1990-1994 Plymouth Laser Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our in-depth review covers everything you need to know about this generation Plymouth Laser. Get the latest news, find a local dealer, and get a free price quote for this generation Plymouth Laser.

1990-1994 Plymouth Laser Review

Similar in appearance and mechanical details to the Mitsubishi Eclipse and the Eagle Talon, Plymouth's sporty front-drive coupe debuted in January 1989. Base-model Lasers carried a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine, whereas a 135-horsepower, 2.0-liter twin-cam four was optional under Laser RS hoods. The top-flight RS Turbo used a turbocharged 2.0-liter rated at 190 horsepower. A 5-speed manual transmission was standard; 4-speed automatic optional, except with the turbocharged engine, which was manual-shift only.

Year to Year Changes

1991 Plymouth Laser: Antilock brakes joined the option list this year, and the Laser's turbocharged engine could now be ordered with an automatic transmission instead of manual shift. This year too, the Laser RS came only with the midlevel engine: 2.0-liter rated at 135 horsepower.

1992 Plymouth Laser: Lasers earned some cosmetic changes for 1992, and a new all-wheel-drive (AWD) model joined the lineup. Plymouth's RS Turbo AWD came only with manual shift. Front and rear ends got a fresh look, with exposed aerodynamic headlamps replacing the previous hidden units.

1993 Plymouth Laser: All-wheel-drive Lasers could be ordered with an automatic transmission this year. With automatic, the horsepower rating of turbo models dropped to 180. All Lasers except the base model could be equipped with antilock braking.

1994 Plymouth Laser: For its final season, Laser got only detail changes.

1990-1994 Plymouth Laser Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration (RS and RS Turbo)	Rear-seat room

Handling/roadholding	Engine and road noise

Optional antilock brakes	Cargo room

All-wheel drive (AWD model)	Visibility

	Acceleration (1.8-liter automatic)

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

The 1.8-liter engine lacks punch, especially with automatic, though it runs smoothly. Sending just 92 horsepower to an automatic transmission simply does not do justice to the car's sporty appearance. Performance is better with the 2.0-liter engine, faltering less with automatic. Because it lacks low-end torque, however, manual shift is still the best bet for peppy motoring. Turbos take off with fury, but suffer from "torque steer." The all-wheel grip of the AWD model, added in 1992, eliminates the torque-steer problem and provides all the excitement of turbo power. Ride quality is decent, and roadholding is good. High-performance tires and a stiffer suspension on RS models harden the ride somewhat, though they help boost handling from good to great. Tire noise is a problem on any model. The dashboard layout is excellent, with easy-to-read analog instruments and a simple arrangement of smooth-operating controls. But, because the dashboard and beltline are rather high, some drivers might feel a bit claustrophobic. Also, cargo space and visibility aren't top-notch, and the back seat is for children only.

Value for the Money
Mixing fun with frugality, Lasers and their Mitsubishi/Eagle coupe cousins have ranked among our favorites, especially with the midlevel engine.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Plymouth Laser RS 5-speed	Rating

Performance	6

Fuel Economy	6

Ride Quality	2

Steering/Handling/Braking	6

Quietness	3

Controls/Materials	4

Interior Room	5

Room/Comfort (rear)	2

Cargo Capacity	2

Value within Class	7

Total:	43

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.

1990-1994 Plymouth Laser Reliability

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Brake noise: The rear disc brakes are prone to squealing or squeaking. A shim kit has been released. (1992-94)

Hard starting: Hard or no starting, and possibly no cooling fan, may be caused by corrosion of a splice in the wiring harness near the left headlight caused by water getting into the wiring. (1990-94)

Vehicle shake: Severe vehicle shake and vibration may require replacement of the engine and transmission mounts. (1990-94)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.


Item Name	Repair Cost

A/C Compressor	$635

Alternator	$695

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$885

Brakes	$240

Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing	$480

Constant Velocity Joints	$1,040

Exhaust System	$680

Radiator	$395

Shocks and/or Struts	$480

NHTSA Recall History

1990: Diluted primer may have been used on windshield-opening flanges of a few cars, which would not provide required retention of glass.

1990: Headlamp-wiring harness on some early models may break due to stress created by their pop-up devices.

1990: Operation of factory-installed sunroof in "nonstandard" manner may cause hinge disengagement.

1990-91: Front-seatbelt release button can break and pieces can fall inside.

1992-94 w/AWD: Lockup of transfer case can occur.

1990-1994 Plymouth Laser Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1990
Laser	$1,000-1,400	$600-800	$100
RS Turbo	$1,200-1,600	$700-1,000	$100-200

1991
Laser	$1,100-1,500	$700-900	$100-200
RS Turbo	$1,400-1,800	$900-1,200	$200

1992
Laser	$1,200-1,600	$700-1,000	$100-200
RS Turbo	$1,500-2,000	$1,000-1,300	$200-300

1993
Laser	$1,300-1,700	$800-1,100	$200
RS Turbo	$1,700-2,200	$1,100-1,500	$300

1994
Laser	$1,500-2,000	$1,000-1,300	$200-300
RS Turbo	$2,100-2,700	$1,500-1,900	$400-500

This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:

Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.

Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.

Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.

1990-1994 Plymouth Laser Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	2-door hatchback

Wheelbase, in.	97.2

Overall Length, in.	172.8

Overall Width, in.	66.7

Overall Height, in.	51.4

Curb Weight, lbs.	2531

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	10.2

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	15.8

Seating Capacity	4

Front Head Room, in.	37.9

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	43.9

Rear Head Room, in.	34.1

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	28.5

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

Lasers came with one of three engines: a 1.8-liter 4 cylinder rated at 92 horsepower, in base models and 1990 RS models; a dual-overhead-cam 2.0-liter four, which made 135 horsepower, available in the Laser RS; or a turbo 2.0-liter for the RS Turbo. Only 5-speed manual shift was available for the 1990 Turbo and '92 AWD, but all other models might have a 4-speed automatic transmission instead. Engines and transmissions were produced by Mitsubishi.

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed

ohc I4	1.8 / 107	92	105	5-speed manual: 23/32 4-speed automatic: 23/30	5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: --

dohc I4	2.0 / 122	135	125	5-speed manual: 22/27 4-speed automatic: 22/29	5-speed manual: 22.6 4-speed automatic: 26.4

Turbocharged dohc I4	2.0 / 122	180-195	203	5-speed manual: 21/28 4-speed automatic: 19/23	5-speed manual: 18.4 4-speed automatic: --

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	1994 Laser

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	4

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Built In: USA

Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front- or all-wheel drive

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Also in the 1990-1994 Plymouth Laser Review:

Plymouth Laser

Plymouth Laser Road Test

Plymouth Laser Reliability

Plymouth Laser Prices

Plymouth Laser Specs & Safety

Plymouth Laser Photos

Plymouth Laser Full Review