1998 Chrysler Neon LX review from UK and Ireland

The fuel pump has been replaced twice (on warranty) due to being excessively noise.

The brakes pads - which I believe are poor considering it has discs all around - have a short shelf life and Chrysler have failed to cure an annoying squeak despite having 4 attempts at it.

Other than that very few things have gone wrong and I've no real grumbles regarding reliability of the vehicle.

The performance of the Neon - lambasted by many - is pretty decent; it's let down though by the fact that you have to work the gearbox. In my mind the gearing ratio is set up for the American market. Put your foot down at 70 in 5th and you need the length of the M6 before the police will book you for speeding! However drop it to 3rd and your away - thirsty but fun.

In the dry the Neon handles very well, gripping the corners with the stiffer-than-the-US suspension holding the bends quite comfortably. This despite a distinct lack of feedback from the steering well. Get the car in the wet though and, on it's small 14" wheels, it's almost dangerously skittish. I've found that running the car on under-pressured tyres improves handling over the winter months.

The curiously raked lights seem become noticeably duller with only a slight film of grime on them and you'd best pray that the bulb doesn't blow! Despite the handbooks words you can't replace a bulb without removing the whole unit!

The running costs are high with service intervals at just 7,500 miles and Chrysler's ridiculously excessive prices for spares. For example the glass on a front fog light smashed, Chrysler quoted £104 for supply only after VAT; I bought the part from a local Hella (fog light manufacturer) dealer for £35. While talking of fog lights - Chrysler wire the front to work at the same time as the rear off a single switch. Now I don't like blinding people behind me and do like using front-fogs, for improved visibility on country lanes, so a home-bodge was required to install another switch.