YACT: Dodge Stealth...good car / bad car?

[Mr N8]

I've been thinking a little about getting something to replace my crown vic. Its in good shape, but its a big car, and my wife and I don't need all that room. Was thinking of some options, and my wife likes the Stealth. Anyone know if they are good cars or not? I've found a reasonably priced '94 Stealth RT, with only 84,000 miles on it.

Thanks!

 

[vi edit]

Maintanence nightmares.

 

[radioouman]

Better be a VERY reasonably priced Stealth. They are hard to work on. THe 3.0 liter V6 is not the best engine in the world. If it has the automatic 4 speed, you might have some tranny problems. Watch for blue smoke coming out of the back.

 

[Mr N8]

Its a 5-speed manual.

As for the maintenance, my other car is a 95 Olds Aurora, and you can't do much besides change the wipers on that thing. I did manage to change the belt, buy it took 2 hours for me and my friend to do. 2 weeks later, the AC clutch froze, and kicked the belt off. Had to pay for a new one anyway.

 

[bleeb]

DON"T DO IT! Get a Ford Focus

 

[Zenmervolt]

Stealth is the same car as a Mitsu 3000GT. It's not a bad car from a performance standpoint, but in the time-period when it was designed and built neither Mitsu nor Dodge had a very good reputation for lasting build quality. Just remember that almost without exception the cheapest car to drive is whatever car you currently own.

ZV

 

[Mr N8]

Originally posted by: bleeb
DON"T DO IT! Get a Ford Focus

Actaully, that's what I wanted, but it will be her car, since I love to drive the Aurora. I also recommended a Mitsu Eclipse. Honda is out of the question, though. My wife doesn't want anything resembling a ricer. (I love her for that )

 

[vi edit]

You don't want anything resembling a ricer, yet were looking at eclipses???

That's like saying you don't want a pony car but were looking at a Z28.

 

[cjchaps]

I think there are a few stealth forums out there, but I'm not sure of their addresses.

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Maintanence nightmares.

 

[Shaftatplanetquake]

Here is a stealth/3000gt forum.

 

[Mr N8]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
You don't want anything resembling a ricer, yet were looking at eclipses???

That's like saying you don't want a pony car but were looking at a Z28.

Good point. I just like the way they drive. I've only driven a 2000 Spyder, though. Anyway, I think the Stealth may still be an option, but are there any other small / mid size, reliable, sporty vehicles that I should take a look at? Thanks

 

[vi edit]

Good point. I just like the way they drive. I've only driven a 2000 Spyder, though. Anyway, I think the Stealth may still be an option, but are there any other small / mid size, reliable, sporty vehicles that I should take a look at? Thanks

What's your price range?

 

[Mr N8]

I guess it depends on the age of the car. < $12k for a newer car ('00 - '02) and < $8k if its older than '95

 

[vi edit]

If you are looking for something with some ghusto, and that's not too expensive to fix, and that's room and comfortable, see if you can find an '00 Grand Prix GTP (Supercharged 3.8L good for about 240HP and 260'ish ft/lbs torque). They are pretty reliable and get respectable gas milage. Not too bad on insurance either.

I don't know if you'll find one in your price range though.

 

[KokomoGST]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
You don't want anything resembling a ricer, yet were looking at eclipses???

That's like saying you don't want a pony car but were looking at a Z28.

If it's a turbo Eclipse/Talon then it can be a legimately fast car... unfortunately too many ricers take to the lookalike non-turbo models. There are very few cars like DSMs that can hit 12s for so little money. Heck, a car that's running 14s stock and high13/low14s with minor mods (AWD/FWD) is nothing to sneeze at.

The only concern is crankwalk with lower mileage 2nd gen DSMs. A higher mileage one in good shape should be ok other than for wear/tear replacements. 1st generations aren't prone to crankwalk but your wife prolly like the sexy 2nd gen. Be careful, she might get addicted to boost and speed if you do buy her a DSM. Another alternative is a early 90s Galant VR4. It carries the same 4G63T as the 1st gen but in a friendly sedan body, the AWD is bonus. Go to DSM.org for more info.

Stealth/3kGTs are great cars. They won't be any more "maintenance nightmare" than a MkIV Supra or a 300ZX TT. I'm guessing you're looking at turbo models (RT)... the non turbo models are slower but they can still be solid daily drivers. Go to 3si.org... though they had a horrible representative car at the SCC Street car shootout, those barges are fast, comfy, sturdy. Getrag trannys... AWD... twin turbos... just check to make sure the previous owner didn't already toast the clutch with AWD launches.

 

[pyonir]

minendo has a stealth. PM him.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: MogulMonster

Originally posted by: bleeb
DON"T DO IT! Get a Ford Focus

Actaully, that's what I wanted, but it will be her car, since I love to drive the Aurora. I also recommended a Mitsu Eclipse. Honda is out of the question, though. My wife doesn't want anything resembling a ricer. (I love her for that )

I don't think I'd advise a Focus either. Bunker's a dyed-in-the-wool Ford guy and has few good things to say about his wife's Focus. PM him if you want the details.

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Maintanence nightmares.

In what world? We've got three of them and have never had any problems. Altogether we have a 91 RT, 92 Base, and a 93 ES.

 

[sandorski]

Never owned one, but they always caught my eye. Stealth's are very sexay!

 

[StageLeft]

Get anything by Nissan. I hear they're the best.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: minendo

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Maintanence nightmares.

In what world? We've got three of them and have never had any problems. Altogether we have a 91 RT, 92 Base, and a 93 ES.

Two friends of the family had the early 90's Stealth RT's. Both of them had chronic transmission problems, amonger small nuences. I don't think there was a repair that was done to those cars that was cheaper than $500.

I've also got an uncle that works for the DSM plant in Bloomington and he said he wouldn't touch 'em with a 10 foot pole

 

[Mutilator]

I've got a 95 Base 3000GT. 222HP DOHC V6, Auto tranny.
The only maintenance I've had to do was the 60K maintenance... I bought all the parts myself and had the dealer install them. $550 parts including shipping & $650 labor. $1200 is about what you can expect to pay for the 60K maint which includes plugs, plug wires, oil filter, fuel filter, timing belt, accessory belt, etc.
If the car has already had the 60K done then with 84K miles on it it should last you for a long time. I believe a couple people have over 250,000 miles on their Stealths. If the 60K was done then you probably won't have to do much more than oil and tranny fluid changes until 120K.

The AWD Stealth TTs/3000GT VR4s have their own set of problems... but there's no need to mention them since you're looking at a RT.

 

[Mr N8]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Get anything by Nissan. I hear they're the best.

I was looking at a Maxima, but it was a little pricey. Too bad, because its a nice looking car. Drives alright, too.