With the death of the Challenger in 1983, Dodge responded with its 3-door sports hatchback, the Dodge Daytona. Billed as an economy car, it was one of the fastest, best-performing ones out there. The 1984 Daytona came in standard, Turbo, and Turbo Z trims, with the Turbo designed to appeal to younger buyers looking for an inexpensive first-time car that also packed in a lot of fun.

The base hatchback featured a 2.2-liter, 4-cylinder, 93-horsepower engine. The turbo 2.2 engine upped the horsepower to 142 hp. A 5-speed manual transmission came standard, with a 3-speed automatic transmission option.

On Car and Driver's top ten list for 1984, the Daytona did not offer much in the way of frills. The bucket seats advertised room for four, but the small back seat really meant the Daytona was more suited for two. Leather seats and power windows and locks were optional. What it lacked in the cabin, it made up for under its hood, with a peppy engine. Owners loved its looks and the smooth handling of this sports hatchback. Many say it's held up well over the years, while others are disappointed in its reliability.