Is the $8,500 1986 Dodge Daytona Turbo Z Too Irresistible to Pass Up?

The odometer on this week’s Nice Price or No Dice Dodge Daytona has cycled back around, currently displaying under 4K miles. We'll find out whether the vehicle is worth taking a chance on its cost.

Overall, the main objective of a sports car has always been to evoke excitement, both visually and physically. This has held true for more than a hundred years, as numerous companies have built their legacy around this idea. Nonetheless, certain sports cars somehow fall short of achieving this aim. 2005 Nissan 350Z Touring The vehicle we examined yesterday definitely came equipped with all the right features—an convertible top, a six-speed manual transmission, and a peppy V6 engine beneath the hood. Even though these credentials were solid, along with impressively low mileage and documentation showing regular maintenance, most of you didn’t seem overly enthusiastic about purchasing it for its $18,000 ask. Was this due to the car’s slightly off-putting design? Perhaps it was also because of its rather bland silver and grey paint job? From what people said, both factors played a role, leaving the small Nissan failing to catch anyone’s eye as an absolute necessity. Ultimately, this led to a significant 68% rejection rate.

Read more: Here Are the Most Ridiculous Car Wrecks You Have Ever Witnessed

Daytona Beach

The Nissan Z car has been in production for many years now. In the 1980s, it came equipped with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine and had a greater emphasis on luxurious touring compared to modern versions of the model. For those seeking a vehicle with comparable performance from that era’s Z-car but desiring a sportier feel, options akin to what we have nowadays might be preferable. 1986 Dodge Daytona Turbo Z could have been exactly what was needed.

Dodge’s ‘80s Daytona, equipped with a badge lifted from its history and built on what was then considered the company’s salvation—the K-car platform—aimed to compete directly with vehicles like Nissan’s Z series, Ford’s Mustang, and even the Porsche 944. Featuring a powerful 2.2-liter turbo engine generating 146 horsepower paired with a five-speed manual transmission, the Daytona Turbo Z possessed all the capabilities needed for this ambitious challenge.

Special K

Actually, with the Daytona, Dodge pushed the performance limits of the K-Car chassis to their absolute extreme. As an '86 model, this particular car with 104,000 miles stands out because it was from the final production year featuring the initial fixed-headlamp design yet introduced the optional T-Tops. Beneath these distinctive features are a pair of original 15-inch phone-dial alloy wheels, similar to those found on the smaller Omni variant.

All things considered, this Daytona appears to be well-maintained for its age. The paint retains its shine, and the wheels show no signs of curb damage. Additionally, all badges are present, such as the "Turbo Z" emblems on both doors and the dealership emblem at the rear.

Inside, you're greeted by an abundance of '80s plastic elements; however, the seats have leather-like covers, along with the three-spoke steering wheel and gearshift knob. Some cracks can be seen in the faux-leather, yet everything remains intact. Similarly, the small inflatable lumbar support buttons within each seat are still functional. The dashboard houses traditional analogue instruments, such as a distinctive rectangular-shaped turbocharger pressure gauge and an odometer integrated into the speedometer—both encased in what appears to be fiberglass.

Work In Progress

While it’s not entirely an ‘80s dream machine, the seller points out some issues with this Daytona. Firstly, there’s a fuel leak when the gas tank is completely filled; running it at three-quarters capacity or less offers only temporary relief, though addressing this for safety reasons remains necessary. Secondly, although the air conditioning system uses R-134 refrigerant and includes a new compressor per the seller, it isn’t working correctly yet. Another significant problem involves the malfunctioning windshield wipers—their motors seem disconnected from their arms, causing them to stop operating altogether. Smaller concerns consist of missing interior door panel trim pieces (which will be provided during the sale), a dashboard clock unable to adjust time settings despite being accurate twice daily, and a sagging rear roof liner reminiscent of droopy low-rise jeans. However, aside from these drawbacks, most functions appear normal according to the seller, who also mentions that the vehicle shows no signs of corrosion since it was part of a southern collection.

Dodging For Dollars

A clear title indicates no funny business at the DMV except clarifying the rolled-back mileage. This vintage Dodge is listed for sale at $8,500, with the seller specifying payment must be made either in cash or via bank transfer. Additionally, they mention the vehicle is being sold “as is, where is,” suggesting that buyers cannot claim dissatisfaction later.

How do you feel about this Daytona with its $8,500 ask? It’s certainly not flawless, yet it represents quite a bargain compared to the pricey new Dodge Daytona EV that some find rather unsettling. Are the advantages significant enough to justify the investment at this price point? Or does the list of drawbacks overshadow these benefits?

You decide!

Good Deal or Nothing:

Waterloo, Iowa, Craigslist , or go here if the ad disappears.

Thanks to Dean W. for hooking us up!

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