2000 Dodge Neon LS from North America - Comments

So far: (Should not have happened)

1 broken speedometer / dash.

1 broken air conditioner.

1 problem with the front axle.

2 Flats and only the Dodge Neon uses a size 185/60/15 tire (Very Expensive to replace, most tire shops refuse to carry)

2 Fuel injectors.

Brakes squeak every time it rains and the dealer says it's normal.

Car ALWAYS runs rough.

Bad road noise. Little sound insulation.

And my check engine light is flashing again...

My car has been treated like GOLD. I only use Mobil-1 Synthetic oil ($5 US a quart) ever since car was properly broken in. I have my transmission flushed at the dealer every 20,000 miles, new air filter every 10,000, new plugs every year...

The only positives I can give this car is:

- Good pep when car is running properly

- Seats are comfortable enough to sleep in while you are waiting for a tow truck.

Well, when a manufacturer sells a new car in the year 2000 with a 3 speed automatic, one might infer that the rest of the car contains similarly dated parts. The running rough bit, is probably transmission related. Try driving in a normal car (i.e. any car with an automatic transmission since 1990 that isn't a neon) and holding it in 2nd or third gear constantly, and you'll see the similarities. It still baffles me that Dodge is staying with this 3 speed automatic, while many 5 speed automatics are being introduced. How can you take a car seriously with a 20 year old transmission design?

Dodge got rid of the 3-speed for 2002, do your research next time.

Cause the 3-speed has proven its reliability... the 4-speed that they wanted to put in the Neons wasn't as reliable (due to heat of the small engine bay) so they figured they should keep with the 3-spd that was in the Omni, Reliant, and the old Caravan (4 cyl.) that have proven their worthiness... just because a car uses "old" technology...doesn't mean its bad... for some times the old is better than the new. Take the new CVT's that are coming out they are new, but are they better? I think not cause in a few years or so (depending on how many miles you drive) what do you think will happen when the belts wear out? hmmm costly repair...

Tires; http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Yokohama&tireModel=AVID+TRZ&vehicleSearch=true&partnum=86TR5TRZ&fromCompare1=yes&place=0&speed_rating=SR&speed_rating=TR&speed_rating=UR&speed_rating=HR&speed_rating=VR&speed_rating=ZR&speed_rating=WR&speed_rating=YR

$54 not that bad....