Wicked Pissa
I had a 88 Firechicken (bird) in 06, and got bored after I rebuilt it. Then this year, I was on Craigslist.com and saw this. It is in awesome condition, and the turbo is something else. All the electricals work, but someone put in a remote starter, and I put in a stereo, so figuring out on a few things. I can't wait to get the project done.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 21st December, 2010
Awesome car that is cheap to make very fast, and for a little you can have a lot of fun
When I purchased my 89 Daytona ES, I paid 200 bucks for it, due to the fact that it had no title, because it was bought from a towing company and never had the title transferred.
When I got the 'tona, it also had a rod out the side of the oil pan, and it had sat for ten years, so you can only imagine what it looked like, so I drove 3 hours one way, loaded it up on a car dolly, and brought it home to give it a second chance at life.
Since I brought it home, it didn't take me long to hunt a new 2.5 for the car. Once it was running, I spent two days waxing and washing ten years of dirt and grime from the inside and out. Since I finally got the title and got it on the road, I love driving this car. I'd have to say my favorite thing about the car is the boost and the loud BOV that I installed. I got it tuned right, and very cheaply can I say, and there's not a lot of cars where I'm at that can keep up with this 22 year old car.
I love my 'tona, and wish I had the money to buy them all and restore them. LOL.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 23rd August, 2010
Great car, won't ever sell
Right after purchased, had to replace CV joints and shaft and engine mounts; 700 dollar bill.
Ground effects cracked due to being hit into curbs.
Missing exterior trim piece fell off on the highway and broke.
I just bought it, and I drove it 2000km home and it never gave me a single problem. Very quick car,
0-120 in around 8 seconds with lots of wheel spin. Not sure what boost is set at as I have not touched the boost adjuster. The boost adjuster was in the car when I got it.
Handles great.
Good gas mileage if you can resist the turbo LOL.
The seats are very comfortable on long trips.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 12th April, 2009
An Undiscovered Powerhouse
Radiator cracked the day after I purchased the car.
A/C Compressor had to be replaced.
Vacuum leak on Turbo (fixed)
Timing Belt broke (no damage done to engine)
Needs new struts for hatchback (doesn't stay up)
Power window on driver side door had to be fixed.
Its definately a sleeper... No one expects this thing to be as quick as it is. Even with the automatic, as long as you have the turbo you can still beat a mustang or v-6 camaro without them knowing what hit them... For one thing, you have a 3 speed transmission which may not sound like a good thing off hand, but it is! You can easily pull 50 mph in first gear with this transmission and can take many a car in a quick drag race. Also the seats are extremely comfortable and feels like your sitting in a lazy boy recliner. It IS hard to see over the front of the hood (especially with the turbo bulge) but you get used to it. The gas consumption is not horrible being a turbo I get about 18-20 mpg in the city. I'm 17 and this is my first car and I love it! I never want to get rid of it.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 24th January, 2006
Me too, I'm 17 and got my first car. Never thought it would be a Daytona. I have a 1989 ES manual 2.5 non turbo... yet... that's next. I've replaced the head, the clutch, the struts and shocks, the brakes, and a new power steering hose. And it runs like a champ for being a 16 year old car. My dad gets all the credit for the help... If you wanna talk, reach me at www.lxarmijo@yahoo.com.
I was 17 when I got my fist Daytona. It was a 1987 2.2 Turbo automatic that had been in an accident resulting in right front drivers side being damaged. The front headlight was always up, it's name was winky ;). I had to get rid of it a few years later because it was hit while parked.
It's now many years later and I drive an 89 with a 2.5 manual trans. I love this car too. I've replaced the clutch, brakes, timing belt, and head-gasket. The car has about 230,000 miles. As long as I treat it well it treats me well.
You can't understand how much the standard trumps the automatic (guy in other post). You can burn tires all the way into 2nd & continue. If there's a bit of moisture, you're spinning in 3rd & going sideways -- no comparison.
21st Jun 2009, 18:07
I have a 1989 Daytona Turbo 5 speed. It's one of the fastest cars in my town. I just raced a 2009 Chevy Cobalt SS yesterday and blew it off the road. I like seeing other people with the love of these cars. They were definitely built before their time.