Maybe looking at a cheap 97. advice?
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Maybe looking at a cheap 97. advice?
Hi guys, I am not normally in the neon section too much, but I figured this would be the best place to ask a couple questions.
I am looking at a 97 neon 2dr. It has the 2.0 and a manual tranny. (not sure on dohc or sohc...)
It has around 150K on it but it looks good and from the way it drives it seems to run good. (doesnt knock or make much smoke)
Any tips on what I should look for as a deal breaker on the car? its super cheap and has to get better mileage than My truck. (cheap like $650 and it runs seems worth it cheap)
I am looking at a 97 neon 2dr. It has the 2.0 and a manual tranny. (not sure on dohc or sohc...)
It has around 150K on it but it looks good and from the way it drives it seems to run good. (doesnt knock or make much smoke)
Any tips on what I should look for as a deal breaker on the car? its super cheap and has to get better mileage than My truck. (cheap like $650 and it runs seems worth it cheap)
Grand Champion
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,584
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From: Lima, Ohio
RE: Maybe looking at a cheap 97. advice?
See if the timing belt has ever been replaced, they tend to not make it over 100-120k without snapping, thus causing major damage. Since it has hat many miles, most likely it has been replaced. Other than that, not too much else to look at...
Champion
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,650
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
RE: Maybe looking at a cheap 97. advice?
yea it is common. if its a DOHC make sure the tensioner was replaced as well. and since its a 97 make sure it has the MLS head gasket. if you look at the front of the motor under the thermostat you should be able to see like a flang looking thing, that would be the MLS head gasket.
Guest
Posts: n/a
RE: Maybe looking at a cheap 97. advice?
sorry for the back to back post, but I just grabbed the vin off the car, and it says that the car is a 95...
it also says its a SOHC... I am wondering how accurate it is though. the window said 97...
this is the VIN decoder I used...
http://www. neons. org/vin/ (remove the space around "neons")
it also says its a SOHC... I am wondering how accurate it is though. the window said 97...
this is the VIN decoder I used...
http://www. neons. org/vin/ (remove the space around "neons")
Champion
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,650
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
RE: Maybe looking at a cheap 97. advice?
have u personally seen the car? or is it on like Ebay? if u have seen it in person, just look at the sticker on the inside of the driver door and check under the hood on the passanger side inner fender it should have the VIN and such stamped on it.
Guest
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RE: Maybe looking at a cheap 97. advice?
The car is right down the road from my house... the stickers arnt on the inside of the door, thats why I grabbed the vin off the dash.
if you want to see what that vin decoder said, here is the vin. 1B3ES42C1SD220534
it says its a 95 Highline coupe. It is a coupe, it is a 16 vlave 2.0 (says so on the motor
but The owner put 97 on the window...
if its a 95, I would guess that it has the crappy head gasket... I am also guessing that this is something that I wouldnt want to try myself. I am good with tools and have done all my own installs... but I have never really tore into a motor.
if you want to see what that vin decoder said, here is the vin. 1B3ES42C1SD220534
it says its a 95 Highline coupe. It is a coupe, it is a 16 vlave 2.0 (says so on the motor
but The owner put 97 on the window...if its a 95, I would guess that it has the crappy head gasket... I am also guessing that this is something that I wouldnt want to try myself. I am good with tools and have done all my own installs... but I have never really tore into a motor.
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Grand Champion
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,584
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From: Lima, Ohio
RE: Maybe looking at a cheap 97. advice?
ORIGINAL: ericemery
The car is right down the road from my house... the stickers arnt on the inside of the door, thats why I grabbed the vin off the dash.
if you want to see what that vin decoder said, here is the vin. 1B3ES42C1SD220534
it says its a 95 Highline coupe. It is a coupe, it is a 16 vlave 2.0 (says so on the motor but The owner put 97 on the window...
if its a 95, I would guess that it has the crappy head gasket... I am also guessing that this is something that I wouldnt want to try myself. I am good with tools and have done all my own installs... but I have never really tore into a motor.
The car is right down the road from my house... the stickers arnt on the inside of the door, thats why I grabbed the vin off the dash.
if you want to see what that vin decoder said, here is the vin. 1B3ES42C1SD220534
it says its a 95 Highline coupe. It is a coupe, it is a 16 vlave 2.0 (says so on the motor
but The owner put 97 on the window...if its a 95, I would guess that it has the crappy head gasket... I am also guessing that this is something that I wouldnt want to try myself. I am good with tools and have done all my own installs... but I have never really tore into a motor.
Record Breaker
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,797
Likes: 0
From: roswell New Mexico
RE: Maybe looking at a cheap 97. advice?
definitely a 95, this is the decoder i used
http://www.allpar.com/mopar/vin-decoder.html
Head gasket would be the first thing i check. thenengine mounts, timing beltandsee if you can pull any fault codes. Take it out to the highway and see if you get any air whistling around the window seals at high speeds
http://www.allpar.com/mopar/vin-decoder.html
Head gasket would be the first thing i check. thenengine mounts, timing beltandsee if you can pull any fault codes. Take it out to the highway and see if you get any air whistling around the window seals at high speeds
Guest
Posts: n/a
RE: Maybe looking at a cheap 97. advice?
ORIGINAL: 12 volt
definitely a 95, this is the decoder i used
http://www.allpar.com/mopar/vin-decoder.html
Head gasket would be the first thing i check. thenengine mounts, timing beltandsee if you can pull any fault codes. Take it out to the highway and see if you get any air whistling around the window seals at high speeds
definitely a 95, this is the decoder i used
http://www.allpar.com/mopar/vin-decoder.html
Head gasket would be the first thing i check. thenengine mounts, timing beltandsee if you can pull any fault codes. Take it out to the highway and see if you get any air whistling around the window seals at high speeds
thanks for the info guys. I know 650 isnt a lot, but I dont want to get a 650 scrap heap.