I'm looking at getting an 88 Chrysler Conquest TSI for $3000. I want it to DD because gas is at upwards of $4 a gallon. The car is clean looking, no rust and the paint looks pretty good. I've always wanted a DSM despite all of the complaints I hear about them being unreliable. I just want a car that'll be a rocket without guzzling gas. The AWD is also a huge selling point for me. If you are an owner of a DSM, let me know if I should look at this car and if there is anything I should know about them. Thanks in advance.

 

im a mitsu guy. I have had an eagle talon, and an original mitsu mirage turbo. and am the owner of 2 galant vr4s, of only 2k made. and am currently looking at picking up a mighty max and/or another mirage.

the conquest isnt AWD, so id like to go ahead and blow you major point right up right away. how ever you can pick up a true DSM (what is considered a 90-99 eclipse/talon/laser) in good condition for 3k. if you get one with dsmlink, or buy it afterward, you can tune the car to get 40 mpgs, while still keeping a smile on your face.

 

I always thought the starquest tsi's had AWD. Thank you for correcting me. I'm definitely down to get a talon or something but I really love the design of the conquest. The body lines are great looking.

 

they also tend to be more expensive, while being an older/outdated design on top of NOT having the coveted 4g63 engine. I also like the conquest, but you should only get one for that reason. If you want a good looking project car, or if you have to have rwd. because for any other reason a dsm will be better. they are cheaper, handle better, get better mpgs, more power, weigh less, AWD, faster, newer and much easier to work on. but the starion/conquest have MUCH more class. kinda like an old school supra or nissan Z.

but you will never be mistaken for paul walker driving this

 

My son Jay is on here, https://www.cherokeeforum.com/members/zjay-34615/
and he's building one with 500+ HP.

 

all i have to say to that is GIVE ME YOUR GLH!

 

I would reccomend a starion myself. If you have the chance to get one do it, Hopefully it has the 5-speed though because I always asumed that they'd be a fun little touring car so mind as well have a tranny to match it. I also would reccomend a turbo eclipse, You can get some pretty good power out of them if you tune them right and if you have to have a turbo. And to mountaineerjeff what year are you're VR4's? I've wanted one for a long time.

 

not any more THANK GOD

 

I guess your not a good Mitsu guy then, man. You actually suck.

DSM stands for Diamond Star Motors, a joint venture between Mitsu and Chryco.

The Talon, Eclipse, and Laser weren't the only DSMs. They just happen to be the more popular "fanboi" rides. You know, the guys who like them to be cool. Someone who would seem similar to yourself.

Anyway, a DSM is any car that the two companies shared. Since the chrysler conquest is the same as the station, its is indeed a 'true' DSM. So are the 3kgt's and the Dodge stealth RT. All DSMs.

As for reliability, it depends on the car.

They were so easy to hack together by losers who wanted to be cool, almost everyone who got one didn't build it with any quality. So when their hacked ride falls apart or breaks they blame the car not quite realizing its their fault.

I guess the only true part there is the non awd part. The starion is really RWD.

 

^lol you have to remember that we arent on a mitsu website so therefor we have to go by a different set of vocabulary. 99% of people when you say DSM they mean TEL. I clarified that. the other thing you are forgeting is that DIamond Star Motors refers to the manufacturing of the car at which also only applies to the TEL which where all made here in the US. unlike the starion/conquest that were built in over seas and shipped here. I know more about mitsus than you do about the back of your own hand. so next time you want want to get in a pissing contest ask around before you find out the hard way that I have the harder swinging ckoc.

I was trying to simplify it for a non mitsu enthusiast, not supply false info.




both of my vr4s are 91 nile black models, one with a sunroof one without.

and I would def go eclipse over starion, you will double your cost to get equal reliability and even then the eclipse will way out perform the starion


1 is my first one without a sunroof, then my one with a sunroof. the sunroof and type of head unit were the only 2 options available. on top of only 2000 being made, there were white, green, and then grey offered as color options. these are def 2/under 250 left of the black ones

 

The starion, to the right person, and in good condition, would be worth more.

They also share the 4G63 platform.

 

Uh..No.

 

I would love to have a VR4 myself. To bad there so damn rare and half the ones I do find are missing an engine and transmission. Some day I'll find one. That or a 3000GT VR4, anyway to the op I think A starion would be a much better option then an eclipse (less of a girls car IMO) and if they're cleaned up are fun to drive from what i've herd.

 

Try and reword your post however you want. DSM is the joint venture, not just one car. The true DSMs were all cars built by both MFGs. PERIOD.

 

first I didnt reword anything I just dumbed it down for you.

second you are wrong. true DSMs are only cars built by DSM not rebadged cars.

the cars such as the starion and summit were imported by the chrysler corporation then rebadged. they are not part of DSM. in 1982 the government made a restriction on the number of japanese imports. so chrylser and mitsu formed DSM in 1985. then they built the plant in IL in 1986. then they made the TELs until 1993 when Mitsubishi bought chrysler back out, and renamed Mistubishi Motors Manufacturing America. cars before DSM actually have a badge that say "Imported for Dodge/Chrysler/Plymouth"

If one doesnt know then it never hurts to ask, but whenever you contradict me, that alone makes you instantly wrong. Oh and they also do not have 4g63s either so once again thanks for making yourself more wrong. they were only released in the US (where the OP is) with a 2.6l other markets did get a SOHC 4g63, but thats not here.


to the OP, you will have much more money in a starion to have a good DD. which is what I thought the question was. If you like the starion then by all means pick one up, I would love one. But you are paying for the looks, and thats it.