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those are the upgrade factory ALLOY wheels on that red neon, they should be on the car you are checking out at the dealer. They are really nice, get em. =^]
The alloy wheels are very good looking on the current neon, my 98 wheels are ulgy and I can't beleive I paid an extra $300 for these 14" syling nighmares, Oh well they will look good with the studded snows for winter when I buy a new set of 16" next spring.
I have to take the car in for service again (as a favor, of course. I am too nice sometimes) on Tuesday. They are replacing the peeling dash pad, because they had to order the part. Also, I have another concern. I wanted taking off quickly from a stoplight today (to change lanes in front of someone), and from a standstill, I floored the pedal all the way down. No rubber laid (never does anyway, unless turning), but the engine made this HARD tapping noise, like it had no oil. I even pulled over shortly after and checked the oil and it was at perfect level. It baffles me. It doesn't matter that this car is such a lemon, because after Tuesday (hopefully), it will be someone else's lemon. We pick up our 2000 Mazda Protege ES then, and this is going to go bye-bye. I will be glad to see it go. Too bad its reliability sucks, because it's a pretty nicely styled and executed car for the price my friend paid ($14,000 fully loaded on 12/31/1999).
That's Dodges life story in racing... read the rules, make something completely within the rules, dominate the competition, listen to the competition whine, have your stuff outlawed by rule changes. I'm sure the vipers are the next thing to be pushed out of GTS endurance racing after dominating Lemans again. The new winston cup motor already has Ford and Chevy whining before it's ever been run on a track. Heres a hint to the competition, instead of trying to make our stuff worse, how about just concentration on making your crap better.
Also, the Protege, Civic, Sentra, and Corolla are among the most reliable cars on the market. Can't say that about a Neon now or ever.
And FYI: The Neon is .4 inches longer than a Mazda Protege and about a foot or so shorter than a 626. Check out the specs right here on Edmund's.
That's one thing I like about the Neon: It feels like a larger car when riding in it and driving it.
Also, the Protege is a little roomier inside than the Neon too. I have ridden the same passenger in both cars (5'8 female) and she always asks the front passenger to move up his seat in the Neon because she is scrunched a bit. But she never asks that same question in the Protege. Case closed.
You like the Neon?
Follow me on this.
I think that okra is the one of the slimiest vegetables, on earth. It's consistency turns me off, and I don't like the smell. I prefer corn or carrots as they are of a different color, smell, and taste.I will never eat okra or buy it.
But you know something, I really do like okra, I'm only trying to voice my opinion .
After all of your posts, the last one to Copperhead from you has me wondering on the logic of your statement "I wish it were more reliable...,because I like it".
I have read several of your posts, and I come away with the feeling that you do NOT like the NEON.There is nothing at all wrong with that, you're expressing an opinion.I would challenge anyone to read all of your posts ,and say"yeah., deep down inside, this guy really likes Neons." I don't think they would.
I can't swallow (like okra's) your last post's message.
You have a right to voice your opinion,but try to be forthright.
Help me out here,deep down inside.., you really like the Neon?
I agree it needs improvment,so all the cars,but I feel you overreact in your opinion.
Nothing personal.
I couldn't get the ES the payments were too high...but I am happy with the base model and they are putting in a Cd changer for no extra cost..so they say..well I just hope nothing goes wrong with the car.
Chin up, you got the car, and a new car is kinda nice to have.I know how happy I was to get a new car last May when I picked up my 5spd. ES.
Was it an auto or a 5spd.?
The options that the ES has are nice, but can be added (some!) later. Alloy wheels can also be added as many companies make them. Eventually you can get wider/larger wheels and tires.
Let me know how you like it.
I love the car. I can't wait to get my cd player. It is blue!
Nope, not a one. They actually won't be in showrooms until late September or October. I'd actually consider getting one, but my 2K has been so rock solid and worry-free that I'm afraid to trade it in. Finally found a high flow filter that can fit the 2K, AND was locally availble.This filter plus the resonator box bypass=great pulling power increase.
Had to erase the memory in the computer..., as usual, in order for it to learn new fuel,air,spark ratios
It's called Maxspeed and is similar to the K&N. Actually the element seems to be from a K&N, and it uses the same recharging kit.
Well, as a night owl (YIKES!! it's 3AM) gotta go to bed. I'm on holiday so, I can stay up.
I would like to know though what type of transmission Wilson26 got.
I bought my 2000 Neon last year and paid close to sticker but got the .9% over 4 years. If you have the .9 financing you will really appreciate it after your first year when you have paid off a significant portion of your balance.
I just got back from a 1 week vacation to the shore. The Neon performed great. I bought the factory luggage rack for 200 dollars in case all of our luggage didnt fit but it turns out we didnt need it. The Neon trunk is quite large.
We got great mileage (34-36 mpg)had plenty of passing power and room for all of our stuff for one week.
One more thing: I have a hard vibration when the car is put in reverse (automatic tranny) and idling. If the engine is hot or cold, AC on or off, the engine vibrates through the steering wheel. The service department told me it was normal for this car, because they were basically built cheap (his own words). Also, when I put the AC on and am "coasting" in stop-and-go traffic (5-10 mph), I notice the engine "surges" a little bit. The RPMs will increase from about 600 to 1200 without even touching the gas. Anyone else have this problem or is it just me? And is all this vibration I am feeling normal too??? I would very much appreciate an answer. Thanks in advance.
It's not that I am getting smart or anything. I want to know if anyone else's car is vibrating, because, as I said above, the dealer told me it was normal for these cars.
Also, I wanna know about the surge problem. It's not only annoying now, it's becoming a safety issue (almost caused me to rear-end a car).
And just because you, ImportFighter, are not having trouble with your Neon, doesn't mean someone else who is having trouble is lying.
Of course, this is an early-production model bought 12/31/1999. Of course, my friend's sister has a Neon (base- and my friend's is an ES) and she has never had trouble with it. She bought hers about a month or so before he bought his. So maybe he just got a lemon.
First off, I agree with Importfighter that you have asked this question before. The wording of you posts seems to be suspect..,,eloquent, but suspect.Phrases like " The service department told me it was normal for this car, because they were basically built cheap(his own words)." What is the purpose of adding this except to implant a negative opinion of the Neon? Subterfuge to say the least, albeit, on an amatuer level.
Oh!.., I forgot.., my apologies! you really do like the Neon.You stated that in one of your previous posts
If your questions are answered, will repeating them on this BB, where the readership is narrow, accomplish anything? I've counted a total of 6-12 constant contributors , the rest are occasional people.This is therefore a fairly narrow group aside from lurkers, who read, but remain silent.
Therefore,if you had a social group of 6-12 people who were interacting on a constant basis, would not repetitive questions become annoying to these people? Something different please!
I will try however, to answer you questions in an attempt to help you.As for peeling of the dash and side panels, I've experienced none.
The vibration you speak of is more than likely caused by the engine mount rubbers. Neons tend to have idle vibration from the engine transmitted to the steering column. This may be due to the rigidity of the body. Chrysler has attempted to isolate the vibrations with various engine mount rubbers of different densities.
Unfortunately this also contributes to the "surge" you feel due to the mounts being less rigid , in an attempt to ensure smoother idle. I can feel this surge in my 5sp, if I am in parking lot in 1s,t and am caught in exiting traffic and have to stop and go. It is literally the engine flexing on the mounts. My idle is very smooth, with the occasional vibration here and there.I do not have an auto, however.
Another of the quirks of the Neon that I have accepted.For what it is worth, I had a 244 Volvo (one of the most popular versions ever sold,if not THE most popular), and it had engine shake. I won't even do into it's exhaust problems, but I had to live with the engine shake (occasional).
Once again this is just my observation. As usual, I eagerly await you response.My regards to your friend.
What´s going on with you,I´m sorry but I simply don´t buy your "stories",and your attitude.
What are you doing in other Topics,speaking all kind of crap against the Neon,what kind of intentions do you have????Do your self a favor move on!!!
Nope, your not seeing a broken caps-lock button, just someone who has a right to shout. Hey Importfighter!, I agree with you, but don't let it get your blood pressure up.
There's an old saying about deception and crocodile tears.
Damn if I can remember it though!!!
Oh well,let him play, he's entertainment. I gave him/her the benefit of the doubt, but this is too obvious.
I am very sceptical of some of the posts on this board by Neon bashers and have even told them on a couple of occassions that I dont believe them.
Some people have an axe to grind and enjoy eliciting hostile remarks from people who (like myself) are just here to share the Neon experience.
For those who are having problems - we are not the service dept or the complaint dept for Daimler Chrysler. We will try to help you up to a point but once you have voiced your problem and the advise has run its course please move on.
Thanks
May I say "over-reacting"
And you said you are also posting evil things about the Neon in the Stratus topic,because they share the 2.0l,let me remind you,your complaints are not just about the engine,you are complaining about the entire car,(bumper to bumper),AND the STRATUS has two powerplants,a 2.0 and the 2.4,and guess what,LESS than 3% of the "cloud" cars have the 2.0 engine,the 2.4 engine is a FREE OPTION!
So SHUT-UP! you don´t know what you are talking about,you like the mazda go and buy it for yourself,or better yet BE a REAL GOOD FRIEND,BUY YOUR FRIEND A MAZDA,and BYE,BYE!!!
I guess you are right and I shouldn't have went from bumper to bumper with the Neon problems in the Stratus topic. But if you all had problems with this piece of crap, you would be mad too!
Someone actually tried to steal it at my work today. Too bad the alarm did work. We could have had another car.
They are having problems with warped rotors, bad alternators, water leaks into the passenger compartments, loud clanging noises when the AC is on, engine hesitation while accellerating, and deiseling noises from engine under accelleration.
They also complain about a lack of power.
This is the interesting part. The people posting the messages are sure they are the only ones having the problems and they are isolated and they still love their cars.
This is the amazing part. After they post the problem they dont write 50 more posts about how inconvenient repair process was, how lousy the service was, or how import cars are better or how they hate Ford.
So go ahead and rub it in now.
I posted here some time ago about my Neon 2000 I purchased last summer. It's been a year and 8,000 miles so I thought I might give an impression of my Neon to those who are seriously here to obtain info for a purchase/evaluation.
I have the auto trans with air and no other options. Initially, I had the power steering problem noise, but thanks to the advice of Mr. Copperhead here, I used my knowledge and the dealer replaced the pump and I've had not one problem with it since.
I will say that my car does have a little wind noise like so many other cars on the road, but definitely no large volume of engine noise.
I had the oil changed at 1000, 4,000 and 7500 miles. Around town, I get 28 mpg. On a recent trip to the beach 400 miles away, I ran the AC, cruised at 70-75mph and my mileage was 32 mpg. The ride for that distance was quite comfortable - smooth and the seats comfortable.
I think the standard features that come with it are more than acceptable to me. I paid 12,499 cash so did not simply buy it for the low loan rate.
My last car was a 91 Subaru stationwagon. I miss the stationwagon aspects, but with both seats laid down, there has been little that I could not stuff in the Neon that I put into the Subaru. I am pleasantly surprised that I've really been mostly happy with this car. I take care of it with all the checkups and I have it detailed every 4 months (have to - it's the cranberry color and I fear it will lose the shine if not waxed up all the time).
In conclusion, for someone who is looking to get a new Neon, it ain't a luxury car. But for a smaller car, it's very good in my book.
Hey, thanks again for the advice, Copperhead.
1.-You HAVE to go to ANY other dealer.
2.- The problem seems to be a faulty sensor,but it´s really easy to diagnose.
a) A competent dealer must to plug in the DRBIII.
b) That tool will immediately show a faulty code,(that means it will tell them what is wrong!).
c) I´m just courious,how did the diagnose you have a bad engine module?(computer).
d) If the engine module fails,your engine WON´T start.
Those mechanics should go and take some lessons,don´t waste your time try another dealer,I´m sure they find and fix the problem for you,any connector,or a sensor could be wet or a faulty circuit.
Good luck.
seapup99.-
I´m glad to hear you are now happy with your car.
Take care.
BTW,a new 4-speed auto will be available as an option for 2001
Stay tuned!
Glad you're up and running.And your last statement say's a lot about the appeal of the Neon.I would tell you to follow the advice of the others and get a new dealer. Seek out a 5-star dealer and ask around your area,as to whom people like.
Mine (Herb Gordon Dodge) here in Silver SPring Md. is quite nice. Long term, I cannot say but I am impressed in how stringent Chrysler is to award a 5- star rating, and how hard it is to keep it.
Seek and ye shall find.
Good luck and I hope for your trouble-free miles.