I love the handling and and low end torque. My car has 132 hp stock which I have bumped up to 170 with some very expensive mods. The car the design looks great. My car is purple and it's a head turner because of the factory paint job. All in all you have to love the speed and handling of this affordable car. The head gasket problem, not a problem here with 45000 miles so far.

Resale value sucks!!!! I have completly replaced the brakes. No matter what I do they still squel everytime I stop. My rear main seal went at 34 thousand miles very uncommon( this is before I did any mods). This car seems to require alot of attention to keep it running properly. I've done to many minor repairs to mention.

You either like this car or you hate it. I Choose to love this car no matter how many times I end up working on it or it ends up in the repair shop. I have read just about every review here and feel that the 99 is a decent buy if you have some sort of mechnical fortitude about you. I have the sohc version. This engine has stood up pretty well so far. All in all I driven about 500 miles a week to work for the last past year and had no problems. Sounds good to me if you have the time to keep it up. However don't try to sell it becuse you will loose money on it.

Similar Products Used:

99 Grand AM, 91 Grand Am, 87 Grand Am, 95 Neon(which sucks).

Acceleration, and handling at high speeds, and on cornering. What ice?
General performance, Stock Radio rocks....

Fuel Guage sending unit reads incorectly off the lot.
Stock tires inadequate and low mileage.

I must admit, I did not do my research before I bought this car, and I wasnt sure about it even when I was signing the papers. But Now its been 2 1/2 years and I have no regrets about buying it, and I would go back do it again in a heartbeat. It still feels like a brand new car. If it wasnt for the Fuel Guage Sending Unit, this car would be perfect. If that is what I get for not doing my research, Who needs car reviews?

Similar Products Used:

Accura Integra Type R. Neon had better acceleration and fealt more sturdy.
Honda Civic 1986 W Beefed up engine. I embarased the owner. With AC at full.

Good mileage, few repairs, cheap tires.

Head Gasket.

I purchased the 4 door model with 2 options (am-fm radio and rear window defrost)and that's it! I now have 105,000 and it still runs strong. I have had the following problems:
1. Heak Gasket at 85,000 $650 to repair
2. Turn Signal Switch replaced twice (covered)
3. Oxy Sensor at 101,000 $125.00 to repair-check engine light went on and had decreased performance.
4. Rotors rusted away at 65,000 had breaks replaced at the same time $280.00.
5. Break switch replaced once at 30,000(covered)
6. Front Struts at 85,000 $220.00
7. Paint is chipping off roof-so what!
8. One headlight $18
9. Running Lights $5
10. Battery 75,000 $59
11. Window linkage $150 (hint, don't force the window down if it's frozen shut)

Based on the purchase price ($9200 new!) and the few repairs (ask anyone who has driven a car for 105K and I bet the repair list will be similar if not longer) I am very pleased with this car. The resale value is only around $1000 -so I guess I have to drive it into the ground. On the highway at 60 to 65 I can get 37 to 40 mpg! Small tires suck, but you'll be happy when it comes time to replace them. Drive it gently and the braks should last a loooooong time. Dealer service have been great. I can usually get an appt same day-two days max. Many of the reviews I've read are very negitive. If you read carefully many of the problems (exept for the head gasket) were caused by the "luxury" equipment like the auto trans, a/c, ps, fog lights. Yes-I consider these luxury items on an econobox. Less stuff=less problems.

Similar Products Used:

'86 Escort and '80 Fiesta. The Neon is a million times better than those Fords (also both purchased new.)

looks, reliability, economical

its small, but it is a small car afterall!

i have the base neon with the r/t appearance package and all i can say is its a great car. looks great, drives great! this is my second neon so believe me if they were such a problem i would not have bought this one. i must laugh at people who say they will never buy another chysler, ya right, that makes sense, but they traded in there 12000 neon that they had bad luck with and bought a 20000 german, japan, europeon car. i sure hope its better! you paid 8000 more stupid. anyways enough about that, there were a few anoyying things on the first generation neons but nothing to cry about but on these new ones i think they made a great little car and no one should have a second guess as to if they should buy one or not.

Similar Products Used:

all

The best quality of this car is the responsive handling of the car. Whoever said that the neon has low quality suspension etc, obviously doesn't know much about cars in general. I personally have driven many different makes and models of both sedans and sport cars. The neon (for the money) is the best bang for your buck.

The weakness with the neons lay with their reputation for blowing head gaskets. This is predominant with the single overhead cam engine with the automatics. Also this is due to people ragging on the cars.

Ive had this car for over a year and have had nothing but pleasant experience with the car. It's withstood my daily abuse and torture and still shines :)

Similar Products Used:

Ive driven the Ford Escorts, Dodge Shadow, Kia's, Toyota Corrolas, Nissan Sentras Honda Civics, and Accords. None of them felt as solid and handled as good as the Neon. Ive even driven the BMW 3 series and apart from the interior being substantially quieter, the neon dual overhead cam 2.0 accelerates and handles very close to the 2000 3 series BMW's

nice roomy car,not alot of noise. good power and handleing.i like the lapis blue color and the sport look.

3 speed auto is slow but all cars are like that when you would rather a 5 speed manual. i think a 15" wheel would be nice

when i went looking for a newer car i traded a toyota corolla gts. so i wanted to be sure that the car i buy is comparable. the neon is just that.i have done nothing to the car but oil changes.with three children(two teenagers) there is still room to move.people say that trans go and heads go and more but they don't say how hard they drove the car, how many people drove the car or their maintenance work. if you change fluids and have the car checked often you will prevent problems.
over all the neon passes my standerds

Similar Products Used:

a lot of cars, some were nicer most were not

Power, good handling for a base model, more interior room than most big cars, extra cold A/C, power, awesome roof rack, trunk space, power...

Brakes could still be better ('97 are far better than '95) and would kinda like a 4th gear for the auto trans

Paid $9500 out the door for a 2 year old dealer lease. Head gasket was already changed. Other than normal minor service, I've put $0 into this car. I drive it very hard and have modified it to go much faster than stock...this car should have blown up and died by now because of the way that I drive (96MPH in second gear!?!) BUT it just starts and goes and goes and goes.
I WILL buy another one. Maybe the SRT Neon?

Similar Products Used:

I owned a brand new '95 Neon and the '97 is leaps and bounds beyond that car. Also owned 2 Honda Civics...probably the WORST cars ever made and most expensive to maintain.

None

My 1996 Dodge Neon is without a doubt the worst car I have ever owned. I have had to replace 2 head gaskets and 1 rear main seal. The dealership and Chrystler were neither sypathetic or helpful when the problems began occuring 4500 miles after the 60000 mile warrenty had run out (25000 miles of my driving, program car.) I finally had to trade the car in on a 2000 Chevy Cavalier at a 7000.00 loss on the trade in - they valued the car at 1800.00 at the Chevy dealership and I counted myself lucky because the week before I had to trade the Neon the transmision began skipping in all gears and the car had NO power. The interior is cheap looking molded plastic and long rides are very uncomfortable. The engine bay collects road dirt at a pace and quantity that is frightening and grime must contribute to the horrible maintence problems. Finnaly, I also had to replace the throttle position sensor to stop the car from reving while moving, stopped or parked. I cannot begin to express how wholly relieved I was to get my Cavalier and not have to wonder if my car would start in the morning anymore. Im sure that I did recieve a true lemon from the Chrystler factory but Ill be damned if Ill buy another one. Those are just too many problems to have in 2 years. Please read Consumer Reports or some other unbiased review before purchasing a Neon.

The Dodge/Plymouth is an unwise purchase for someone looking for inexpensive and reliable transportation, look elsewhere.

Similar Products Used:

2000 Chevrolet Cavalier - no problems yet and better in everyway to the Neon - if Neon is in your price range, so is the Cavalier. Try them both before you buy.

*Size - very managable car size-wise
*Gas mileage is pretty decent (roughly 28 mpg highway)

*Very tinny and cheap looking both inside and out
*No power (have to turn off the A/C to get up a hill at any reasonable speed)
*Uncomforable ride on long drives (as mentioned elsewhere)
*Poor positioning of cup holders (too far under dash)

*Paid just about $12K, TOO much for this car
*Reasonable price, but not for this car
*If you're looking for something special in your automobile, I suggest forking over just a few more $$ for a WAY better car (they ARE out there :))
*Not TOO many problems, though there have been problems; but not enough car either.

Similar Products Used:

*Chevy Cavalier - (husband's car); personally, I put the Neon and Cavalier in the same category - you get what you pay for. If you wanted a nice car, you would have paid the price for a nice car, right?! :)

IT GOT GOOD ACCELERATION TO BE AN AUTOMATIC CAR AND IS EASY TO HANDLE IT GOT A GREAT SOUND SYSTEM AND GOT NICE BRAKES.

IM DROPING THE CAR 2" BECAUSE THE REAR VISIBILITY IS VERY POOR. YOU HEAR TO MUCH WIND NOISE WHEN YOU ARE RIDING IN THE HIGHWAY. THAT'S MAY BE WHY IT GOT A GREAT SOUND SYSTEM.

I GOT MINE COULDN'T LEASE MINE BUT ISN'T AS EXPENSIVE AS OTHER CARS THAT OFERS SAME OR LEES STANDAR EQIPMENT. IT'S QUITE A GOOD FOR IT'S PRICE.
THE CAR LOOKS GREAT AND I THINK IS ONE OF THE BEST IN IT CLASS.

Similar Products Used:

I HAVE USED COROLLA (1996 AND 2000) THEY GOT SIMILAR ITERIOR SPACE. HONDA CIVIC AND FORD FOCUS IS TO WAY SPENSIVE FOR THE SAME EQIPMENT. THE MAZDA PROTEGE ES IS THE MOST SIMILAR CAR FOR AT LEAST THE SAME PRICE BUT IT'S SMALLER