The mid-1980s was the time when auto manufacturers cautiously, carefully and nervously picked up the book of performance and started flipping through the dusty pages to see if there was a way that they could sneak an extra horsepower or two under the EPA’s gigantic thumb. The Fox-body Mustang and Capri and the GM F-car twins were recovering well enough, but a lot of companies were looking at small, nimble cars that had…well, let’s be nice and say that they were trying their best where performance was concerned. Case in point is today’s Would You Rather challenge: both companies had their eye on gaining traction with a potent front driver. One did well, the other…yeah, it’s not a great story. But it’s up to you to make the call as to which you would go for: would you take the safe choice and go for the Turbo I powered Dodge Daytona C/S (Carroll Shelby, of course), or would you look for the newly-bodied 1986 Ford EXP? Sure, in stock form it sucked out loud, but think one word: COSWORTH. Imagine the kind of riot a properly built EXP would create if it was tweaked right?
Watch Motorweek’s take on the cars as they were new, then make your call below!
As I live in the UK I wouldn’t have to take any of those crap boxes home – we had our own and I wouldn’t want any of them either!
My cars were free of that abomination known as front wheel drive and had no less than six cylinders – that’s with the engine where it should be in a straight line front to rear as well!
If you went to 1987 this is a different story. I had an 87 Shelby Daytona with the Turbo II engine and that was a great little car. Wouldn’t keep up with modded cars but in stock form I gave many Camaros and Mustangs a run. Was really comfortable and got good mileage to boot. On another note a friend got a 87 EXP new and that turd spent as much time in the shop as it did on the road.
I had one too. I think it’s my favorite car than I’ve owned.
I would go with the Daytona. I like the EXP’s styling in a quirky ’80s way, and would like to see what one would do with an SVT Focus drivetrain, but don’t have time for a crazy engine swap project. The Daytona is a fun car out of the box (I used to have a Turbo I LeBaron coupe), plus I can carry more passengers or more cargo.
A Daytona vs 1st gen Probe GT face off might be too close to call, though…
I’m never disappointed…there is always some ass wipe that can’t play a simple game of “what would you do” there is always one…if not many that say “I would not do either” “I would sell X/Y/Z and buy A/B/C…Christ on a cracker…how hard is it to play a simple bench racing game…seriously….SMMFH.
To answer the question…I’d go with the Chrysler…it is a no Brainer. Anyone who knows anything knows that those EXP’s were in the shop more than on the road…
In stock form this is a no brainer, even for a Ford guy like me. Now if I could swap a new Focus ST powertrain into the EXP, that would be pretty sweet!
I’d go with the EXP. I like the looks. I really want to buy one of those, or an Escort GT, and put in a hot drivetrain. Can’t ever find a decent one though.
I would love to create a street version of Bob Glidden’s pro stock exp!
I would love to get my hands on a 1983 Dodge Shelby Charger. I know, they are econo boxes with a 2.2L engine….but I have always loved them. An Omni GLHS would be awesome as well.