Tell me about StarQuests

I'm selling the Probe GT and am really thinking about selling the KLZE swapped MX-3 car too. I really I like the looks of the Conquest/Starions. Would one be a DD? I do all my own mechanical stuff, tell me what to look for...

Dan, If the car is sorted out it wouldn't be a terrible DD. The problem is if something breaks you may not find what's needed in a parts store. Another thing to note is it's better to use OE replacement parts. Many parts on the aftermarket have parts designed for the NA 2.6. Fuel economy isn't the greatest & it has a 19.4 gallon tank

I've owned mine for 2 years now, due to it needed rot repair I'm moving on. Eventually I'll find a rust free one, just not in New England. When I purchased it the first thing I did was address the cooling system. Overheating was the main killer of these. Also make sure the injectors don't leak. Every OE one will start leaking. Lower Shores Performance offers replacements. Air dams cracked on the showroom floor & the fetch good money these days.

Prices on these cars are generally all over the board but have started to rise lately. Personally I'd avoid a modified car, small upgrades may be ok.

This group will be your savior on all things SQ. http://www.starquestclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=66449#entry765192

Love me some StarQuest, it's on my short list, don't think I'd DD it, but as a fun 2nd car, heck yeah!

I thought this thread was going to be about reality TV shows with obnoxious parents bickering with their children's dance instructor.

The only car that is more 80s than a Starquest is a Delorean. I've always liked the way they look.

My advice would be to go a bit further south and buy one complete and running car as well as two or three complete non-rusty parts cars. They might show up in junkyards from time to time as people realize they are never going to get around to their project and want to clean up the yard, but I wouldn't count on it.

In reply to Brett_Murphy:

In 15 years I've only come across one in the junkyards around my way, and that car was picked clean. The enthusiasts are key for getting used parts off of.

I owned an 89' Conquest. Look for the ones with the SHP, they have wider wheels and adjustable suspension. Save your pennies, parts are rare and expensive for them. As mentioned before, Starquestclub.com is the best place for these cars. Pretty good community. I'm not much good for info on the engine, I tossed the 2.6L in favor of a 351-W Ford V8. See my screenname? Damn good looking cars.

I think that pretty well sums it up

yamaha wrote: I think that pretty well sums it up

That's because the more you own the more awesome you are. It's a proven fact. Box flares have a tendency to do that.

In reply to MA$$hole:

I thought it was where all the DSM's learned their tricks from.........and why you had to own 3+ just to keep one on the road.

prices are going up, a few years ago I saw SHP's in decent shape for $1000-1500. needed work but thats not a bad price. lately anything I've seen that didn't need rot repair or a drivetrain was $2500 or more.

I have seen plenty in junkyards but mainly when I lived in houston, TX (lots more rwd down there). Only seen one here around Dc.

Very rarely see them driving anymore. They are almost all projects, sorta seem to appeal to the same people as smokey and the bandit era trans ams. The kind of people that "work on em" and "hop em up" but never really take the time or money to do anything like a restoration or a proper engine build. lol. I predict good original ones will continue to gain value as the posterchild of an era.

FWIW, there's a pile of nice ones on ATL CL right now. Seems like it happens that way, then they all dry up for a couple years. Get 'em while the gettin's good! I love these cars. YES they SCREAM 80's! My brother had one in almost every available color (red, white, black, silver and blue.) I have a soft spot for them.

i worked at a mitsu dealer when the widebody came out ('86? '87?). they would spin the tires on the 1-2 and chirp the 2-3. haven't driven one since, but they seem like they'd be a hoot. i think for fixability you might be better turbocharging the celica GT-S of the same era.

The guy I bought my 3000gt vr4 from had a lt4 powered starion. It was wicked sounding and fast, that is all I know...

Folks from Starquestclub are watching this thread. We are very happy to see interest in our commonly forgotten turbo coupe.

They are fun cars, but can have their share of issues. Rarity of parts and abuse/neglect from previous owners has made many of the cars out there basketcases that can only be restored to running order with a lot of patience.

A solid car though can be kept up decently well. As with most cars, buy the best one you can afford.

Don't do what I did. I bought an '86 that barely ran for $1200 then spent 6 years and thousands in getting it back on its feet. In poking around and piecing its history together I found had passed though 4 people who never bothered to re-title it. It had a grand total of 6 electrical issues and 3 show stopping mechanical issues. I probably could have bought a good one for a thousand more and driven it the past 6 years, rather than have a cool box fendered driveway sculpture.

Mine got solidly back on the road 2 weeks ago after a complete rebuild. Running properly it is a very fun car. They have a thick powerband that tends to be right where you want it for driveability; But the top end tends not to offer much. Think of them as a Japanese Musclecar.

They are awesome.

In 2009 I bought an '86 with 60,000 miles on it. Super clean minus a busted window switch and a dent in the passenger door - I talked the guy down to $1200. I DD'd it for a year and sold it for $2k.

Deals are out there from time to time, but there's just as many folks who think their non-running example is worth $5k. Hold out for a stock one.

Edit: Photo of it in my avatar. Funnest car I have owned to date, can't wait to get another one of these days.

I will say one thing about the Starquest that hasnt been said yet, and frankly a lot of people who ALREADY own them could stand to hear it:

LEARN HOW THE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM WORKS BEFORE YOU MODIFY IT.

Ok, im done.

How about appearance items on them. Does anyone make a repro urethane front air damn? How about window and door seals? I've been contemplating getting one of these myself after I finish rebuilding my '91 Camaro.

I saw one for sale locally by the road last year and it was all kinds of tore up and the guy wanted like 3000$ . All different colors, front spoiler was busted and dragging but It did have a neon orange tow hook and stickers so I guess the guy must have Thot it was a sweet drift car lol. That poor car

I lustfully desire one of these. I'd want to cram some sort of V8 into it, though. 90% of the time, the ones I've come across are rotted or riced out, typically both.

This one in particular makes my pants shrink. It's semi local, and I'm pretty sure the owner would have to pull me off of the box flares with a 20ft long prybar. http://www.modified.com/features/modp-1112-1988-chrysler-conquest-tsi/

The only experience I've had with them is the one I built for 24hrs of Lemons. It's an absolute riot, but probably doesn't have much in common with a street car at this point. That said, I was very impressed with the car. The Starion was kind of the red- headed step child of sports coups back in the day. Too heavy, with a truck based motor. One thing I noticed when tearing it apart was that it was a very well built car. The interior was high quality, if somewhat funky. Great seats. The engine is crude, buy very capable if you accept it for what it is. Large amounts of torque can be had, but don't expect a screamer. Driving the race car makes me want a street version. There have been plenty of 4G63 swaps ( I believe it was even stock in some cars in other markets ), but I think a V8 swap suits it's muscle car character. Still one of my favorite cars to look at.