Spirit:$9,995 (1989)

Acclaim:$9,920 (1989)

Chrysler:Unknown???

1989 Plymouth Acclaim

Chrysler Saratoga grill

1989 Plymouth Acclaim

There was a "Spirit R/T" that was a 2.2 Turbo III w/heads designed by Lotus. The output was 224 hp. In its model run,1989 to 1994-95,it went under minor cosmetic changes. The Acclaim provided a soft ride, and was used by some taxi services as an economical, fuel-efficient alternative to the ubiquitous Lincolns. The Spirit/Acclaim was a bargain for most of its life, as a family car, fleet car, and even as an upscale economy car. Most people do not know that the Acclaim was the most reliable domestic car in 1991, according to J.D. Power - beaten only by the Accord and Camry. The Spirit and Acclaim were probably not the best names Chrysler could have chosen. It would have been a good opportunity to drag out some old classic names, such as Valiant, Lancer, Seneca, or Sebring. Then again, if the Neon was also sold as the Scamp, would it have higher sales? (Okay, Spirit was an old AMC name, but it's not the same). Like most Chrysler cars at that time, they were based on a stretched K (E) platform. The 2.5 was shared by most CC vehicles, including the Daytona and Dakota. ] The V-6 was shared with even more vehicles: minivans, the Daytona and Shadow ES, and others. Note on the Mitsu 3.0 V-6, older versions have throttle body injection,those were rated at 141 SAE HP, newer versions have 150 SAE HP because they switched to MPI in the AA body's model run. Note on the names, in Mexico are Chrysler LeBaron/Saratoga/Spirit/New Yorker. Click here for Le Baron Coupe page

Transmission Deatails

Description -- Hydraulic w/electronically controlled converter clutch

Gear -- Ratio

1st -- 2.69 -

2nd -- 1.55 -

3rd -- 1.00

Effective Final Drive and Overall Top-Gear Ratio -- 3.02 (2.5 liter); 2.78 (3 liter)

Specs

Wheelbase -- 103.5 (2629)

Track-Front -- 57.6 (1463) -

Rear -- 57.2 (1453) Overall Length -- 181.2 (4602)

Overall Width -- 68.1 (1731)

Overall Height -- 53.5 (1358)

Ground Clearance -- 4.6 (116)

EPA Cargo Volume -- 14.4 ft3 (408 L)

Curb Weight-Est -- 2862 lb (1298 kg)

Weight Distribution, F/R -- 63/37 Frontal Area -- 21.37 ft2

Drag Coefficient -- 0.40

Fuel Tank Capacity -- 16 gal (61 L)

Seating Capacity, F/R -- 3/3

Front-Head Room -- 38.4 (976) -

Leg Room-Max. -- 41.9 (1063)

-Shoulder Room -- 54.3 (1380) -

Hip Room -- 51.7 (1312)

Seat Travel -- 8.1 (205)

Recliner Range -- 34

Degrees Rear-Head Room -- 37.9 (962) -

Leg Room-Min. -- 38.3 (973) -

Knee Room -- 2.9 (74) -

Shoulder Room -- 55.0 (1397) -

Hip Room -- 52.0 (1320)

EPA Interior Volume Index -- 111.2 ft3

Other Layout -- Transverse front engine, front wheel drive

Construction -- Steel unibody

Suspension-Front -- Iso struts w/integral gas-charged shock absorbers, asymmetrical lower control arms, coil springs,linkless stabilizer bar

Suspension-Rear -- Beam axle, trailing flex-arms, track bar, coil springs, gas-charged shock absorbers, frameless tubular stabilizer bar

Steering Type -- Power rack and pinion

Overall Ratio -- 16.1:1

Turning Diameter (curb-to-curb), L/R -- 37.0 ft (11.3m), 39.0 ft (12.0m)

Steering Turns (lock-to-lock) -- 2.6

Wheels Steel 14 x 5.5 JJ or aluminum 14 x 6 JJ. 185/70R14 Invicta GAL (yuk!) or 195/70R14 Michelin XW4 Spirit R/T: 205/60R15 Michelins