Driving Impressions

Driven gently, all Stealths are very pleasant cars. Each is quiet, rides smoothly and demands little effort from its pilot. If your driving routine consists primarily of commuting and easy open-road motoring, the midlevel R/T will be your best choice. It provides enough power for most conditions, is relatively economical and can be ordered with a fine 4-speed automatic transmission in place of the standard 5-speed manual. Those who have become accustomed to rear-drive sports coupes will find they have to make a few minor adjustments to adapt to the front-drive R/T. Engine torque tugs at the steering wheel during hard acceleration, and the front wheels are the first to lose grip when the Stealth's cornering limits are exceeded. These are the natural results of channeling power through the front wheels of a heavy car. For more aggressive use, the R/T Turbo is the way to go. All-wheel drive increases traction and eliminates the aforementioned wheel tugging. With an extra 100 hp under the hood, the Turbo accelerates far more rapidly than its non-turbo stablemates, and takes to slick or twisting roads with much more enthusiasm. The elements of high weight, a relatively small engine and the natural characteristics of turbocharging all combine to require a certain amount of finesse from the driver if the available horsepower is to be fully exploited. There is some delay between right foot pressure and turbo boost buildup, but it can be minimized by keeping rpms high. Attention has obviously been paid to minimizing wind and road noise: The Stealth's cockpit is quiet enough for the longest trips. And the steering is excellent. So are the brakes. An anti-lock braking system is standard on the R/T Turbo and optional on the base and R/T; it should be ordered, as it completes a near-flawless system. Not so pleasant is the shift linkage attached to the R/T Turbo's 6-speed manual transmission. It is less precise and requires more effort than we'd expect from a car in this class. Base version aside, the Stealth is a satisfying driver's car under any conditions. Some adaptation may be necessary before you're totally comfortable in the R/T Turbo, but the re-wards make the learning process worthwhile.

Final Word

It's a buyer's market in Stealth-land. Sales have been slow, due in large part to the availability of lower-priced, more nimble alternatives (the Mitsubishi Eclipse/Eagle Talon, for example), and to formidable direct competitors. The Toyota Supra and Mazda RX-7 are just two of the outstanding sports cars available in this segment. Still, the Dodge Stealth has its attractions, and a friendly dealer may well be willing to cut the price to a degree that puts it within your means.