1986 Chrysler Laser (Dodge Daytona)

The time has come to let go of my beautiful 1986 Laser. The Chrysler Laser was a corporate cousin to the Dodge Daytona, but was only built from 1984 to 1986. This absolutely rust-free example still wears its original Ice Blue Metallic paint, with all clear coat and factory shine still in tact. It’s a base model with the optional turbo engine (146HP) and 5-speed manual transaxle, and has its original (and cold) R-12 A/C system, cruise, tilt and power mirrors. It's virtually 100% original and unmolested.
I purchased the car in early 2010 from its original owner in Pueblo, Colorado. From there, I’ve taken the car to various duty stations in California, Texas, Arizona, and now St. Louis. It's never seen snow or salt. When I bought the car it had 47K original miles; today the odometer reads 50542. It basically sits…and sits…and sits.
The car was so original I simply kept busy doing various maintenance and repairs over the past 7 years. Here’s a list of most of the stuff I’ve done to the car (primarily due to age of the parts):
- Complete engine tune, including plugs, wires, cap & rotor, O2 sensor, fuel & air filters
- Replaced both hatch supports
- Replaced OE shocks and struts with Gabriel units all the way around, including new strut bearings/mounts and cushions up front
- Went through front and rear brakes, including calipers, pads, and hardware up front; and shoes, wheel cylinders and hardware in the rear. All fluid flushed and replaced
- New rear wheel bearings
- Added aluminum rear window louvers
- Wheel alignment
- Complete cooling system service, to include new radiator (O.E. Valeo, not Chinese junk), hoses, t-stat and Mopar radiator cap
- New belts (Dayco)
- New battery (NAPA)
- New headliner
- New timing belt and tensioner
- New water pump
- Added refinished Mopar “wagon wheels” wrapped in brand new Kelly Charger P205/60R15 radials
Inside the car I added custom-made floor mats and replaced the original AM-FM-Cassette with a mid-90s NOS Chrysler stereo. I sold the original radio to Dodge enthusiast; the newer one sounds a tad bit better anyway.
Everything works fine – the turbo spools, the A/C blows and the cruise control holds. Clutch and brakes are great. This car needs next to nothing (if I was to get really carried away I might think about re-covering the sun visors and rear speaker grilles…the cloth is getting saggy) and can be driven anywhere.
So why the sale? Mainly because the car just sits in the garage. I believe these cars should be driven and enjoyed, and I just don’t find myself with time to do that. In addition, I'm retiring from the Air Force in June and have to thin the fleet a little bit...moving cars gets expensive.
I carry a collector’s insurance policy on the car, which costs $157.00 per year for full coverage with no mileage limitation. The car has been appraised and has a $7,000.00 replacement value from the insurance company.
I have many more photos taken showing the wonderful original condition of this increasingly rare car. Original miles, original interior, original paint…and even the original plastic Sylvania headlights!
Is the car perfect? Absolutely not. Close inspection will show a few stone chips, nicks and a few small scratches. In addition, the polyurethane front and rear bumper covers are slightly faded as compared to the steel body (not very noticeable unless I told you -- which I just did in the spirit of full disclosure). Will you find a Laser this clean and nice for the money I’m asking? Not likely. Will you find another Laser at all? Perhaps...but not like this one!
The car is very centrally located in Troy, Illinois, which sits about 20 miles east of St. Louis. The car can be driven with confidence anywhere you want to go. Just jump in, click on the A/C and set the cruise!
Buyer is responsible for vehicle pickup or shipping. I'm more than happy to work with your shipper, but I cannot deliver. I require a $200.00 deposit within 72 hours of auction close; the rest is payable upon pickup via cash or cashier's/certified check (within 10 days, please)
The car was built at the former St. Louis assembly plant in October of 1985, making it over 31 years old. I think the factory 5/50 warranty expired in 1990 or 1991, so there's no warranty expressed or implied. Buy with confidence anyway. This is one heck of a nice car you definitely won't see coming & going.
Drop me a message any time if you have questions.
One last thing. When I previewed the eBay auction it mentioned I'll sell to customers pretty much all over the world. Since I can't find where to change that particular setting, I'll say here that I have no desire to mess around with international shipping. I've done it once, and it's a royal pain I choose not to repeat. North American customers only please!