I usually hang out on the 3rd Gen Ram side but need you Neon peoples help. I am looking at buying a Neon in the morning and would like to see if I could get some opinions and things to check for on it. Since I have never owned one I dont know what kind of things to check for on them.
Here is what I am looking at:
1995 Dodge Neon
2 Door
Blue
2.0 16 Valve engine
Automatic
Manual windows and locks
It has 33,400 miles on it which is good for a 1995 I would say. The outside looks real nice except for it has hail damage, no big deal for me, just looking for something with better gas than my Ram that I dont have to sink any money into right away. The inside is very clean and the tires look like they have some life left on them.
They are asking $2500 at the car lot, so I think I will be able to talk them down a little at least. It is not at a Dodge dealer, just one of those used car lots where they have everything under the sun. Does this all sound like a good deal and what are the things on a Neon that I need to look for, like things that go wrong on Neon a lot. Thanks for your help.
redman27331
02-08-2007, 11:39 PM
i have a 95 2dr neon the only thing i have had problems with is miner wiring problems. most of it has been the inside light but other then that the car has been good.
KYKillerKlown
02-08-2007, 11:54 PM
i have a 95 2dr neon the only thing i have had problems with is miner wiring problems. most of it has been the inside light but other then that the car has been good.
Thanks for the info redman. Anyone else got any comments or opinions, or think that this is a bad deal?
alaskaneon
02-09-2007, 12:23 AM
$2500 sounds a little high even if it has super low miles. I bought my 01 last year with around 40k on it for 5g
05hemiregcab
02-09-2007, 01:39 AM
I say if you have cash.. offer them 1500 on the car... or maybe 2k at the most just because of the low miles.. but look the whole car over and see if it shows more wear than what the guage is showin.. some car dealers are pretty crooked.. believe I know I used to work for some!
but it dont sound bad at all
scottrachel01
02-09-2007, 07:16 AM
Is it a dohc? Has the head gasket been changed? 2k or under sounds fair go for the under.
dodgeneonACR98
02-09-2007, 02:29 PM
You will want to check the motor over especially the head. First gens had a problem with head gaskets which was later fixed with changes to the gasket.
Check the motor mounts!!!!!! The front one especially. It's the one to wear out first. Look at the middle (from the side) of it if it's messed you will see it.
In the trunk look and see if the tail lights leak. easy fix but you could take them down a few 100 bucks for it. LOL
Just a FYI........ If you do get the car you will need to change the time belt between 80-100K. Alot of them have been junked because they blow apart bend valves and possibly damage pistons.
Other than a few problems here and there they seem to be a real good reliable machine. I have 150K on my 98 Dohc and 110K have been nothing short of Neon Molestation!!! Honestly I think they are tanks. Mine anyhow!
It don't matter what make or model all cars/trucks have their Lemons. Right? Thats just a chance we take!
I don't think that it's a bad deal but you could easily take him down at least 500$.I would offer him 2K cash money. Or offer him the 2500 and he takes care of taxes,title,tags!!! Id jump on it myself. The most common price tag I see on them is around 1800-2500K round here. Good Luck :rck:
KYKillerKlown
02-09-2007, 05:03 PM
Thanks for the advice everyone. I did purchase it today for $2000 ($500 off their asking price). It was $2165 out the door tax, title, license, and car. They had changed the oil for me but I think that since it is 12 years old it probably time for plugs and wires this weekend and maybe fab up a CAI for it. Now I just have to get my system switched over into it from my old car that took a crap on me yesterday and I will be good to go. Thanks for the advice and I guess I will be spending a little more time on this side of the forum also.:D
alaskaneon
02-09-2007, 05:09 PM
Were the miles on the car authentic or does the title say "unknown" Even if it does only have 33.5k orginal I'd change out the timing belt. If that belt goes you've got an undrivable car, bent valves and messed up pistons, and a huge mechanic bill. If I were in your shoes, and I didn't know the history of the car, that's the first thing I would take care of.
dodgeneonACR98
02-09-2007, 06:45 PM
Good advise Alaska! I agree. Even if it's only got 33K that belt has been on there for a long time! When in doubt, change it out!! I always say. Beside that it's cheaper than internals. Hope you enjoy it!
aJester
02-09-2007, 09:39 PM
Hi folks...
I noticed a few of you have suggested a Timing Belt Change.
How much does it cost to do a Timing Belt changed?
Does one take it to the dealer or do you just take it to Carx or Mineken?
Reason: My GF 1998 Dodge Noen just logged 90K miles couple of weeks back.
Sorry about going offtopic. :)
J
95moparracer
02-09-2007, 11:32 PM
well depends if u need a tensioner too... with tensioner ( has to be got at dealer) its a lil over $100~!
alaskaneon
02-10-2007, 02:57 AM
Unless you are a very patient person with the right tools it's better to take it in to the dealership. The crank pulley is a bearcat to get off. LOL, speaking from experience.
95moparracer
02-10-2007, 01:55 PM
thats the hardest part of it is the crank pulley... that thing is like glued into it lmfao! well actually to get it off all u gotat do is heat it up a lil!
alaskaneon
02-10-2007, 04:37 PM
thats the hardest part of it is the crank pulley... that thing is like glued into it lmfao! well actually to get it off all u gotat do is heat it up a lil!
Well. there's a little more to it than that! You can heat it up a lil till it starts to melt and it still won't come off if you don't know the procedure to pull it off the crankshaft. lol!
EZ4U2CHere
02-14-2007, 04:47 PM
Rent/borrow the proper puller from autozone, and the pulley isn't much of a problem.
I hope you enjoy your car KYKillerKlown. They can be a lot of fun.
1st mod is to do an ATX to MTX swap!!! lol
aJester
02-15-2007, 12:00 AM
Thanks 4 the info folks! We will take it to a dealer ...
Jes
EZ4U2CHere
02-15-2007, 09:02 AM
Thanks 4 the info folks! We will take it to a dealer ...
If you are not comfortable doing it yourself, take it to a reputable local garage, not the dealer. I bet the dealer will charge you twice what a regular garage would.
It's really not that hard. Can be a bit time consuming, and you'll get a few bloody knuckles especially if you have never done it before.
aJester
02-15-2007, 10:56 PM
Well.. It is NOT just that.
For one I am not comfortable,.. might even be borderline clutz. :)
For another, I don't have any tools.
And finally it is mighty cold outside and I don't have a garage.
So yeah, I should probably take it to a local garage or a dealer...
Thanks for the suggestions though!
Jes
NoHemi
02-15-2007, 11:24 PM
Hey KY, I just picked up an '02 Neon with 54000 miles and a 5 Spd back in December paid $2900. I needed something that gets a bit better gas mileage then the Ram now that I'm driving 90 miles a day to work and back. I picked up a set of SRT wheels for it and the back was already dropped (need to do something soon the ride is even more harsh then my truck), look forward to seeing what you do with yours. When are you heading back to Henderson?
KYKillerKlown
02-16-2007, 12:04 AM
Hey KY, I just picked up an '02 Neon with 54000 miles and a 5 Spd back in December paid $2900. I needed something that gets a bit better gas mileage then the Ram now that I'm driving 90 miles a day to work and back. I picked up a set of SRT wheels for it and the back was already dropped (need to do something soon the ride is even more harsh then my truck), look forward to seeing what you do with yours. When are you heading back to Henderson?I have been down there twice since Christmas. I am not for sure when we will be back.
Blackhemiquad
02-19-2007, 09:16 PM
Congrats on the Neon....my wife has one and it has been relatively trouble free and it was in mint condition until I backed it into a small sign post that was obscured from my sight. Now it has a small crease in the trunk lid. Keep an eye on the head gasket, especially around the number 4 cyl where ours leaked oil...get an immobilizer for it too. Neons are popular among thieves, they tried to steal ours and were unsuccessful due to the engine immobilizer. Other than that these cars are quite peppy and easy on gas. They are pretty easy to work on. Oh by the way...ditto on the timing belt. These are interference engines.....pop that timing belt and you will be popping $$$$$
