8th Sep 2001, 19:45

I just bought an 84 Laser XE 2.2 turbo with 118,000 miles on it and I was wondering what the chances are of the turbo working? I do not have my licence yet and only had a sit-in test drive. From glancing at the dash, I did not notice any turbo boost gauge.

3rd Oct 2001, 11:45

I have an 86 Laser XE with 97K miles on the odo. She sat for 2 years before I bought her, hooked up a jumper box to the battery and she fired right up on the old gas. Motor sounds good too, not wrist pin noise or rod knock.

30th Nov 2001, 15:23

I'm the former owner of the Laser XE as originally posted. And no, when the drive train exploded, I wasn't racing or driving it hard. In fact, I was maybe cruising around 40-45 MPH. No warning, no nothing... BOOM! When I purchased the car in the summer of 1996, it had undergone extensive engine and transmission rebuilding (new turbo unit as well), and this is why I bought it. I had in possession all the repair receipts (totally just over $2700). I figured it would last awhile. I got less than 5 weeks use. It was JUNK.

7th Jan 2002, 13:06

The thing did have a bit of mileage on it, you said like 140,000 Km right?, so its no surprise it blew. it is only a four cylinder. Plus the turbo doesn't help with adding more strain on it. Did it happen when you were shifting? maybe something didn't connect right with the clutch and then bang. And one last thing, what did the previous owner say he had done with it. I mean he could have been a total idiot and raced a lot or something worse, treting it like a big truck or something.

16th Nov 2002, 12:38

Anybody knows that when a car with a turbo-charged engine has reached 90,000 miles and maybe even less, depending on how the car was driven, is going to need a new engine or at least an overhaul. If I were you, I don't know if I would have believed the guy I bought it from. That's what car checkups on the web are for.

1st Jun 2003, 01:28

I love my chrysler laser. My 1984 DOHC with twin turbos rips down the road pulling even 11's in the Quarter Mile. I have had nothing but good, competitive, times in any event ever driven. I love my car:undoubtebly the fastest car I have ever driven.

11th Aug 2003, 12:21

I just bought a 1984 Chrysler Laser XE Turbo for my first car. The previous owner had told me that the car ran wonderfully, but he wanted a newer car and put it away. He let it sit for a little over 5 years, starting it every once in a while to check on it. I was told the car ran fine when I bought it, but on the way home, as soon as the engine warmed up, and if I wasn't driving over 40 to keep it cool, it would die. It took about 2 hours before it was cooled down enough to run again. I had a system check done on it and was told that the computer by the battery 'might' be what was causing the problems. I want to keep the car and get it running. If anyone has any comments that could help me, please email me at gabby501_1999@hotmail.com.

Thanks.

17th Nov 2003, 08:26

I received a 1985 Laser TI, and I seem to be having a similar problem as stated just above, but mine occurs while I am driving. If I push on the accelerator, or let off at certain times, the car just dies, mostly while coming to a stop or coming off a stop. Someone told me it might be an inertia switch, one what is that? and two would this old of a car have one? Please contact me at patwars8@yahoo.com.

10th Jan 2008, 12:14

I have a 1985 non-turbo Laser, and I love it. It was sleeping in a field for 12 years, so many people thought I should get a different car, but hey, got it for free (gift) and it was love at first site. When a new gas tank, fuel sening unit, and fuel pump were installed, we tried to start it. It came to life with a low, rumbling roar (didn't help b/c it has no muffeler). Sarted first time, I was amazed, and my friends and family. The Laser is a beautiful, eye-catching, rare car. But so far my Laser hasn't had any problems, so far.

21st Apr 2008, 20:39

I had 2 1984 Chrysler Lasers, and they were the most fun cars I've ever owned! Both with turbos, one with an automatic, the better one with a 5 speed. The 5 speed was a pocket rocker! I never had any major problems with them, and I ran them hard! The only problem I did have was I wore out the tires faster than my budget liked. I want another one!!

14th Sep 2011, 15:15

To all you rookies: I owned a 1984 Chrysler Laser XE Turbo, NEW, from the factory, 1983-1988. I nominate this particular vehicle for the biggest POS Detroit ever turned out. There is nearly NOTHING that DIDN'T go wrong with that car in the years that I owned it. Let's see: windshield cracked from an in-plant chip on the INSIDE against the firewall the second day I had it. Things went downhill from there:

The car spent 183 days of the first year I owned it in the shop.

Shifter cables would pop off both at the console end and the under-hood end. I took to keeping a screwdriver and pliers in the car at all times; I got so good at it I could re-attach the console end during a red light.

Manual transmission and clutch had all manner of problems; was in the shop for warranty work 8-10 times, and trans totally replaced twice;

Electric fuel pump died; turned out somehow this was not covered by the warranty and they soaked me about $400 for it (a considerable sum in 1985).

Waste gate stuck open on the turbo and blew up the whole top of the engine.

Rear window defogger never worked at temperatures below 30 degrees (they tried several times to fix it).

Tire/wheel/suspension combination was such that any pothole would result in severe tire damage or a total blowout (I had at least five blowouts that I remember, and went through at least five sets of tires).

Every bit of its considerable interior electronics (cluster, nav computer, radio, talking warnings, etc) died at least once. Some were replaced, some not.

Power locks quit.

I could go on for pages - but you get the point I'm sure. After the trans completely locked up (vehicle could not be moved) while driving through an intersection at 35 miles per hour in 1987 at 62,000 miles, I had it towed home where it sat for nearly a year, when Charity Motors came and towed it away for a tax deduction.

Other than that, it was a great car ;-). It was quick off the line, had a decent top end, handled like a much more expensive sports car. Given that I nearly bought a Buick Regal Grand National instead (which is still a sought after collectors item), I still cry when I think about it.