Turbocharged! 1988 Chrysler Conquest TSI
For more than two decades, Chrysler Corp. had a vested interest in Mitsubishi Motors, giving them access to a variety of Japanese-built cars to sell in the U.S. One of those was the Chrysler Conquest, a variant of the Mitsubishi Starion. It was a 1980s turbocharged sports car with seating for four, which included this Conquest TSI from 1988. While on close inspection, the car does have some paint issues but is solid overall. Located in Homer Glen, Illinois, this “Mopar” is available here on eBay where bids of $4,050 are below that of the seller’s reserve.
The first Starion debuted in 1982 and would remain in production until 1989. Chrysler borrowed the car beginning in 1984 selling it as the Conquest at both Dodge and Plymouth dealers until 1986. After that, it wore Chrysler badging through the end of the auto’s run. It had typical engineering of the day, i.e., a front-mounted inline-4 using rear-wheel drive. But it deployed electronic fuel injection, one of the first Japanese cars to do so. Its 2.6-liter engine was equipped with a turbocharger, so the overall output was about 145 hp. Production numbers were never huge, with a little more than 10,000 built for 1988, like the seller’s car.
According to the AutoCheck report provided by the seller, this Conquest has changed hands six times, with the last owner being the seller’s brother. The mileage nets out to 123,000 across two odometers as an instrument cluster change occurred more recently. It comes with an automatic transmission which might be a deterrent to those looking for a Japanese crotch rocket. We’re told it runs well having recently been treated to a tune-up and new fluids.
The paint has been touched up, so it’s not perfect when you look at the front valance. And the clear coat has some issues though the car presents well enough in most of the photos. The interior has undergone a color change from maroon to black (why?). The wheels have been refinished and new tires installed, so it should be ready to rock and roll. When was the last time you saw one of these Chryslers running around town, at least not modified or souped up?
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Comments
“Crotch rocket” means motorcycle, Russ. Otherwise a good report. Thank you!
I always liked the wide body versions of these cars better. These were new when I was in high school and I always liked the style of them. I probably would have considered buying one, but unfortunately I was blessed with a Champaign taste with a Beer wallet lol. This doesnt look too bad. If it goes for a fair price.
I like the widebody versions of these better, as well, thought of them as Japan’s answer to the 944. White is a superb colour on these. I’ve seen a few LS swaps on the internet, which would make these wee machines total beasts to stick your right foot into.
Sir, did you mean “Champagne” or “Champaign” (Illinois) taste?
As a University of Illinois alum, I can assure you that Champaign taste is often beer, and indeed was where I drank my first sample of the brewer’s art.
Never understood why Chrysler didn’t push this car more in adds more than it did
188 hp
My brother had the Plymouth Laser which I believe was Plymouths version of this car. He bought it new only had it a couple months and it blew the head gasket. The dealer fixed it and a couple months later it blew the head gasket again. The dealer fixed it and he had it about 2 weeks and a car came onto his side of the road and hit him head on. He and my cousin were injured but survived. The car did not survive. My brother did say that when it was running it was fast. I can’t say as I never drove it. GLWA
The Laser was the Plymouth version of the Mitsubishi Eclipse, which replaced the Starion/Conquest.
There was also an earlier Chrysler Laser, which was their version of the Dodge Daytona, both with sharp-edged styling more superficially similar to the Starquest.
Cool 80s car, I remember when these were first on the road, and liked them. It would make an interesting pairing with my 2006 Dodge Dakota which has very similar wheel well flares – of course there was a Mitsubishi version of that truck, too, so maybe some of the same designers were involved. Automatic and change of interior from maroon to black lost my interest though.
I had the sister car a Red Eagle Talon Turbo. 5 speed manual.
Thing was as fast or faster than a 5.0 Fox body.
VERY fun car!
I still have one ,1990 eagle talon tsi
Different cars entirely. Eagle Talon was one of the DSM (Diamond-Star Motors) triplets, along with the Plymouth Laser and Mitsubishi Eclipse, all of them FWD or AWD.
Starquests (Starion/Conquest) are an earlier RWD model unrelated to those.
I had a 1980 Starion ST, the highest performance version of the car. It looked good, handled like a go-kart, and went like stink for the day. Once the turbo kicked in, it was quite the rocket.
I have never taken a bigger bath on a car. I found myself in financial straits and couldn’t make the payments. I tried to wholesale it to the dealer. No interest. I tried to wholesale it to other used car dealers. Nope.
Finally, I let the lender repo the car. I thought I was in the clear–until I got a bill for the $2,500 shortfall between the loan balance and what they sold the car for. They actually repossessed my other car when I refused to pay the deficiency.
It was an important lesson learned about recourse car financing!
It’s a shame the car wasn’t more popular. It was a lot of fun while I owned it.
Nice car if the engine/trans isn’t trashed.
How long do the turbochargers on cars like this last? Years ago someone told me 80-90,000 miles before they have to be replaced. True??
Depends how hard u r on them.
I had over 120,000 miles on my Turbo Eagle Talon and it ran fine.
If u redline it all the time it will wear just like any motor.
Thank you!
On older turbos like this, it also helps to let the car idle a minute or two before you turn off the engine, allowing the turbo to cool down and get some cooler oil circulating through it, rather than shutting it off hot and letting the oil coke up in the turbo bearings, tho’ modern synthetic oil can also help with that. There used to be aftermarket “turbo timers” that would hook into the ignition switch wiring and automate this cool-down period for you.
I would need to see detailed undercarriage photos. Cars typically don’t do well in Illinois due to the salt. With all of the surface work done on this one, I get the impression of Kermit’s girlfriend.
OK if this was only badged as a Chrysler after 1986, then what was my friend Dave’s 1989 Dodge Daytona based on?
The mid to late 80’s sure were a confusing time when buying a sporty car from Chryco/Mitsu. There was so much overlap.
You had the Starion / Conquest / ?
Also, the Daytona / Laser (1st version)
And finally the Eclipse / Talon / Laser (2nd version)
I’m probably missing a few.
Because maroon interior sucks. Real men rock black.
SOLD for $8,100.
I remember my 9th grade Latin teacher having a Conquest. I believe his was about the same year, and from what I can recall (this was in 1995, roughly), the car was in amazing condition at 7 years old. It’s the last time I recall seeing one- although I have seen a Starion or two as well throughout my life.