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Just nor everyone's notice- I am not "ricing" out my Neon. I am planning to put modifications on it that will enhance performance, because I feel that this car has tons of more potential than any Civic, Protege, or any other popular over-hyped import out there. I am planning a dual tip exhaust from Thermal, it's a very understated, high quality system (much like the Neon itself). I will also be lowering the car 1.5 Inches with Eibach springs to improve the handling (which is great in stock form, but not as grippy as one would like). After that, I am not sure which route to go. I love the car itself. I used to own a VW Passat VR6 with an EIP tuning turbo system. That car had a whopping amount of HP at the wheels, but sadly enough it was falling apart. I looked at newer Vee-Dubs, Ford Focuses, and Honda Civics when the time came to get a new car. When I drove the Neon, I fell in love with the white guages, the 4-Disc CD changer, and the peppy ride. I knew the car was a bargain, but not that BIG of a bargain!! I am very happy with my car, the only problem I have noticed is that the windshield wiper fluid doesn't work, but I plan on having the friendly dealer remedy that ASAP. I am looking forward to having many stories to share for this board, and I will take all the Protege drivers at the track and smoke each an every one!! (nothing like a little friendly competition)
Thanks,
Elias
The dealer sell this changer but is only for 4 cd and I want more.
The car is like a rocket in the hi way and in one occasion I was stop by a police but I get free with a little money. (remember is Mexico.) But is ok because in Mexico they stop every one for money. But that is otter history.
The only problem that I fill is a preoccupation is because the cup holders are bad distributed the car have 2 cups in the bottom and one in the upper part and when aim driving with my beer and aim in a company of a lady is uncomfortable to get the beer with out look the bottle.
Note: is bury common to do this in Mexico is the land of the tequila, tequila, TEQUILA.
SALUDOS DE SU AMIGO.
ALEX.
Larry
I'm not as knowledgeable as most guys, being a fluffy-headed female, but my husband has carefully cultivated my appetite for performance, and I think when he sees the ACR he's going to call the salesman we met with to see if he can get an ETA on these babies. We've already sent him on an errand to find us a 5spd (and boy are they reluctant to accomodate that request, it's weird, really), but now I want to wait and see the bottom line on the ACR's. I might be risking the possibility of us having to buy two if they feel as good as they look, but for the price, how could I complain? *eg*
Much Thanks!
Bev
The one think that bums me about the ACR is you can't get those awesome new 16" wheels from the factory. I bet they actually don't help in handling, just as going to a lower profile tire on the old ACR sometimes hurt handling, but boy do they look good. Same thing for the spoiler, I know it has zero affect on aerodynamics but this new spoiler looks good too. The ACR has alway been a sleeper, I guess they are keeping that legacy intact.
Look at the dodge website for a few pictures of the wheels, spoiler, interior, etc.
www.4adodge.com
How could the gained more torque and more horses?
This must be a blast to drive.
160HP from the 2.0l NEON engine is not terribly hard to do, but the 180 FT. Lbs. of torque leaves me a little bewildered as torque is hard to produce than HP.., bear with me.
By manipulating the intake and exhaust,camshaft revision, and , engine computer re-programming the NEON engine can flex it's otherwise tied up
muscles.Just ask any owner of a modified NEON,the base engine is largely understressed.
The 180 ft, lbs of torque is absolutely incredible if true, as I would have guessed only about 169-170 of torque based on the HP figure.
Dunno how they're gonna produce it, but I'll cheer them if they actually make the ACR 2K available. Heck! I can't even find a 2K R/T here in Maryland where I live.
A blast to drive would be an understatement! With that type of power,many a six cyclinder car will
be see the rear end of a ACR as it pulls away.
The 2K with simple air and exhaust, and better plugs and wires runs very, very, well.I know cause'I drive a modified 2k ES 5sp..., it's a sleeper
fast car.
Lemme know when you buy your ACR so I can beg a test drive from you for an hour or so..,hahhah
I´ll buy the ACR,and you have your LONG test drive OK?
Take care,I´ll let you know!
Love the comfort and ride of our 2000 Neon.
However, have had the 2 following nagging problems -- and was wondering if anyone could relate:
1) Hubcaps (which have been replaced 2x) which make all kinds of clicking and squeaking noises (especially front tires). Replacement caps solve the problem for only a short while, then the sounds return.
2) When braking 60 - 75% of the time, hear a clunking noise -- like there is some sort of a problem with the calipers. But, which shouldn't surprise me, the service people could duplicate when I had the car in.
Thanks for the feedback ....
Here is that Dodge site I mentioned. It has over 75000 posts on Dodge! http://www.moparchat.com
If you all remember,in August he was contacted by the general manager of a dealer,he was offered a very god price for his 98 Neon,and they sold him the beetle.
Last week he AGAIN met the same person at the same restaurant,the manager asked him how things were going on with the beetle,he said fine,the car was running grate.
The manager said to him they were lucky because he was about to give him a call,because he wanted to buy back the Beetle!!
He had a customer that wanted that kind of car in the same color and was unable to find for him another like my son´s car.
My son laughted,and said he was not interested in selling the car,BUT he couldnt refused the money,and sold the car,he made $1200.- of profit on it,so he sold it.
This morning the manager called him and said that the customer he had for the car,declined to buy it,so he can still have his car back!
No way,no deal this time,and now my son is looking to buy a new black neon R/T or a used 5 speed PT.
He doesn´t know what to do,because the used PT will cost him about $12,000 less than the NEW R/T.
The PT has 9000 miles and it´s not the top of the line,and has a after market cd changer,he doesn´t know which one to buy.
Any advice??
Why don´t you test drive a brand new Neon,you will then see if what is normal and what not; I have the great pleasure,a joy,etc..etc.. to own a Neon R/T,and I have been a Neon owner since 95,I already had several Neons,and NONE of them gave me such kind of problems.
How do you know if that specific car was not involved in a accident,or it had been abused,etc.
Be smart,take a test drive in any other dealer,have a new one,then speak,and don´t listen to others who are not owners of a Neon,we have the right to speak if we know what we are talking about,we will have a HONEST,and TRUE opinion when we drive on a daily basis a car for a certain time,and NEVER speak about a "friends experience"
OH GOD!! he is back flaming again,he is back!,he loves the Neon or he is a liar or he doesn´t have any better to do!!( I MEAN VOCUS!!)
Vocus,when are you letting this go?,it´s NOT your business,I´m sorry,mind your own business,don´t speak for your friend,how is it possible that your friend(THE REAL OWNER,DRIVER of THE NEON,NEVER SPOKE,AND NEVER SPEAKS HERE).
ENOUGH!!!
You are free to go to Mazda they want you there,this is a NEON TOPIC,you are not the OWNER of a Neon,so please stop it,Shut-up; it´s time don´t you think so??
Nothing personal,but enough,is enough from you already.!
PS Is the nightmare about to begin again with you,I hope not!
It's me again! Just a quick refresher: my name is Elias, I own a Y2K Neon with an Advanced Engine Management (AEM)Cold Air Intake (CAI)system on it (installed myself). I have had the car for 13K mi and not a damn thing wrong, not ONE single thing. I have gotten all my oil changes, and it has been running like a top. In the next month, I will be putting a full coilover suspension system on it that will lower it two inches. Has anyone lowered their Neon? What drop would you suggest? I can go as low as 3 inches, but I think that would destroy the handling. Let me know. Also, when lowering the car, did you replace the struts? If not, are they working fine? Sorry for all the questions, folks. I am just trying to find out some info. I have been taking every single Civic off the lights, it's amazing. By the way, I purchased my blue HID look headlights out of Import Tuner magazine. You should be able to find tons of ads with them. They typically run for about $35. Let me know if you have any questions!! My car is running great, best of luck to all of you!! I am in the Tempe, AZ area, so if you would like to cruise one weekend, let me know!
Elias
Also, the high-output 2.0 engine was listed as a $250 option on the price sheet, not as part of the R/T preferred equipment package. Is that engine available on the lower-level Neon ES too or not?
All I want to do here is state everything Plymouth did wrong with their all new 2000 Neon, oh yea I bought one (it sounded good in the catalog) Now ... let me set the scene, its winter and its cold and there is a lot of snow. So after using the rear defroster to melt the snow blowing from the roof on to the rear window at any speed, if you have a Neon you know what I mean.... you have to use the rear defroster to melt the snow right, so far so good the defroster is doing its job RIGHT ? WRONG! the water seeps into and around the decklid seal and freezes making opening the decklid a pain in the [non-permissible content removed]... oh did I forget to mention the only way to grab the deck lid to open it, is to jamb your fingers under the bottom of the deck lid between the bumper cover and pry like hell!!!! This must be what Dodge was talking about when they said this car was fun !
Thom
Water in the trunk probably comes from a leaking or misaligned tail light gasket. While some cars came like this from the factory in early 1998, it seems possible a few after the redesign may not have gotten put together perfectly. It could also have been in an accident and not repaired properly. The water has been allowed to sit and so your spare hold down bolt has gotten rusty. Isn't a 2000 still under warranty? Take it in and have it all replaced. If it is not the result of an accident then I bet you get all new trunk lining as well. Try asking in a nicer way then you have put your views here, you may get better results.
There are a few options you have if you don't want snow to melt off the rear window:
1. Don't use the rear window defroster (it turns ice and snow into water, which has to run somewhere)
2. Buy a minivan or SUV - they typically have handles in the back so you don't have to wedge your fingers into that crevice between the decklid and body/bumper
3. Keep your stuff in the back seat during the winter months and use the trunk for warm weather hauling only
4. Move someplace that doesn't have frigid winters
Also, just a note to those of you thinking of purchasing one of those low-mileage rental/lease return Neons: rethink that.
If you're going to buy a Neon, buy a new one. All rental cars get the tar beaten out of them, and the $199/week specials seem to receive the most brutal abuse.
I already feel bad for the unknowing person who buys my Gran Prix when it comes off lease. I would never drive my personal car that way...
Seasons greetings and happy motoring to all!
It is important to check frequently for oil leaks, since it won't be long before coolant ends up in the cylinders, or the car overheats - probably damaging the cylinder head along with the gasket.
PS actually there was a $100 deductable on that warranty on my Quad-4, so it ended up costing the same as my neon might if it blows the gasket even after the warranty expires next week.
Oh, and the trunk rubber ripped too. That's also on order to be replaced when the car goes into the shop for its 9th visit in a week or two.
We couldn't get the 5-speed unless we ordered one and waited two months (so they said), so we ended up with an automatic ES, Clearcoat Black with the Sun & Sport package. This, combined with the fact that they gave me half of what my RX-7 was worth, was disappointing. Luckily that disappointment lasted only half an hour. It's been nothing but pleasure since.
It's funny to me that I had thought I'd be sacrificing performance for a back seat. While I'm no longer racing Mustangs and Honda's or rolling into the curves like I did in my 'seven, I'm still zipping onto the interstate and gliding down the highway with power to spare.
This car was full of surprises like that; it's roomy, and handles like a much bigger, more luxurious car. Bumpy roads no longer rattle my teeth, and I certainly don't miss the occasional cramp in my clutch-knee, either, thanks to the automatic, which I must admit is kind of nice *grin*. The much-ranted engine noise is non-existent; the 'seven was *much* louder, and I can no longer hear my husband pull around the corner and into the driveway when he's in the Neon. The auto-fading overhead light was a whimsical surprise, too.
The biggest surprise is our friends' reactions. Suddenly the guy with the Mercedes wants to ride in my back seat. We fit four adults comfortably. They also adore the re-designed body, and everyone we talk to has a story about someone else's Neon and how happy they are with it.
So far we've had absolutely no problems with the car, and we've got about 1200 miles on it. Mileage is averaging about 30, which is more than double what we are used to, and with regular octane instead of premium, an appreciable savings! The trunk is huge, too, and I really made use of the space when Christmas shopping, and was able to fit a new folding table into the trunk, laid completely flat with the back seats still upright. We feel that we made a smart choice, and if we had it to do over again, we'd still go with what we got.
Thanks again for all of the information and encouragement. The decision to buy this car was left up to me, and I really would've heard it forever if my husband wasn't pleased. He brags that I did good, and that's another bonus!
I love my Neon!
Bev
If you can get a head gasket on a Neon replaced for $100-400, more power to you. You must live in a low-cost labor area. Around here, it's over $1200 for a V6 for head gaskets, and more like $700-900 for a 4-cylinder model for labor and for parts. Whether it's a Honda or a Neon, labor is labor - and it's expensive.
The car ran fine and dint smell like coolant or lose coolant. The problem is hardly ever criticle. I have been quoted head gasket replacements for less than 400 dollars(or about the same of a good set of tires)
If you have 50,000+ on the car its a good time to consider replacing the timing belt which wont siginficantly increase the cost of the entire job.
I still love my Neon but if anyone from Dodge reads the Edmunds Town Hall is reading this I just want them to know the Goodyears are the worst set of tires I have ever had. I was hoping to get 40-50,000 miles out of them, but now I will be lucky to get 25,000.
One failed on me at 1000 miles (sidewall failure, not from a curb or punture) and Goodyear did nothing about it. I have to get the tires balanced every 5000 miles to stop them from wobbeling. It works for a while but the wobble always comes back.
Has anyone else had problems with the Goodyears?
I am also receptive to recommendations on good all weather replacement tires.
On the oil filter. The Neon 2.0 calls for the same filter that most of the old 2.2s (along with many Toyotas and Yugos) called for, Farm PH3614. It's a tiny filter and doesn't provided a great deal of filtering area. The short V-8 filter is an easy fit (Farm PH43) and it holds about an extra half a quart of oil as well as the increased area of the filtration media. I'm not advocating Farm or any other filter, Fram's just seem to be the numbers most people are familiar with.
Also, I'd still like to hear from anyone who has had the PVC recall work done. Any change in driveability?
I am happy original owner of 96 Neon (Sport Sedan). My head gasket gave way around 50000 miles. My Five star dealer did work for (I wish I remember 500 to 700 USD) x dollars and I asked them to write on the bill that it was not due to abuse but else (typical damage was the wording). So I called the DC got the address and sent them the bill. Month later I got check which covered all the expenses. So I am paying it back by claiming how well I was treated but it should have been designed properly first.
Now about the tires. My both cars came with Eagle GAs: Neon 185/65R14 and Passat 215/50R15. These both sets lasted around 30000 miles.
On the Neon I had exact the same problem. Side of the tire developed air leak (no sign of damage) and it took me 3 or 4 Goodyear dealers to get one which replaced it for free but I bought from them additional service (roadhazard or something) but still cheaper than new tire.
The Passat had different problem. Close to the end of their thread life the tires started developing cracks in the grooves. I had them patched first time but after second I bought new tires (Dunlop SP9000 and Pirelli Winter Ice).
It is good that GAs do not last longer because I would not be able to enjoy different tires. My current Neon tires are Dunlop D60A2 and they are quite decent. My Neon has 60000 and by the end of the summer I will need new tires or sooner.
Krzys
I appreciate the feedback about tires. I suspected I wasnt alone. I will definately be buying a new set of tires and I am sure they will not be another set of Goodyears!