554]

I was 10 years old when my father bought one , it was black , I wish I can find one in good condition now .I loved it so much .

[@OLDS98]

Thank you for this video! It was interesting to see Chrysler's flagship luxury car of that era. With a little more polishing, it would have been a better car. I liked the car for the look, room, features. More power was needed and better build quality. Thank you for sharing this video.

[@crankychris2]

Trans failures and body rust were the worst in the industry.

[@jamesfrench7299]

Last of the 1980s American ultra luxury. The interior still looks impressive in 2020!!

[@fernandorocha-dx1wv]

Very beautiful the Chrysler Imperial. Comfortable and nice the ultra luxury

[@ohyeah1994]

Wouldn't mind going back in time and getting one of these fresh from the dealership.

[@Krzrrazrrokr]

Same

[@imwayne6543]

Love the hideaway lights and front cornering lights. Luxury and chrome👍👍🇺🇸

[@christopherconard2831]

These were a retiree's special in Florida. The last car many people bought when moving to a senior community or condo down here. By the early 2000's every BHBH corner lot had at least one. Maybe not the sign of class they once were, but cheep. At least until everything started falling apart.

[@marshall5415]

Cheep?

[@christhornycroft2731]

I miss these cars. The engine leaves something to be desired, but it's the classiest looking car I've ever seen short of a similar year's Caddy. It's also REALLY comfortable. Chrysler desperately needs to bring back those plush velvet seats. Leather is hot in the summer and just doesn't compare.

[@adamtrombino106]

The Y platform, based on the K car chassis and some trim, limited the Imperial as to what it could actually achieve. Chrysler gambled that buyers looking to move out of their old rwd land yachts into a fwd luxury car with the same features, if not more std equipment, would bite. Remember this is yet another time when Chrysler was starting to feel the pinch in another economic downturn, so it had to make due while designers fiddled with future LH cars. They literally poured everything they had available at the time into these cars. The best and softest leather seats you can't find on ANY car nowdays was just a start.. These cars were comfortable, front and rear. Rear air suspension, the truly expensive Tevis 4, 4 wheel disc ABS, automatic climate control, aforementioned leather, the biggest V6, AOD transmission, were all std. Only a $1000 moon roof was optional. BUT typical of Mopar products of the era, teething issues with the electronics for the 4 speed auto, and a lack of quality control in the fit and finish department still let a driver know they bought a gussied up K variant. By the time Chrysler had these issues dealt with, the K car was dead for 93, and the Imperial with it. Yet the 3.3 V6 lived on for MANY yrs in various minivans after engineers fixed cam bearing failures in early examples of that engine. So did that 4 speed auto in several cars and mini vans. Was it a bad car? Well, by today's standards, yes. At the time, it was the most Chrysler 1 could get for any $. Find a good example now, and you're in for a bit of a flash back treat of your own!

[@bmwtek13]

Adam Trombino excellent and Informative post!

[@TooLooze]

Also, the seniors market probably didn't realize it was a stretched K Car, or maybe didn't care.

[@lancedukel3436]

The leather used in these cars was by Mark Cross one of if not the BEST suppliers of fine leathers goods in the world! They have been in business for ages and still are. A set of luggage can cost up to 10,000 or more. Lincoln, Cadillac and even Mercedes to this day do not have such fine leather as these cars had.

[@rodferguson3515]

Even if you found a "Mint condition" version of this 1990 -93 Chysler Imperial you are not only in for a trip down memory lane but you are also in for a journey down many a junk yard, parts bid , and on-line electronic parts figure service search adventure for spare parts !!! Keep in mind luxury intention these unfortunately we're throw away cars just like the Cadillac STS of that Era .

[@seanmcgivney7631]

@@rodferguson3515 YES! We have a very nice 1989 New Yorker, can't find a ecu, anywhere. The car is destined for the junk yard.

[@barryervin8536]

I once saw the limo version of this. A factory stretched Imperial with 3 feet of sheet metal between the front and rear doors. Chrysler couldn't have their executives chauffeured around in another maker's car, so they had to create a limo version of the already stretched K-car. I don't think they sold many of them.

[@dabnisbrickey6527]

I wonder if Chrysler ever made a LHS or concorde limo. I know they did with the 300

[@kevinwong6588]

Sinatra himself had a K-car limo (an '86). Built with a 2-door LeBaron coupe by adding 31 inches to the wheelbase, aimed at airport shuttles and corporate fleets looking for something smaller than Town Cars.

[@barryervin8536]

@@dabnisbrickey6527 Just about every car ever made has been made into a limo by some limo company or somebody. I saw a DeLorian limo the other day, it was about 35 feet long with 5 sets of gull wing doors. But factory limos made by the original manufacturer are less common. Chrysler made the K-car limo because all their cars were front wheel drive at the time and nobody was making limos based on them. They didn't want Chrysler executives seen riding in non-Chrysler limos. They may have tried to sell some to fleets but weren't very successful at that.

[@shopwithaaron]

Our 1991 5th Avenue ran like a champ fully loaded (only space left in the trunk for a sandwich) and we got 27 MPG on our trip to CO from NV. Rear air shocks kept us level and supremely comfortable! Missing it since we sold it in 2012 for a Kia Optima...of which we now have 2!

[@chriscornelius2518]

I had a 1991 Dodge Spirit. I gave it away at 255k miles and a failing oil pump. I loved that car. Probably because it was my first.

[@jamesslick4790]

The exposed attachment screws say NOTHING about "craftsmanship",but design. A craftsman deals with the design he is given. If some of those screws were loose,Then yes, that's poor craftsmanship, That they exist, Well that's design. Don't blame the builders on the line for that. If an architect designs a bad floor plan, You can't blame the carpenters for it.

[@barryervin5297]

And, uhh, they are only exposed when the door is open. Are we going to start carping about "exposed" door hinges and door latches now, since they are also visible when the door is open? Or "exposed" hood hinges that you can see when the hood is open?

[@glenng.6041]

i disagree, the designers are part of the craftsmanship team. after all, designers are indeed craftsmen.

[@jamesslick4790]

@cockyhemi I'm NOT a pro union guy by any stretch of the imagination (TRUMP 2020 !!!) But, the designers and engineers are non union salaried professionals.

[@marcusdamberger]

@@jamesslick4790 Plus, even if the union workers point out to management that "Hey this looks cheap, we think there is a better way to do it." The management probably ignored them because it meant another part to be installed adding another 30 seconds to the build time and money on the part. So it was promptly put to bed, and problem solved when the door is shut, no one will see it 99% of the time. Yeah it would have been nice if they at least color matched the parts to the door, but hey, now we have to have 10 bins of the same part for all the colors offered on this vehicle.. The union workers probably had very little influence on what was given to them or how it needs to be assembled.

[@jamesslick4790]

@@marcusdamberger Yep. Those on the line (union or not), Have ZERO "say" in the design process. I have been in manufacturing, and I have never had any influence on ANYTHING about the product I was helping to produce. Hell, I've been on lines where I had only a vague idea of what it WAS that I was making parts for. 🤔😳😂

[@jamesmyers9285]

I would love to own this car, even now in 2024.

[@ryansrides9714]

Awesome video, thank you so much!!! I Really enjoyed hearing all about this special model and learning all about the history!!

[@nutz4gunz457]

Sad that their flagship car had she same engine as their minivan.

[@kz1000ps]

+Nutz4Gunz45 That steering wheel too...

[@san379]

+kz1000ps i have the same wheel and collum in my 94 dakota

[@SearchEast2069]

+Nutz4Gunz45 Lol its the same today. The 3.6L V6 in the Town and Country is the same engine that's in the base challenger, charger and 300. Its also the top engine in the 200. Parts bin bro Parts bin.

[@WAQWBrentwood]

Maybe, but it's better than the Mitsu unit of ther era.

[@ktkof04]

+Antwon Jenkins It's just economies of scale. I remember not too long ago when Chrysler had a 2.7, 3.3, 3.5, 3.7, 3.8, and 4.0 V6's. I'd rather them make 1 decent V6 than 6 terrible ones.

[@76carmel]

This looked like an extended length Chrysler K car.

[@aaronp5706]

Essentially, it is.

[@letsgonow5641]

+Billy Sou I always bout to say they are look alike basically. just longer or other minor changes..

[@warriormanmaxx8991]

@76carmel - heyyyy ... there is nothing wrong with your keen eyesight.

[@GyroPyro121212]

Some cars make a great first car. These here are the ideal last car.

[@ingridspreckels4983]

Well it may be a K car at heart, they did change a lot of things in it. The 3.3 and 3.8 engines are very reliable (My mothers 95 Town & Country has over 250,000 miles and the 3.8L engine runs fine and has never had any repairs done). The air suspension in these is very smooth and comfortable, and so are the seats. I also don't know of many cars from this year that had computer information centers with information like this, if you read the owners manual for this car it has an extensive list of systems the computer monitors such as engine fluids and it will tell you when they are low. I also love that the mirror positions save with the memory seats.These cars may not have been as fast or as prestigious as foreign luxury cars, but they were comfortable, technologically ahead of their time, and much more affordable. The Imperial was Chrysler's top model or line for a very long time, and while this Imperial may not resemble Imperials of the past it was Chrysler's top model of the time.

[@ronaldderooij1774]

Technologically ahead of its time? Well, maybe the board computer, but the rest was really 10 -20 years behind. Look at the fuel consumption. It would not even surprise me if it had a seperate chassis.

[@ingridspreckels4983]

I'm not sure what kind of driving MotorWeek did with their test car, but mine never gets below 20 mpg and that isn't too bad, especially compared to some of the big SUVs being sold these days.

[@Tuppoo94]

Anything below 30 MPG is horrible.

[@ronaldderooij1774]

It is a question of definition, but I agree. Even by 1990 standards anything below 30mpg is horrible for such a car.

[@ms90sbabyy]

Lincoln Navigators have twin turbo V6's...and they're the last ones...what giant SUV are you talking about 'these days' that doesn't get 20mpg? Also it would be fun to have one, but dear lord, I can have my Fusion tell me where the cheapest fuel is by literally asking it...for $36k...only 25 years later. This car is only good in a nostalgic way and is ironically cool. The MPG doesn't matter, but it's not worth 20mpg. A 3series will get that all day and it's worth putting in the fuel.

[@39Hundred]

Wow. Look at those huge front and rear overhangs.

[@BigOldCarChannel]

Such cool cars! Too bad the 4-speed Ultradrive transmission was made of glass.

[@Hot80s]

yep, utter horse manure

[@LakeHowellDigitalVideo]

The similar Dodge Dynasty was available with the bulletproof 3 speed Torqueflite automatic. That was the car to get if you wanted this type of car and wanted to own it a long time.

[@deansapp4635]

My buddy is 6,5. He said he fit in it perfectly. He was more comfortable driving this car than my 95 Suburban

[@carryfreak5059]

Yes. The Ultradrive transmission doomed my parents ‘90 Dynasty. Dusty Rose was the color. Very pretty but when the transmission started failing....it’s days were numbered. My parents traded it in on a 98 Lincoln Continental and on the way to pick up the new car, the transmission failed again and limped into the dealership in second gear. So embarrassing

[@jeremyb4493]

That's what happens when you rush something into production knowing it isn't ready but hoping to patch it up along the way

[@TheDanMan01]

I had a 1992 Chrysler New Yorker 5th Avenue with the same 3.3l engine. Bought it used on Ebay back in 2003 with 149,000 miles on the odometer. Owned it for 7 years and it was one of the most comfortable, trouble free car that I ever owned. The previous owner took very good care of it, and so did I. I eventually replaced it with a 1997 Lincoln Town Car Signature Series (that I currently own for just about 7 years, as well), which is just as reliable. I gave my Chrysler to my nephew so we can "keep it in the family", but unfortunately he wrecked the car a few months after that. If I had the money and space, I will not hesitate to get another well shaped 1992-3 5th Avenue or Imperials.

[@TheHelado36]

I don’t care the details, this car is beautiful !

[@Doobie1975]

I'm surprised on how good the acceleration was for a car I've always thought was underpowered

[@dougsmith7908]

The ultimate k car . But they were pretty reliable if kept up and maintained, oil changes etc

[@russelljohnson1303]

A few weeks ago I was getting in my first car a 1992 Cadillac sedan deville in a parking lot. And one of these was parked a few spaces down, right front fender bashed in but otherwise in great shape. The guy getting into it was a thin mid 40s hillbilly wearing a stretched torn and stained wife beater half burned cigarette hanging from his mouth one leg out the door starts it up and. I'm immediately assaulted by "sweet home Alabama" playing way too loud on original and soon to be blown speakers. He asked me if I wanted to buy it. I said I'm okay, Thanks. He said arit than. Slammed his door and spead off chirping the tires. I drove home that day in my well kept and beloved deville. Feeling really bad for that poor old imperial. Really clean and loved by the previous owner much like my car was and is by me today. Only to be unappreciated and abused to death, ruined by some filthy degenerate. That was the only one I've ever seen in the metal. And I'm pretty sure after the previous owner passed away. It was sold to a used lot and it was pristine till he bought it, and most likely is responsible for that bashed up fender. So sad that so many now rare to find And well kept 25+ year old cars hang on for that long. Only to succumb to such mistreatment. By people who don't care and beat them all the way to the crusher. Such an undignified and painful way to go for such a once elegant car. After I parked Cathie. I stood and looked at her for a few minutes. Feeling some sense of pride for how well I take care of her. Gets a wash twice a month And a wax once a month. I use VLR on the seats. Always put up the reflective sun shade. And I went out searching and even found a replacement year matching center hubcap off a wreaked one in a barn. Just for her. Soon I'll tackle the trunk pull down.

[@Univer3eTwist3ers]

Imagine being so vain you have to ramble about your GM shitbox on a 29 year old car review

[@jakekaywell5972]

@@Univer3eTwist3ers I liked his story. If you don't like it, you don't have to read it.

[@Univer3eTwist3ers]

@@jakekaywell5972 Kinda too late not to read it since I commented after I read it

[@crankychris2]

Have you ever thought about a girlfriend?

[@russelljohnson1303]

@@crankychris2 had one she joined the army. Besides, being single is all right. I have more time for my hobbies.

[@glx68]

That was an excellent car. The price was thousands bucks less compared to a caddy but you had all it's comfort. I miss the classic cars of the 80s/90s!

[@garyhoutz1540]

Fit and finish improvements? We are still waiting for those.

[@HeCute_]

I love that interior!

[@Bosgymboy]

OMFG...I LUV the Imperial. It just screams I'M F'ING FABULOUS!!!!

[@warriormanmaxx8991]

re: "OMFG" = 1. do you use that crass, rude comment much in daily life, too?!? 2. ehhh?

[@Taino871]

I actually sold these cars back in the 80’s when the “ K car “ was introduced. They sold like hot cakes. The imperial looked beautiful, But i took a perspective car buyer and every bump I hit the car rattled... He ended up buying the Plymouth Reliant K. P.O.S..... NOW the stereo in these cars were amazing!

[@DolleHengst]

Basically a K car with douchy sunglasses

[@DA90027]

sounds like your dad

[@brycmtthw]

That’s a misconception. It was based on the 2nd generation minivans, which shared nothing with the K based originals. They were comfortable, big, quick and handled well.

[@castlewhore2007]

Lol 😂

[@happyperson9359]

im diggin these retro video reviews

[@jamesfishin]

My mother had a 93 fifth avenue almost the same as this, it was beautiful to ride in but after the third transmission caved in 4 years they got a Buick Rivera.

[@TVHouseHistorian]

Mine was a '90 New Yorker Landau. The transmission was so unreliable, there was no way I would ever buy another Chrysler product. It drove beautifully though, I will say that.

[@TheGewidener]

I love how the rear sags and the front almost lifts off the ground, just like every kcar I have ever seen, although you don't ever see them run anymore.

[@MrGoodlet]

It's like a mountain goat

[@peachyclean93]

George Widener I have one and it's great 170,000 still running great!

[@PoopLoop202]

I've got one myself, 80,000 miles on it, use it as my daily drive car.

[@Snake-ms7sj]

I had a 92 Chrysler New Yorker Salon with the same 3.3L engine. Same chassis but slightly shorter wheelbase. The Salon was a "stripped down" New Yorker. No power seats, no padded roof, analog gauges, etc. Actually made for a cleaner look and with a lot less weight, 0-60 mph was about 8.5 secs. The 3.3L is a good engine. After I sold the car, saw people driving it around years later. Looked up the VIN and the last time I had looked on Carfax, it said the car was re-registered with 195k on it. Guessing the last owners got over 200k no problem.

[@unknownunknowns]

This price of 25K would be 47K today. The equivalent would be the 300 which is 32K.

[@exxusdrugstore300]

Its hard to believe there were people that looked at this thing, exposed bolts and all, and said "This is definitely worth 47,000 of my dollars".

[@wiibaron]

More like a 300C, which IS 47K. Nothing changed...

[@idontlikecops1]

@@wiibaron plenty has changed. Look at the technology difference

[@NVDuster]

""Exposed Bolts" but what else is so bad about it? really nnot that much unless you were super snoby

[@jakekaywell5972]

@@McBeakerson Or you can avoid all that and buy an American classic. That's what I did with my Studebaker.

[@Sonnywitdamoney]

I have an ‘90 New yorker fifth ave (basically the same car). Mine was bought by my grandmother in 1990 and she stopped driving it in 2002. Car was always garage kept and has 21,000 miles. Fully loaded, mark cross edition. In perfect condition.

[@steveespinola7652]

Saw this car two weeks ago it was a dark blue and it was jazzed up bit had a gold coloured grill and hubcaps as while as the side mirrors but it still looked really nice.

[@dolphtrains2]

I love the interior

[@1997DanielFlores]

Now thats a Chrysler. Damn i want one

[@sirot5561]

I always love that 90s Chrysler steering wheel!!!

[@1voiceofstl]

Love the bench seat

[@Rome7869]

If I found another that has been well kept I'd get another one.

[@Freindly_Q]

rome seveneightsixnine i just got one from a 80 year old man he was original owner 144,000 miles he kept it perfect, he gave it up because the headliner was drooping other then that perfect condition, unfortunately i dont like the boaty feeling i get and am gonna be selling it soon

[@jdrancho1864]

I'd make you an offer if I weren't already fully supplied.

[@moonbeamskies3346]

From the performance numbers they give here I guess the V6 Imperial was quicker than the previous year's V8-powered Fifth Avenue. But still, I like the old-school V8.

[@franciscodanconia4324]

I drove an 89 fifth avenue in college in the late 90s. It was only slightly faster than the 229ci V-6 84 Caprice I had before it.

[@jsplicer9]

do you have a review of the 1981-83 imperial?

[@MrGoldenwaffler]

that ... i would like, since its my favorite car!

[@jsplicer9]

+Terrence Gold I think they're very good looking. but hard to find

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

Especially the 1981-82 "Frank Sinatra" Edition!

[@shopwithaaron]

Took our 91 5thAve from Reno to Colorado loaded with 4 passenger and only room for a Car & Driver magazine in the trunk and averaged 27 MPG in the summer...A/C on at all times. Was a great road tripper!

[@dabnisbrickey6527]

I wish the 1993 imperial would've had the 3.5 v6 from the concorde. If this car can go from 0-60 in 9.9 seconds with only 147 horsepower, imagine how much faster it would've been with 214. Would've probably went from 0-60 in the 7 second range which would've been a very quick car especially for back then.

[@waynejohnson1304]

Why would you even compare a luxury car with a BMW SPORTS car? Why would anyone think that side bolsters are better on the seats? If the seats are soft, they cradle you in and keep you from sliding around. With the hard seats found on BMW, you slide from one side of the side bolstered seat to the other. That's better? Really? Seat belts keep you from sliding around. Why didn't you mention that BMW has the highest fatality, per mile driven, than any other car ever sold? Why don't you mention that the designer himself admitted to designing the grill after Hitler's mustache because he was a big fan of his? 99.9% of all accidents happen so fast that the suspension doesn't even factor in so, why have a hard uncomfortable ride?

[@darkko1969]

Cadillac Cimarron= fancy Chevy Cavalier. Lincoln Versailles=fancy Ford Granada. 1990 Chrysler Imperial=fancy K-Car.

[@waynejohnson1304]

They delivered a ride that BMW owners would have been jealous of. They were what Americans wanted, at the time. If I had a choice of riding in this car for 3,000 miles or riding in a BMW, you can bet your bottom Dollar, I'd be in this Imperial.

[@houseofno]

I own a bmw and if you think a cushy ride is all that matters, you have no idea what a BMW, Audi, or Mercedes is. These throwbacks now rusting away in a junkyard near you. Meanwhile the European competitors are still around.

[@waynejohnson1304]

@@houseofno I prefer a soft ride. I like to take long trips and it would be sheer torture to do it in any model BMW currently sells. I want zero jerky movements in my car. BMW is plagued with them. The seats are hard as a rock too. What is the sense of all of that? There remains no proof, at all, that a car's suspension has in any way prevented an accident from happening since 99.9% of all accidents happen so fast that the suspension doesn't even factor into the equation. In my 1976 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham, my passengers can actually sleep on a long trip. Only with the strongest sleeping pills could a BMW passenger do the same thing. There is more to driving than going around corners at the outermost limits of the car's ability. Who does that? Are BMWs safer? No. People drive them faster because they have a false sense of security. That is why BMW has the highest fatality rate, PER MILE DRIVEN, than any other car ever sold. That's according to the National Insurance Institute.

[@jjojo2004]

Seems like a good car to me! 👍😎👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@honda97ish]

My parents had a gold one it was an awesome car and the leg room front and back was great

[@clemsonbloke]

@mipmipmipmipmip Cars didn't used to have rear headrests, in fact they didn't used to have front headrests either in the 60's and before. Rear headrests was a European thing and didn't show up on American cars till America started trying to copy Europe. Copying Europe makes zero sense, America always had its own unique take on style and was never one to copy until modern times.

[@clemsonbloke]

@mipmipmipmipmip Also, if you need a headrest, you have poor posture and muscles. They were originally meant for someone to lay their head back on to sleep during a ride.

[@Doobie1975]

I don't understand why they've named this car Imperial, I've personally thought Imperial should be a huge RWD car similarly sized to a Lincoln Town Car or Cadillac Brougham

[@BigWheel.]

They needed to fill a Market segment and needed a name that was recognizable for that.

[@jamesfrench7299]

This would literally attract more attention than a Rolls Royce in Sydney streets in this new condition.

[@toronado455]

At 1:09 John says "109 inches". Synchronicity. Gotta luv the front and rear overhangs on this one!

[@michaellovely6601]

What's so mind-blowing to me is that the 1990 Chrysler Imperial was two-hundred and three inches long.

[@redrocker1055]

It's amazing that Chrysler is still in business.

[@toyoscio]

Barely

[@crankychris2]

Still build them shitty, too.

[@prestoncheapbtheadphoneste3010]

Lol. Right.

[@crankychris2]

@@prestoncheapbtheadphoneste3010 "Stellantis" controlled by PSA.

[@johnlyle1127]

I saw one of these yesterday at supermarket. Light metallic blue. It looked like it just left the factory. Beautiful! Given some items in front seat it obvious was owned by a senior citizen, probably the original owner. Interior looked new as well. I was impressed how elegant the interior was. Blue velour upholstery, as luxurious as its competitors of the day. On the downside its K car heritage was evident looking at it from the back as it was narrow for a luxury car. I am sure this hurt it with buyers considering the Buick Electra and Olds 98 of the day. Too bad this was not more successful. I have to add Stellantis doesn't have the creativity that Chrysler did back in the 80s early 90s.

[@THX-kw2jh]

Looks Great Inside & Out! But, is it Reliable?

[@thewiseguy3529]

This is a nice ride 🥂

[@stevebook8395]

had a 90 chrysler new yorker fifth avenue..virtually identical...GREAT Car

[@MrGoldenwaffler]

i agree. i had a 93 fifth ave with 3.3. comfortable and good on gas..plus ICE cold ac

[@Sonnywitdamoney]

I have a '90 fifth ave too. Great car, only have 51k on it but it runs great.

[@HIDHIFDB]

Best college car, it was cheap, roomier, and easy to fix.

[@gatorpics09]

did anyone in 1990 ever say....wow he must be rich he's driving an imperial?

[@waynejohnson1304]

Most people who bought the Imperial were doing very well. They were just as expensive as any Cadillac or Lincoln.

[@jdrancho1864]

Sad but on point

[@tdvandy2]

No! Lol

[@daveZ4143]

Packard LOL u said it exactly!

[@soldbycebic]

packard5682Telling us you're life story

[@robarchpdx]

One of my high-school teachers purchased one of these when I was in the 10th grade. Brand new, white with a tan leather interior, exactly identical to this one. I'm sure she thought she was "the stuff" driving around in this thing.

[@eltonjohn3236]

I worked at a Chrysler dealer in Canada when these came out. The first one was $39,000. The whole concept was absurd and the parts were so cheap.

[@smithraymond09029]

1:10 be honest: doesn't that profile look like two separate halves glued together? As if they took the front a Buick Le Sabre of the same era and put it together with the rear half of Cadillac El Dorado?

[@chrislong8986]

Wouldn't you guys upload the Chrysler LHS video

[@Kwall4life]

Love these old car reviews when they were new. This looks like a dinosaur. Digital dash, fold-up headlights and less than 150 HP. Wow have times changed in a quarter century!

[@PoopLoop202]

seems like a lot of positives to me, yet your tone makes it seem like you think those features were bad

[@exxusdrugstore300]

When all those things stopped working it was bad.

[@DA90027]

yeah now all these stupid millenials can wrap their plastic shit around a tree by street racing. Good riddence.

[@exxusdrugstore300]

Twaddles McGee I would way rather be in a new car in a crash.

[@DA90027]

The only time since I've been driving (1977) was when a Lexus hit my 61 Chrysler I had not even a scratch on my bumper and his bumper was crushed against his car. So.....

[@thejesusgeek24]

This car led to arguements between Lee Iacocca and Bob Lutz. Lutz thought the car was a disaster because the styling was 10 years old the day it came out. Iacocca argued that Lutz didn't like it because he was too young and that when he's 65 he will like a car like that. Lutz responded saying no he wouldn't want a car like that because his generation appreciates high end European cars and that Iaccoca likes the Imperial because that's what American Luxury looked like when he was young.

[@jamesslick4790]

Why would you need a tachometer on a luxo car with an auto trans anyway?

[@JxT1957]

this is a miniature imperial, check out the land yacht 1974 imperial with beautiful pillow seats

[@626malik]

i know this car did not just squeaked when it stopped! lol XD 4:17

[@andrewcolsen]

It’s the brakes. Chrysler products in the late 80s and in the 90s were known for squeaky brakes even when new.

[@DiRF]

...what's really sad, the Eagle Premier/Dodge Monaco that ChryCo was "saddled" with after the AMC buyout was actually a far superior vehicle to any of the gussied-up "big" K-cars Chrysler was pinching out... smoother ride, better handling, and more interior room... but ChryCo couldn't care as it wasn't "their" car. At least they were smart enough to grab the chassis/platform from the Premier/Monaco as the basis for their LH cars.

[@ramoncarter6585]

Remember seen these when new. I was a baby guess 1 or 2 years a church across the street where my beloved great grandmother that raised me at that time was a Beige one with family of 4 still remember after so many years ago. My mother that used to go a beautician years ago was a Black one parked in front of her shop that was wrecked on side it looked damaged, her beautician thought she bought another car which the Imperial was parked in front shop it was a strip mall over in that area at that time we had 1992 GEO Metro gave us hell not long traded on a used '97 Altima we loved dearly even got my license in that car was the best car ever. Going back to the Imperial those K cars were comfy and loved the digital dash, haven't seen one in 10 years last time middle-aged woman had one looked she painted two-tone with rims really didn't see many of those beauties. I also liked the 5th Avenue as well my great grandmother best friend's boyfriend bought her when she totaled her Ford Tempo bought not that long, the 5th Avenue was white with blue interior was a nice car. She had that car until her health failed she wrecked it think of alzheimer she passed away 10 years ago. Had a great aunt had a green one remember my other special grandmother on my grandfather's side the alarm had gone off for no reason my cousin now wife went out there had do something to turn it off not sure what happened to it last time went to visit years later when our grandmother was staying after she got sick had a Sequoia bought before Hurricane Katrina now she drives a 2020 Highlander. These cars were luxury they were supposed be large cars that downsized to FWD K-cars.

[@RaymondHaley-bi8lx]

It was fairly nice 5th avenue, but it was hardly an imperial because of it's K car roots, and as a fifth Ave she needed today's drivetrain and suspension upgrades from the Chrysler 200.

[@CadillacFleetwood68]

God, what a beautiful car. I also loved the New Yorker same era.

[@pcno2832]

These had more legroom than any car Chrysler had built after the 1973 Imperial went to a shorter wheelbase for '74. Those who bought these for personal use were mostly older, but I'll bet they were a great car to rent for business trips. With more legroom in the back than front, you could haul clients around without worrying about who would fit where.

[@Insanity_Crow]

Do you have a review of a 1996 Cadillac Deville? Now that was a sweet american boat

[@davidjames666]

Insanity Crow I own a mint condition one here in 2018. Not many 94-99 devilles on the roads anymore as the headbolts pulled when people let them overheat from neglecting their cooling system! - neglect includes not draining and refilling the Dexcool every 3 or 4 years.

[@bbodinefan11]

Everyone of those I ever got behind smoked.

[@Juanknes]

Looks like a car from the 70s...

[@DA90027]

even more reason to love it now. Look at the ugly cheap plastic bubble shit they make now.

[@clemsonbloke]

No, it doesn't look anything like a 70's car. 70's cars were the largest cars ever made and to boot the most luxurious. That was Zenith of American Luxury Automobiles. If you parked this thing beside a 70's car, it would look like a compact.

[@bayardrustincoalition2832]

@@clemsonbloke It does evoke the 1970's in a Seville, Versailles, LeBaron Medallion sort of way.

[@4jp]

I doubt that the large pillars and bad mirrors changed anything. This car was driven by people who never turn their heads. They reverse until they hit something. Or someone.

[@christianluff]

Ha ha! Was the slalom track test filmed in slow motion?