So I have been researching buying a 2000 Dodge Neon and all I have read is bad things lol. “Don’t buy it” “ cheap cars and not reliable” but it wasn’t from people on this forum and I feel like I should listen to people who know these cars.

this car is for my wife. It was her grandmothers car and has 69k miles she bought it new and drove it to church and the store and that’s it now she is too old to drive and they offered it to us to buy for a very minimal price ($500) but I want to make sure the car will be reliable and safe for her.

your view? Also any suggestions or tips for owning this car feel free to recommend I don’t know anything about them. Maybe common issues to look for.

Thanks

 

It's worth it. If you don't buy it, give me the info and I will.

 

haha ok I figured for $500 I shouldn’t pass it up but also wasn’t sure how dependable these cars were.

 

About as dependable as any other 20 year old vehicle. First thing I’d do is check the timing belt.

 

thanks for the heads up! Do they go out often or because it’s so old?

thanks

 

Timing belts require periodic replacement. Usually around the 100k mark. It is lower mileage, but since it is 20 years old, it needs to be checked. IIRC it has an interference engine, meaning if the timing belt breaks, bad things happen. Replace the water pump and tensioner while you are in there.