1986 Dodge Daytona Turbo Z CS review from North America

Blown Head Gasket at about 130K miles due to a faulty Stant Brand thermostat that would not work properly causing my car to over heat.

Beyond that, no problems beyond normal wear and tear, and simple old age.

Beyond a few rattles and squeaks here and there due to bumpy country roads and old age, this car has been fantastic. Considering it's age, the entire car has held up very well. No cracks in the dash or plastic interior parts, it has power everything and it all works.

It is the second Daytona I have owned, and the 5th Dodge product overall. I have found FWD Chrysler products of the mid 80's to early 90's to be very well built and extremely reliable. I have driven all, but one of them well over 100K miles with very little maintenance and repairs.

Now I have done a lot to this Daytona, but it is my hobby and project car. The performance is unbelievable coming from a 4 cylinder and 3 speed auto. In fact, I think the Chrysler A413 automatic is darn near indestructable. I have had virtually zero problems with them from any of my FWD Dodge vehicles. Very smooth shifts and well made.

I have upped the horsepower in this Daytona by nearly 100 ponies with 15psi boost (more than twice the factory level). The 2.2L engine is extremely well built and durable. I am running close to 240HP on a stock engine. Meaning I have not had to use aftermaket performance parts to beef the engine up. In fact, I have not done anything to the transmission except intall a new differential. And I have taken this car to the drag strip numerous times and brought me home every time.

Chrysler Turbo engines are probably one of the cheapest most mod friendly platforms one can hot rod.

The Carroll Shelby handling package allows this car to hang curves like it is on rails. Although the beefier suspension does get a little rough on bumpy roads. But on a smooth highway, it is like silk letting you feel the road the way a true performance car should.

The quick ratio rack and pinion steering is very repsonsive allowing lane changes with very little movement.

The recaro style bucket seats with driver's 6-way power adjust seat and lower lumbar control is very comfortable. It cradles you in the right spots and adds to the driver's feeling that they are in a jet-fighter cockpit.

The dash is well laid out with full analog gauges and a graphical display. Drink holder that slides out of the center console and even a driver's left foot rest.

In all, Daytona's are really cool cars. Wish Dodge would make them again.