1992 Plymouth Laser RS Time Capsule
For November 13, 2023, our used car find is this amazingly clean and original 1992 Plymouth Laser in desirable RS trim, showing a scant 64,000 miles on the odometer. This example is offered on Craigslist in the Portland, Oregon, area for $6,500 or best offer.
Here’s what makes this one special.
Introduction
Introduced in 1989, the Laser was Plymouth’s attempt to inject new life into its aging lineup. The handsome 2+2 coupe shares a platform and many components with the better-known Mitsubishi Eclipse and Eagle Talon, giving it a solid base for performance. At the same time, its more conservative styling still holds up well today.
Like its stablemates, the Laser came in regular and high-performance versions. The latter, known as the RS Turbo, sports a five-speed manual gearbox and a 195-horsepower turbocharged 16-valve four-cylinder sourced from Mitsubishi (later found in its legendary Lancer Evo model). By 1992, the RS Turbo was also available with all-wheel drive, making it by far the most desirable variant.
The Laser wasn’t the hit that Plymouth hoped for, however. The struggling automaker canceled the model after the 1994 model year, while its more popular Diamond-Star Motors siblings, the Eclipse and the Talon, both continued for a second generation. As a result, Lasers are far less common on the used market today.
The Listing
Let’s get the bad news out of the way early. This particular Laser is in mid-level RS trim, meaning it lacks the turbo engine. It’s also saddled with the optional four-speed automatic rather than a standard five-speed manual. And it’s front-wheel drive.
But RS versions do get some notable upgrades, including a high-revving twin-cam four-cylinder making 135 horsepower. That may not sound like much, but it’s a vast improvement over the base engine, which makes a paltry 92 ponies. The RS mill provides decent oomph for the Laser’s relatively lightweight chassis (2500 pounds), especially if you don’t mind wringing it out to its 7,000-rpm redline.
Inside the cabin, it’s also full of charming 1990s-era quirks, such as its sculpted angular dash, factory-installed graphic equalizer, and automatic front seatbelts.
It may not be the most sought-after Laser version, but there’s still much love about this one-owner example, including its like-new condition inside and out, distinctive pop-up headlights, and absurdly low 64,000 miles. We also think it looks sharp in its original Raspberry Red Pearl Metallic factory paint.
Is it worth $6500? That’s tough to say. Hardly any examples have traded hands on Bring a Trailer in the last few years. But considering it’s practically a museum-worthy example, we think it would be mighty enticing for the right Radwood-era enthusiast.
If you find yourself tempted, you can find the listing on Craigslist in the Portland area HERE before it’s gone.
Details & Specs
- 1992 Plymouth Laser RS
- 63,994 miles
- 2.0-liter, 16-valve four-cylinder engine (4G63)
- 135 horsepower
- 125 lb-ft of torque
- four-speed automatic transmission
- front-wheel drive
- 2,531 pounds
- Raspberry Red Pearl exterior paint
- grey cloth upholstery
Additional Photos
