1992 Dodge Daytona IROC 2.5L turbo
Summary:
Low price, high performance
Faults:
The alternator belt chirps a bit due to a worn bracket mount.
This car has had no major failures and has never left me stranded.
General Comments:
This is a truly great car. Even at this mileage, it runs like champ. It never misses a beat and still keeps up with the new sports cars out there.
Seats are comfortable.
Handling is is predictable and like its on rails.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 5th August, 2003
19th Dec 2005, 13:30
You made 6 points about your Daytona that I wanted to comment on... I'm on my 4th Daytona, a '92 IROC, and I will drive them until I can't find them any more! Your car isn't doing too badly, considering the mileage, and I can't speak for your repair abilities (not that mine are great...), but here we go:
1) The fuel line leak: you're right, it's dangerous, but usually gives you advance warning by smell. I fixed one leak near the fuel rail with JB Weld and have had no problems in over a year (good stuff!), although that might be inappropriate.
2) Radiator leak/blowout: If you live near a junkyard, go get one out of a wrecked Chrysler. They're easy to remove. Buy new hoses and clamps, and change your fluid.
3) Door bushings: $5.00 for new pins and bushings, plus a friend to help balance the door. Get a sharp pry bar or chisel to bang out the old bushings. Do BOTH doors at the same time, and re-grease them every couple months. You won't have any more problems.
4) Brake pads: A consumable. They wear out on new cars too, so I don't count that.
5) Exhaust hole: Also a consumable, but take advantage and upgrade to a higher performance muffler.
6) Water pump: A new one is $35 from Autozone, along with a tube of RTV gasket sealer. Unbolt the air conditioner compressor, disconnect and remove the alternator, and you have a straight shot at the water pump. This is a good time to replace the power steering/alternator/air conditioning belts, as you have everything torn apart already.
One important component to owning a Daytona: get a Haynes Manual! The $10-14.00 you spend will save you thousands in labor charges!
Also, check out www.allpar.com AND the links!
I recently found that a part called a 'shutter wheel' was subject to disintegration (after aging), in the distributor. It explained why my girlfriend's '86 Dodge Aries wouldn't start. I checked the distributor, and sure enough the cheap plastic piece was broken. I'm going to pick one up from the bone yard. When I bring parts like this to the counter to ask what I owe, they usually say, "Have a nice day." Try to get that from a dealership. They'll sock you $200.00 just to plug in their diagnostic equipment, and then sell you a complete distributor, plus more labor.
I've also fixed my power windows for less than $3.00 a side when the plastic tracks broke! That involved the manual, the bone yard, and 3-5 hours of my time (the first one was a bear...). Try to convince Mother Mopar to fix it for that! You have a nice car, so go surf, and have fun!