(I tried to look an answer in the forum but did not find it..)

At how many miles do people start getting dead or problems on transmission ?

What about the timing belt ?, I Know the manual says to change it every 105k, but I hear people saying 60k instead..

my neon 04 has around 75k miles, and I'm trying to see if I should get a new car.. before any of those 2 major problems happens.
I've been in the shop recently for 2 control arm bushing, 2 engine mounts,
and yesterday engine position sensor..

(i bought it used with 35k miles, it was a rental car before..)

Thanks

 

Well my 04 I got brand new back in july of 04 and she had like 55 miles now she has 199,300 have not had to put a new tranny in her yet just mounts and the standard stuff . I love my sxt and would not get rid of her for anything. Answer to your questions its all in how you drive your 04 and take care of it . I have taken care of mine and kept up with everything thats needed to be fixed.

 

Transmissions can go at any time. Maintenance is they key, and that is also what most people won't do because it costs money.

Timing belt is 105K. Some break earlier, some will run well into the 100K's. The world is an imperfect place.

A new car costs more than a $300 timing belt job and a $30 transmission fluid and filter change.

 

Did not have to change my timing belt until 133,000 and about 233,000 I will be changing it again along with alot more to go with the timing belt.

 

Thanks for the input,
I just had bad luck with it the past 6 months..

I did change the transmision fluid like I was supposed to, and I just change some sensor and probably going to have to change something else
since I feel the engine is misfiring.. hopefully just spark plugs..

if it would be 300$ for a timing belt change, I would do it right now, but I thought it was more like 800-1000$ to do it ?
I guess maybe because when you change timing belt, they say you should change the pump, and some pulleys..

 

You can buy the timing belt kit off of Amazon for right around $85. Labor should be about $200-$250 at a shop (if you do it yourself, you are looking at a ~$100 job). Total is right around $300. I spent a bit more because I replaced the motor mount (~$32 on Amazon) and accessory belt tensioner pulley (~$30 at a parts store) at the same time; which is a very good idea since those are the last two things to come off before the timing belt. No point in paying another $200 in labor a little bit later. It should also not cost a penny more to have a shop change those out since they have to be removed anyways.

 

i replaced my timing belt at i believe 115,000 with the tensioner. only problems ive had other that that is just motor mounts. But like darth said its a heck of alot cheaper than a new car

 

I wish I knew more about car repair.. I would save so much money instead of being screwed by mechanics..
But thanks to this site and you guys, I learned a lot about the car so I get less screwed now.

I write down everything I do to the car and I had the car for 3 years now,
and I spent roughly 1000$ each year. (includes everything from oil change to tires..etc..)
so roughly 83$ a month, so yeah it's cheaper than a new car payment..

 

Yes keeping up my neon is much cheaper than a new car payment and everyone keeps on asking what new ride Im going to get cause my 04 sxt now has almost 200,000 on her very close in the next few months she will be over 200,000. I just tell them I love my sxt and will keep her until she dies.

 

I always, always, research everything I can about a problem especially if I am going to take the car somewhere. That way, I know what the problem is, what exactly needs to be fixed/replaced/etc., and I don't have them telling me all of this other stuff is causing the problem when it isn't.