1988 Chrysler LeBaron GTS 2.2 turbo

Summary:

Great running and riding car for little bucks

Faults:

Head at 150,000 (cracked between valves).

Radiator replaced.

Headlight motor replaced.

Driver's rear window regulator replaced.

Roof frame replaced with a '94 setup.

Replaced water pump at 100,000 when belts changed.

Calipers were changed every 3 years (seized).

Muffler replaced once.

General Comments:

Absolutely loved the car. Drove to the West Coast 3 times alone at 700 miles per day, and felt relaxed at the end.

Ran Mobil 1 plus extra filtration with the original turbo still on the car.

Highway mileage was 26-28 mpg at 70 mph.

Had to give up driving due to health reasons, or I'd still be driving it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd October, 2011

10th Jun 2012, 20:53

You must have had a GTC... J body Lebaron GTS do not have motorized headlights.

1988 Chrysler LeBaron 2.5L

Summary:

For a 23 year old car with over 200,000 Km, I couldn't be more pleased

Faults:

The only things that I can see that have failed on this car is the ragtop, and radiator. But that can be expected where we live.

General Comments:

This car has a very nice steering touch.

Shifting takes a little to get use to, but it's clean and smooth.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th August, 2011

1988 Chrysler LeBaron Convertible 2.2 turbo

Summary:

Built like a tank, fun to drive!

Faults:

Head light doors are stuck open.

Power antenna does not always retract, the motor works, the antenna track is worn.

Engine drips oil, so I park it on cardboard in my garage. I cannot find the leak.

Digital speedometer works intermittently.

General Comments:

I bought this car for $200.00 dollars. I drive it everyday 45 miles round trip to work and on weekends. I do not drive it in bitter cold winter or in the snow.

This has been a very good car for me.

City/highway combined of 25 mpg.

Highway 30 mpg at 65 miles an hour.

The 2.2 still has a little power thanks to the turbo.

Does not burn oil, change the oil every 2500 miles. (I keep the oil clean because of the turbo.)

Fun car to drive!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th July, 2010

25th Feb 2012, 19:30

I have a 1988 Chrysler LeBaron. I'm having trouble with headlight doors and the gauge cluster not working... Do I have a short?

1988 Chrysler LeBaron Convertible 2.5 aspirated

Summary:

This is the best car ever, and it still looks like new! Not bad for it's 22nd year

Faults:

During the second year of owning this car, the passenger side front brakes wore down and a scraping noise forced me to replace the pads. The fault was caused by corrosion on the slider.

Year three saw the cruise control stop working, which the dealer found to be from corrosion.

The MAP sensor failed in about 1998, but the car allowed me to cripple into a service station about 12 miles away. (Cost about $100)

Had to replace the muffler for the first time after about 10 years.

The driver side back seat window cable broke in about 2002 and cost $900 to replace. (I did the replacement myself)

Windshield wipers lost their intermittent function, at about 15 years old. I find that this will work after about 15 minutes of use so it must be corrosion again, probably the ground wire.

The radiator has had to be replaced or rebuilt about every 7 years.

Presently I am having trouble with rough idling, have replaced the plugs, wires and rotor but to no avail. Next will be to check out the EGR valve and the MAP sensor. This is how I found this site (looking for advice).

The first brake job, other than previously mentioned, was done on the front brakes this past March. The mechanic says the rears are still good (oh how I wish we could still get asbestos brakes).

General Comments:

I bought this car new in November 1987, when I ordered it and took delivery on the first working day of 1988.

This has probably been the best car that I have ever owned, mainly due to the fact that, although I live in Southern Canada where they use a lot of salt on the roads, this car has never been Winter driven and is always parked in a none heated garage.

The car has been well cared for and never experienced any type of accident. The integrity of the body is immaculate, although I did have body repair done to the lower door sills on both sides.

I have never replaced the top and it is still in showroom condition.

All in all, it has been a pleasure, and it still is to drive this vehicle, which I plan on doing for many years to come.

I have done mainly all my own work on this car unless it gets into areas out of my own knowledge.

The main advice that I can provide is that should you be looking for your dream car, then always protect it from the elements and have a beater vehicle that you can use for the days you are unable to use and enjoy your dream.

You just wouldn't believe the compliments that I still get when driving this car!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th August, 2009

17th Aug 2009, 15:40

Nice cars, but I would think you should have got the 2.6 hemi as it's a better engine.