I'm looking at a 2002 Neon but I need to know some facts about it first. First, it has silver stickers behind the front wheels that say ARC. And the valve cover and rear trunk say Magum in red. Yet when I did a Carfax on it, it said it was an ES. How can I tell and what does ARC, Magnum, and ES mean? Here's the VIN. Thanks.

1B3ES56C42D618787

 

It's not.

The eight number in the vin is "C", should be "F" if its a magnum motor. Although it could have been swapped... is the intake manifold plastic (non) or cast aluminum (mag)? Is the exhaust manifold cast (non) or tubular (mag)? This will at least tell you what head is on the block.

 

yeah, its rather easy to add a couple ACR emblems and stickers. as graphite did, looking at the vin is the easiest way to tell. although true, it could be a swap. also, does it still have stock rims? what do they look like?

didnt the 2.0 magnum come in the R/Ts???

 

Well I just got some more info. He said that he put the Magnum head on, but it was orginally an SE. So he put the Magnum decals on. He also said that the ACR stickers were just decals he put on himself.

 

He put SRT-4 wheels on, not originals. It's a very clean car, he's selling it for $1600. Has Eibachs too.

 

I'd check the manifolds to be sure... what he says and what he did can be two different things. Also i wouldn't pay any extra then the car is worth normally just because he put that head on.

 

how many miles on it?

 

Not is not
The VIN number say NO
but...
check the intake manifold

 

The car has around 65-70K miles, I forgot.

I willlook atthe intake too. Thanks for all your help.

 

It should have "R/T" on the side of the cylinder head just to the side of the coolant housing. The intake manifold will be aluminum instead of the black plastic.