Faults:
Rear brake shoes, 205 000 KMS.
Rear wheel cylinders, 205 000KMS.
E-Brake line (one side, but I did both just for peace of mind) 205 000KMS.
Rear bearings (once again, just one side, but did both for peace of mind, and because they were on sale at Canadian tire) 205 000KMS.
Rear drums, 205 000KMS.
Fan motor, 180 000KMS (Cost 10 bucks at a scrapyard from another Neon and around half an hour of my time. Definitely not a big deal)
General Comments:
LOVE IT!!! Let me start off by saying that I am 6 foot 6, approx 2m and 10cm. Of all the cars I've driven (Legacy, A4 - yes a 2009 A4 that was my friends, Tercel, Accent, Protege, Impreza, Caliber) This is by far the most comfortable.
Next, mileage. Summer it costs around 30 - 35 to fill, and I get 450-500 kms a tank (with a feather foot and a 5 speed/manual)
I bought the car for 1400 bucks certified and E-Tested in June 2009 (Ontario drivers know what I mean), and other than now (April 5, I did the maintenance) nothing actually broke other than the fan motor when I bought it. WHICH IS NOT A BIG DEAL IF YOU CAN DO BASIC WORK ON YOUR CAR!
The other repairs, brakes, bearings etc etc. are all standard maintenance, no matter what car you drive, eventually they will have to be done.
Love it my Neon. It's cheap, reliable so far, peppy. Threw in a good sound system, shifts are smooth (bit rough when cold though (Like -30 C cold) for the first few minutes, after it warms up it's fine).
TIP! Use 100% synthetic; Formula 1 is cheap and fits the bill, and use 5w-30 in the winter, not the factory recommended 10w-30.
As long as it was taken care of by its previous owner, it'll run like a champ.
16th Dec 2010, 08:50
"Check engine light was on when bought"
- You should have run, not walked, away from it.