What is the Dodge Raider?
The Dodge Raider was only produced for three years, from 1987 until 1990. One of the things that makes the vehicle truly unique is the fact that it’s an SUV, but not in the way you might be thinking. In fact, it’s a small SUV that has only three doors. That always made it look quite unique, to say the least. Without a doubt, it’s one of the shortest SUVs in existence. As such, it required an equally short wheelbase. Another interesting thing about this automobile is that Dodge and Mitsubishi essentially produced the exact same vehicle. In reality, practically the only thing that was different is the fact that there was a different name plate on the front of the vehicle, along with a few differences in the interior. For all intents and purposes, the Dodge Raider was the Mitsubishi Montero. In fact, the only major difference between the two automotive makers was that Mitsubishi also offered a five-door option with a longer wheelbase, something that made the Montero look much more like a traditional SUV. Conversely, Dodge only offered the three-door model. This left relatively little room for the back seats, as people had to open the driver’s door and then climb behind the driver seat in order to sit on the bench seat that was in the back.
How Much Will a Dodge Raider Cost Today?
If you’re in the market for a Dodge Raider today, you can expect to pay anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000. The actual price can vary significantly depending on the vehicle’s condition, mileage, trim level, and location. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider these variables when searching for this distinctive and capable SUV.
Wrapping Up
In summary, the Dodge Raider was a compact SUV made from 1987 to 1990. It was versatile and loved by off-road fans for its toughness and four-wheel drive. But because it faced tough competition and came late to the market, production ended in 1990. The Raider had good engine options, and today you can buy one for $5,000 to $10,000, depending on its condition and where you are. Just remember to take care of it with regular maintenance. It’s a great pick for collectors and off-road lovers.
FAQs
Is a Dodge Raider a Mitsubishi Montero?
The Dodge Raider is essentially a rebadged version of the Mitsubishi Montero. Mitsubishi produced the Raider in Japan, and Dodge sold it in the United States from 1987 to 1989. One could observe the difference in things like branding, design features, engine variants, and marketing.
How many 1987 Dodge Raiders were made?
Dodge Raider had its best year in 1987. The sales of the Raider utilized and reflected the compact SUV trends of the ’80s. The model sales reached a whopping 19,539 units in 1987. This model was released in the highest number ever in a single year.
What engine is in a 1987 Dodge Raider?
The 1987 Dodge Raider was powered by a 2.6-liter inline-four engine. This naturally aspirated inline-four engine was shared with other Mitsubishi and Chrysler vehicles of the era.
Dodge Raider Performance
The Raider offered two engine options:
2.6L 4-Cylinder Engine: It delivered 109 horsepower and had options for both a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic transmission. The engine produced a torque of 192 Nm at 3000 rpm.
Image Courtesy:dave_7, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
3.0L SOHC V6 Engine: This engine has approximately 145 horsepower and was paired with an automatic transmission. It produced 228 Nm (168 lb-ft) of torque at 2,500 rpm. While not known for speed, the Raider excelled in off-road capabilities and provided a comfortable on-road experience. The 2.6L 4-cylinder engine was suitable for most buyers, while the 3.0L V6 engine was a better choice for those seeking more power.
Physical Features of Dodge Raider
Interior Features:
- The interior was spacious and comfortable.
- It had supportive front seats.
- There was ample legroom in both the front and rear.
- It had a large cargo area for gear.
- You could get it with cloth or leather seats.
- It had power windows and locks, air conditioning, an AM/FM stereo cassette player, a tilt steering wheel, and rear seats that could fold down.
- The cargo area had a carpeted floor.
Exterior Features:
Image Courtesy: Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- It had a rugged and boxy exterior design.
- It was available in various colors.
- The grille had a rectangular shape with a Dodge logo.
- Round headlights were a part of the design.
- The tailgate featured a Dodge logo.
- A spare tire was mounted on the rear tailgate.
- Steel wheels came with hubcaps.
- Some models had additional features like fog lights and a tow hitch.
Reliability and Maintenance
The Dodge Raider has earned a reputation for its reliability and durability, making it a robust choice, especially for off-road excursions. Nevertheless, due to its discontinuation many years ago, locating replacement parts can pose a challenge. As many Raiders have now exceeded the 30-year mark, some repairs and regular maintenance may become necessary. Watch out for engine problems, transmission issues, potential four-wheel drive faults, and rust around the frame and undercarriage.
To keep your Raider in good shape and extend its life, it’s essential to stick to the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule. You should regularly change the oil and filter, rotate the tires, flush the coolant, replace the transmission fluid, get new spark plugs, and change the timing belt at recommended times to keep your Raider in good shape. Staying on top of these tasks will help maintain your Raider’s reliability and readiness for more adventures.
Dodge : Other Base Sport Utility 2-Door 1987 dodge raider base sport utility 2 door 2.6 l
$1,500
Oak Lawn, Illinois
Year
1987
Make
Dodge
Model
—
Category
—
Mileage
225000
Posted Over 1 Month
FOR SALE IS A HARD-TO-FIND 1987 DODGE RAIDER (MADE BY MITSUBISHI) WITH A 4 CYLINDER, 2.6 L ENGINE. THE RAIDER HAS 225, XXX MILES AND A CLEAR TITLE. I AM THE THIRD OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE OWNED IT SINCE 1994. IT IS, WITHOUT A DOUBT, THE BEST VEHICLE I EVER HAD. IT IS A FUN VEHICLE TO DRIVE AND HAS BEEN SUPER RELIABLE! POSITIVES: NEW BATTERY, NEW ENTIRE FRONT END & BRAKES DOWNSIDE: NEEDS FRONT END ALIGNMENT, NEW EXHAUST SYSTEM, TUNE-UP & RECOMMEND NEW TIRES. THERE MAY BE OTHER THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE THAT I AM NOT AWARE OF. WITH THE CAR, COMES A FEW NEW PARTS, THE ORIGINAL OWNER’S MANUAL & HAYNES REPAIR MANUAL. CURRENTLY THE REAR SEAT IS OUT OF THE VEHICLE BUT STILL HAVE THE SEAT IN MY POSSESSION. KEEP YOUR EXPECTATIONS REALISTIC. IF THE VEHICLE WAS IN MINT CONDITION, THE ASKING PRICE WOULD REFLECT THIS. SOMEONE ALWAYS ASKS «CAN I DRIVE IT HOME?» THE VEHICLE CAN BE DRIVEN. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND DRIVING IT ACROSS THE COUNTRY IMMEDIATELY HOWEVER. WITH A LITTLE BIT OF WORK, THIS BABY WILL KEEP GOING LIKE THE ENERGIZER BATTERY BUNNY! PLEASE READ THE SALES CONDITIONS AND CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU FOR READING AND ABIDING TO THESE TERMS. OFFERS MADE THROUGH THE ‘ASK THE SELLER’ FEATURE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. VEHICLE MUST BE PAID FOR IN CASH & PICKED UP WITHIN 7 DAYS AFTER END OF AUCTION. WINNING BIDDER MUST CONTACT ME WITHIN 24 HOURS OF AUCTION END TO ARRANGE FOR PAYMENT & PICKUP OR YOU WILL BE REPORTED AS A NON-PAYING BIDDER. AVAILABLE TO U.S. BUYERS ONLY. SELLER WILL NOT BE INVOLVED IN SHIPPING OF THIS VEHICLE. WINNING BIDDER WILL HAVE TO SUPPLY WITHIN 24 HOURS OF AUCTION END, PROOF OF THEIR NAME & CURRENT ADDRESS (DRIVER’S LICENSE) IN ORDER FOR ME TO COMPLETE A BILL OF SALE. YOU WILL RECEIVE BILL OF SALE WHEN I RECEIVE FULL PAYMENT.
Dodge : Other 2-Door 1989 dodge raider j 43 2 dsw
$6,950
Tucson, Arizona
Year
1989
Make
Dodge
Model
—
Category
—
Mileage
187980
Posted Over 1 Month
The pictures in this ad are borrowed pictures. I do not have any of the actual vehicle nor a way of getting any. I bought it not knowing it had a blown head gasket and was stuck in 1st gear and that is the way it still is. Its black and looks great inside and out. Runs but needs to be towed. I will not be sending it anywhere. It has to be picked up in Tucson, Arizona. I have no knowledge of anything else about it other than lights work and seems to be otherwise mechanically sound. I have had no need to try anything else considering the problems with what I listed here. I have not tried AC or radio or wipers. The vehicle otherwise runs. Reverse is there and drive first gear is there. I have no idea if there is another way of changing gears or if it is stuck in 4-wheel drive, since I have never driven anything in 4-wheel drive. I had driven it after I bought it to get gas and noticed problems there so towed it most of the rest of the way home. Drove it at home a few times in and out of yard.
Why the Dodge Raider was Discontinued
The Dodge Raider faced challenges that led to its discontinuation after just three years:
Intense Competition: The compact SUV market in the late 1980s was highly competitive. Established competitors like the Toyota 4Runner, Jeep Cherokee, and Ford Bronco were already in the market.
Short Production Run: The car’s production run was cut short in 1990 due to declining sales and the introduction of new SUV models from other manufacturers, leading to its discontinuation.
Long Gap in Successor: Dodge did not introduce another compact SUV until the Dodge Caliber in 2007, leaving a 17-year gap between the Raider and the Caliber.
Mitsubishi : Montero Dodge Raider Dodge Raider / Mitsubishi Montero Sport 1989
$8,995
Maitland, Florida
Year
1989
Make
Mitsubishi
Model
Montero
Category
Suv
Mileage
163K
Posted Over 1 Month
The iconic Dodge Raider was a Japanese import manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors. The model was initially introduced here as a Montero Sport. Most of these vehicles came to the United States as 4 cylinder, 4WD compact SUVs. This 1989 Dodge Raider Sport is fully optioned and upgraded making it a very unusual unit. It has a 3.0L V6 fuel-injected engine, 4 speed automatic overdrive transmission, and 4WD. Odometer reads 163k miles and is accurate. Factory options include: Air conditioning, power door locks, power windows, power steering, tilt wheel, cruise control, intermittent front and rear wipers, factory AM/FM cassette, bostrom suspension driver seat, and vehicle inclimeter. Optioned equipment includes driving lights, grill guard, polished alloy wheels with 31×10.50×15″ all-terrain tires, rear coil spacers, Brembo brakes, Flowmaster muffler, K&N air filter, and 1.25″ wheel spacers. Current owner since 2005. Always in Florida and always garaged. Never damaged or rusted. The truck has had one repaint, and that was done w/ PPG products. All original panels. Front seat padding and panel upholstery was replaced along with installation of upgraded, new carpet in 2012. Engine-out service in 2012 including: Valve job, new oil pump, water pump, timing belt, all seals and gaskets, new motor mounts and new transmission mounts. The truck runs and shifts very well. Everything works. No disappointments. You will not find a nicer one. Interested buyers only, please call John Hall 407-492-5396.
About the Car
One of the most unique things about this automobile was the fact that Dodge made it a big point to let everyone know that they had nothing to do with actually manufacturing the vehicle itself. In fact, they even stuck a nameplate on the interior that said that the vehicle was imported on their behalf. During the time that this vehicle was made, this was considered to be quite trendy. Today, things have changed considerably and people that drive Dodges prefer to have cars that are not manufactured by someone else and then sent over. Moreover, the car itself was just about as bare-bones as you can imagine. It’s a rough and tumble SUV, to say the least. It is also highly unlikely that anyone would even remotely consider purchasing a vehicle of this type in today’s age. As a matter of fact, the vehicle came with a four-cylinder engine that offered only 109 horsepower, along with a manual transmission. The car didn’t even come with an air conditioner, something that would almost certainly cause the majority of today’s buyers to scoff at it as opposed to giving it any serious consideration. What the majority of these automobiles did have was a special set of instruments that allowed the driver to monitor the oil pressure and the attitude of the automobile relative to the terrain being traveled upon, which just happens to be the same type of attitude indicator found in aircraft. All of this came in a package that included a built-in panic bar, meaning that a lot of people use a vehicle for some serious off-roading. Apparently, Dodge thought that the off-roading activities were serious enough to warrant telling someone whether they were about to flip the vehicle over or not.
Finding One Today
Trying to find one of these vehicles today is a real challenge, but that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to do so. The vehicles are definitely not easy to find, but they also don’t tend to cost a great deal of money when you do find one, despite the fact that there are relatively few examples still driving around. In fact, you can find one that’s in relatively decent condition for somewhere between $2,000 and $3,000, depending on how much work needs to be done on it. If you’re lucky enough to find one that’s actually in drivable condition, at least you have the added benefit of knowing that the purchase price won’t set you back too far. However, that story might change depending on how much work you need to do on the vehicle itself. Generally speaking, the vehicles were of relatively good quality and managed to hold their own quite well, even when they were forced to take a bit of abuse. This is even more true if you’re lucky enough to find one with the ever famous manual transmission, as they have a tendency to outlast the relatively few number of automatic transmissions that were produced.
For car lovers, it might well be worth it to do a dedicated search and find one of these vehicles that they can purchase for themselves. It really comes down to how much you want a vehicle of this type and whether or not you were a fan of them when they were actually in production. If so, you can probably put forth a little research and effort and find one that is still in relatively good shape. The biggest thing to remember is that some of these vehicles did take quite a lot of abuse. That means that they may not always be in the best condition possible. That said, it doesn’t necessarily mean that every vehicle of this type you find is going to need thousands of dollars worth of work, either. If you’re in the market for one, it’s a good idea to find as many examples as possible and then carefully choose the one that you decide to purchase based on its purchase price and the amount of money you will probably have to spend on it in order to get it back on the road. As long as you’re careful in the decisions you make, you could very well end up having a Dodge Raider that’s all your own in a relatively short amount of time.