1998 Chrysler Neon SE from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

Both front passenger doors rattle... a common trait of the Neon.

Mechanics have no clue on how to fix any problem and it takes ages (months) to get in a spare part.

It's getting bumpier every day even though I check the air pressure.

Wind coming through the doors..

Radio stick fell off.

Driver's seat is practically flat although I'm only 75kg.

The only reason a person would buy a Neon is due to its looks. Although many have praised its driving performance, I've driven better.

Don't know about the Neon 2000 though.

Its engine, although a 2.0 litre, doesn't have the zip of most 1.6 litre engine cars. Now that's an embarassment. Doesn't change gears when you want it to (auto).

Maybe you need to go to a different mechanic! If they can't figure out the problems your having with it... well that's just not right, isn't that their job? Its also very odd that it takes them months to get spare parts. The Neon is a VERY common car and there are tons of spare parts around.

I had to laugh out loud, when I read this one. MY 97 Neon has been in the shop for over a month, the mechanics can't figure out WHY it won't start. And when they spoke with local Chrysler dealers and the big guys at Chrysler they told them,we have lots of cars just like that one, we haven't a clue what the problem is.. The only thing that I haven't replaced on it (yet) is the license plate!It died while driving it and it hasn't started since... the really sad news is I still owe $2,888.00 on it. : (

Hi, I have a 1997 Neon, well the parts are expensive and it does lack power in take off. I do like the look as you say. I have a mechanic who does know about them, which is good, but it does take about a week to do something to get the parts.

The people who commented on this review and mentioned that spare parts were plentiful and took only a week to obtain should know that this car is owned in Australia or New Zealand. They may be littering the roadsides of every highway in the U.S. but in this part of the world (southern hemisphere) they are a rare, oddball vehicle that only sold in small numbers before it was discontinued. Therefore the reviewer would be correct in stating that few mechanics know how to fix them, parts would take months to arrive (from the U.S.) and are probably hideously expensive, for what is a substandard car.

Terrible, horrible and awful! Mechanics have no idea about this car in Australia!!

Got car checked out before I bought it, mechanic said it was fine.

Couple of weeks later, car was making a noise and I took it to mechanic to check out.. they said it was my imagination and nothing was wrong.. Timing belt snapped a week later.. had to have engine re-machined and replace radiator, water pump etc... cost over $2,000 but had no options as I was still paying the car off.

Couple of months later had extreme shaking.. took it to mechanics and had two have two engine mounts replaced.. also had a transmission fluid leak and a problem with the power steering.. another $1000...

Then, the Neon was parked on the street and someone broke off one of the power mirrors... to get the part new from Chrysler.. it was going to cost over $1000, just for the part!!! Labour on top of that!! Finally found a second hand mirror, but even this cost $280 (part only)...

Now, the air-con has just stopped working... haven't taken it in yet, but this will be super expensive too, I sure :O/

All I can say is stay away from the Neon in Australia.. mechanics have no idea and it the maintenance is hideously expensive!!

It's good to know that there are people out there that experience the same problems with this car!

I've had my 1998 Neon for two years, and my mechanic did the same thing when I told him there was a squeaking when I turned on my air conditioning - he said that I needed to change the filter. A year later, finally, he realised the screw of the air conditioning wore off!?

My car has had a leak somewhere, the thermostat just melted away, had to replace it. Then three months ago something broke (?) and then the timing belt broke as well. Had to replace the belt and the water pump.

The saga continues. Mechanic said one of the cylinders could be broken but I could still drive it, even though it was shaky, very shaky. Now, miraculously, my car stopped shaking and it runs but I can't change gears either! I don't even want to try to turn the air-con on.

LOL.. Absolutely Hilarious! LOL.