Head Gaskets are leaking at 64,000 miles.
Paint is chipping severely before 56,000 miles.
Struts are bad after 60,000 miles.
Muffler is rusted out at 62,000 miles.
Gas gauge, spedometer, odometer, RPM gauge work only haphazardly. Started at 60,000 miles.
Power steering fluid chronically lowers.
Brakes squeal incessantly (I think the previous owner put the hard pads on).
Electrical problem causes occasional malfunction of the blinkers.
Air conditioning is long since dead.
This car has lived up to its billing, it is a cheap to buy, good on gas mileage, peppy to drive, bad on comfort, and unreliable as it ages. The paint problem is endemic to the 1995 Neon's, I heard it had to do with the original primer coat. The head-gaskets in the early Neon's are also notorious, and the car is known to overheat on occasions. With regular service, it should last you a good while, but don't expect much after 60,000 miles. After 60,000 its pretty much shot and needs to be given to one the kids as a college car.
The Neon will keep you moving down the streets as long as your willing to put up with dysfunctional electrical components, rusty metal, poor radio, squeaky brakes, and a pretty uncomfortable interior (smaller women will find the interior especially unaccommodating). You'll have to put up with some repair costs, but the gas mileage is a bonus (between 28 and 32 mpg). I wouldn't recommend it if your looking for a durable, dependable, reliable, long lasting addition to your family. Buy it used if you need an extra car to bum around town in, or buy it used and plan to sell off early (i.e. before 60,000 miles). My next car will be a Honda.
You hit the nail right on the head!
Don't buy a Neon if you plan on keeping it more than 50-60k miles. In fact, only keep it as long as the warranty is in effect. They age very quickly!
That's strange with the struts... both our Neons struts lasted past 180,000 miles before being replaced.
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