1988 Dodge Daytona base 2.5 tbi from North America

Summary:

4+stars in a 5 star world

Faults:

Nothing other than the ignition switch and fuel pump (the pick-up screen was badly clogged, but original pump still worked!) The steering gear has been replaced (that was before I bought the car) and the head appears fairly new, but I'm not positive it's been replaced. This 20yr old car is very clean and has been well taken care of.

General Comments:

Purchased this great car from a towing co. in So. Calif for $100.00 this last May with 120,000 original miles. Put four tires and a battery in it along with the above mentioned repairs, changed the oil and filter and cruised to Dallas,Tx without a problem. It averaged 34mpg and was very comfortable on the long trip. It's tough to put it in a particular class because it gets great gas mileage like an econo-car yet rides more like a full size car. (I didn't get blown around by "the big boys" out on the interstate.) I bought it mostly just to get to Texas and if it lasted just that far I would be happy. Now my wife wants it instead of the P.T.Cruiser we were going to buy. I think she might just have to wait until I find a Daytona Z and then she can have it. Until then I'm keeping it...for us!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd July, 2007

1988 Dodge Daytona 2.6 non-turbo 4 from North America

Summary:

Great car, no warranty

Faults:

The first week I had the car it was obvious that the front brake rotors were warped, as the car shook and the brake pedal pulsated on braking. The dealer I purchased the car from refused to fix it, and I ended up having to pay a private garage to replace the warped rotors. Other than this, I never had another problem with the car in 90,000 miles of use.

General Comments:

A great car with good performance, handling, and excellent gas mileage. The only problem I encountered was the warped brake rotors mentioned above. The dealer flatly refused to fix the problem and said "I'm not going to fix it and you can't make me". At this same time my brother had purchased a Dodge Aries and was having problems with it also. The same dealer refused to fix his car, and he and I both filed complaints with Chrysler's arbitration board. Our complaints were totally ignored, and neither of us even received the courtesy of a reply. As a result, my brother immediately traded his Aries for a GM product and neither he nor any member of his family has ever purchased another Chrysler vehicle even though they are excellent and well-made vehicles. I did purchase a 2001 Dodge Dakota in October of 2000 and drove it 6 years without a single problem. I took a risk in buying it, knowing that for all practical purposes it had no warranty, but it proved to be a great buy.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th May, 2006

31st May 2006, 08:52

Over the years I have found bad dealers with Ford, Chevy, and Dodge, and simply took my vehicles to other dealers for warranty work. Usually it only took trying one other dealer to find a good service department, but sometimes I had to try another one after that. I haven't had a problem with dealers that I didn't buy the vehicle from doing warranty work.

Are there areas in the country where there only 1 dealer around (within a reasonable distance) for a manufacturer?

19th Sep 2006, 16:27

Unfortunately there are MANY areas that don't even have ONE dealership nearby for a particular car. Our town has Ford and GM, but no Chrysler dealership.

1988 Dodge Daytona Base 2.2L turbo from North America

Summary:

Fast, comfortable, reasonably reliable, what more could you ask - did I mention FAST?

Faults:

Timing belts x2 at approximately 76,000 mile intervals.

Fuel Pump failed at approximately 140,000 miles.

Clutch cable broken x2 at approximately 70,000 mile intervals.

Tach cuts out when warm.

Odometer quit at 124,391 miles.

General Comments:

Almost hate to get rid of the car, but age is showing and it its finally beginning to nickle and dime me to the point that I'm ready to pass it on.

Fast for a 4-banger, but for that matter, it's fast for even a small V-8! Upgraded computer to a Mopar Performance unit, and gained 5 lbs of boost and probably 20 horsepower.

For all that speed, I've gotten 30 miles to the gallon on country back-hill roads.

Front seats are roomy and comfortable, even at 6'4", but I wouldn't put any, but the smallest passengers in the back end.

Nice and roomy hatch, holds plenty of cargo when needed, especially with the rear seats folded down.

Fun to drive and quite reliable - until around 180,000 miles or so and even then it's only needed minor repairs.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th April, 2006

21st Dec 2012, 13:00

I am glad you like it. I love mine, and she is still running. I just wish I could find someone with the time and money to make her look as good as she did in her prime!