Dodge Neon

Price Paid:  $15000.00 from V&H Ford

Year / Model Reviewed:
1997 4 Door Sedan

Summary:
My Neon was my first brand new car ever. I absolutely loved it. Several years ago while having an oil change, my mechanic noted the head gasket was cracked. Contact was made through my car dealer with Chrysler- the mechanic said this problem with Neons was pretty commonplace. Chrysler of course said they would not help out with the $1,200 needed to have the head gasket replaced. The oil leak was minimal, so I've made sure as I did prior that my oil changes were done on time, etc. Recently my oil light was flashing, so upon checking the oil, I discovered I was 3 quarts down, so I added the needed oil. The next day I was running an errand a mile from home when the oil light flashed again. This time the reading showed no oil level. I discovered later that, after adding an additional 3 quarts of oil. Again I took the car to the mechanic, and $500 later and a prediction the car will be in need of major expensive mechanical repair within 6 months. Okay, the car is 11 years old, it has only 104K miles on it, the body is in good shape as is the interior. But under the hood it's essentially junk.

Strengths:
It's cute, it's been pretty low maintenance aside from the frequency in adding oil related to the cracked head gasket. It has been an easy to drive car for me....my daughters both learned how to drive in it.

Weaknesses:
My little metallic emerald green girl is headed for the auto salvage yard. Once again Chrysler has a known problem with one of their cars, and once again have declined to do anything to help. The previous car I owned was a Plymouth Voyager. It too had a problem- a paint problem. The van was navy blue, and it blistered. The van was always kept in a garage. My body shop guy told me the navy had a problem with not bonding to the primer- a problem common with the color.

Similar Products Used:
Between the paint problem with the Voyager and now the head gasket problem with the Neon, my car shopping is headed in other manufacturer directions.

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Price Paid:  $0.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
1995 Neon SE

Summary:
My mom had purchased the car in '99. Not sure what the price was. Ther car actaully held up on it's own. When she transfered the car to me, it was all good too. Only main problem I had was the clutch. It didnt give out thought until 3 yrs after she bought it. Thats pretty good. Then of course the standard stuff. New tires, new brakes, new battery. I liked it

Strengths:
Great starter car. Make sure you get it in standard trans. They seem to have less problems

Weaknesses:
Dashboard was a bit weak. Wiring for the speedometer went out, but that didnt bother me since i was driving standard.

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $2000.00 from Mike Young

Year / Model Reviewed:
1997 Dodge Neon

Summary:
My Dodge Neon is a faithful car. It doesn't brake constantly like a lot of those nicer looking cars.

Neons aren't the coolest cars, but they're dependable and affordable. It's my first car, and I had it for 3 years before fixing one thing on it!

However, either the primer or paint was bad because my blue paint is patchy. There should have been a recall.

My car probably gets 23 or 24 miles to the gallon, and it's ten years old. It gets worse with age, I think!

Strengths:
Cheap, basic, little but roomy, great starter car

Weaknesses:
Bad paint! Leaked oil & antifreeze, slow pick-up, car gets nervous on expressway, my car doesn't have cruise control!

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $12500.00 from Glenway Dodge, OH

Year / Model Reviewed:
1999 Dodge Neon Sport 2d ATX

Summary:
This was a HORRIBLE car to drive. I was a high schooler at the time and was fortunate enough just to have a car, but looking back 5 cars later, it's hard to believe how much I had to deal with.

It was black Sport 2 door with chrome badging, power hood bulge, fog lights, spoiler, etc. . . was a fairly decent looking car. Good on gas, decent stereo, great A/C - HVAC system.

PROBLEMS:

- Engine was noisy and extremely weak. Constantly leaked antifreeze all over my driveway after about 3K miles
- 3-speed auto was HORRIBLE and would constantly chug in gear
- 2 of 6 speakers blew within 3 years
- tachometer broke
- power sunroof frame torqued itself crooked, snapped and broke
- ate up 1st pair of tires in 12K miles
- weak brightness from headlights
- horrid rainbow specks on seat fabric (very emasculating. LOL)

Strengths:
see above

Weaknesses:
see above

Price Paid:  $20000.00 from Auge's

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 Dodge Neon

Summary:
I love my car! I bought it new and now have 50,000 miles on it. I've never had anything wrong with it. I would recommend this car to anyone! It's cute and very reliable.

Strengths:
Good on gas, small on the outside but very roomy on the inside.

Weaknesses:
I haven't found any!