Plymouth Neon Midsize | Compact
Plymouth Neon Midsize | Compact
[Nov 03, 2000]
Brian
Model Reviewed:
highline
Strength:
Absolutely None
Weakness:
I read over several of the reviews and could not believe that people said it had peppy power. When you press the pedal, it takes forever for the trans to drop gears(and there is only three of them)!!!! At 65,000 miles, I had to replace the motor in the vehicle. Reason being that Head gasket kept leaking. Here is a list of problems that I have had: 1. Replace Motor-$3500.00 2. Rebuild Trans-$1200 3. A/C squeaks whenever it is on 4. Power steering replaced 3 times. 5. Brakes never stopped making noise 6. Interior Noise is so loud that you have trouble holding conversation w/ individual in seat next to you. This car is garbage- the only reason I still have it is because the value of the car dropped 75 % as soon as I drove it off the lot. Word of advice-Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth come up with some pretty creative designs-(looks)but they cannot build a motor or transmission period anymore- anyone remember the daytonas- my point is proven. They are an embarrassment to American car makers. Paid $11,000-What a total waste- I feel sorry for those of you who jumped on the PT cruiser bandwagon- based on the neon platform-oh and for you 2000-01 neon prospective buyers- the only improvements are that they sprayed foam in the panels to reduce noise-same garbage motor, same garbage car, same garbage three speed auto transmission-look at the name -Dodge- make sure you dodge this vehicle Similar Products Used: Honda Civic- Geo Metro The only similarities between the Honda and the Neon is the size-other than that the Civic buries the neon-Hey Dodge-Hondas retain their value because they know how to build motors-you should p[ay attention-I would also take the Metro over the Neon-and its only 3 cylinders-Reason being is I use it strictly for work- I've had it three years- and although its smaller and doesn't nearly have as much power- it never breaks down |
[Oct 29, 2000]
Karin
Model Reviewed:
base model
Strength:
very roomy even w/ 3 people in the back, cute, great sound system, comfy, good gas mileage and it doesn't feel plastic like a lot of cheaper cars
Weakness:
can't see out the back and the acceleration isn't the best in the automatic its a great car and i would recommend it to anyone on a budget that needs a reliable car or a first timer b/c its cheap, cute, good gas mileage and reliable. Similar Products Used: none |
[Oct 23, 2000]
Tara Wisniewski
Model Reviewed:
Highline 4dr sedan
Strength:
When they first came out, I wanted one. I thought they were the cutest thing. "Hi". So when finally could drive, and my old car died, I bought a cute little neon. Looks are very nice, great gas milage, good visibility, very roomy for a small car, trunk space galore, and very peppy.
Weakness:
As with everyone else, I HATED the idea to have the windows "out in the open". They rattled, A LOT. And the car is a lot noiser than most cars I have been in. Especially on the freeway. It had squeeky brakes, from the beginning. And I learned that all neons brakes squeek. High back end is also hard to get used to. Overall, the car was very good to me. It makes a great starter car, because it is not too big and not too small. Great gas milage makes it easy on the pocket-book. As for safety? Well, they DO NOT do well in crash TESTS. But in my own accident in this vehicle, I walked out with minor scratches. I JUST rear ended someone. It did total my neon, but I am okay, and that is all that is important. I am not saying that this is the safest car by far, but I survived an accident in it. This is not the best car, but not the worst car. And as for my next car? It will not be a neon. Similar Products Used: 86 cadillac sedan deville. First car, didn't last. (felt invinsible in it though) |
[Sep 28, 2000]
Pete
Model Reviewed:
highline sedan 5sp
Strength:
Good acceleration, handling, mileage and looks. Has been quite dependable for me.
Weakness:
Noisy, no torque. I have always been the type that likes BIG cars with BIG engines, (hence the caddy) but I bought the neon because I do a lot of driving now, and gas is expensive. Similar Products Used: 63 Cadillac(not really similar, but it was my only other car) |
[Sep 20, 2000]
Daniel Ng
Strength:
Looks and looks.... and much roomier than other cars in its class..., visibility, brakes... that's it
Weakness:
Bloody Unsafe !!! Have you seen all the car crash tests it's been through ? It practically ranks itself as the unsafest car in history. Expensive car parts, huge turning circle, bloody wind coming through the window seams, doesn't respond to gear shifts properly, cheap material inside, seats are practically flat after 1 1/2 years, door rattles, interior noise is getting louder everyday, wheel alignment never lasts for long. I would not recommend ANY Neon to anyone. After its warranty is up... expect a sudden death. This doesn't include the Neon 2000. Hopefully the new Neon lasts longer. Pray..pray.. Similar Products Used: The neon beats every other car in looks...pretty much it. |
[Aug 29, 2000]
Jennifer
Model Reviewed:
LX
Strength:
The new look of the 2000 model is really neat, I like that it does not have the funny looking front end. I also think this years model looks more classy than the past. It drives great, gets great gas milege, takes hills wonderfully, and there is ample leg room for me and my 6'5 husband. And I really like the sterio system, sounds like one I could have bought at car toys. I got the fully loaded version- Wheels, CD, keyless entry, alarm, foglights, leather steering wheel and shifter etc...I have not had any leakage or wind problems like some others who wrote the reviews about earlier models. I like the little extras like the klenex holder, the pen holder, the change and sunglass holder, lighted vanity mirrors etc...
Weakness:
I think that the seats could be made out of heftier fabric, I have not had a problem, but I can forsee one in the future. I also think that it would be nice if when you pushed the trunk open if it would pop open instead of having to catch it before it latches again, that gets old if your hands are full. I paid right around 15,000$ (for the fully loaded model)(including extended warranty). Similar Products Used: 1997 Chevy Cavalier- YUCK YUCK what a piece of dodo, I hated it there was always something wrong |
[Aug 24, 2000]
Rich Hutchinson
Model Reviewed:
Plymouth Neon Highline Coupe
Strength:
Great handling, reliable, tough, fast when the revs are high. Fun car to drive. Ride is sporty but not punishing, I find the seats comfortable for long distances. Lotsa rear seat room. Split folding rear seat very handy. Controls/gauges mostly easy to find/use. Nice center console with tissue pack holder integrated into lid. Pen holder integrated into glove box, and sliding visor extensions that help keep the sun out of your eyes.
Weakness:
Frameless windows stink very very badly. They like to rattle. Bad head gasket design resulted in anticipated failure at 79k. Chrysler picked up all but $100 though so not bad. Wish I had carpeted door panels like 97+ coupes. A bit less road noise would be nice. Real headlights would too; as far as lighting goes these were dark days for Chrysler (LH, cloud cars, minivans were actually WORSE than the Neon). Shimmy at 65 mph, requires balancing very precisely. High back end hampers visability; though it *is* a coupe :) Seats lack lateral support. rear defrost button hides behind steering wheel. Coins rattle in holder. These are mostly minor annoyances that fade from memory during a spirited drive. Paid $11000. New, loaded highline. Built before power windows and map light and sunroof were available. Similar Products Used: 1989 Lebaron coupe: Nice car, overall reliability not as good, replaced front suspension and trans by this mileage. Although I was tough on it, especially the trans. |
[Aug 25, 2000]
jon
Model Reviewed:
expresso
Strength:
sporty car.plenty of interior room.has enough guts when you need it.this car handles well and is well built.
Weakness:
although the passenger window howls at speeds over 70,its worth not having that ugly window frame.the only thing I dont like about this car is the small gas tank. 12500..I dont understand why this car gets such a bad rep.This is truely one of the best cars I have owned.I have had the car 4 years and the only repair I have had was to charge the air..80 dollars ...wow.No other problems .I would recommend this car to anyone.very reliable! Similar Products Used: plymouth sundance.the neon is a much better car in every way!even though the sundance had a bigger engine,the neon is much quicker. |
[Aug 10, 2000]
heather
Model Reviewed:
4dr sedan
Strength:
nice interior, peppy, sporty for a 4door, nice a/c, handles well, affordable, roomy, gas mileage
Weakness:
frameless door windows, having problems with the a/c freezing up after awhile, value of the car quickly goes down, cant see out the rear window very well the neon is a good car for someone who doesnt like to race their car or for someone that doesnt have alot of money to spend on a car. i paid $9000 for it when it was 1 year old with 10,000 miles on it. the car is now 3 years old with 28,000 miles. it just ran out of warranty and i have a major problem with the a/c. it hasnt been long enough for anything like that to go wrong. Similar Products Used: had an 88 nissan before this, never had any mechanical problems, i think next time i may go foreign again. |
[Jul 13, 2000]
Michel
Model Reviewed:
Highline
Strength:
Motor is great, handling good too. That's it.
Weakness:
What i dont like about it ? Just about everything. In the first year, i replaced the following : front and rear suspension, brakes front and rear, timing belt, 2 tie-rond ends, 2 front bearrings, etc, get the picture ? And i'm not spring chicken, either. The first time i took it hard into a corner to see what it could do, i heard the front right bearring pop and that was it, needed to be replaced. The Epitomy of Garbage. Absolute trash. Chrysler used the Flinstones blueprints to build this car. I would not recommend this car, not even to a low-budget student as they will drive it hard because the engine inspires you to do so, and this car simply cannot take a beating, even though it's advertised to. Just had too many problems with it and the dealerships (went through 3 of them), good lord the dealerships! After 2 years, i was so fed up of this car i wrote to Chrysler and complained (8 page document, no kidding, I should make a movie comedy about this). I gave this car a "1-star" rating as they didnt have any lower. Similar Products Used: Mazda Protege 1998, way, way better, no more domestic cars for me unless they have serious german or japanese influence. |