In the realm of “under appreciated early 1990s performance cars” the Dodge Spirit R/T is close to the top of the list. You are looking at the quickest four door mass-produced car in the world in 1991 and 1992. Making over 220hp from the 3rd iteration of the famed Mopar turbo four banger engine, it ran 14.5s in the quarter mile, pulled .80G on the skidpad and only game with a five speed stick. The cars also sold for less than $20,000. 1,208 of these freaky fast cars were made and this is one of them, perhaps the nicest used one we have ever seen. Yes, it has fresh paint but even the interior and ancillary stuff looks brandy new.
Did we mention to you that the asking price for this seemingly freshened car is less than $4,000?!
These cars were not without issue. The timing belt will need replacement every 40,000 miles if it makes it that far. The engine is noninterference so it is more annoying than damaging but it is an achilles heel. The top speed of the car was just over 140mph. The car’s ride was not harsh as the improvements to the suspension were not as radical as some of the other specialty cars that Chrysler made over the years. You could cruise this thing across the country getting decent mileage and in comfort.
The ad for this car is really good in the sense that it has multiple photos, it explains the car in good depth, and it goes over all the mechanical stuff the seller has done. If you don’t buy this car by the time the week ends…we will.
Craigslist Find: This 1991 Dodge Spirit R/T 5-speed is incredibly clean
The Oklahoma State Police used these on the turnpikes. They hauled ass…
Looks like fun for the price actually
Our dealership had one of these back when I sold cars (91-95). I don’t exactly know how we ended up with it, as we were a Plymouth store. We tried everything to find a new home for it, and I think our RV parts manager bought it when it had well over 600 days on the clock. Spirit/Acclaims were underappreciated sedans. They rode a little tight, but were very buttoned down. That R/T was a fun ride for sure. Roomy, fast, and very easy on gas.