1996 Dodge Neon Sport 2.0 SOHC

Summary:

Cheap, but poor value, not for the long term

Faults:

Had to replace front brakes and rotors three times.

Head Gasket Blew at 90,000 miles, heavily leaking oil.

Air Conditioning Unit failed (100,000 miles)

Radiator Fan failed 120,000 miles.

Paint very faded.

General Comments:

With the exception of the front brakes this car has been cheap to operate BEFORE 90,000 miles.

Do not buy an older or high mileage neon.

Do not buy a Neon if you want to use it for many miles or more than a few years.

The handling is poor and will make you nervous in poor weather or at interstate highway speeds. No Sport in this Neon Sport.

Performance is average for a 4 cylinder engine with a 3 speed automatic.

The car is cheap, but NOT A GOOD VALUE. You get what you pay for.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 30th August, 2002

1996 Dodge Neon Highline 2.0

Summary:

This car is a piece of junk

Faults:

The dash panel came loose at 13000 miles. This was fixed by the dealer at no cost.

The transmission went out at 70000 miles. This cost $1000 dollars to fix.

The head gasket had to be replaced at 75,000, 82,000, and 89,000 miles. These repairs cost over $1000 total and never completely solved the problem. Eventually I had to pour a can of stop leak in the car to slow the loss of oil.

This resulted in having to replace the radiator and heater core at a cost of $900.

To this very day the car still runs hot and I cannot get rid of it because no one will give any amount of money for it. The car has been under repair more than it has been in the road and I could have purchased a new B.M.W for what I have put into the car so far. I would never recommend purchasing this years model of neon. It has been a headache and a hazard to drive from the first month I have owned it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 14th August, 2002

1996 Dodge Neon 2.0 SOHC

Summary:

A money eating, gas guzzeing, and part braking American car

Faults:

Where should I start? The Neon (Peon) is a piece of rotting blank. From day one, it has given me problem after problem.

The head gasket of course has blown 3 times and I constantly have to argue with the dealership to get them to pay for it.

On top of the head gasket problem, my speedometer and odometer have decided to stop working unless I punch the console. Punching the console seems to wake the electronics up.

What else? Reverse lights decided they were tired of working. They just shut off one day and never came back on.

Most recently, the car decides to overheat if I drive it for more than ten minutes.

General Comments:

In conclusion, do not ever buy a Neon. Although it may look cute and drive like a dream for the first 30000 miles, its goodnight after that.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 8th August, 2002

1996 Dodge Neon Highline 4 door Sedan

Summary:

A waste of money

Faults:

Brakes replaced every 12,000 miles.

Head gasket replaced three times - argued with Dodge until they paid for it every time.

At 40, 000 miles, speedometer and odometer began to work erratically - sometimes they do not work at all.

At 50,000 miles gas gauge began to work erratically.

Check engine light has been on continuously since 25,000 miles with no problem found.

Brakes have always squeaked.

Air conditioner stopped working at 50,000.

Numerous oil leaks.

Recently found transmission leak.

When putting car in drive or reverse - makes awful noise.

No acceleration on highways.

Had cooling problem around 60,000 miles. Car would run for 20 minutes and then die.

General Comments:

I would never buy another Dodge, this car has been nothing but trouble since I bought it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 5th August, 2002

19th Jun 2003, 16:43

I was thinking about getting a dodge Plymouth neon high line sedan, but one of my guy friends told me not to, cause of the repairs being costly. I still want one though, but there is something wrong with that saying though. I never did really like neon's, because of my guy friends ex girlfriend has one, and I don't like her what so ever. but then again when I first drove a neon, I got so used to it, but I couldn't get it and it sucks. I was going to trade my cavalier in for a dodge Plymouth neon to this one place called mike Finnin's super stores down in Dubuque Iowa, but my credit union wouldn't let me, cause I'm still paying payments on my cavalier that I just got on Feburary 7th, 2003.

20th Jun 2003, 05:55

Why would you trade in a good Cavalier for a junky Neon??

Neons are famous for head gasket, transmission, paint, and engine problems. The paint will not last any longer than 5-6 years before it starts peeling off. Also these cars have problems with loud noises. Dude, I know because a couple of friends own them!!

23rd Mar 2004, 08:52

I have also heard that Cavaliers have head gasket problems also. Once I bought a 1992 Cavalier Wagon with 179,000kms (I live in Canada) & 2 months later I had to put in a new motor. But I was thinking of buying a '96 Neon, but after reading all these negative reviews-I don't think so!!!Thanks, people!:)

12th Mar 2007, 23:01

I don't care what anybody says, but my Neon is way better than any Cavalier out there that is still stock. I have done very small improvements on it, basically everything is stock and yet I can still beat many Cavaliers and also my friends Eclipse. Heck, I think it's awesome that the car can do 120MPH and still be able to do a little more (maybe).