This 1991 Dodge Stealth R/T Turbo is a rare unmodified example of one of these early 90s sports cars in a desirable color. The twin-turbocharged coupe is more often referred to by its sibling’s nameplate which is the Mitsubishi 3000 GT. Both models are darlings of the sport compact car scene in the 90s, but were also seen as slightly more formidable than the Acura Integra or VW GTI, slotting in between those cars and the more exclusive Nissan 300ZX and Mazda RX-7 of the same era. No matter where you think it slots, finding one in bone-stock condition is a small miracle. Find the Stealth here on eBay where it’s offered with no reserve.
The current bid price of $5,000 seems light by a few grand at the moment, but given the Stealth has some mechanical concerns that could be bigger than expected once you start digging in, it’s not as surprising that bidding hasn’t eclipsed the five-figure threshold yet. The Stealth looks sharp in Royal Blue paint, which is a factory color we see far less frequently than white, red, or black. The twist-style alloy wheels were among my favorite OEM designs of this time period, and they look better than most any aftermarket wheels you could throw at this turbocharged coupe. The seller notes he is the third owner.
The interior is in good shape, and the minor flaws seem to be in keeping with a car of this vintage with 140,000 miles on the clock. The black leather buckets are in good order and appear to still provide plenty of bolster support. The listing claims the Stealth has been garage-kept since 2001 and that the air conditioning, power windows, and radio all still work. The factory floor mats look fairly clean as well. The seller confirms there are some rock ships on the exterior and an area of thinning clearcoat on the trunk lid, but that there is no rust on the Stealth.
Now, the mechanical issues are fairly straightforward repairs. One of them is just a case of deferred maintenance but a must-do job, which is that of the timing belt. The seller reports that the age of the belt dictates it should be replaced according to manufacturer guidelines, even though there is a record for a timing belt job at 98,000 miles. The more concerning issue is that the gearbox grinds gear, and the seller suspects it is due to a bad synchronizer – but unfortunately, you won’t really know for sure until you dive into the repair. There are some oil leaks as well, but there’s also documentation that indicates the clutch and flywheel, exhaust system, and ECU have all been replaced in the past. A car with some needs, but wholly worthy of addressing.
I love these Japanese Bubble Economy era cars, so interesting. With respect to this car though, I have read several places that it is very hard to find someone willing to work on them.
In 2010, my kids had all finished college and had jobs, and so, with no more tuition payments I got “the biggest raise of my life”, and had the cash to buy a toy. This (or the Mitsubisi twin) was what I was looking for. There were not many around, but found one in CA that was in great shape, but the logistics were not good. An MD friend told me that he had had one, it was a great car but not reliable, and expensive, labor wise, to fix, but better at that than the Jag, and Porsche he had owned, and now had a Ford Mustang 5.0 which did not handle as well, but, had very few problems, and was inexpensive to buy, and most important, to repair. And unlike the others, in our geography, there was a dealer who knew how. The Dodge dealer’s service department was lost with the Stealth since it was really mostly a Mitsubisi. So, according to the MD, a great car to drive, a toy, since when it breaks you wait for a part and mechanics who know how to fix it are hard to find.
Jeff Lavery, not sure where you found
” there is a record for a timing belt job at 98,000 miles”. I would think a lucky few have gone further than that.
The current timing belt on this car has only 40k miles on it.
The ’91 3000gt(basically the same car) owner’s manual says to change the belt every 60k miles, tho i waited until 80k miles – when the water pump started leaking – always do both at the same time – & pulleys!
Mine is an automatic & i do not rev the engine that much – wonder if that would affect timing belt life.
The Mitz owner’s manual says nothing about how OFTEN IN YEARS to change the timing belt, THO IT DOES SAY TO CK THE BELT FOR CRACKS, WEAR & OIL CONTAMINATION.
CAN YOU ACTUALLY CK THE CONDITION OF THE TIMING BELT ON THESE CARS WITH DOHC V6 WITHOUT ANY(OR A LOT OF) PARTS DISASSEMBLY?
I wonder if the RUBBER QUALITY of replacement timing belts for these cars has actually improved since ’91, allowing longer change intervals – maybe up to 100K miles, like on more recent cars – other makes?
Quality of timing belts varies hugely! Only use OEM. I once had to junk a 2002 Subaru Outback because the replacement timing belt failed with only 30,000 miles on it. The previous owner’s mechanic had used a cheap Chinese-made NAPA kit.
If I bought a car with an interference engine and I wasn’t 100% sure what belt kit was in it, I would redo it regardless. Many mechanics use auto parts store junk.
great advice, i bought a 2005 1.8t VW GTI and couldn’t tell if the belt was newer, so I used a OEM belt and water pump/tensioner and while it looked as if the parts had been changed I can rest assured now, as a timing belt failure is bad time
Now you got me wondering if even a new CURRENT “genuine OEM” Mitsubishi replacement timing belt for this Stealth is worse, same, or better quality than the timing belt this car came with when it was brand new in ’91.
Many AC Delco parts are now made in China!
I know for sure that tires made in the late ’90s are much better quality rubber than they are now! I’ve seen modern BRAND NAME tires with big cracks in the tread & sidewall after just 5 yrs – while my late 90’s 235-60r-15 OWL Cordovan Grand Prix Radial GT SHOP tires are still crack free! Go figure.
Is this the engine that has the lifter problem, I seem to remember an episode of Wheeler Dealers where Ant dove into one with a “tick” problem and the fix was an improved lifter, If I am remembering correctly
Anyways, I did always like/want one of these……
I always wondered why Mitsu and the Chrysler Michigan and Illinois merger to build these didn’t work? They were at least as good as their peers and usually had more power. The early ’80’s Turbo Colt was scary fast if you weren’t expecting the acceleration. First car I ever drove with A008 Yoko tires.
I think because from ’91 to 99 the 3000gt got way more & more expensive for basically the same car & sales dropped. The stealth lasted only until ’95 when i guess that mitsubishi-dodge(chrysler) relationship was severed.
I am amazed the driver’s leather seat on this car is not cracked after 140k miles, unless it was reupholstered.
stealths were built till 97
sorry 96 they were between 91 and 96. there was a total of all combined models built of 65,303 of which 9,651 were R\T TT, 15,569 R/T, 681 R/T luxury, I think 16,321 ES, and 23,081 base models. Those R/T luxuries ought to be worth a mint.
It was a joint venture called Diamondstar Motors in Normal, Illinois. The Stealth and 3000GT were not part of the program. It was the Eagle Talon, Plymouth Laser and Mitsubishi Eclipse originally.
Mitsubishi didn’t want to pony up for the redesign costs for the next generation so Chrysler said see you later.
BTW, theEclipse convertible was actually designed by Chrysler engineers in Auburn Hills
See
its worth the replacement cause if she goes on you you will bend the valves on her. had it happen on mine made me wish i hadn’t tried getting extra 15,000 miles before changing it.