A Little Information About The Stealth...
The Dodge Stealth is an impressive automobile which boasts sleek styling and brandishes an aggressive shape. These cars incorporated some of the latest automotive technology available in the '90s which is put to good use when demonstrating its performance potential. Although often compared to sports cars, the Dodge Stealth is a grand touring 2+2 seater sport coupe which has but one drawback: a weight disadvantage. This, of course, is more than compensated for with ample acceleration and braking power.
Built in Nagoya, Japan by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, the Dodge Stealth is the twin to the Mitsubishi GTO, or 3000GT as it is commonly known here in the United States. Although the body styling is unique to the Stealth and was designed by Dodge, at the time of it's production Chrystler was in financial dire straights so most of the car was engineered and built by Mitsubishi.
In 1991, its first year of production, the Dodge Stealth was available in four trim levels: Base, ES, R/T and R/T Twin Turbo. It was initially released with these various configurations to satisfy the individual tastes and budgets of a wide range of sports car enthusiasts. The Base Stealth powertrain, which was available until 1995, is a 3.0-liter, SOHC, 12-valve V6 that produces 164 horsepower at 5,500 rpm. The Stealth ES, which was available until 1993, and the R/T increases that level of performance with a 3.0-liter, DOHC, 24-valve V6 that delivers 222 horsepower at 6,000 rpm. A 3.0-liter DOHC twin turbocharged V6 with 320 horsepower (300 horsepower for 1991-1993 models) does 0-60 mph in a very impressive 5.3 seconds.
Safety features include the availability of anti-lock brakes as either standard or optional equipment across the entire Dodge Stealth lineup. The Stealth includes standard driver-side air bags in all models made to date and passenger-side airbags in all models produced after 1993. The Dodge Stealth's comfort and convenience features include standard air conditioning (switched to R-134a in 1994), an available tailgate wiper/washer, power windows and door locks, speed control, a security alarm, and a remote keyless entry system which became available in 1993. Front low-back bucket seats with recliners and height adjustment are standard on all Stealth models. Leather seats are optional on R/T and R/T Turbo models.
In late 1995, it was announced that the Dodge Stealth would no longer be produced after 1996 due to the rising value of the yen and slow sales. A 1996 model was not available in Canada and production was very limited in the United States. All told, this car is destined to become a collector's item for automotive enthusiasts.
I was looking for something a little sportier in a vehicle other than a van, four-door sedan, or some other family oriented looking vehicle. All my ex-girlfriends and wives either had Z/28s or TransAms while I continued to putt around town on either one of my scooters or in one of my vans. Don’t get me wrong, I got to drive the cars almost every time we’d go out as a couple, but I really hadn’t had a sports car I could call my own since I sold my ’69 Camaro back in the mid ‘70s, and by gosh, it was time for a change.
I test drove several early to late '80 model Corvettes as well as a few early ‘90 model Stealths that were at some of the local dealerships... can you say overpriced? Although the Vettes were pretty sweet, I really liked the way the Stealth looked and handled. I had already gone through “The Hotrod Years” so I didn’t see any need for the Twin Turbo version. All I was really after was something quick, reliable, and that could dart in and out of traffic without too much effort. And although the non-turbo only had 220 horses from the factory, it could still do the ¼ mile in about 15 seconds as well as run up to speeds in excess of 155 mph (I’ve had mine a little over 135 mph while racing and outrunning a late model 5.0 Mustang GT on the highway). Not too shabby for a 6 cylinder.
After I had done enough research on these cars and came to the conclusion that I could do most of the required maintanance work myself, I proceeded with the task of actually locating one that would suit my needs. I wanted the 1st generation R/T body style (which ran from ’91 through ’93) because of the factory ground effects dams and side skirts it came with, the dark emerald green exterior color, and with as little miles as possible on a car that old. I searched high and low on the Internet for a few months, from Maine to California, but in the end I found one being sold by an individual right here in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.
It was owned by a couple from the Philippians who had been in the U.S for some time. They were selling everything they had in order to move back to their home country. The car was hers (he had already sold his Miata) and only had 38,000 miles on it. Except for a few minor nicks and scratches on the paint, and a little wear on the drivers side seat from getting in and out of the car, it was in excellent shape. This car appeared to have every option available for a '93 non-turbo except the sun roof. Under the hood was a bone stock, never been tampered with motor sitting in a clean as a whistle engine bay. They were asking $10,300 for it, I pulled out $9,300 in cash, and 30 minutes later I was driving it home.
Current Upgrades & Modifications to My 1993 R/T...
List of OEM Options It Came With... 3.0 Liter Double Over Head Cam (DOHC) 24 Valve V6 with Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI), 4 Speed Automatic Transaxle (ATX) with Front Wheel Drive (FWD), Dark Emerald Green Exterior, Dark Charcol Gray Interior with Leather Bucket Seats and Steering Wheel, Driver's Side Power Seat and Air Bag, Power Windows, Power Door Locks, Keyless Entry and Security Alarm System, Power Sport Mirrors with Defrosters, Power Assisted Rack and Pinion Steering with Tilt Column, Automatic Speed Control (ASC), Electronic Control Suspension (ECS), Anti-Lock Disc Brakes (ABS), Automatic Climate Control with LED Display, AM/FM Stereo/Cassette/6 Disk CD Changer with Power Antenna, Driver and Passenger Map Lights, Rear Window Defroster, Rear Window Wiper/Washer, Rear Spoiler, Fog Lamps, Alloy Wheels
