22nd Aug 2009, 00:38

I have a '95 Plymouth Neon.

The head gasket blew at 79,000 miles, and I had to replace the power steering rack and the starter at 81,000.

Replaced the shocks by choice, found the old ones a bit to lazy and bouncy for a small car, and put in some sport shocks that really showed it's potential. It handles quite well actually, though it does have quite a bit of understeer, odd for a front-wheel drive car.

I do all my own maintenance, and my engine seems to be running very well, it gets up to 60 MPH on the highway with no problems, other than being a bit loud at that speed. I regularly get around 38 MPG using 87 Octane fuel.

I love its acceleration, it gets itself moving with no trouble at all, I'd bet money it could hit 60 in under ten seconds, even with its age.

Right now my alternator and A/C compressor are on their way out, but no big deal, I'm a mechanic so I'll just replace them myself, and for 14 years, they've held up pretty well I think.

It handles great in the New England winter here in Massachusetts, and is very sure-footed in even deep snow (I live in an area which is very poorly plowed, they don't start plowing until there is at least 8 inches of snow on the ground!) It's never even slipped in the snow, of course the occasional tire spin at take off, but it's never lost control, and the wheels have never locked up. I feel pretty comfortable driving it in the winter, except the heater takes a little while to warm up.

All in all, I'm very happy with it. It's done well, I intend to keep it for another 3 years or so and then pass it on to my younger brother to use for highschool. I'll move up to a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla then.