1984 Dodge Daytona Turbo z 2.5 liter turbo from North America

Summary:

Good looking, sporty, problematic

Faults:

At 72000 miles timing belt and water pump. The left rear tail light socket replaced at least once. Transmission at 92000 miles. One front drive axle & boot at 100000 miles. Computer replaced at 116000 miles. Then turbo boost problems galore. Emissions tests always failed & wavered through to renew my plates. A noisy belt pulley around 75000 miles. Shifter linkage (cheap plastic press on ends) right after the transmission was rebuilt at 300 dollars a part. There was 2 linkage pieces, the other had not failed yet. What a lemon she was after 68000 miles.

General Comments:

Thank God they stopped producing the Daytona because of problems. Mine was a black beauty. The car was ordered with most turbo z options, but no decals or front and side fascia or ground effects, but it did have rear window louvres. I did buy it with 68000 miles and had lots of problems, some costly ones too. The engine was the larger of the 2 four cylinders and there were also 2 five speeds offered. I had the more expensive one. The turbo had lag. So off the line with 145 horses, I had bone stock Chevy s-10 pickups with the 4.3 v6 pull away from me always. Yea it handled good. But once I noticed as I was accelerating very fast out of a curvy highway entrance ramp, that a stock four door ford escort was keeping right up with me! I finally traded the Daytona in and have bought G. M vehicles since. But that may change too. It was great on gas and warmed up quick in cold weather. Oh there were 2 other problems that would come on and go away for a while too. I rarely see a daytona on the road any more. Which is just fine with me. If any of you are having the tail light problems, 80% of it or more is the green ground wire where it clips into socket. Light sockets were dirt cheap from the dealer back then too. Both in price and quality.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 10th October, 2005

12th Oct 2005, 19:14

The above Daytona was a 1984 not an 1983 model. I also remember head gasket problems a lot with these turbo fours back then. From the front and rear the car looked like a 1979 or 1980 mustang, or so many people thought. After 17 years of Chrysler products I went back to G.M..The 2 most dependable Mopers I ever owned were a 1967 four door Plymouth Belvedere (318 2v three on the tree. We had it 9 years,got 166000 miles out of it with NO major motor or transmission work. Other than 2 clutches. Was hit by a driver running a red light in 1983.And my 1973 Chrysler Newport with 136000 miles.

1984 Dodge Daytona Turbo Z 2.2 turbo from North America

Summary:

A good looking piece of trash

Faults:

Horn button fell off the first time I used it at 900 miles.

The hatch leaked and would funnel the water right to the driver's feet. It took three dealer visits to fix.

Sensors controlling the turbo boost were very unreliable, leaving the car with no boost or full boost. I took it to the dealer eight times in one year for faulty sensors.

The driver's door started sagging soon after purchasing. Various attempts by the dealer to realign it proved fruitless.

The battery didn't last a year.

General Comments:

The car was beautiful. Strangers would follow me into parking lots to ask about it.

The interior was nicely laid out with a perfect driving position and very comfortable seats.

The car handled very well. However, it buzzed and vibrated endlessly. A well designed, good handling machine that was amazingly poorly built. The worst quality of any car I've ever owned.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th May, 2004

16th Jul 2004, 18:15

I have to disagree with the "piece of trash" comment made by this reviewer. I bought a Daytona new in 84', and though it had a few minor problems like any new car may have, especially a new model, I overall loved the car.

Besides a minor stalling problem, and not being able to get my "power limited" light to go off after several trips to the dealer, overall I had no major problems with the car.

I always loved the styling of the Daytona, especially the TurboZ model, which I own now. I had a 87 ShelbyZ model as a daily driver for 9 years, and besides the normal maintenance items, was a great car.

1984 Dodge Daytona 2.2L from North America

Summary:

Low maintenance, affordable, fun to drive, sporty ride!

Faults:

Timing belt replaced at 50,000 miles. Head gasket replaced at same time (Dodge mechanic was a personal friend, and said this would need to be done at 60,000 miles, anyway), all under warranty. Engine revved sometimes when idling, sensor needed to be replaced). Silver paint faded on rear spoiler, dealer repainted, no charge (after 1 year) problem solved.

General Comments:

Loved this car! Handled well, was pretty quick for an automatic 4 cylinder car. Turned heads. Great stereo system, quiet, smooth ride. Only compact car that I could fit in comfortably (I'm 6' 4"). Would still have it if I hadn't wrecked it!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th October, 2002