As a follow up to our The 10 Slowest Cars of 1981* post, we examine the state of new-car acceleration two years later. As it turns out, things did improve, but not probably as dramatically as shoppers at the time would have liked.
Presented here are the dozen slowest vehicles tested by Consumer Guide in 1983. Though a couple of these cars are diesels, most are simply powered by too-small engines struggling against fuel-economy-oriented final-drive ratios.
Note that all times below are the result of 0-60-mph tests conducted by Consumer Guide.
*As tested by Consumer Guide.
Slowest Cars of 1983
Chevrolet Chevette Diesel: 22.3 Seconds
Curb Weight: 2175 pounds
Horsepower: 51
Engine: 1.8-liter diesel four
Fuel Delivery: Fuel injection
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Final Drive Ratio: 3.36
Consumer Guide Observed Fuel Economy: 37.3 mpg
Note: A separate model, the Diesel listed for $1076 more than the base gasoline-powered Chevette.
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Pontiac Bonneville Wagon: 19.9 Seconds
Curb Weight: 3325 pounds
Horsepower: 105
Engine: 5.7-liter diesel V8
Fuel Delivery: Fuel injection
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Final Drive Ratio: 2.41
Consumer Guide Observed Fuel Economy: 26.0 mpg
Note: The 5.7-liter diesel V8 was a $799 optional over the standard gasoline 3.8-liter V6.
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Toyota Starlet: 18.5 Seconds
Curb Weight: 1755 pounds
Horsepower: 58
Engine: 1.3-liter four
Fuel Delivery: Fuel injection
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Final Drive Ratio: 2.93
Consumer Guide Observed Fuel Economy: 42.0 mpg
Note: Starlet was offered in two versions; the only difference between them was the transmission. The Starlet 4-Speed started at $5798, while the 5-Speed listed at $5838.
Toyota Tercel: 18.3 Seconds
Curb Weight: 1985 pounds
Horsepower: 62
Engine: 1.5-liter four
Fuel Delivery: Fuel injection
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Final Drive Ratio: 3.58
Consumer Guide Observed Fuel Economy: 32.0 mpg
Note: Tercel could also be had in nifty AWD-wagon form.
Chrysler E-Class: 17.0 Seconds
Curb Weight: 2590 pounds
Horsepower: 94
Engine: 2.2-liter four
Fuel Delivery: 2-barrel carburetor
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Final Drive Ratio: 2.86
Consumer Guide Observed Fuel Economy: 24.5 mpg
Note: An available Mitsubishi-supplied 2.6-liter four was also available for the E-Class. The $259 optional engine brought only two additional horsepower, but also supplied a healthy bump in torque.
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Dodge Diplomat: 16.9 Seconds
Curb Weight: 3412 pounds
Horsepower: 90
Engine: 3.7-liter six
Fuel Delivery: 1-barrel carburetor
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Final Drive Ratio: 2.94
Consumer Guide Observed Fuel Economy: 21.4 mpg
Note: The optional 5.2-liter V8 ($225) was not available in California.
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Oldsmobile Omega: 16.9 Seconds
Curb Weight: 2510 pounds
Horsepower: 92
Engine: 2.5-liter four
Fuel Delivery: Fuel injection
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Final Drive Ratio: 2.39
Consumer Guide Observed Fuel Economy: 20.0 mpg
Note: An optional 2.8-liter V6 ($150) went a long way toward making the Omega a livelier ride.
Dodge 400 Convertible: 16.7 Seconds
Curb Weight: 2593 pounds
Horsepower: 93
Engine: 2.6-liter four
Fuel Delivery: 1-barrel carburetor
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Final Drive Ratio: 2.78
Consumer Guide Observed Fuel Economy: 19.7 mpg
Note: Convertible 400s came standard with the 2.6-liter engine; coupe and sedan variants made do with a standard 2.2.
Review Flashback! 1980 Plymouth Volaré
Imperial: 16.5 Seconds
Curb Weight: 4020 pounds
Horsepower: 140
Engine: 5.2-liter V8
Fuel Delivery: Fuel injection
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Final Drive Ratio: 2.24
Consumer Guide Observed Fuel Economy: 17.4 mpg
Note: Imperial was the only vehicle in Chrysler’s portfolio to make use of a fuel-injected version of the otherwise-ubiquitous 5.2-liter V8.
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Dodge Mirada: 16.5 Seconds
Curb Weight: 3401 pounds
Horsepower: 90
Engine: 3.7-liter six
Fuel Delivery: 1-barrel carburetor
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Final Drive Ratio: 2.94
Consumer Guide Observed Fuel Economy: N/A
Note: Moving up to the 5.2-liter V8 added $225 to the Mirada’s bottom line.
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Cadillac Sedan DeVille: 16.5 Seconds
Curb Weight: 3993 pounds
Horsepower: 135
Engine: 4.1-liter V8
Fuel Delivery: Fuel injection
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Final Drive Ratio: 2.42
Consumer Guide Observed Fuel Economy: 17.0
Note: The Cadillac-exclusive 4.1-liter “HT” (High Technology) V8 proved to be problematic and survived just four model years (1982-1985).
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Renault Alliance: 16.2 Seconds
Curb Weight: 1980 pounds
Horsepower: 64
Engine: 1.4-liter four
Fuel Delivery: Fuel injection
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Final Drive Ratio: 3.56
Consumer Guide Observed Fuel Economy: 28.5
Note: In Auto Test 1983, Consumer Guide described the Alliance as “frugal with flair.”
Slowest Cars of 1983
Slowest Cars of 1983
Slowest Cars of 1983
