Thinking about getting a neon, probably a first gen. I drive a 85 chevy citation (junker) and need something that is dependable but i have the chace to make look good. THought about getting a chevy extreme but with college and my motorcycle just getting hit and having to pay out just doenst look like i'll have the funds. Seems like i can find neons pretty cheap. Anyway, I'm not looking on spending a ton of money and ive found a few neons with higher miles on them.

How do the neons run with higher miles as a whole if they have been driven well? Anything in particular i should be looking for when i buy one? Any problems that neons have been prone to having? Car is going to have to last me a couple years but i know i def. want a 5 speed, not much into auto's if i can help it. I plan on spicing it up a little but it won't be a full show car or anything, just something that looks nice/sounds nice.

 

Hey Fortman, welcome to the site. If you stick around long enough, we'll make an enthusiast of you yet. I drove a 1997 Neon ATX. It was a great little car until it started leaking a bit of oil, luckily (unluckily?) it was stolen and the resulting damage from the "joyride" was enough to write it off. The insurance payout was enough to buy me a 2000 Neon, which I'm very happy with so far.

To answer your questions: The neon can be a very reliable little car as long as you keep on top of regular care and maintenance, just like with any car. If you read through a few of the previous posts in the 1st Gen section of this forum, you'll find that a few of the guys have been having minor troubles with their fuel delivery, but that can be expected. Change the fluids and replace the consumables (gaskets, filters and seals included) the car will serve you for as long as you care to run it.

I hope you decide to stick with the neon because they're my absolute favorite car in its class and one of my favorites on the road (for my climate).

 

I have 2 first gen cars, and from my experience, find on that has had the snot beat out of it. My 98 DOHC Sport was purchased from my mother-in law ( off lease). She drove the car for 3 years and not so much as changed the oil after 30k ( i got it with 70k on it). The only problems since I got it 4 years ago were head gasket ( was leaking when I got it, hence no oil changes for 40k, just keep filling it with new stuff), and recently the ATX began to slip so I replaced it and everything is great. My 99R/T was purchased new, never raced, not beat on adult driven with 40k miles on it now. At 1900 miles the clutch exploded, and it's ben nothing but problems since. 1 head gasket, 1 cam seal, 1 a/c clndenser, 1 a/c compressor,2 sunroof rails,2 sunroof cables, 1 sunroof drivetube locator, 1 fuel pump module,2 computers, there are more items, but i can't think of them all right now. So I suggest getting one that has been driven hard, they seem to hold up much better......just my .02

 

i drive a 95 sohc mtx, i've had it for a long time now. but will be getting rid of it soon, for another neon of course. right now i have about 170-180 K, and it still runs great haven't had any real problems other then things that go on a car because of the miles. if at all possible get an r/t, because they do make more power. when you do get a neon, give it some respect and don't turn it into a damn ricer.

 

I had a '95 Sport MTX... it was at about 140k when it got wrecked. The only thing I had done was the starter. Everything else was because the origional owner beat it up (the crankshaft pulley had a piece broken off).

Didn't have any problems with overheating, never stalled on me, only time it wouldn't start is when the starter died. I ran it with 89 octane and Castrol Syntec, decided to keep things as clean as I could. Good car - solid, reliable. Perfect blend of speed and fuel efficiency, IMHO. Certainly not the fastest thing in the world, but definately holds its own.

Make sure the headgasket's okay... Easy to work on, easy to maintain. Parts are cheap. I don't think mine had the MLS gasket, and I never had any problems... If you buy one used, try to get info on if/when the oil was changed, timing belt/water pump, etc...

 

FYI- Parts for Neons are not cheap!!!!!! Go buy a Ford Focus.

 

NEONS LOOK BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and why would you want something with a escort engine in it

 

Neon parts aren't cheap? You aren't seriously still going to the dealership are you?...

 

Neon parts should theoretically be as cheap as they've ever been. Though I don't expect many new parts to come out for them. Buy parts yourself and install them yourself. Pick up a Haynes manual, or a Chilton manual; both will offer advice on keeping your car running for years to come.

 

WTF ??? NEON parts are the cheapest ....if you think neon parts are expensive, buy a nissan...$200-300 dollars for a motor mounts on an suv is DEE DEE DEE.