Mitsubishi Starion

The Mitsubishi Starion was sold in the United States Domestic Market from 1983-1989, and in other markets worldwide from 1982-1990.

Styles and Major Options
1983-1985.5

These cars were offered with a wide range of optional equipment to suit nearly any budget or taste. Technology was the high goal here, and the Starion delivered with ease, and plenty of high-tech features. In 1983, the Technica package got you a limited slip rear axle, a digital dashboard, and rear wheel antilock braking system. 1984 saw the introduction of a sunroof option, as well as the sister ship, the Conquest, sold through Chrysler Corporation. 1985 brought a water cooled turbocharger to the party, and 1985.5 ESI models got an intercooler added to help produce more power.

1986-1989

1986 saw the advent of a body redesign, which brought on flared fenders, and a very attractive rear spoiler, all to help improve aerodynamics, and to help make the car more stable at higher speeds. The flared-fender cars, known as widebodies, were christened ESI-R models. Interestingly, you could still buy the other car, with the flat sides, whose designation was the LE, and known to enthusiasts as a flat-body. 1987 saw the LE change to ES, and was the final year for the flat body cars. 1987 brought an upgraded engine management system, and electrically powered seat belt mechanisms for the front seat passengers. 1988 brought a dual-boost set up on the turbocharger that raised boost from the stock 7.5 psi to 10.5 psi under optimal conditions, as well as a Sport Handling Package, which netted eight inch front, and nine inch rear wheels, and eight-way adjustable struts at all corners. 1989 saw the introduction of 3 point seat belts for the reat seat passengers, a one-touch down driver's side power window, and was the final year for the United States cars. Reportedly, only 152 Starions were imported for the 1989 model year.

Gas Mileage
18 city

24 highway

Safety
The Starion came with integral side door beams, and a reinforcement bar under the dash, 5 MPH bumpers, as well as very good A and B pillar reinforcement. The car is quite safe, provided that you use the lap belts if in a later model car equipped with motorized shoulder belts.

Colors
1984
 * Nevada Sand Metallic Clearcoat H23
 * Kaiser Silver Metallic Clearcoat H39
 * Bright/Eiger Silver Metallic Clearcoat H43
 * Italian Silver Metallic Clearcoat H80
 * Mezzon Gold Metallic Clearcoat K16
 * Canadian Green Metallic Clearcoat L53
 * Provence Red Metallic Clearcoat R49
 * New Safari Red R73
 * Chateau Beige Metallic Clearcoat S28
 * Rocky White W18
 * Serbia Black X15
 * Velvet Black X21
 * Mojorca Black Metallic Clearcoat X56
 * Two Tone Color Combination H87 Nevada Sand Metallic Clearcoat H23 Provence Red Metallic Clearcoat R49
 * Two Tone Color Combination X30 Velvet Black X21 Kaiser Silver Metallic Clearcoat H39
 * Two Tone Color Combination X65 Kalapana Black Clearcoat X13 Mezzon Gold Metallic Clearcoat K16

1985
 * Nevada Sand Metallic Clearcoat H23
 * Kaiser Silver Metallic Clearcoat H39
 * Bright/Eiger Silver Metallic Clearcoat H43
 * Canadian Green Metallic Clearcoat L53
 * Provence Red Metallic Clearcoat R49
 * California Red R52
 * Seychelles Red Metallic Clearcoat R64
 * New Safari Red R73
 * Chateau Beige Metallic Clearcoat S28
 * Rocky White W18
 * Serbia Black X15
 * Velvet Black X21
 * Mojorca Black Metallic Clearcoat X56
 * Two Tone Color Combination R84 Chateau Beige Metallic Clearcoat S28 Seychelles Red Metallic Clearcoat R64
 * Two Tone Color Combination X06 Bright/Eiger Silver Metallic Clearcoat H43 Mojorca Black Metallic Clearcoat X56

1986
 * Kaiser Silver Metallic Clearcoat H39
 * Bright/Eiger Silver Metallic Clearcoat H43
 * Chelsea/Olive Gray Metallic Clearcoat L05
 * California Red R52
 * Rio/Mexican Red R04
 * Chateau Beige Metallic Clearcoat S28
 * Serbia Black X15
 * Velvet Black X21
 * Obsidian Metallic Clearcoat X68

1987
 * Bright/Eiger Silver Metallic Clearcoat H43
 * Palermo Gray Metallic Clearcoat L83
 * Rio/Mexican Red R04
 * Shetland Beige Metallic Clearcoat S83
 * Rocky White W18
 * Serbia Black X15

1988
 * Grace Silver Metallic Clearcoat H84/PA4
 * Palermo Gray Metallic Clearcoat L83
 * Rio/Mexican Red R04/PR2
 * Sophia White W09
 * Serbia Black X15/PX1

1989
 * Grace Silver Metallic Clearcoat H84/PA4
 * Palermo Gray Metallic Clearcoat L83/PV2
 * Rio/Mexican Red R04/PR2
 * Bordeaux Red Metallic Clearcoat R48/PR7
 * Sophia White W09
 * Serbia Black X15/PX1

Main Competitors
The Starion's main competitors were:
 * Nissan 300ZX
 * Toyota Supra and Celica GTS
 * Mazda RX-7
 * Ford Mustang
 * Dodge Daytona
 * Chevrolet Camaro
 * Porsche 924

Design quirks and oddities
By and large, the major design quirk with this car comes from it's MCA Jet equipped cylinder head. There's some speculation that the steel plug that injects air into the combustion chamber causes the head to crack because steel and aluminum alloy expand at different rates when heated. There is also others that speculate that the alloy content in the head itself was not dense enough, and that led to cracking. The bottom line is, the heads had an issue cracking, and there have been later heads by aftermarket companies released that combat the problem effectively.