1995 Plymouth Neon Highline 2.0L SOHC from North America

Summary:

Not perfect, not terrible. I love it

Faults:

Turn signal switch replaced at <10,000.

Alternator replaced at <10,000.

Battery replaced at <10,000, 20,000 and 40,000.

Brake cylinders replaced at <20,000.

Tires replaced due to dry-rot at 20,000.

Brakes replaced at 25,000.

Transmission rebuilt at 32,000.

Currently has paint chipping off bumpers, hood and roof, spark plug wiring harness has a short, speedometer/odometer malfunctions intermittently, and turn signal switch needs replacement.

General Comments:

Being that this car belonged to my grandmother before I started driving, my Neon didn't get much use until just the past three years. When I got it, it had a lot of problems, mainly due to neglect. After fixing those problems, the car ran perfectly.

Aside from the problems listed above, the car has been very reliable. My grandmother and I have invested only $3,000 in repairs for this car in the past nine years.

Handling on this car is incredible. I've managed to swerve out of many a sticky situation.

The car rides low to the ground, which can make going over speed bumps hell.

The engine has a lot of pep and the car can accelerate very quick. I've noticed the pedals seem a bit loose, however.

The gas pedal has a hair trigger and the brakes stop on a dime, though sometimes they can be a bit slippery.

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

Review Date: 2nd March, 2003

1995 Plymouth Neon Sport 2.0 DOHC from North America

Summary:

A headache when you buy one.

Faults:

The head gaskets blew at 92,000 miles driving normal speed.

Speedometer worked when it wanted to.

Had to bang the dashboard to make the lights work at night.

An Electrical problem at 79,000 miles.

The Rotors warped at normal speed.

The Axle broke at 80,000 miles.

The transmission replaced at 82,000 miles.

The Computer malfunctioned and replaced 89,000 miles.

General Comments:

I had called the dealer and asked them how much it would cost if I were to have it serviced there they wanted 2500 dollars. I Didn't want to pay that much so I junked the car. It would have cost as much as the car would face value at that point.

I had gotten headaches from Chrysler

I will never buy a Chrysler product again. Chrysler should have recalled all the neons with the head gasket problems. I shouldn't have to pay for head gaskets when they shouldn't go in the first place. Chrysler should stand there ground when it comes to their cars. They may design good looking cars, but their engines are crappy.

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

Review Date: 19th February, 2003

13th Aug 2003, 22:06

Yes I agree with you that all neon's should be recalled because with my neon I sunk almost $5000 in repairs after the car was purchased. The problems that I had were:

-2 head gaskets

-blower motor

-car stalls all the time

-needed new starter

-needed new alternator

-needs new transmission

-dash lights work when they want to

-brakes don't catch

-ABS sensors had to be replaced and ABS still doesn't work

-oil leak.

And there were more problems, but I can't think of them right now. These problems occurred within the first two months that I owned the vehicle.

10th Jan 2004, 00:52

The brake rotors warp if an impact wrench is used to tighten the wheel lugs. I will not let a tire place use an impact on my Neon after having 3 wheel studs broken and the rotors instantly warped twice.

7th Jun 2004, 23:27

I agree with your comments that were written above. I have had 2 Neons: 1996 and 1998 Neon. Both had similar mechanical problems and I can feel and understand what other people were going through. They both had SOHC, Automatic Transmissions, and 2.0 Litre engines.

Here's a list of the repairs and problems:

1996 Neon (built in Mexico)

-Radiator leaked and blew (causing overheating) (Cost $550)

-Oil Light would come on due to lack of oil pressure

(several times) -later on, discovered the car was burning oil.

-Gaskets replaced at 85,000 km

- Currently leaking oil (Gaskets most likely the problem again)

-"Service Engine Light" is constantly on; Mechanic says that its the oxygen sensor.

1998 Neon

-Thermostat was broken and replaced (twice)

-Oil and Coolant were mixing in the engine (Cost $750) at around 80,000 km

-Gaskets replaced at 75,000 km

-Transmission Seal Leak at 71,000 km

-Oil Light comes on when going down hills, or making sharp turns. (Started happening at around 65,000 km)

All these problems and repairs ARE NOT made up. I've have driven both of these Neons for years and these are some of the things that I have personally experienced and seen with my own eyes.

31st Mar 2006, 23:56

My 1995 plymouth neon had been very well taken care of when I bought it, but since then (6 months ago) the door speakers have gone because of leakage problems, the windows do not seal properly, and the brakes squeal all the time even though I do not need new pads.