The motor blew very shortly after we got it at about 120,000 miles. I heard that this is common with the turbocharged 2.5Ls with this many miles. Replaced it with a rebuilt one at a hefty $3,000.
We bought this car used from a neighbor for about $2,000 dollars with about 119,000 miles on it. The body and interior was and is in excellent shape.
This car is fun, but not very economic for around town. It's turbo charged motor sucks a lot of gas. It gets about 16 miles per gallon in the city because of all the stopping. This car is better suited for the open roads where there is less stopping and accelerating. The non-turbo charged 2.5L motor would be much more efficient for around town.
The wide body and the wide tires on this car offer excellent handling.
The turbo charged motor puts about 150 base horse power. This makes the car very quick and will very likely make it the needle on the speedometer go off the scale at 125 miles per hour.
Its leather interior is in excellent shape and is very comfortable.
The body is in good shape. The only problems I have found are a few rust spots under the driver's side door that can be very easily repaired.
I like the look of the body. It's very nice looking for a 1989 and girls absolutely love it. The car just looks like it's begging you to drive it.
The turbo charged engine gets way better gas mileage than a non turbo charged engine. It's a fact. All new school buses have turbocharger to save gas, most semi's have turbo chargers to save gas again. It is proven over and over that turbo chargers save gas. Now my Lebaron turbo charger gets about 30 mpg, and my non turbo charged convertible get 20 if I'm lucky, and I'm missing the get up and go. My email is corbettdanny@hotmail.com
I bought my '89 Le Baron convertible 5 years ago, a beauty in red, with a black top. It had 110,000 miles on it, at 140,000 it blew the head gasket. That's not bad for an aluminum headed car. The turbo should be rebuilt, because it smokes a bit, but other than that, it starts up and runs well everyday, and gets over 30 MPG. Something must be wrong if it's only getting 16 MPG. I have 161,000 on it now (Feb. 2004), I have replaced the timing belt, ignition pick up, starter and intake air control valve. I look at these as minor things on an old car that still looks great. I'll by a newer one when the time comes, or a Sebring convertible, those are really nice.
Although the EPA rating on this car is 18-23 MPG, I seem to get over 30. The "Traveler" screen indicates 31.4 right now, and that has remained consistent. But, I notice when I like to play with it I get much worse gas mileage. This engine has the ability to drink gas. I took mine to 144 yesterday and I dropped about 1/8 tank in a few minutes.
So, yes this car CAN go over 125. I have the digital speedometer, so I knew right where I was.
I drive an 89 LeBaron 2.2 turbo. I read that a couple of people had theirs over 125. Mine seems to be governed at around 118. Maybe you guys got a chip or reprogrammed it.
Other than that, I have a leak coming from the turbo oil line and it leaks about half a quart a day. But I still love my LeBaron., it cruises down the highway nicely.
I currently still own a 1989 Chrysler LeBaron GT Turbo Convertible. I had it repainted and a new top put on about 5 years ago, then at 165,000 miles, I had a new engine and turbocharger installed about a year ago. The fuel usage is the only downfall of my vehicle for it is only about 17/21 mpg, but has plenty of surprising "pep in the step". I have had the car, as argued in the above comment, in excess of 125 mph and have not made any changes to the car since its original purchase. Of course, now I have the new engine and wouldn't try that again due to hoping to make it last longer along with wisdom with age. The drive/ride of this vehicle is what keeps it irreplaceable, despite all of the new "gadgets" seen in todays vehicles. I have learned to be thankful for what I have, and what I have is actually quite impressive!
Well I bought this car from my dad, an original 2.5 turbo that threw a piston, so me and him rebuilt it with a 2.2 shortblock we got for $75!!! OFF EBAY. We would have gotten a 2.5, but this was such a great deal we didn't really care.
I recently bought this car off him and put a stereo in it. BEWARE if you have the Infinity stereo, it's a pain putting in the new stereo. You have to rewire all the speakers, but I did it anyhow.
If you have the timing right, this car is pretty fast. It needs good oil and am intake in it. I'm thinking of putting a intercooler on this. So it's better
I love my 1989 Chrysler Lebaron Convertible. Just got the engine rebuilt and am happy I spent the cash. However, I now have a huge issue with the roof. It will not go up. This has happened off and on over the last couple years, but it always came around. Last few days, press the button to go up and nothing, no motor noise, nothing. Motor noise going the other way. Does anyone have any ideas on what is going on? I have no garage and live in Vancouver, so you can imagine I will need the roof up eventually, LOL.
Re: the roof will not go up.
Hi I have the same car as you. Mine had the same problem.
1st lift the back boot up.
on the right side take off the carpit panel.
Behide this you will find a long black rubber tube.
At the end of this tube is a screw and clip.
Undo them both.
Buy a very small funnel and fill it up with oil. I can't remember which oil it is, but its in the car book.
You will see that the oil is slow to pour in.
Start the engine and press the Hood botton up or down.
This helps the oil pour in faster.
When no more oil will drip in... that's it.
It will take you about 15 minutes.
Hope this helps.
Fernando
Sunny Spain.
PS: hold the black tube up in the air.
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