1986 Chrysler LeBaron Convertible turbo

Summary:

I think this car is for old people who don't want to drive very much

Faults:

Digital dash went out.

Various engine gaskets failed.

Radiator leaked.

Top had to be replaced.

Stereo went out.

Shifter knob stuck in parking lot, would not move, had to be towed to dealer.

Convertible top bracket broke when lowering top! Had to install new bracket.

General Comments:

I remember this car very well. I called it the $300 car, not because I paid $300 for it, but because every time something went wrong it cost me $300.

This was a fun car to drive. It was so much fun to put the top down and go for a drive. Sometimes people whistled at me. It was a very sharp little car, but so many things went wrong with it!

This car was loaded with turbo, power seats, digital dash, power windows, locks, leather seats, cruise control, power disc brakes.

We drove the car from San Francisco to Los Angeles and back one weekend and it performed flawlessly, even in the rain. It was a very comfortable car, and despite its flaws I loved it very much.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 9th October, 2003

1986 Chrysler LeBaron GTS 2.2 fuel injected turbo

Summary:

A very nice, inexpensive family car to drive and operate

Faults:

When I purchased the car, it smoked. We tried to correct this by replacing the valve stem seals, which helped a tiny bit. We had to pull the camshaft to do the job with the engine in the car. We decided to change the timing belt at the same time, since it was almost ready to go south, too.

After this repair, I drove it 2 days when it really started to blow smoke. Apparently, one bearing in the turbocharger seized and pumped about a quart of oil down the intake every 10 miles. The car still ran OK. So, back to the garage to repair it.

Changed the turbo, and the power steering pump (it had metal filings in it). Got it back together, fired it up and found out that the seals in the power steering gear had gone bad. So, had to replace the steering gear in it, too. Everything is OK, now.

General Comments:

Even with all the work that had to be done on the car, it has been relatively easy to work on. I call it a four-door sleeper hotrod, because of just how snappy the performance is. It is also really comfortable to drive, with lots of extras that I've been pleased with.

We paid $675 for the car, so by purchasing used parts we've been able to fix this car up for under $1000. I think it's a very nice bargain. The extra options that I like about it are:

- Driving computer (tracks mileage and a bunch of other things)

- Leather seats.

- Power seats & windows.

- Air conditioning.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th January, 2002

28th Dec 2005, 04:33

I have had a 1986 Lebaron GTS 2.2l with the turbo. I loved the car; it was fast and had good power. I bored it out and it brought it up to 265hp (horsepower). It topped out at 136mph and it sounded like a semi when that turbo kicked in.

Yes I had problems; head gaskets replaced twice, and also the oxygen sensor replaced once. Took off the air conditioner for less weight. Had a digital speedometer; you know what i mean. Has an air vent.

Cherry red in color.

Replaced CV joints.

(A) frame broke on left side with 130,000 miles on it.

It ran fine; had problems with its performance. Finally after I stomped on her for 2 miles, she cleared up. Then realized it was the oxygen sensor; replaced that, then replaced the stock turbo with a Garrett t2. After that it topped out at 157mph.

Also painted the car 3 times.

Had a fire in the trunk (hatchback) from the stainless steel exhaust. Not a good thing for a car; gunk builds up in the pipes.

Replaced drive shaft on left side.

Struts went out; rode like crap.

My sister wrecked her 2000 Dodge Neon, so I put 2000 Dodge Neon rims and tires on the car, and put the whole Dodge Neon suspension on the 1986 Chrysler Lebaron; it had better handling and rode like a new car.

I installed a TV where the tape storage was below the CD player, and put a nice sound system in it.

At 144,000 the transmission went out, and then I junked it.

I would say you would have to get the right Lebaron to love it as much as I did.

I also can't forget the black racing stripes that I did; that took 6 hours.

Thank you Chrysler Lebaron lovers.

Cole G Smikrud.