Why We Passed on the 1992 Dodge Stealth for Family Needs

My wife and I almost bought one of these

Having already owned a 1986 Jeep XJ Wagoneer, which I had purchased from my dad, we were looking to add a passenger car. Remember back in the day when mom and dad had a station wagon and a car? Well, fast-forward to the early 90s. Being that we still got the employee discount from dad working at American Motors, now owned by Chrysler, we were now Mopar people. In the showroom sat this bright red 92 Dodge Stealth, and we loved it. But then common sense took hold. I hate when that happens. As we were planning on starting a family, the backseat in the Stealth was tiny, and we ended up driving home with a Dodge Intrepid. This week’s spot is a cherry example that I discovered a couple of weekends ago in Green Bay, WI, at the Automobile Gallery’s Red Lewis Community Car Show.

The Stealth came to be via a partnership between Chrysler and Mitsubishi, going way back to the beginning of the 1970s with cars like the Mitsubishi-built Dodge Colt. The partnership was going so well that in1985, they formed Diamond-Star Motors and built a factory in Normal, Illinois, about 30 minutes from Peoria where I used to live. Out of it came models like the Mitsubishi Eclipse/Eagle Talon/Plymouth Laser and Mitsubishi Starion/Chrysler Conquest. After Mitsubishi unveiled its new GTO platform, called the 3000GT in the United States, Chrysler’s version was badged as the Dodge Stealth and built in Japan.

Almost identical to the 3000GT, the high-performance version was packed with the same cutting-edge stuff. Called the R/T Twin Turbo, it was powered by the same twin turbocharged, twin intercooled DOHC 3.0-liter V-6 as the Mitsubishi that made over 300 hp. It also had the full-time all-wheel drive and four-wheel steering systems that made the 3000GT a technical marvel in the early 1990s. While it weighed almost as much as a contemporary BMW 7-Series, the Stealth’s high power and torque combined with the all-wheel drive allowed it to blast from 0-60 mph in a little over five seconds, do the quarter-mile in under 14 seconds, and go on to a limited top speed of 155 mph.

Car and Driver tested the car against the Nissan 300ZX Turbo and said that they’d rather have the Nissan, but it was a very close fight, and the cars turned identical times on the Chrysler test track. They also noted that where the Stealth R/T could really shine was in the track’s quick esses. Transmitting its power through all four wheels, the Stealth simply exploded from corner to corner on the series of short straights.”

It had a lot to offer, but the Stealth just did not sell as well as had been expected, with most buyers choosing the Mitsubishi version, and the model was discontinued in 1996. These cars are super-cheap to pick up now. Many in good shape can be found for around 5 grand, with the turbo version valued by Hagerty in #3 Good condition, just over 17 large, with the 3000GT just a bit more. Not too bad for so much fun. There are rumors that Dodge is reviving the nameplate as a midsize SUV to eventually replace the Durango. The new Dodge Stealth is being prepped as a two-row, five-passenger crossover to compete directly in the mid-size SUV segment. A lot is going on now at Stellantis now that Carlos Tavares is gone and a new management team is in place, so we’ll see.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out this week’s spot. What do you think? Comment, Like, Share, and come back next Sunday for another one of my finds along with some of its history. Have a great weekend, hope you had a good 4th of July, and a super week ahead.