Both head gaskets are gone top and bottom as soon as I got it. Water pump was gone had to be replaced with the timing belt. Constantly leaking oil went to the dealer told me they'll fix it for me for 1000$ dollars told them couldn't do it. Ever since I got this car I had a problem with stalling stuttering and occasionally will turn off on any given day. First thought needs to be tuned correctly so I changed the spark plugs and air, fuel filters PCV valve etc. But no change. Took it to a local mechanic shop, they told me that it needs the fuel line cleaned cost me 90$ bucks, but no results what a waste of Benjamin. The problem grew worst with time being my side, I just couldn't help it, then I took it to this guy who supposedly a mechanic took off the {EGA) SELENOID VALVE, and he cleaned it and put the stuff back, but didn't do anything. So I went back to him and not to mention pay the gye 100$ dollars the last time and He says well let's check the fuel pump and he said it'll cost me a great deal again so I thought enough is enough. Took it to the dealer who supposedly makes this junk cars and I after paying them another Benjamin 100$ dollars they said it was the throttle body sensor and same old EGA selenoid {B.S} got the stuff from local retail supplier and replaced all the goodies supposed to be new didn't help so now I run out of option what am I to do? not to mention those above items cost a lot what a rip off these cars are my worst nightmares what a deal I got in my hands all above items are just the portion aff all my sin that put back in the car as soon as I got it changed the all shock absorbers and springs changed the tires new sealed the top gasket looking back I've spent more than 1500$ dollars on this peace of junk, got the car from my friends in laws for 3000$ dollars, but now it's price tag exceeding over 4500$ for this junk not to mention countless hours of job absences because of this cars problems cause it'll just sit in the drive way now.Oh by the way dealer told me they'll fix the above problem for 1200$ which I can't afford so as you can imagine I ran out of option no one seems to know where the problem lays even seasoned mechanic not even the dealer all my salary and countless hours of going door to door to every mechanic is in shambles. What a waste of effort time and money.
I would never in my life will buy a car from Dodge and I 'm very dissapointed the way the car is made and all the people who are looking to buy decent vehicle please go with Japanese cars they are much reliable and great bang for the buck all my friends have japanese cars and they pass me like there is no tommorow I in the other hand stranded with my car scratching my head thinking countless hours what the problem is I can't even take out my girlfriend to a movie thinking in what street light it will stop on me and embarrass myself and my girlfriend in front of thousands of motorists. Read all the review in this column about Neons and I bet you, you will find none encouraging, go read Honda's you'll find lot better encouraging words of wisdom and everybody is happy, but not here these cars just should not exist on earth. Thank you for reading my little story I know you find this story of mine disappointing, but truth should be told.Thanks.
You get what you pay for-
Next time you are looking to buy a car that already has over 100K miles on it, whether it is a Honda or whatever, you should pay a few bucks to a COMPETENT and HONEST mechanic (not any of the ones you have already been to) to check it out for problems. It would be money well spent to avoid repeating the experience you had with the Neon. If you inspected this car at all before you bought it, you obviously didn't pick up on any warning signs (besides the high mileage) that problems lay ahead...
OK.. where to start??? Yes some neon's have a bad rep for being lemons... but like the other people have said check before you buy with a mechanic.
My girlfriend owns a 95 neon and it had 170K on it when she got it.. now has 209900 kilometres on it.. it is still in great shape except the paint is starting to bubble, but it happens to all neon's..
I drive a 1984 Buick skylark and it is my lil pimp car.. no complaints there... both American made cars.. I wouldn't be telling everyone to go buy Japanese cars dude.. I live in Ontario where the winters get pretty bad and both cars look better than any Japanese vehicle of the same year!!! You just didn't do your homework when buying used... sorry to hear about your loss in faith of American made cars!
I have a 95 Neon and buying it was the biggest mistake in my life. It only has 85K miles and the inside has turned to crap with all the plastic cracking, the seats tearing, the radio shorting out and the motor, well 3 head gaskets, and a now slipping transmission. I wonder if I can still sell it?
The guy who commented about the faith of American cars doesn't know they don't make then like they used to, so japanese is the way to go Toyota!
Well... it sounds like ur car is a real big lemon. I have a 97 neon and I never had any problems with it. just did regular maintenance to it and it runs like new. I bought it at 58,000kms and now I have 226,000kms and it still runs like a dream and I even drove it hard for a while because I tend to race vehicles. but a good tip is to get an honest mechanic to look the vehicle over before you buy it. and take it for a good test ride to see if you can hear any symptoms of bad problems.
Check your fuel pump ground wire in the trunk to see if it is loose.
I had a similar problem and after spending $600+ for the Dodge dealer to diagnose the problems which they couldn't do I took it to Canadian Tire and they found the loose wire and everything worked fine.
I wouldn't recommend this car to anybody not even my worst enemy.
I own a 1995 Dodge Neon Manual Transmission 16V DOHC, which cost $15,000 new. I have spent more than $15,000 just to keep it running. What a junk. Right now, I still own the car because I cannot afford to buy a new one. Everything in this car has broken down and replaced, except the air bag. Right now I am driving it with the airbag light on. I don't care anymore because I do not want to put any more money into this junk car. I would never buy any american car anymore... ever.
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