Dodge Neon Midsize | Compact
Dodge Neon Midsize | Compact
[May 23, 2000]
Ken
Model Reviewed:
Dodge Neon 4 door
Strength:
Peppy performance, handles nicely, quiet for it's class, good stereo for standard equipment, new model looks much nicer than previous model years. And hey...you can drive on the freeway with the window all the way down and not worry about a wind vortex sucking your skull out of your head.
Weakness:
Option linking..can't get this option without this package and this package. Bumps the price up quite quickly. B pillar blind spot on the driver's side is a bit annoying. So far I'm very pleased with my 2000 Neon. It's been flawless so far since I picked it up. It's got a nice sporty look with the new front end fascia and body redesign, has gotten nice gas mileage with some occassionally heavy pedal mashing (about 400 miles to a tank so far), and the seats are actually more comfortable that much more expensive cars I've ridden in very recently. I've seen comments about it being noisy at higher speeds, but at 80mph it was still very quiet in my opinion. The stereo controls are a bit difficult to manage while driving. Little things like a decent sized trunk (not counting the fold down rear seats), adjustable height front shoulder restraints, graduated adjust intermittent wipers as standard equipment (rather that a 3 step adjustable or no intermittent at all) and similar touches are very nice to see for such an inexpensive car. Minimal torque steer compared to other front wheel drive cars I've driven. It's just too bad that they make it so expensive to add options because of the package linking. Got mine for under $11,000, and so far (barring future problems) I'd have no trouble recommending one to someone looking for an inexpensive (but not -cheap-) smaller sedan. Oh (welcome to the trivial stuff part of my review) when did manufacturers start recommending you put a manual transmission in reverse when you park, though? And I wish they'd have labelled the ignition key spots. I didn't know there WAS an accessory spot until I hit it by accident. I do like that the interior light comes on automagically when you take the key from the ignition, though. And the way the interior light dims when you start the car rather than just turning off was sort of classy. Personally I'd rather manually turn on the dome light with a switch on it rather than the lighting stalk, though. Random thoughts for those who care... Similar Products Used: 93 Escort LX, 95 Saturn SL2. The Neon is much nicer handling than the Escort was, and comes standard with things that required the LX package for the Escort. The Saturn *seemed* much bigger, although it's not, and it gave the overall feeling of much higher sophistication (for an extra $3000, though). |
[May 30, 2000]
Steven
Model Reviewed:
Dodge neon
Strength:
Price.
Weakness:
What a pile of crap. Doors are heavy. Interior looks cheap. Noisy interior. Bad design. Transmission is clunky. Not a very smooth shifting. $12,000. I would never buy one again in my life. I would not recommend it to anyone. Similar Products Used: Integra |
[May 22, 2000]
Michael Bendell
Model Reviewed:
Neon
Strength:
-Roomy
Weakness:
-Too many manufacturer's defaults - Several recalls. Overall the car is pretty okay, you get what you pay for, it's downfall is Chrysler. I will never get another Chrysler again! Similar Products Used: 1980 Pontiac Grand Prix |
[May 30, 2001]
PAUL CRITCH
Model Reviewed:
DODGE NEON
Strength:
Peppy for a 4-cylinder
Weakness:
Where do I start?!!! My experience has been that once you drive off the lot, dealers no longer want to see you, they just want to put you on to Chrysler Canada(GREAT!!!). Similar Products Used: - My 1985 Toyota Tercel with 350k was a better car!!! |
[May 30, 2001]
Paul Critch
Model Reviewed:
Dodge Neon
During the third year I owned my neon the entire front lip rusted off the hood. I made contact with Chrysler Canada on two occasions, and although the rust warranty was still valid, they claimed that it was not covered because it had rusted from the inside-out. Then about six months later, the paint on the roof and trunk began to peel off. Again they claimed it was not covered, even though I was informed that at least 15 other vehicles of the same year and color(blue)had the same problem. |
[May 22, 2001]
Mike Kelly
Strength:
Quick off the line and nearly radar proof (4 door grocery getter), this little rocket will really keep up with traffic. The handling is the best you could hope for in a car this cheap, and I've had this thing to 132 mph. Nothing major replaced (well, head gasket at 55,000 miles, but after all those race track laps who can complain?)
Weakness:
Heat shields on the tie rod end boots are not big enough to protect them from the heat of the brakes if pushed hard (I mean REALLY HARD!), minor niggles with popping noise in front end (warranty repair) and sane people have to put up with rear brake squeal, but the rest of us never hear it. Love the car, still going strong. If you do the maintenance you'll love one to. I know a guy with 174,000 miles, just doing the cyl head now (longer than his Saturn lasted). This car is a daily driver that has never let me down, although GOOD QUALITY SNOW TIRES are a must for any winter driving. Besides, snow tires mean you can get more LAPS out of your summer tires. Similar Products Used: 1992 Metro--duh. 1987 Camaro - Neon would suck the headlights right out of it, and get twice the fuel economy while seating 4 people (not munchkins) quite comfortably. |
[May 22, 2001]
Connie
Model Reviewed:
/Highline
Strength:
Sporty, great gas mileage, dependable.
Weakness:
Blown head gasket, of course, at around 45K miles. It was covered in the warranty and I had no problems getting it fixed. I have a loud squeak on the front end that the service department can't seem to locate. It only squeaks when starting off and going into 2nd gear (and of course, not all the time). I don't know if its the front end suspension, a belt or what. I thought for awhile that they needed to grease some zerks. They told me that there aren't any zerks up front, it's all sealed. They spray the bushings and call it good. Ugh! And how 'bout them leaking tail light seals or did they even install them? Water runs down into your spare tire well from the leaking seals and from there into the back seat and floor board. Nice, huh? Your guests in the back seat appreciate the shoe wash, but no thanks! They are not covered in the extended warranty. Parts=$18.50 Labor=$125.50. Having no frames around the windows makes it an easy target for auto theft. Neons are the #1 stolen car in the area. Don't shut your door when the window is down, it sounds like it will fall out. I have really enjoyed my car. The engine power is awesome. The paint has been fabulous, no fading. I am the original owner and have taken excellent care of her. I am frustrated with the squeak on the front end and mainly blame the service department for not taking the time to search it out properly. The tail light seals are a known problem with Chrysler - they could at least offer to meet you half way on the labor. A friend of mine has owned a new Neon every year for the past 5 years. She said all of them had water in the back seat and floor, except for the newest. I guess they finally decided to do something about it. Similar Products Used: Ford Escort and Ford Tempo. Much better automatic transmission than both. Runs much quieter. |
[Apr 26, 2001]
Jennifer Browning
Model Reviewed:
Dodge Neon Sport
Strength:
Loaded with cruise, tilt, ac power windows & door locks, great stereo system for factory, sunroof, tinted windows, etc. . . when they all worked , if ever at the same time, it was great!
Weakness:
Finding a dealership that knew what the heck they were doing! Head Gasket!!!!!!!!!!! Oil Sending Unit, Leaky Sunroof, Leaky Windshild, Leaky Tail Lights. . . This car should have been a swimming pool! Paint chips easily and dents easily. I have driven and parked my car with care and it still has dents everywhere. The car is fun to drive, and the multiple things that have went wrong with it probably would not have been a huge dissappointment if there was a Chrysler Dealership in a 3 County radious that knew what they were doing. I made several trips for the same problems and was without my car for weeks on end. This is the 3rd new Dodge I have purchased and the LAST! Not because of the car but because of the stinking service! Also have a 96 Dodge Ram. . .talk about more problems. HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY? OR A CHEVY? OR A TOYOTA? Probably. . . because the Dodge is always in the Garage! Don't Buy a Dodge! I have family that works for Chrysler and I still can't get my problems taken care of. They just don't care if the customer is happy after they drive the car off of the lot. So even given the Chrysler Discount on the last 2 cars I purchased, I will never buy another. I believe this model should have been recalled for the head gasket problem! Similar Products Used: Ford Escort, No Power, No frills, similar dealership problems, Chevy Beretta, Great Car, wish they still made them! Chevy Cavalier. . . No Thanks. Toyota. . . Yeah Baby! |
[Apr 27, 2001]
s swank
Model Reviewed:
Neon
Strength:
I love the way it handles on the road. It's great on turns and stops on a dime, and it also offers good pick-up, along with plenty of head and leg room (despite the fact that it has a small exterior). It's very economical and ideal for both long and short trips. I think it was the best choice/decision I ever made.
Weakness:
After the third year(2000) of owning the vehicle, the temperature sending unit(fan relay sensor)gave out on the vehicle and needed to be replaced. The only problem I have with it or had with it was that it was used when I purchased it. In case no one else has realized this, there is a reason for why they give you a handbook with your car! It wouldn't hurt to actually read it for a change. You might find that the faulty performance of the car doesn't lie in the car bought in who drives/owns it. Other than that, the car runs smoothly as long as you take care of it properly and keep up with the routine maintenance/tune-ups, and the vibrance and texture of the paint lasts and lasts as long as you keep up with washing and waxing it ever-so-often. Similar Products Used: Ford Mustang |
[Apr 27, 2001]
Steve
Model Reviewed:
Highline
Strength:
Small exterior but roomy interior. I'm 6' and still have room for a fedora. The full width folding back seat is great. Great acceleration, can burn rubber in first and second. The factory bike rack is perfect. Very smooth quiet ride. Sound system is very good. The original tires lasted for over 100,000 miles. The front brake pads have been changed only once. The rears are still fine. I had to only change one headlight at about 130,000 miles, all other lights are original. Never had to any other problems other than oil leak. AC, radio, heater, tranmission, exhaust, all other engine components still original and in perfect working order. original spark plugs lasted 125,000 miles. Expect to last at least 300,000 miles.
Weakness:
Having the car since December '95 with over 155,000 miles, no complaints except for oil leak starting at 72,000. If you close your doors by pushing on the door and not the glass, you will not loosen the glass, thus you will not get the wind noise. The Dodge Neon is an inexpensive car that gives you alot for your money. Don't expect a perfect car for that amount of money. It was built as an entry level grocery getter, but with the 5+ years I have had it, it has turned out to be a heck of alot more than that. I have been reading all of the complaints from everyone else and just don't see them in my car. It was brand new as I had ordered it from the factory and I have been very pleased with it's performance and durability. Some of the problems I have read about could be avoided with proper use and maintainance. It may be fast and nimble, but also ralize it's not a race car or even a sports car, it's an economy car. For years I was a Ford man, but with the price and quality that seemed superior to the Escort, (it looked and felt cheap), I had to go with the Neon, and have not regretted it one bit. Similar Products Used: First new car, best running car ever owned with least amount of maintainance, and I have owned 15 cars in my life. |