Faults:

Had it for 14 years.

Major faults - radiator cost $2000.00.

Electric windows have a fault.

Bad oil leaks - still not fixed; I just use stop leak!

Very cheap to maintain! Cheap parts.

General Comments:

14 years and still going hard.

Maintenance - new brakes and rotors (twice).

New tyres (3 times all 4 tyres in 14 years).

New spark plugs (1 in 14 years).

Air filter (1 in 14 years).

Oil filter every oil change (5 times in 14 years).

1 battery change in 14 years.

Maybe spent $2450 on maintenance in 14 years.

Costing $145 per year.

I would recommend buying this car again, even 2nd hand, only the SE model - if buying, get a mechanic to check it out and check the spark plugs for oil on them.

For its age it's done well.

Faults:

FEB 11: The car cuts out when at lights, turning into car parks.

The car stopped when slowing for a roundabout or going up hill.

The car completely stopped. New fuel pump was NZ $870+GST & labour.

Seatbelt has failed warranty, NZ$300 to replace new.

Speedometer not working correctly, drive gear worn out in gear box (currently unable to source a replacement in NZ).

The car was serviced, air conditioning turned on, then when stopped - gurgling sound round glovebox end - turned out a new radiator cap was needed, as the pressure was no good, and it was draining water from the water reservoir (luckily found the issue, otherwise it may have caused the engine to cook).

All the above needed fixing within the last 3 weeks; an expensive month :( Could have bought another car with the repair costs.

General Comments:

Took my car in for warranty the day before the devastating Christchurch Earthquake - and my Chrysler, which is in the North Island, has never ever been the same since.

Faults:

Power steering system ruptured at 53,000km, causing a total loss of fluid. Made an enormous mess of the engine bay.

Fixed under warranty.

Head gasket blew at 60,000 approx. Out of warranty. Cost AU$1200.

Both front wheel bearings fell apart. Cost a massive $500 to replace.

Fuel pump stopped at just over 62,000km. Replaced it myself, but the part cost me $400!!

Transmission leaked badly. Fixed 4 times in 3 months. Constant shuddering in reverse.

Speedometer failed at 68,900km. Never got it fixed - 'no parts'. Had to guess my speed all the time!

Horn button got stuck.

90,000Km:

Radiator fan stopped, overheating the engine again! This time, $1500 to do the gasket and flush the radiator.

Finally, driver's seat belt came undone while driving.

Got worse and worse, until it wouldn't buckle at all!

General Comments:

When I bought my Neon, it was 3 years old, with 2 months still left on the New Car Warranty. I chose a Neon, because my young family and I were amazed at the roomy interior. My wife loved the cute looks of it, and I had grown up with American cars, so I wanted a Chrysler of my own.

Needless to say, it was a big mistake!

The car was okay until the warranty ran out. Then it just started falling apart. Looking through my receipts, I have spent over AU$4900 just keeping the stupid thing on the road!

The interior was the best part! Plastics could be of a higher quality, but it's airy, well designed, and parking visibility is excellent! Luggage boot is massive for a little car and the air con is very cold.

The horrid vehicle now sits on my lawn, with weeds growing under it. I now have an ex-lease Camry Altise, and I plan to dismantle the Neon and sell the parts.

GOOD RIDDANCE!

Faults:

Nothing much has gone wrong, except for I've had problems with the gearbox slipping gears, also the reverse gear originally got stuck before 10,000 kilometers.

General Comments:

Overall the neon is a very reliable car with very few problems. Although I have found it difficult to find parts.

It is a very nice looking car, that performs very well and has a very luxurious interior.

Faults:

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.

General Comments:

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).