I’m not sure why you’d keep a 1989 Dodge Daytona in a bubble, limiting the mileage to less than 3,000, but this non-Shelby, non-turbo example is exactly such a vehicle. It does come with the preferred 5-speed manual transmission and absolutely perfect body, so it’s worth a look if you’re a fan of the late 80s Mopar coupe. Find it here on eBay with bidding just under $6K and the reserve unmet.
If you’re not going to get Turbo Z or Shelby edition, this is likely the next best spec. Being a later model, it has the slightly more streamlined body, blacked-out taillights and sharp alloy wheels. The two-tone paint job is a take-it-or-leave-it matter of preference but the rear window louvers are a must-have on a Daytona. The painted mudflaps are even in mint condition.
The way this was Daytona was configured leaves me scratching my head. The original owner didn’t go for the biggest engine, but did opt for the 5-speed. And if you’re buying a Daytona and don’t want the performance model, you’d think the buyer would opt for luxury. But no – this one has no A/C, crank widows, AM/FM stereo and not much else. Regardless, the interior is in outstanding condition.
To me, this Daytona belongs in a Chrysler museum somewhere, but if you were to buy it, I wouldn’t be afraid to use it. Why? Because even in this preserved form, I can’t see it being worth much over $10K. On top of that, I doubt its value will rise much beyond that because it isn’t a Shelby or Turbo Z. I’d treat it like it is: a brand new 1989 Daytona to own and enjoy if you missed your chance in 1989.
I remember looking at this same model on the lot when new. I finished talking to the sales person and when I closed the drivers door, the window fell out of the regulator and smashed all over the inside of the car. No sale. Never looked at a Chrysler product again…
The Daytona is one of the few ‘newer’ card I would like to own; I’ve always liked the design… with the turbo and a/c this would be a winner. The story of why the super low mileage would be an interesting one.
I had an 88 Shelby in red. Damn nice car…when it ran. It doesn’t say, but if that is the standard engine, it would be a balance shaft 2.5 four popper with about 100 net HP. My BIL ordered a new Chrysler Laser with the 2.5 and a five speed, drove out to Omaha one time for him, a 7 hour drive, it is what convinced me to buy mine. The 2.5 had more then enough get up and go, esp considering that at the time I was driving a 79 Omni. I wish I had bought that cheaper and better 2.5 instead of the trouble prone turbo. It was about the most comfortable car to ride and drive in that I have ever owned, mine even had an adjustable lumbar section that you could blow up for comfort. If this had AC, I would seriously bid, but at my age, I need the ac. Wish we could hear this cars story.
Billy, why haven’t you bought that new Honda you’re always raving about? I don’t know why you would even bother with this. It has about one tenth the hotness of that way cool Honda!
Years ago, I delivered to a lot of car dealers and repair shops. One place had a car just like this, with the entire dashboard dismantled. I asked, what’s the deal here? The mechanic said they were replacing the heater core,,,
1979 to 1993 mustangs with air conditioning are the same way. Full dash removal.
Tell me about it. I had an ’88 5.0 LX that needed a heater core. Mr. Sawzall made short work of that.
Cool car, always liked the design of these later generation Daytona.
This would be a great car for a teenage gearhead that could appreciate it as long as he/she signed a “no cold air intake clause upon purchase”.
This car needs to be driven and cared for.
“…. this one has no A/C, crank widows, AM/FM stereo and not much else.”
I know why it has less then 3,000 miles on it.
Ahh, AM/FM stereo with a cassette, we all loved those back in the day. Fear not friends and neighbors, this tuner is digital, so a 20 buck Amazon buy of a blue tooth FM transmitter will give you all you need in modern entertainment. Crank windows? Say it isn’t so!!! Believe it or not, that used to be a rare luxury item that we all gawked at when we say them. Not needed here, only two windows roll down and pretty easy to reach them both, I am old, but not so old I can’t turn a crank on a window. The AC? Fully agree there, but in 1989, even that was a big buck item you had to pay a lot for. I traded in my lemon 1988 Dodge for a new 1990 Civic, I asked about air, they wanted almost a grand for it, adjusted for inflation, that is like 2K for air. A lot of us bought cars with out air conditioning then. Believe it or not, modern cars really are a bargain for what you get.
The original owner didn’t go for the biggest engine because it was more money. He went for the 5 speed because it was cheaper than the automatic. The car was ordered on a strict budget.
The budget I get. The no miles I don’t. My father bought a 1988 Mustang notch with no AC, 5 speed. Manual windows and locks and 14” wheels. But it was his work car and he drive the pants off of it
The no miles is because driving an under powered, gutless car with no a/c STUNK! It’s worth about a dollar a mile that are on it: Yup, $2,900. Pay more and ya got hosed. Especially when you need that heater core…
Sorry, I misread that. My dyslexia had me transpose the numbers. I thought it was 2,900. I stand by the statement though. It’s not worth $2,900. It’s worth $2,059!
Might have had sentimental value to somebody. Person who ordered it died unexpectedly or something & instead of being sold immediately it was mothballed.
Imagine a tube front end and a stout sb chrysler 450 hp in this beautiful shell and awesome interior!?
I’m glad you won’t be buying this little time capsule.
I tell ya Joey, because even this old cantankerous fool gets nostalgic once in a while. I don’t feel that way (much) for my 70 RR, but for some reason that 1988 Daytona makes me feel that way, not really sure why. The car went through two pistons, two head gaskets, a timing chain (belt? can’t remember), a clutch, a clutch assembly, and a tranny in about 20,000 miles. I traded that lemon in on a new Civic. Despite all of the trouble, I loved the idea of that car, and as I said, the most comfortable seats I have ever sat in.. (Why can’t automakers consistently put out good seats? There has to be a conspiracy somewhere, but I digress.) I bet you could get this car for 8 or 9 grand, and if it had air, it would sell quickly because it would be my choice over a new Civic at 15K more then that. I love the style of the car, and I miss the hatch backs of yore. Maybe I am nostalgic for one more Chrysler because Fiat will soon kill the name for good, who knows. When my 1983 Mirada finally gets out of the body shop after restoration, then maybe I will feel better, we shall see. This is my baby from the fall of 1992, I know that because it is sitting in what would become our front yard as we built our house and garage..
Had a 81 mirada….225 1bbl….replaced it for 77 super six 2bble…couldnt kill that car….went 300k…running driving when i gave it away….for some reason i was the only one that could start it but i liked that….good times
Yes, the glorious slant six was pretty strangled by those days. Mine as an 83 is even worse, but I didn’t buy the car for performance, I used it (the past 32 years) as an open road car…had her all over the country. Once up to speed, she is silky smooth on the road. When I bought the car at 3 years old in 1986, it was so under powered for even that time, it was almost a give away item, I got it for less then half of the asking price at 3 grand. We are talking about a 3 year old car with like 40K miles and pristine in and out, looked almost show room new, but the smog strangled 225 was a deal breaker for many. Always intended to swap out a V8, but she ran so well, never had the heart to do it. Has like 130K on it now and it will not give up the ghost, but I would like a little better running car around town so maybe when she gets that shiny new paint job, (interior is still mint) I will have the slanty rebuilt to 1970 specs, perhaps with that nifty 2bbl like you, or maybe just do an early 70s 318, who knows. (I have a friend who has be trying to buy it for years, wants a built 360 or even a big block in it, but I just love her too much to let her go) I seriously doubt the car will ever be worth anything, but I own it because I like the way it looks and it is wonderful to travel in, enough luggage space and then some. We do travel in our 1986 Miata but that is a totally different animal, I tell ya. pack light kiddies for that one. This Daytona would also be a great traveling car if it had the AC, wonder how much it would cost to retrofit that?
Billy, I would LOVE to take that Mirada off of your hands…….! :-)
Sorry Moparmann, promised to my son as his inheritance, but they are dirt cheap, must be a few more left out there for you. I’m glad you like it. It always draws a crowd at the shows, many have no idea what it is. Being an 83, ultra rare, they stopped production in Feb of that year. Of course worth little or nothing, esp with the six, though that can be fixed I spose. Looking forward to seeing her with 100% perfect sheet metal and a shiny Nightwatch Blue metallic paint job. Never did have any rust to begin with. Should be even more adored at the shows. I hope to have her at Iola in Wisconsin by Mid July, if she is done. Only thing left is to fix the sag in the head liner.
And the worst investment award over the last 3 decades goes to…..
Some people have no taste, plain and simple.
If you buy this car go to Dodge dealer and buy the little plastic ball that goes under the gear shifter. After a while it will wear down and fall out thus stranding you in that gear till you replace it. Ball peen hammer and plastic ball in glovebox could save your bacon.
I picked this one up 2 month’s ago less than 73000 miles on it all documents from new original selling dealer out of Muncie Indiana! A female owned it from new she gave it lots of love and it shows! I am going to do a couple minor things like a new muffler and keep taking care of it! It’s fun to drive!
My best friend bought a brand new ‘90 Daytona ES when we were kids—3.0L v-6, auto, white over silver. He drove it for about a year, then after some hemming and hawing over a red Firebird GTA, he traded it in on a shiny new medium silver ‘91 Mustang GT hatch—5.0L, 5-sp. he liked the Daytona, but he kept he Mustang for 27 years, and sold it last year for about $16000, with less than 40,000 km on the odo. Guess the Mustang won…
Hmmm, looks like the listing is gone, wonder if it sold, and for what?