1
0
Large car; Built in Canada
  • 4-door sedan
  • transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $1,000 – $1,400*


1990 Dodge Monaco


1991 Dodge Monaco ES


1991 Dodge Monaco ES


1991 Dodge Monaco ES


1992 Dodge Monaco ES

Pros:
  • Acceleration
  • Antilock brakes (optional)
  • Handling/roadholding
  • Passenger and cargo room
  • Ride
Cons:
  • Fuel economy
  • Instruments/controls

Never a strong seller, the Monaco, like its Premier sibling, blends distinctive Italian design with practical family travel. The ES, in particular, packed a lot of luxury items into its standard-equipment list.

Overview

In 1987, Jeep-Eagle dealers began to market a mid-size, front-drive 4-door sedan named the Eagle Premier. By 1990 Dodge offered an equivalent 5-passenger sedan called Monaco. Monacos differed only slightly from Premiers, with altered trim packages, new seats, and their own grille and taillamp treatments. Just one powertrain was available: a 3.0-liter V6 engine and 4-speed overdrive automatic transmission. Base LE and well-equipped ES models were offered. Both had reclining front bucket seats with a central console and floor-mounted gearshift lever. Antilock brakes were not available at first, and no airbag was installed.

Yearly Updates

1991 Monaco
Antilock braking joined the option list during 1991, following the lead of the closely-related Eagle Premier. Otherwise, except for several new body colors, nothing was changed for the car’s second season on the market.
1992 Monaco
In its final season, nothing was new other than revised body colors.

Engines

transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

All Monacos had a 3.0-liter V6 engine that developed 150 horsepower, driving a 4-speed automatic transmission. No powertrain options of any kind were available.

ohc V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.0/182
Engine HP 150
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 171
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic

 18/27

 19.5

Road Test

Handling and roadholding are quite competent. Like the Premier, Monacos hold the road nicely and ride comfortably and firmly, with precise and responsive steering. The Monaco and its Premier cousin reveal their European lineage via a compliant but firm suspension, which is perfect for long highway drives. The 3.0-liter V6 with 4-speed automatic delivers lively performance, smoothly and quietly, with an efficiently-operating transmission. Though squarish in profile, Premier’s drag coefficient actually beats that of a first-generation Ford Taurus.

Front bucket seats are supportive, while rear leg room is impressive. Adult passengers won’t complain about having to ride back there. The cabin has a nice, contemporary feel to it, and the spacious trunk has a flat floor.

Unusual placement of some controls detracts from their function, particularly the buttons and slides that operate the headlights, wipers, and climate system. They’re mounted on pods attached to the steering column.

Ratings

Model Tested: 1990 Dodge Monaco ES

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 4
40%
Fuel Economy - 4
40%
Ride Quality - 6
60%
Steering/Handling - 5
50%
Quietness - 5
50%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 4
40%
Room/Comfort Front - 5
50%
Room/Comfort Rear - 4
40%
Cargo Room - 4
40%

Other

Value - 5
50%

Total: 46

Specifications

4-door sedan
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
106.0 192.8 70.0 54.7
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
17.0 16.0 5
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
38.5 37.5 43.8 39.4
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 1992 Monaco 4-door sedan

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Front Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Rear Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision 95
Injury 93
Theft 58

Trouble Spots

Climate control
Description: Automatic temperature control climate systems may blow cold air when the temperature is below 20 degrees (F) until the engine warms up. A new powertrain control module is required. (1991-92)
Engine misfire
Description: Cars with the 3.0-liter engine may sag or pop under hard acceleration when first started then surge between 30-40 mph when warm. The fix is to replace the engine control computer. (1991-92)
Engine misfire
Description: The fuel pump may cause the pressure to fluctuate, which results in loss of power, erratic transmission shifting, and/or fuel pump noise. (1991-92)
Hard starting
Description: The engine may not start due to a lack of compression caused by bad rocker arm assemblies. (1990-92)

Recall History

1990
Description: Lower intermediate steering shaft may separate at its coupling, which could result in loss of steering control.
1990-91 in 15 states and Washington D.C.
Description: Front disc brake rotors can experience severe corrosion if operated for extensive period in “salt belt”; can eventually compromise structural integrity, allowing wear surface to separate from hub.
1990-91
Description: Rear brake tube routing is contacted by fuel tank heat shield, which may damage brake fluid tube.
1990-92
Description: Coolant from heater could escape into passenger compartment.
1990-92
Description: Automatic shoulder belt systems can become inoperative.
1991 w/ABS
Description: High-pressure hose may leak, resulting in discharge of fluid.
1991-92 w/ABS
Description: Hydraulic control unit can experience excessive piston seal wear; antilock braking could fail, and power assist might be reduced.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on July 2, 2014.
Share this:
, , , , ,