1988 Dodge Daytona Base review from North America

Rear stabilizer bar rattle.

Timing belt failure at 150,000 miles.

Engine knocks at 250,000 miles.

Radio/tape/balance malfunctions.

Wind noise in upper windshield since new.

My Daytona was the base model, with the 2.5 L 4 cylinder engine. 5-speed manual transmission.

Black with grey velour interior.

Options included moon/sunroof (manual).

6 speaker infinity am/FM stereo with cassette.

This was my first brand new car.

The car was seriously underpowered, but acceptable.

Very sporty, turned heads where ever I went.

I loved the unique tail lamp design, especially at night.

I put a lot of miles on that car, close to 300,000 miles, and no major mechanical problems, except for the timing belt.

The interior was well laid out, and the seats were comfortable.

Only regret was not buying the automatic transmission. They had one, but the other car was white, and I wanted the black one.

Paid around $12,000 for it brand new.

Traded two cars in on it. A 1980 Datsun King Cab, and a 1967 Triumph TR4 (didn't run).

Was 22 at the time, and very naive. Looking back, I don't think they deducted the trade-ins from the purchase price! I paid the full 12,000 in payments of 209 a month for 5 years!