Is there a Neon experience thread here? New search ain't cutting it

I just wanted some experience with daily driverdom. I'm compiling a list of various cars in this vein but there's gotta be one for Neons already right?

So far I hear autos aren't the ticket and radiators tend to blow. Any experience with early 2000's manuals?

The 2nd Gen ones handle a lot worse. A 99 would be a way better choice than a 2000. They are pretty reliable, as long as you make sure the timing belt and water pump get changed every 80-100k miles. Parts availability (of other than AutoZone junk) isn't that great anymore, and the interior plastic isn't great, but other than that they are pretty good cars. There isn't really all that much to worry about, just find one you like, do the timing belt service, and it should be fine.

The SRT-4 I had seemed like a decent car for the 10 minutes I drove it before disassembling it.

Would rather have a Volvo.

RoughandReady wrote: Would rather have a Volvo. Agreed! Just wait until I ask about the Corolla, that's next!

In reply to ebonyandivory:

I'm a Rolla fan. What sort are you looking at?

ebonyandivory wrote: Any experience with early 2000's manuals?

I have an '02. Aside from front subframe rust and wear items it's been pretty reliable. Forward visibility kinda sucks if you're tall.

www.neons.org will answer all your questions

I've fixed and sold a bunch of Neons to help pay for the car in my avatar. The first gen cars are a lighter, more fun package, but the second gen is a much better car in many ways. They have frames around the windows, and another inch or two of suspension travel, which are two things that make them a better commuter. Along about 2004, Chrysler really started to pull content out of the cars- 02-03 are the nicest, I think. The 03 got a smarter EFI, and in my limited experience, the low perf 5speed cars get about 10mpg better than the first gen, any automatic, or the second gen RT.

Biggest problem with a Neon, or other cars of that ilk, is that they were bought cheap, so nobody thinks its worthwhile to maintain, wash or fix them, so they deteriorate to junkers.

Travis_K wrote: The 2nd Gen ones handle a lot worse. A 99 would be a way better choice than a 2000. They are pretty reliable, as long as you make sure the timing belt and water pump get changed every 80-100k miles. Parts availability (of other than AutoZone junk) isn't that great anymore, and the interior plastic isn't great, but other than that they are pretty good cars. There isn't really all that much to worry about, just find one you like, do the timing belt service, and it should be fine.

the interior on my 95 was damn near perfect before i yanked it out and dropped all of it in the fire pit.. not a rip or tear or even faded coloring anywhere to be found.. the body is also 100% rust free, but a little banged up on the driver's side... i'd say it's held up pretty well and was a really well built car for the market segment that it was meant to fill- but mine is now gutted and awaiting the day i have enough extra cash flow for the Chump legal roll cage..

They can feel/sound like a piece of crap if you get a less-than-nice one because of the fragile interior plastics and frameless windows. If you get a 'good' one to start with the impressions will be better. I'm on my second neon.

If they could have somehow combined the suspension travel and interior quality of the 2nd gen with the looks and weight of the 1st gen (not that the 1st gen is pretty but the 2g is ugly), it would be even better than it is. I have a Stratus (also my 2nd) with the same motor/trans (5spd) which is way nicer feeling but doesnt have near the suspension options and does weigh hundreds more.

RoughandReady wrote: In reply to ebonyandivory: I'm a Rolla fan. What sort are you looking at? Up to 2002 due to pricing. Every time I inquire about a certain appliance-type vehicle like this thread, I end up coming back to Corollas when I say to myself "I need a boring no frills car to get me to work cheaply and reliably and the 4-6 times per month I put my 3 kids in there." (We have a Caravan for family outings).

For the money, they are really great cars. Do the timing belt/waterpump and they run forever. Between friends and siblings, most of the Neons they owned went well past 200k before they were sold off (and still running) while getting mid to high 30's mpg on the highway for the manual trans cars. One challenge team members '95 NYG Sport (SOHC/5spd) is well past 300k and still driven daily.

ebonyandivory wrote: Is there a Neon experience thread here? New search ain't cutting it

I have experience driving a Neon. In my opinion, the 1st gen version is tons nicer looking than the 2nd gen. They seem to handle better as well. I don't know a lot about 2nd gens as I didn't mess with them as much as I did my 1st gen so I can't say much. But between them both, they are cheaply made. I had mine for 10 years and daily drove while doing Solo II. I would never consider a 2nd gen.

Other than control arm bushings and the rocker panels blowing out from rust, the 2nd Gen Neons aren't bad.Oh, and if it's a manual, watch out for the synrcos in the trans to wear out as well.