Faults:

Minor problems only, including a paint bubble under the right rear window causing some of the paint to flake off. The corner of the cover passenger side airbag cover began to pop out, which was promptly taken care of. Other than those small issues, our Neon was trouble free!

General Comments:

For a sub-compact/compact, the car was great! It had good power, great gas mileage, and handling and bad reliability were never an issue. The one thing I didn't like about the car was that it was so bare-bones! No power windows, no power locks, cruise control, or even a tachometer! If I was forced to get another small car, I would definitely consider another Neon, especially the most recent style, they were a great improvement over the 95-99 style Dodge/Plymouth Neon's, which were excellent to begin with! If you need a small, used car just for one or two people, then the Neon should be at the top of your list.

Faults:

O2 sensors quit

Oil leaking around spark plug tubes

Water leaking into trunk from rear taillights

Transmission shifts rough/late (kick-down linkage seized, transmission throttle cable out of adjustment)

A/C blew hot air

Struts are going out (Rear struts are almost gone, front struts are leaving)

General Comments:

Lots of rusty parts both inside and outside the car. It might have been in a flood at one point.

Replaced both O2 sensors, sealed the spark plug tubes, recharged the A/C, lubricated the seized transmission kick-down linkage, and adjusted the transmission throttle cable.

Purchased the car for $1500. Spent $200 for minor repairs. It runs absolutely fantastic. 28 mpg city and 38 mpg highway.

Faults:

Had to have head gasket replaced 2 times. Once was under warranty. Second time was given at half price.

Trim has peeled off around driver side window.

O2 sensors replaced twice in about 1 years time somewhere around 1998-99.

Speedometer/odometer only work part of the time.

Gas gauge only registers down to about 1/2 to 1/4 tank of gas left. After that, it's a guess as to what's left.

Spark plugs and wires replaced twice in one year period somewhere around 99-00.

A/C doesn't cool anymore.

General Comments:

This was my first car, bought it when I was 18. It was affordable and even though I listed a lot of stuff that went wrong, it could have been worse.

Overall, not too bad, but there is room for much improvement.

Faults:

Transmission went at 90000km.

Exhaust Gas Recirculator went at 90000km.

Rad went at 130000km.

Main seal went at 100000km and 140000km.

AC went at 60000km.

Head gasket went at 150000km.

Front speakers failed probably because of water leaks due to insufficient seal.

Headlights flicker on and off starting 160000km.

Trunk leaks.

Brakes squeal and make grinding sounds since purchase, even with new pads.

Stalling problems at idle and when auto trans is shifting between low gears (2 and 3 I think). Dealership and mechanic shops can't figure out what is wrong.

General Comments:

Power steering is pathetic.

I estimate this car costs me 2500CAD a year in maintenance.

This has been my first car, and the experience has been horrible.

The car breaks down so much that I don't know who to trust to fix it. I'm afraid to take it anywhere because I know there will be a 700CAD bill.

There is no point designing cars that are this crappy in order to have a low ticket price at purchase. I am totally turned off the Chrysler brand. You are supposed to impress buyers with entry level vehicles so that they will buy your luxury models.

The only think that hasn't broken is exhaust system.

Cars like the neon are the reasons why Domestic car manufacturers are losing so much market share. The quality just isn't there. I will buy japanese designs from now on.