This car looks very sporty for a small economy car (that's MOSTLY why I got it) and it's pretty inexpensive. I haven't been stranded in it (yet). It also has a surprising amount of room, and even holds my 6'3" fiance semi-comfotably in the front seat.

Everything else I didn't mention in "strengths". If you live somewhere that it rains, don't even consider it- Neons have issues with water! First of all, the trunk leaks. And I'm not talking a little bit. I had to take it three times to be repaired. Now that it is finally leak free (at least for the moment-hope it doesn't rain tomorro), it still smells-despite the fact that the carpeting was replaced in the trunk. You can't stand too close when you open the door after a rainstorm, because water collects in the bottom of the door as well. When it's raining and I hit a puddle, I lose my power steering and the car squeals.Sometimes it doesn't want to speed up well when you're pulling out or headed up a hill. It does not drive well in snow- you slide all over the road. It's horrible for insurance, mainly because it's pretty much a death trap, and to top it off, it's resale value absolutely SUCKS! I got it last Septemeber, used as a company car (with 27,000), and paid $10,000 ($14,000 after tax, title,etc). Not even 8 months later the piece of crap is worth $5,695! I know that they lose their value, but when I go to trade in next year, I'll be lucky to get $4,000, with $8,000 still left on my loan!

Like I said, I paid $10,000, but this car isn't worth the $700.00 I paid for my Ford Escort. If you want a cute car to be seen in, this car is for you. But if you are looking for performance, resale value, dependability, safety, etc.,I would NOT recommend it. Which is the main reason I'll be trading in for a Ford Focus, or something similar, next year.

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86 Ford Escort. Ugly but amazing little car for $700.00!! It went great in the snow, too!

It's a fast little car( i have the 150hp), gets great milage. Decent size trunk, lots of interior room(up front). so far, the service people are great, i have only needed them to replace the stereo( it ate my tapes) and some help with the doors.

They are everywhere!!! they are not as cute as i once thought now that i see 16 on every corner. their value is nil for resale, not even worth the buyout of my lease. seems cheaply made - i can see styrofoam under my steering wheel(how safe does that sound?) lots of rattles and clinks. weird options - i have a sunroof, but no rpm thing. unless you're a limber ten year old, it's difficult to get into the back seat.

the price tag was 19,500. that included the ex package(spoiler, 150hp, DOHC), and a sunroof and cd deck capabilities, power windows and doors, some fancy stuff on the sides. basically, it's a cheap hooker with a lot of makeup on. i wish i had invested my money into a car that would be worth more than 6,000 after three years of use. go foreign! i'll be getting a VW next. i also heard they don't hold up very well in crash tests, so i wouldn't put my kids in it.

i guess it's not bad, but that's just it. not bad. if you want a so-so car, by all means.

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1985 Hyundai Stellar - way more character!

Gas milage, handling, manueverablitly.

Loud at 45MPH+

I paid around 13K for this model 5 years ago. I guess I got a good one. The only problem I've ever had was 2 weeks ago when the AC line cracked or something and had to get it replaced (~$400). Other than that, 1 tune up @ 30K (I'm almost and 60K), and oil changes, but nothing else. This car has been all over the US (LA, NV, TX, GA, IA, and all between), but again, no problems. It does get loud (not a lot of sound dampening) when over 3KRPM and 45MPH + from wind/road noise. I haven't had that oil gasket problem, but I'll be on the lookout, I guess. 5 Stars because it's been so cheap to maintain, gas (now about 27 city, 33 highway), etc. 4 stars overall. I think it's a great "1st" car or college car. As I move on up to the East Side :), I think I want a 300M or something like that, but for now, it's perfect for what I need.

Stereo still works, but auto reverse died about 1 year ago (plays like the chipmunks), 2nd set of tires (the sport package had shorter life, higher performance tires), interior still in good shape, paint has a lot of "knicks" from rocks, etc. It could use and deeper and better paint application. Oh, I forgot something. One of my fog lights keeps burning out. I've had it fixed twice already, and the same one keeps dying. Probably a fuse problem, but I don't use them anyway.

Keep, in mind, though, this is MY first car (I've borrowed scores from friends, family) so I can't deny "some" bias, but like I said, no major problems, issues, save the AC line.

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93 Accord (can't really compare to that, Honda makes fuel effecient tanks as far as reliability goes...still see those CVCC's on the road...

Good acceleration, spacious interior and trunk, peppy, reliable. Also fair gas mileage. Excellent heater and air conditioner cools really well.

A lot of wind noise at highway speeds. Do not like the unframed windows. Brakes squeaky, air conditioner bogs car down a lot. Air conditioner often made a screech when I turned it on, just tightened the belt. Starting to get poorer gas mileage after 50000 miles. Floors, trunk leak when it rains. Have no idea why but my floor has always got puddles on it and still cannot figure out why.

The sticker on this car was 13500 but I talked down to 11500. But, you know how it goes, after all the financing and all ended up paying like 15700. I bought this car new and have driven this car everywhere. I have 59000 miles on it right now and the only major problems were the air conditioner and i replaced the tires. I have also tried trading it though and have not been offered any more than 7000 for it. Otherwise it is a good car and is very reliable. Cold Wisconsin winters do not bother this car. It has started every day I have owned it. I would recommend this car to any young person who wants a small, reliable, cheap first vehicle. Otherwise, spend the extra and buy something a little larger.

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Too many

It's easy to handle on the road and moves fast. Nice looking little car.

You can hear road noise and it easily drowns out the radio. Repair record is horrible. Within 65,000 miles I have replaced 02 cam sensor, 2 headgaskets for bad oil leaks which is very expensive (call Chrysler headquarters and they will reimburse for at least some of this).

Bought this a year old and paid $9,000 for it. I would not recommend it. Buy a GM product instead (and I come from a family where many worked for Chrysler).

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Repair has been worse and more costly than on previous cars up to same mileage.

Nice body style, great gas mileage (standard transmission), good front visibility, good factory sound system

It is not a reliable car. If you want a car that will last longer than 3 months I would not buy it. It has a lot of electrical problems. The wheels would never stay in alignment and those tires are expensive. I went through three sets of tires in 2.5 years. Visibility on the side (to check blind spot) is really bad. The windows dont close completely. Transmission is not good. I have a manual transmission and it has a contiuous clicking sound in the transmission that can not be found. Overall, I would not recommend this car to anyone. It is a waist of money because the minute the warranty goes out on it you will spend double what you paid for the car. Plymouth just maid an AWFUL car.

I paid 10,500 for it. No, I would not recommend it to anyone unless they just enjoy the frustration of the only place you can go in the car is to the mechanics.

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Honda -- Neon does not compare at all. Honda is a wonderful car.

Great acceleration, agile, great on gas... I Love it.. It has 4" speakers in the dash unlike most cars these days.. Great for a 3 way component set... I have gone 20,000 miles in 6 months, all at 85+, and loved every minute of it... Can pretty much beat any car in traffic .. except for a Porsche 959 or something ...

Rear windows are manual?? Hello?? thin seats.. Not really anything else...

16500 , Yes I recommend it..

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None

Lots of pep at high RPM, crisp steering feel (this model has the 16:1 steering rack like the R/T's and the ACR's), good fuel economy, brakes feel quite linear.

Too much noise, vibration, and harshness. Too many leftover first-year bugs (96 was year two). Headgasket is leaking oil to the outside of the engine - they all do this (bad design). See http://leaky.neonheadgasket.org

If you want a Neon, stick with 97 and up and make sure you can somehow get the new MLS-style headgasket installed (if the car does not already have one). Otherwise, get a late production '99.

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First domestic economy car - can't really compare it to anything. Numbers wise, this car was top-of-the-market in performance back in '96.

good overall ride quality, good performance even with the automatic, good gas milage, great looks, handling, brakes, and wheel grip, traction control is nice, great factory cd stereo and speakers, competitive price for what you get

a bit slow off the line under hard acceleration, wind noise around mirrors is a bit disturbing, cab forward design hides front and rear end(but you get used to it)

Price paid was just a hair under 15 grand with every available option (even a bike rack) except sunroof, disc changer, and spoiler. Behind the wheel, this car is every bit as nice as any car in this class. In regards to reliability problems mentioned in other reviews of the previous generation Neon, I only ever had to have my had gasket replaced once (and I'm hard on cars) and that was replaced free of charge. I liked the Neon I previously owned, and so far, I like the next generation Neon much better. If you are looking for a fun to drive, attractive, fair priced, well equiped compact car, give the Neon a test drive. Also, for other 2000 model reviews, see the 2000 Dodge Neon reviews. Others are also happy with their purchase.

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owned 95 Accent and 96 Neon - new Neons far superior to last generation!

If you really need to go somewhere it might get you there, has good visibility out the front.

everything, windows, ventilation, gas mileage is worse than expected, uncomfortable, unreliable, poor body integrity, bad braking system, horrible in winter all around, accident damage

I really hate this car, I've had it for about 4 years now and I wish a truck would hit it when I'm not in it so i can get something better. And now, my accident. The airbags... All I can say is wow. First of all, the insurance adjuster told me Neon Airbags come out very easily and they probably shouldn't have come out in my accident. Then, he said they broke my side windows, which they have a tendency to do. They also damage the computer that controls them which had to be replaced. So the airbags alone cost my insurance company about 2500 total to replace. That's all I'm really gonna say. Besides that I could explain the weaknesses but I don't have the energy to type that much.

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Ford Escort