Front A-arm bushings.
Accessory belt tensioner.
Vacuum recirculation pump (fuel system).
While I enjoyed the economy this car provides you with, like the best in class for fuel economy and cheap initial price... I am dismayed with the fact that the manufacturer does NOT intend you to bother to repair it... AT ALL!
Every time I went to do work, other than maintenance on the car (other than consumables, brakes, oil etc) I was met with a proverbial brick wall. For example, the front control arm bushing went, not a big deal, but the rear A-arm bolt was not designed to be removed... WHAT? The technical service bulletin says to cut a hole in the floor from inside the car (WHAT?) and heat the backing nuts cherryred to remove bolts... tisk tisk...
The accessory belt tensioner was noisy, and at 160K I understand it need to be replaced, not a big deal (said that before). On VWs, which I'm used to, there's 3 13mm bolts to remove it, easy. On the Neon, there's 3 bolts too, but... um... they're sandwiched between the engine block and an aluminum bracket that holds the power steering pump, alternator etc. I basically have to remove the engine to change this small tensioner. (WHAT?)
Dodge designed this car to be driven and NOT repaired... ever. Where's the economy in that?
They designed them that way so people would have to trade them in and buy a new car sooner, cars nowadays aren't built to last.. Chrysler wants people to buy a new car from them every 5 years or less. The Neon's were used as rentals a lot, basically throw-away cars.
Note: A Comments RSS Feed is available. New comments appear in the Members Area before the main site