I saw an 89 conquest for sale for $900 cash online.
5spd, 80k miles, intake, exhaust, basically stock in general.

The biggest problem is the speedometer does not work and the steering "has a little play". The first I can deal with and the second, well the guy did drive it everyday so it could be minor.

The reason I am asking is that the Raider gets maybe 10 mpg (I'm not really keeping track it makes it worse <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> )

So are there certain things to make note of when taking a look at it?
I know its been drifted based on, "has no e-brake...slides nice"

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Is the 10 mpg corrected or raw data? You might be surprised at 13-15 mpg if you haven't corrected the mileage for oversize tires.

No advice on the car, sorry.

Certain years were non intercooled I know that. Normally the flatsides were were 4lug wheels open rear diff and non intercooled. I am personally looking for an 88 or 89 since from my searches they have the better interiors and the ECU was changed from what I hear.

Raw data, about $20/7gal worth every 4-6 days driving 15-20 miles a day. It does drive nice, but its not practical ya know.



Its an 89, I heard the 88-89 was best for a motor swap. I'm thinking about buying it, and selling the Raider after a month or 2 to make sure the conquest can be reliable. I hope to get close to 2k out of it?...

sloppy steering is common, it's a steering box after all. Take it for a drive, load it up in third. Try loading it up in second with the brake and see if it starts popping, if it does you probably have a few minor things to fix. Listen for timing chain rattle. Really, there isnt really a lot of problems with the car. Mainly just the cooling, head gasket not getting retorqued, and timing componets, which is basically every g54b. It's an 88 so it will have the group a upgrades, better seats, nice beefy transmission, the 6 bolt half shafts, possibly shp? I'd say if it runs and drives good it's a good price. Speedometer cables are an easy fix.

I'd check the under-body for damage. You can get around 25mpg with a starion. I always seemed to average 25 wth my 86, but I usually averaged around 23 with my 88.

To add to this a bit, if it has no parking brake it might have a frozen brake cable or two.
If it came from an area that might have rust, check the framerail under the passengers feet as well as the rocker panels.
Yes the steering boxes have a bushing that wears in them.
The top metal fitting that crips on the speedo cable can slide out of position allowing the inner cable to disconnect from the speedo.
At 80K I would adjust the secondary chain in the engine if you get the car and retorque the head bolts.

If you want good gas mileage, port the cylinder head. You can get 28-30 MPG, pre Ethanol numbers at least.

Here's a big ad from Pirate, maybe some helpful info within:

Pirate Conquest ad

On my Conquest the vacuum advance was bad, (common) and after replacing it, and gutting the pre-cat, and cat, it ran 100% better.