Faults:

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.

General Comments:

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.

Faults:

1) 2 head gaskets.

2) Front brake rotors replaced twice.

3) A/C compressor is junk.

4) Idle has never been right.

5) Check engine light stays on dealer, can't find the problem.

6) Muffler has fallen off 3 times.

General Comments:

This car is a heap of trash! I hate it and I wish I had never bought the thing. You can't trade it in because it has no value whatsoever. Paint is cheap, interior is pathetic, spends more time at Chryslers garage than at my house..

Faults:

Both front passenger doors rattle... a common trait of the Neon.

Mechanics have no clue on how to fix any problem and it takes ages (months) to get in a spare part.

It's getting bumpier every day even though I check the air pressure.

Wind coming through the doors..

Radio stick fell off.

Driver's seat is practically flat although I'm only 75kg.

General Comments:

The only reason a person would buy a Neon is due to its looks. Although many have praised its driving performance, I've driven better.

Don't know about the Neon 2000 though.

Its engine, although a 2.0 litre, doesn't have the zip of most 1.6 litre engine cars. Now that's an embarassment. Doesn't change gears when you want it to (auto).

Faults:

Automatic gearbox failed after 10,000 miles, powered steering failed after 30,000 miles.

Both covered by warranty!