2002 Dodge Neon

Summary:

I loved my Neon, and cried when I had to replace it

Faults:

I got the car and it had a salvaged title, but even then, it ran like a champ.

A few months down the road, my tranny started slipping. I got it fixed or whatever, but back to back, things always went out.

Master cylinder, brakes, always new noises, and weird stuff like that.

I regularly maintained the car, but there was something flipped every day. But it always started, the engine was fine all throughout, just an easy car to fall apart.

But I got all of my parts cheap from a junk yard. These make great first cars.

General Comments:

Easy to drive and maneuver. Easy to handle, easy on gas. Makes a great first or teen car.

Not too big or small. Comfy seats... OEM radio sucks, though. You will need to replace it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th March, 2012

2002 Dodge Neon SXT

Summary:

Love this car

Faults:

I own a 2002 Dodge Neon that was bought new from my uncle, and I have only had a slight problem.

In the 200,000 and something miles it has on it, the only thing that I experienced is my engine light staying on. I was told that my oxygen sensors needed to be changed. I have not experienced any of the jerking that I have read in other posts.

All in all, I LOVE this car. I have wrecked it two or three times, and it just keeps on going. I am hoping to find another one soon to replace it (because of the dents, not because of faulty equipment or shoddy manufacturing).

I am sorry to everyone who has not had a great experience with the Neon SXT like I have. It is a wonderful car, and even with all the miles on it, I would still drive it around the world!!

General Comments:

Great car, very few problems... too low to the ground, I get blinded at night.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th January, 2011

2002 Dodge Neon SXT 2.0

Summary:

I like this car

Faults:

Nothing wrong so far. The car is in near perfect condition. Shifts well, but grinds second gear if you try to shift too fast.

General Comments:

Don't like the auto locking doors, which you cannot open without the battery key opener.

Handles well. Not a huge amount of power, but adequate. For the year, the miles are OK. Was not afraid to buy the car. Engine and interior were in excellent condition. I mean someone had taken VERY good care of this car.

It has a new paint job; same color, yellow.

I like the car, even though I am a van/SUV/pick up person. I needed a commuter car.

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

Review Date: 9th January, 2011

2002 Dodge Neon ES 2.0

Summary:

It is a very good car, with a couple of quirks that I can live with

Faults:

Motor mounts had to be replaced at 80,000 miles.

Had a bad wire on my my outbound speed sensor, that I fixed myself.

General Comments:

I've read where a lot of people are having or have had similar problems with the Neon that I have had. When I first got the car, I noticed that the transmission shifted a little hard from first to second gear. It progressively got worse (hard jerking and lurching), and I figured that is why I got a really good deal on the car.

Finally, the speedometer and fuel gauge stopped working and the car would only operate in second gear. It turned out that it was just a wire that deteriorated on one of my speed sensors on the transmission. I spliced a new wire on, and it has been fine ever since.

I have also noticed slight surges at freeway speeds, which initially worried me. I noticed this first on a 1,600 mile road trip that I did last year to Denver from LA. The cause of this was having the defroster on. When the compressor kicked in for the defroster, it put a slight load on the engine, and the lock-up torque converter would disengage. It is definitely an annoying quirk, but nothing that should pose any problems. Funny though, I haven't noticed this with the air conditioning on, just the defroster.

Lastly for the problems, my engine is a little noisy and rough at idle. It is just a typical Chrysler 4 cylinder engine. It is smooth and fairly quiet at when running down the road.

Overall, I give praise to the car. It has never left me stranded, and I haven't really done the routine maintenance very routinely. Although the interior is made out of plastic, it looks decent and is free of rattles.

I like the way the way the car rides and handles, and the acceleration is good, but not impressive.

Comfort is top notch for a car in this category, for when it was made. It is a small car that feels roomy, and the seats are nice and supportive.

I don't understand why Dodge didn't have cruise control as standard in this model.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th August, 2010