Find: 89 Spirit Turbo for $500, good deal?

[burnt_toast]

Found this one locally on craigslist:
"car is only 120000 miles interior is in good shape ruuns and drive good .. only need reg. and inspection"

How reliable are Spirits at this age and mileage? Would it make a good cheap turbo project car? Is there even an aftermarket for these?

I currently have an auto 96 v6 Dodge Avenger and its got a recent transmission leak at about the same mileage, if that Spirit is auto how well will the transmission hold up for future mileage?

This car just caught my eye because it looks like there is some potential for a cheap turbo sleeper.

Please let me know what you guys think! Thanks.

[RJ138]

A running and driving car for 500 bucks, sounds like a good deal to me!

[RJ138]

Quote:

Originally Posted by burnt_toast Found this one locally on craigslist: "car is only 120000 miles interior is in good shape ruuns and drive good .. only need reg. and inspection" How reliable are Spirits at this age and mileage? Would it make a good cheap turbo project car? Is there even an aftermarket for these? I currently have an auto 96 v6 Dodge Avenger and its got a recent transmission leak at about the same mileage, if that Spirit is auto how well will the transmission hold up for future mileage? This car just caught my eye because it looks like there is some potential for a cheap turbo sleeper. Please let me know what you guys think! Thanks.

Fairly reliable and parts are pretty cheap. It would make a fine turbo project car. There is an aftermarket for them, its not huge but these cars respond well to cheap mods. The trannys are decent, the governers tend to stick but the tranny holds up pretty well to more power.

[burnt_toast]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJ138 Fairly reliable and parts are pretty cheap. It would make a fine turbo project car. There is an aftermarket for them, its not huge but these cars respond well to cheap mods. The trannys are decent, the governers tend to stick but the tranny holds up pretty well to more power.

Great info! Appreciate the quick reply, I will try to check it out today if possible. Thanks!

[Turbo-Baron]

A stock turbo spirit wold spank your avanger. GET IT!. They are very easy and cheap to mod.

[burnt_toast]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbo-Baron A stock turbo spirit wold spank your avanger. GET IT!. They are very easy and cheap to mod.

Awesome, got to test drive it today and I must say.. the turbo sounds awesome. Jerks you back pretty nicely from a roll too, gonna go back tomorrow to try to pick it up.

Oh and RJ138 what did you mean by governer tends to stick? I think I experienced this: Flooring it in 1st gear it would bounce off rev limiter, then shifted once I let off, was that the governer sticking?

I will update tomorrow and let yall know how it goes.

Here's some pics of this beast.

[turbomini]

SWEET get it! i can get one like that in my town buts a pile they never take care of it! but they want 1000 for it!!!

[burnt_toast]

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbomini SWEET get it! i can get one like that in my town buts a pile they never take care of it! but they want 1000 for it!!!

Thanks, I will see how it goes. She would have to make a long trip back home since its in another city.. wish me luck

[sleeperspirit]

man looks good, i bet it will look great after you clean it

[Thomas Hand]

My 89 turbo spirit has 232,000 miles on it now. I took the original trans out at 218,000 'cause I had new 92 turbo lockup I wanted to use. The original head dropped a seat at 181,000 but no other things have stranded me on it. Swapped starter at 200,000 because I had a spare and I had to rebuild original alternator at 190,000 but it is back on. Awesome car combination if only the paint would have held up. When I had the head off to swap gaskets last week, the original hone marks are still in all four cylinders. Mine is by far the ugliest grey/rust car on the road but with a LU trans, it gets great mileage. Love to find another one, in white this time.
Tom

[Turbo-Baron]

Wow that thing looks really clean!. You will have alot of fun with it lol. On another note the auto trannies tend to blow up after going over stock boost. I was running my car at 10psi (Wich is only a couple pounds over stock). My tranny lasted about 2-3 months. Try not to brake boost to much and you should be ok.

[oklamopar]

If you dont buy it let me or MoparFwdSleeper know....

[sleeperspirit]

Theres a 89 turbo acclaim down here i wanted to buy awhile ago and the guy still has it he told me i could have it for 400 bux like 2 years ago and it runs and drives.. i might buy it if he kept the title (owns a salvage yard)

[burnt_toast]

Just want to update everyone, this car is now sitting outside my house!

More details coming soon.

[turbomini]

hey burnt toast now you should redo your "my ride" thing!!

ok i got to ask whats up with that name? its freaking great!!