Faults:

Alternator at 40,000 miles.

Clutch at 90,000, although that is a wear item.

Head gasket at 103,000. I just finished changing it myself, since I can't afford to have a dealer do it, and we depend on the car. Researching this online, I've found out this is a common problem apparently.

General Comments:

The car runs great and gets 30-35 MPG. It has a few quirks like the speedometer and guages getting flaky, but we are used to those.

The taillights leak somewhere and the lens actually fills with water. I am contemplating simply drilling a small drain hole to the outside to prevent it corroding the electrical contacts and socket.

The A/C leaks down, but a cheap can of R-134 every few months in the summer keeps it nice and cold.

These cars have negligible retail value and zero trade-in value, so I would recommend doing preventive maintenance and get your money's worth out of it at least.

If your car starts having overheating problems, or you have to keep adding water to the radiator, but it's not leaking out on the ground -- check the head gasket. Have it changed anyway if your car has close to 100,000 miles. Make sure you use the MLS (multi-layered steel) gasket, which is the updated version. I used aftermarket (Fel-Pro) from Autozone, which appears to be a MLS gasket also. Dodge dealers sell a head gasket kit for about the same price, $108.

Change the timing belt at 100,000 miles too, because if that breaks while the engine is running, it will destroy the valves. A rebuilt SOHC head for the 2.0 is available from www.headsonly.com for $350. They will UPS it to your door in 2-5 days.

Faults:

Well for the most part nothing has ever really gone wrong with the car. It seems decent for the money however there were quite a few glaring problems with it I thought I would share.

At 152 000 km while driving the 401 east of Chatham in a slush type storm my drivers side windshield wiper blew completely to the side of the car, then broke at the motor leaving me without a wiper for the duration of my trip.

At 158 000 km replaced both outer tie rods and re-aligned the front end.

At 162 000 km I noticed an oil leak out of the valve cover, I fixed it, but there is still oil leaking from somewhere.

At 163 000 km torque lock solenoid malfunction results in $600.00 repair.

At 164 000 km rear licence plate light wiring catches fire leaving me with $40.00 repairs and $110.00 fine.

At 168 000 km replaced outer tie rods again, and re-aligned the front end once more.

Somewhere in between trunk lock failed and wouldn't let me into my own trunk. It Baffled myself and the dealer mechanics for months (for months I could not open the trunk if I may remind you) sudden;y it opens again before its next tune up.

At 172 000 km mysterious hole appears in muffler, no known culprit didn't bother to fix it's not making that much sound.

At 210 000 km significant loss of power, leaking oil like a sieve time to feed vehicle last meal.

At 216 000 km last miles to be driven on the car in a long time. Water pump bearing failed causing the sprocket to fall on an angle. Which cut the timing belt. Which stopped driving the cam shaft, which allowed the pistons to slam into the cylinder head.

General Comments:

The dodge neon is acceptable for the dollar, but what you save on purchasing costs you in the end.

Preventive maintenance with the Neon is especially key. Keep a close eye on the timing belt area of the car. Before you think there is going to be a problem fix it. Beleive me it cost me my beloved "Ellanor"

Also the seats are uncomfortable.

The oil pressure light seems to never work.

Nice looking car, plenty fast, too expensive to maintain.