Hello all,

Am about ready to say goodbye to my '99 ZX2. It has 146k on it, and just "feels" like it's going to start having problems soon. So, I'm in the market for a new or (more than likely) used car for new transport. Here's what I've done research-wise, to this point:

1. Thought I might want a Honda Prius or an FFV, but didn't like some of the reviews I've seen on the Prius, and from the E85 website, I don't particularly like the pickin's for cars. Seems most of the FFVs are Blue Ovals or have engines that are big enough that I'm sure would have poor gas mileage without E85, and I'm sure would drop with, so...

2. Wondered about the Volkswagen diesels. Think they'd be a great idea, except for the wildly fluctuating diesel price, plus the fact that EVERYONE wants $20k for one! On online searches, I had to go back to the exact model year of my existing car to find VWs in the $10-12k range (which is where I'd like to stay). So...

3. Researched other imports, including Honda, Toyota and Mazda. Didn't see a whole lot that had mileage as good or better than my current ride, plus folks want more for these cars as well. Only import that looked reasonable price and mileage-wise was the Protege 5. So...

4. Looked (reluctantly) back at the domestics, and found two of interest; the 04/05 Neons or the Pontiac Vibe. From Autotrader, the said mileage of both of these was supposed to be in the 29/36-city/hwy range, but from reading in the forums here, looks like the Neon really probably is more like the 25-30 range like my current car. Is that true for the 04/05s, or not? Would sure like to see the 29/36.


After all of this, looking online at car loan APRs, looks like I could expect something from 6.69%/36mo to 7.55/72 mo. That I'd believe would make for a reasonable payment, but I'd like others to chime in here on that.


Finally, my questions are thus:

---Are the 04/05 Neons worth a look? Seem to be tons of SXTs online.
---What about the Protege and Vibe? Yes, I know this is a Mopar forum, but figured you'd like to comment, anyway.
---Looks to me that a stick is hard to find; does it make that much difference with a Neon?
---How did you go about securing your car loan? Online, local bank, both?



Thanks for your opinions. It's been so durned long since I've bought a vehicle, I'm out of practice.

 

id got a neon sxt and im happy with it id say stick if your lookin for a ride to take to the track and mod but auto if your lookin for a transportation ve-hicle. Id have to say neon over the vibe.

 

I just bought my "new" 05 Neon in March of this year. After looking at this site I decided that for the price of $9,499 after trade in was a great deal for a great car. I just have under 5,000 miles on it and it started with 32mpg, and now it's up to 35mpg with very conservative driving (60 with cruise, no A/C etc). With todays gas prices, my Yukon just don't cut it. I can pack all of my kids in it for school and it looks good to cruise down the road in with my Wife. I have the Orange Blast paint which looks awesome (a $150 option on the website).

The Vibe....it's GM, not the most reliable cars, not Consumer Report recommended.

The hybrids are pretty reliable from Toyota, but the mileage is not what they claim in "normal" driving.

Mazda = Ford although they are not a bad car, a Neon is cheaper and just as nice. Honda's and Toyota's are nice but you pay a heavy price compared to a "new" Neon.

I bought my car at a Lithia dealer here in California, bought it over the phone using Chrysler financing. They gave me $1,500 for my 95 Ford Aerostar with 178,000+ miles on it site unseen. The dealers I think has more Neons. Wish I bought two but really can't afford it right at the moment.

As for the Auto or Stick, the auto I have read is not tuned to the motor of the Neon, therfore you get better performance and gas mileage with the stick. I enjoy my Neon with the stick, like I said, 35mpg and plenty of power and good looks, can't beat it and it's about $7,000 cheaper than a Honda Civic.

I have had several of my co-workers get a loan from places like MoneyTree.com for loans for their car, they also use Costco (if you have one) to get a car at or below invoice.

If you live in CA. or OR. or whatever look on the lithia.com website and they have dealers in CA and OR and have some new Neons still for sale. I missed the $9,999 sale for 5 sp SE's. Mines an SXT with spoiler and cruise.

Good luck if you can find a new one at one of these dealers as a used one is higher than what I paid for mine with more miles.

Aaron

 

neons are great cars, i owned one before my current ones. i put a good many miles on it and traded it in, wish i still had it around. sxt gets pretty close to 30 for me. mostly driven 15-30mph locally. even my srt got 30mpg highway doing in the 70s over a 1000k trip. i worked for dodge for a bit, and the neons do go for pretty good prices new. especially once a dealer gets overstocked with them. we had a sea of neons and sold at least one or two a day, yet the carriers kept dropping more off.
maintenence on the neon is also pretty cheap, especially if your a backyard mechanic and do your own fluid changes, brakes, etc.
i autocrossed the neon before and its a pretty tossable car on the track, fun to drive factor is pretty good, especially in the srt.
my only complaints:
no power rear windows
no rear cupholders
wish the trunk had hydraulic-like lifters instead of those bars that hang down. also, the middle seat belt unit for the rear seat hangs way too low.
out of time. will post more later

 

he made the name lol Well, we do have the flip out center console cup holders, so we do kinda have one rear cup holder...

 

Well, I'd have to say go with the Vibe. I've had my 2004 Vibe for 2 years and 0% wrong with it and it gets 29-36mpg since I've been keeping track. And what Nappers said about the Vibe being unreliable because it's GM... Here's some food for thought, The Vibe is mainly a Toyota Car and gets even better rating in consumer reports than it's sister car the Toyota Matrix. The engine, Tranny, and just about everything else in the Vibe is made from Toyota. I don't wanna seem like the crazed GM guy but hey thats my two cents.