The only minor problem that I had with my car is that when I want to adjust the car when I've just parallel parked and move in an closer, the engine automatically shuts off.
Oh my god!! What else can I say about my Dodge Neon, but Wow.
The Dodge clearly sets the standard for all the economic compact cars that are out there today.
The car is comfortable, roomy, quick, and handles well.
The Neon is also very attractive, sporty, and definitely makes a great centerpiece to your life.
People are too quick to judge today's Neons because it is American and it's predecessor (the 1st generation neons) didn't really capture the buyer's hearts.
I also hate people who do criticize the Dodge Neon often are the ones who settle for it's Japanese competitors (ie: Honda, Toyota, Mazda, etc.) Coming from someone who previously owned a Honda, I can tell you that Honda's are not what it's cracked up to be.
People claim that Honda's are reliable and that their little engine could last for many years. But you know what, this isn't entirely true. I believe that how well you take care of your vehicle will determine it's longevity. As for me, I like to pamper my beautiful Dodge Neon. I plan to keep it for a very long time.
The only car I would think of trading in for my Neon is the upcoming 2003 Dodge Neon SRT-4. Believe me folks...just think 206 hp.
Being a second owner of a Neon 1998 & 2005 I have to say that I have driven these cars in some of the worst conditions imaginable:
City driving; driving on a grade daily for 6 years; snow; desert heat; a full day in the rain; over deep puddles; mud; used it for moving countless times; been rear-ended and crashed a few poles here and there and BOTH cars have survived without a dent, miss or complaint.
My 1998 did have the bad headgasket. I drove it this way for over a year and then had the dealer fix it with a $100 deductible.
I've driven both cars aggressively (they seem to like that).
I've also passed 3 smog checks with a faulty O2 sensor (1998 car).
My 1998 currently has over 160,000 miles when I sold it to an owner that loves it. It needed a new radiator (small crack) and 1 brake job plus the head gasket. That's it for the 160,000 miles.
My 2005 is trouble free after 18,000 miles.
I do regular maintenance and the maintenance doesn't require mechanics with Ph.Ds.
These are great cars that jealous people like to bash.
<<These are great cars that jealous people like to bash.>>
Yeah, just ignore all those JD Power, Consumer Reports, Intellichoice, Edmunds, every auto magazine, and the rest reports that rate the car unreliable and a piece of junk.
After my friend's 1997 Neon was in the shop for the sixth time (this time an entire door panel just decided to fall into the floor) I think I got the hint about how jealous I should be of him.
I agree with the original reviewer. I bought a 2001 Neon ES new in 2000 and never had a problem with it. Before that, I had a 2000 Toyota Corolla that was the biggest piece of garbage ever! I even tried extra hard to like it because of of all the good reviews everyone gave it. But, I paid less for the Neon than I did the Corolla and have never had a problem with it. However, due to our growing family, I passed on my Neon to my wife and I bought a 2004 Intrepid, which has been Flawless, because I shuttle the kids around most of the time. Anyway, I just changed the oil at 175,000 miles. I never normally keep my vehicles this long, We just can't get ourselves to get rid of it! However, in the next few months, we plan on trading it for a Caliber, which is a little safer, but also just as efficient. To wrap it up, for the price, there really is now better car than the Neon. Functional, affordable and reliable really sums it up.
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