1998 Chrysler Neon LX from UK and Ireland - Comments

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.

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.

What the hell is wrong with you. Acceleration at 70 in 5th gear??? Where have you learned to drive, on a farm?? I have owned a Neon for 5 years with no trouble at all, it accelerates very well and I think that it is a very fine car.

I agree with the original comment above. Neons are a bag of crap. Poor build, Poor driveability, Poor economy, Poor performance, and crap at everything. Cheap and nasty car; buy a Japanese car instead. My Air Con failed at 35k and it is noisy and slow. Above 90mph, it feels dreadful.

I currently own 2 chryslers, a Neon and a Grand Voyager..

I can say with experience that the Neon is a great little car... I would rather be seen driving a Neon that a Escort?? The only reason the?Neon is having such a bad time is because these little boy racers are all under 25 and they are not able to afford the insurance on a Neon... I have lived in Canada for 5 years and I owned Chrysler/Dodge cars/truck and a minivan... NO PROBLEMS..I am selling my Neon ONLY because I got my Grand Voyager.. due to having a lot of kids.. otherwise I would still be keeping it.. I have no problems. with it..

Hi

I am a relatively new owner of a (2001) Neon, although I'm happy with the appearance I'm mega disapointed with the performance. It's Automatic Gear Box is unresponsive in ANY gear!! I'm struggling big time with the shallow steering lock & Consequent inability to park in spaces less than a double decker bus without several back & forth manouvers. I am still arguing with the supplier who's going to foot the bill for a broken headlight unit (on receipt) at a whopping £260 & window control switch at a further £200+ Looks good, but that's about it!! Wish I had kept my Honda which was by far the superior drive :- (