Cooler Than KITT: 1986 Chrysler Laser XT
If you grew up in the 1980’s, there was probably nothing you wanted more than a badass talking car. The Laser was Chrysler’s attempt at a sleek yet intimidating sports car with futuristic features like a synthesized voice monitoring system. While this particular Laser sadly lacks the voice feature, it’s about as well optioned as you can get otherwise! It’s located in Elmira, Michigan for an asking price of $8000; you can find it here on Craigslist. Thanks to Dan B. for the tip!
The Chrysler Laser was essentially a rebadged luxury version of the Dodge Daytona. In 1986 Chrysler added the even higher-tier XT trim level to the lineup which would end up being its last year of production; fewer than 7,000 Laser XT’s were produced in ’86. Aside from the lack of digital gauges and voice feature, this XT appears to be about as fully optioned as these cars can get. This Laser sports factory rear louvers, a gorgeous leather interior, as well as the 2.2L Turbo I engine.
Just look at that interior! The leather seats and trim were produced in partnership with Mark Cross, a longtime American luxury leather goods manufacturer. The seller states that he was stunned when he saw the condition of the interior for the first time; from the photos, it looks to be very well maintained, much like the rest of the vehicle. Being an XT, this Laser is also equipped with power seats, locks and windows, as well as the digital information console above the radio in the dash.
Here you can see the hood louvers that were characteristic of the Turbo models. The Laser wears its original factory paint; as the car had been sitting for some time after its 96-year-old former (and only) owner passed away, it had a fair amount of fading and haze. The current owner states he put about 30 hours of work into compounding and polishing the paint to get it to where it is today. I’d say that was certainly time well spent!
Odometer reading is a tick under 97k, and some recent maintenance includes brand new tires, a cooling system flush, and new valve cover gasket. While this Laser won’t be able to engage you in witty banter (or drive by itself), it certainly looks good enough to make any 80’s Firebird owners green with envy!
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Comments
Dakota = RWD Pick up. Daytona = Laser cousin…
D’OH. Brain fart. You are, of course, correct.
Blame spell check.
Probably hasn’t seen as much salt as the more populated areas of Michigan but still, bring a pair of coveralls for when you’re looking it over.
Ah, the shapely K Car! I thought the best-looking one of the lot was the 1986 C/S version. It looked really good with the wide tires, deep dish rims, and four eyes.
The 1987 and up models were faster with their Turbo II engines but I never really liked that weird droopy front end with the pop up headlights and flat rear taillight panel. It just seemed to cobbled together. This earlier design flows better IMO.
Proof that a K-Car can be sexy!
I had a black 84 LE and a Flash Red XT as demos. The XT with the turbo and better suspension/tire set up was a hoot to drive. I sold it to my brother’s sister-in-law. She was living in Philadelpia and only had on street parking when a drunk driver totaled it.
this car is absolutely stunning but in order for me to want it desperately it would have to have T-tops, Digital dash, and it would have to be bright red. There is a guy here in town that selling one exactly like that for $5,500 or best offer and I still haven’t jumped on that one yet.still, this car is gorgeous!
So what are you waiting for? If you want it and you’re not careful it will be gone. Ask me how I know…
I wanted one of those with a ‘response’ option…
Car voice: ‘Please turn off your lights’
“Response’ option: “Turn of yer own damn lights!’
Lights douse.
How was this cooler then Kitt? Were you drinking at the time you wrote this. Another point. While this car looked OK. It was a under powered car for the kind of car it was. Back at that time I had looked at a few models to buy. This one wasn’t even considered.
I had an 86 CS Turbo Z. Loved that car, but even with the upgraded MOPAR performance computer and some ignition tweaks it was runner but not fast. I loved her on the open roads though. Brings back some great memories.
Love the gold crab style wheels! My fav. Wheel.
Growing up, my best friend’s dad had one of these with the talking function. I thought it was cool until it started telling me what to do. I quickly realized that I was smarter than it when it told me that the door was “a jar.” No car, the door is a door.
My ’13 Chrysler 200 convertible’s message center says the trunk is ajar when it’s open.
In the 80’s, all I wanted was my MTV.
“That ain’t working, that’s the way you do it”
Had a 85 that was red with gray interior. Not a bad car. Talking dash went out. I think it’s was something like $400 ( a lot back then) to get it replaced. 146hp was enough until I drove (and bought) a 89 LeBaron GTC with 174 hp 2.2.
Had a friend who’d received one of these new as his high school graduation present (albeit an early present, as we used it for shenanigans most of senior year).
Things I recall are the voice (his didn’t have leather but did have the voice) and the, for the time, awesome factory stereo with switchable “Bass Boost”, that really just made the rear speakers louder, best as we 17 year olds could tell.
Cars from the 1980s aged by just sitting there, so this is in amazing original condition, especially being in Michigan. Matt Hurst, did you actually call the seller in the ad? Seems to be more info in the write up than CL provides. If so, good on ya!
We corresponded over email, real nice dude. He had one of these back in his teenage years too. I wanted to tell him he should just keep it!
My folks ordered a new 84 Chrysler E class which was a stretched K car. I was a teen and into computers but it took a lot of begging to get them to order the voice alert option. I remember it being a 66 dollar option in 1984. Still think that was cool. Lots of neat stuff available in the 80s. No wonder im bored by the new cars i can now afford that are made now
I can think of many way better cars to be had for 8 grand!
There are MANY to choose from, but not too many of these Lasers around
I’ve always had a soft spot for these, more so the Daytona…very high on my bucket list, and I have my eye on one now but can’t rationalize the transport costs. I used to watch the TV show “Hunter” for no other reason than the Daytona that one of the detectives drove.
It does look very much like my 89 dodge daytona I bought to tinker with! Except I wished mine didn’t have the hidden headlights!
Sargent Dee Dee McCall, 😉 I watched for the same reason!!
i have one of these, that i bought new in ’86. sits in storage, with only 17k miles. willing to sell.