1997 Dodge Neon

Summary:

A money pit vehicle

Faults:

Head gasket replaced twice.

Transmission replaced around 60,000.

Air bag recall.

Overheat fuse replaced when car was 3 months old. (under warranty)

Brake pads/rotors replaced every other year.

A/C failed after 3 years.

General Comments:

The only positive thing I can say about the car is that is never stalls.

Other than that, this car is your basic lemon nightmare. I don't expect a car to last forever when you pay $9,000 for it, but the numerous repairs have made the maintenance costs unbelievable.

I will never buy another Dodge vehicle again.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 10th September, 2003

6th Mar 2004, 20:00

Best car I ever own 1997dodge neon.

25th Sep 2004, 00:49

1998 Chrysler (dodge) neon. From UK car sales, 62,000 miles on clock serviced regularly.

Front brakes and disc's replaced at a cost of £275.

Head gasket failed at 68,000 miles cost £615.

Central locking and immobilizer failed £500.

Engine oil blockage resulted in engine seizure cost £1375 for second hand engine, which leaks oil.

This car is the worst purchase I've ever made and I've only owned it for 2 years. Spares are expensive in the UK for this vehicle and most repair garages won't touch them, so I have to go to a Chrysler (Dodge) dealership to get it fixed which costs me even more. I hate this car, and has put me off forever in going anywhere near Jeep, Dodge or Chrysler.

12th Nov 2005, 08:22

I have a 97 Dodge Neon and I have only replaced the cat converter besides the usual. I'm nearing 200,000 on the car and it is the best car I have ever had, great in the snow also. I don't understand, sometimes the tires spin on rainy wet roads, but not on ice and snow. To the person who said about the stolen car, It was stolen 3 times when your gages stopped working, don't you think that that may have had something to do with it. breaking the lock and hot wiring the car does do its damages, you can't blame that on dodge.

If you put a good security system in the car, get your oil changed every 2,500 miles, and you get a tune up every 6 to 12 months cars will do amazing things.

-JB.

1997 Dodge Neon High Line Sport 2.0L SOHC

Summary:

A good budget buy, with minor, but irritating problems

Faults:

The brakes squealed very loudly although upon inspection were relatively new.

Shortly after breaching the 100,000 mile mark the struts became loud, highlighting every bump in the road as if to say "here I am!".

At 100,000 miles there was a slightly noticeable amount of bottom end motor noise (a slight knock maybe).

The weather strip allowed for wind noise and whistling at highway speeds.

General Comments:

The car is very comfortable.

The car ran excellent, with no hesitation to start up.

The car handles very well.

For a budget car, it is an extreme value.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 1st September, 2003

1997 Dodge Neon 2.0

Summary:

A reliable car, but you get what you pay for!

Faults:

My head gasket blew at 74,000 miles, costing me over $600 to fix.

Wind noise through door seals.

Brake pads wear through fast. (Not my fault)

The "check engine" light has come on twice. The first time, it ended up turning off after 2 days. The second time, turned out to be a wiring problem. This put me out $380.

Air condition went out in the middle of summer. I had to put another $200 into the repairs.

The lapis blue paint started pealing right after I purchased it. The passenger side and back side have a large amount of paint missing. The only reason the drivers side isn't pealing is because it was repainted after a dent was repaired. Dodge refuses to fix this. To fix this, it will cost me at least $500 for a decent paint job.

Car overheated when the radiator fans sensor went out. $80 for the piece and $100 for the labor.

Car doesn't do well on hills. This causes the driver behind me to flip me off, cuss, and/or tailgate.

Both speakers have gone out in the front and need to be replaced. For 5 months before the left speaker died, it made a loud, high pitched sound when the radio was on.

General Comments:

Despite all of these problems, I like my car. I'm lucky to even have a car at this moment.

Every time I have gone to start my car, it has started. It never fails to get me to work.

Even though the interior has an 80's look to it, it doesn't show dirt or stains.

The backseat has lots of room for passengers.

Wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

I think the pealing paint is an advertisement for Dodge. When I tell people what kind of car I have and they can't put a picture in their mind, I just tell them it's the pealing paint car. Since there are about 10 of them in my city with pealing paint, everyone knows what they look like.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 27th August, 2003