Looking to get a neon...some questions
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From: Rockland County, NY
Looking to get a neon...some questions
Hey guys, been on DF for a few years now I got a '97 Ram as you can see in my sig.
Im looking to get a neon in the neighborhood of '04 just to commute with for better gas. Been watching the forum and reading up but just want to hear from you guys what the biggest things to watch for are when going to test drive one, what are the most common problems, etc.. any advice basically toward to car would be great. From the reading I've done so far seems like tranny is a common problem, but maybe it's just hit or miss not sure. Any input on the neons would be great, thanks.
Greg
Im looking to get a neon in the neighborhood of '04 just to commute with for better gas. Been watching the forum and reading up but just want to hear from you guys what the biggest things to watch for are when going to test drive one, what are the most common problems, etc.. any advice basically toward to car would be great. From the reading I've done so far seems like tranny is a common problem, but maybe it's just hit or miss not sure. Any input on the neons would be great, thanks.
Greg
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From: Northern California
The auto transmissions are hit or miss. I think you just tend to hear more of the bad on the forums because people come here specifically to fix them. Check the fluid and see what it looks like, just on any other car. Same with the coolant. Check the lower control arm bushings, tie rod ends and ball joints if possible. The lower control arm bushings tend to go on these in the upper tens of thousands of miles. The other two are hit or miss on when they will go.
Probably the most common thing to look for is broken, torn torque struts. If these are torn, the engine mount is much more prone to being broken/torn as well. Generally if any are broken, there will be some vibration in the cab, mostly noticeable in the steering wheel probably.
If I can think of anything else, I'll let you know.
Probably the most common thing to look for is broken, torn torque struts. If these are torn, the engine mount is much more prone to being broken/torn as well. Generally if any are broken, there will be some vibration in the cab, mostly noticeable in the steering wheel probably.
If I can think of anything else, I'll let you know.
Thread Starter
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Veteran
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Rockland County, NY
The auto transmissions are hit or miss. I think you just tend to hear more of the bad on the forums because people come here specifically to fix them. Check the fluid and see what it looks like, just on any other car. Same with the coolant. Check the lower control arm bushings, tie rod ends and ball joints if possible. The lower control arm bushings tend to go on these in the upper tens of thousands of miles. The other two are hit or miss on when they will go.
Probably the most common thing to look for is broken, torn torque struts. If these are torn, the engine mount is much more prone to being broken/torn as well. Generally if any are broken, there will be some vibration in the cab, mostly noticeable in the steering wheel probably.
If I can think of anything else, I'll let you know.
Probably the most common thing to look for is broken, torn torque struts. If these are torn, the engine mount is much more prone to being broken/torn as well. Generally if any are broken, there will be some vibration in the cab, mostly noticeable in the steering wheel probably.
If I can think of anything else, I'll let you know.
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From: Northern California
It has taken some work to get where it is thus far, so, many thanks! 
Good luck with the hunt tomorrow! With those low miles, you won't have to worry about the timing belt and water pump then (if they were changed when they were supposed to).
Good luck with the hunt tomorrow! With those low miles, you won't have to worry about the timing belt and water pump then (if they were changed when they were supposed to).
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From: Rockland County, NY
What do you mean "if they were changed when they were supposed to?" Aren't they done at 60k?
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From: Northern California
The recommendation for pump and belt is at approximately 105,000 miles. I was talking about if the car(s) were over that mileage and being able to possibly find out if they had been changed like they were supposed to.
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From: Rockland County, NY
Ah gotcha, excuse me I misread the post I thought you were indicating at 30k it should have been done already lol. Good to know, and thats actually a higher mileage count for the t-belt than I thought.
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From: Rockland County, NY
Well checked out a few...ended up going with a 2005 Sxt with 38k miles. The thing was beautiful and was really nice and looked mechanically sound. Got it for $6300 seemed pretty fair for the miles and year. It's silver. I'll get some pics up Saturday after I pick it up!!! Looks like I'm soon to be a regular on the 2nd gen neon forum lol
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From: Ohio
-Ah, so you got the same one I have. I bought mine in '07 and she's been a good, solid car. We've had it from Ohio to Myrtle Beach four times already and a couple more scheduled this year. Just stay away from the cheapo oil filters and do regular maintenance and you should be good for a long time. I bought mine with 19k on it and now she has 68k. One good solid, AMERICAN car!
L8R,
Matt
L8R,
Matt
