8
0
Premium large car; Built in USA
  • 4-door sedan
  • 4-door sedan
  • transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $1,000 – $1,700*


1990 Chrysler Imperial


1990 Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue


1990 Chrysler New Yorker Imperial interior


1991 Chrysler Imperial


1992 Chrysler Imperial


1993 Chrysler New Yorker 5th Avenue

Pros:
  • Antilock brakes (Imperials and some Fifth Avenues)
  • Cargo room
Cons:
  • Automatic-transmission performance
  • Engine noise
  • Shoulder room
  • Ride/handling

Truth be told, there’s little to recommend an Imperial or New Yorker over likely rivals, unless the price is really right.

Overview

Stretching the basic front-drive New Yorker’s platform by five inches produced twin luxury models, introduced for the 1990 season. Imperial was the showboat “flagship” of the new full-size 4-door sedan duo, four inches longer than the New Yorker overall but on the same wheelbase. The difference in length is mainly in the body’s front and rear overhang. In their first year, each model carried a 147-horsepower, 3.3-liter V6 with 4-speed automatic transmission. Both cars were well-equipped, including highline trim inside and out, automatic rear load leveling, power windows and door locks, heated power mirrors, and an automatic climate-control system.

Yearly Updates

1991 Imperial/New Yorker Fifth Avenue
A bigger (3.8-liter) V6 engine became standard in the ’91 Imperial (optional in Fifth Avenue), with a slight horsepower increase but yielding considerably more torque. Imperials got standard cloth upholstery this year, losing the former leather. The Fifth Avenue’s air conditioner got manual instead of automatic controls, and its steering wheel lost the former leather wrapping.
1992 Imperial/New Yorker Fifth Avenue
Revised front/rear styling gave the Fifth Avenue a slightly rounded nose and tail, with a new hood, grille, and headlamps. In contrast, the Imperial kept its straight-edged appearance.
1993 Imperial/New Yorker Fifth Avenue
Minor equipment changes were seen on both luxury sedans, as they faced their final season, replaced by the new Concorde (and later, a completely different Concorde-based New Yorker).

Engines

transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

A 147-horsepower, 3.3-liter V6 with multipoint fuel injection was standard each year in Fifth Avenue sedans. Developing three more horsepower, but 20 more pound-feet of torque, the 3.8 liter V6 became standard in Imperials starting in 1991, and optional in the Fifth Avenue. Both engines drove a 4-speed automatic transmission.

ohv V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.3/201
Engine HP 147
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 183
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic

 19/25
ohv V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.8/230
Engine HP 150
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 203
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic

 18/25

 18.6

Road Test

Because of its greater torque output, a 3.8-liter V6 beats the 3.3-liter’s ample low-speed acceleration and adequate passing response. Either way, though, Chrysler’s automatic transmission suffers sloppy gear changes and is reluctant to downshift for passing. Engine noise is more noticeable than expected, and the 3.3-liter, in particular, sounds too gruff for this class. These cars also exhibit a thirst for fuel around town, though highway mileage isn’t bad.

Their soft suspensions do not filter out imperfections well, yielding a harsher ride than customary for this class of car. In fact, the suspension tends to hammer over bumps, rather than attempting to soak them up. You can expect squealing tires and plenty of body lean, too, when taking a hard corner.

Despite the cars’ official 6-passenger capacity, interior room is adequate for only four adults, though you get ample leg space in front and rear. On the plus side, wide doors permit easy entry/exit.

An impressive load of standard equipment includes automatic rear load leveling and automatic climate control. Imperials might also have an air suspension. All interiors flaunt cushy upholstery, fake wood, and shiny buttons, which some shoppers might adore and others detest.

Ratings

Model Tested: 1992 Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue 3.3-liter

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 - 3
30%
Quietness - 6
60%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 5
50%
Room/Comfort Front - 6
60%
Room/Comfort Rear - 5
50%
Cargo Room - 4
40%

Other

Value - 5
50%

Total: 48

Specifications

4-door sedan
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
109.6 198.6 68.9 55.1
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
16.5 16.0 6
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
38.4 37.8 43.0 42.9
4-door sedan
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
109.6 203.0 68.9 55.3
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
16.7 16.0 6
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
38.4 37.8 43.0 42.9
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 1991 Imperial 4-door sedan

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 4
80%
Front Passenger Injury - 1
20%

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 77
Injury 64
Theft 61

Trouble Spots

Air conditioner
Description: Lack of cooling is caused by the AC evaporator freezing up because the compressor does not cycle off. (1991-93)
Automatic transmission
Description: Transmission may shudder when accelerating from a stop, thump when coasting down to a stop or slip when shifting. (1990-93)
Automatic transmission
Description: Transaxle may have delayed shift when car first started, which requires replacement of the valve body and filter. (1993)
Engine noise
Description: The serpentine belt may squeal unless a new tensioner and belt are installed after the mounting bracket hole on the power steering pump is chamfered. (1991-93)
Engine noise
Description: Piston slap requires replacement pistons and rods on 3.3- and 3.8-liter engines. (1990-93)
Suspension noise
Description: Sway bar bushing wear causes a squeaking noise from the front suspension. (1992-93)

Recall History

1990 Fifth Avenue
Description: On cars with grey interior, airbag inflator modules may not contain diffuser holes between igniter and propellant chambers, so airbag would not deploy during an impact.
1990-91 w/ABS
Description: High-pressure hose in antilock brake system may leak or detach at crimped end fitting.
1990-93 w/ABS
Description: Hydraulic control unit can experience excessive piston seal wear; antilock braking could fail, and power assist might be reduced.
1991 Fifth Avenue
Description: On cars without automatic temperature control, water leakage under windshield cowl may result in corrosion of heater blower resistor terminals.
1991
Description: Front-outboard seatbelt may become difficult to latch and/or unlatch.
1992
Description: Zinc plating of some upper steering column shaft bolts caused hydrogen embrittlement and breakage of the bolt, which could result in loss of steering control.

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 June 26, 2014.
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