1997 Dodge Neon Highline 2.0SOHC

Summary:

Excellent bargain!!!

Faults:

Head Gasket blew at 100,000 miles, but knew it was going to happen.

Speakers in front doors have gone out due to leakage from windows.

EGR Valve needed to be replace at 60,000 Miles.

General Comments:

Overall this car has been worth the money I paid for it. I have followed all of the suggested maintenance procedures and have started replacing faulty parts with high performance parts. I still get excellent gas mileage and now the car is even faster!

It is very fun to drive and will probably be driving it well over 400,000 miles!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th July, 2002

1997 Dodge Neon Highliner 2.0

Summary:

It is a car not worth buying

Faults:

From my experience with this car, I would highly not recommend buying one to anyone. Many problems have come up since I got the car, which made me realize just how costly they are to keep up.

My head gasket blew at 60,000 miles.

The bright purple paint is now peeling down to the primer, just like several of the same cars with the same color in my area.

Oxygen Sensor went out at 90,000.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 26th May, 2002

1997 Dodge Neon Highline Sport 2.0L DOHC

Summary:

High performance with OK reliability

Faults:

Well my radiator fans went out and the car wouldn't start. I brought the car into the dealer, they put new battery cables on it so it would start and they put a new fan relay in so the fans would come back on. One day later the radiator blew out so now it back at the dealer getting a new radiator. Total is 541 out of my pocket since I have no warranty. It's been a real pain in the butt getting rides back and forth from the dealer.

General Comments:

The car overall is very nice if you do modifications to it, but I guess with all the modifications I left no money for repairs.

The interior could be a little nicer, but I put some Carrera Seats in and NR White Face gauges and a bunch of other mods so it's not too bad now.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 26th April, 2002

1997 Dodge Neon Sport 2.0

Summary:

Dependable high mileage sportiness

Faults:

I just bought this car, and did a 125 mile trip with the family over the weekend. Made a stop at a Firestone dealer and got tires and a 4-wheel alignment. All the records were included with the car, and I just went through them all last night. The previous owner did all the right maintenance on it, and the only things I saw unusual were a stuck thermostat causing an overheat around 55,000 miles, and then a left-rear tire out of round at about 68,000 miles. They did transmission oil changes, 2 major tune-ups, and had two recalls (air bag, and radiator fan switch) taken care of.

General Comments:

For under $4,000 I feel this was a very nice deal. The interior is completely perfect (just a little bit of dust in the air vents). The exterior red paint is glossy, although there are a few little nicks that show as white. Someone apparently tried to clean the headlights and front turn signals with a cleaner that fogged the plastic. I've found a replacement set of headlights/turn signals for under $200. I currently own a '99 Durango, and bought this for a commuter (60 miles per day) car for work. Even though it's been one weekend since I bought it, I think this will be a great little car. Handling with the new 205-60-HR14 tires is excellent.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd April, 2002

1997 Dodge Neon No Designation 4 cylindar?

Summary:

Lemon

Faults:

My head gasket and head blew at 55000 miles.

Had the brakes replaced at 28000 miles.

Brakes still squeak.

Had 4 tires replaced at 28000 miles, totally bald.

Transmission slips when speeding up.

The truck had a major water leak and filled the back seat with water whenever it would rain. It would take days to dry and smelled musty. Took it to 2 places to try to find the leak. They had to take both rear lights totally apart and seal everything.

General Comments:

I have spent more money fixing the car than I spent on the car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th April, 2002

26th Aug 2002, 11:17

It's been 3 months and $1,500 since I wrote the previous comments. My little Neon is now sitting at the gas station waiting for the transmission to be replaced at 66,000 miles. The total for the Head AND Head Gasket to be replaced (which pretty much ended up being the whole motor) was $1,500. I called a dealer and asked if there was a recall, he told me no, BUT it is a common problem with Neons and that there should be. What are they waiting for? I am stuck with it now. The transmission will cost approximately $1000 plus the $1500 for the head, its more than half of what I paid for the car used.