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Anyway, a 2002 Taurus was going for about $16.7K. Of course there was a $2K rebate this year. Think how this makes the poor slep who paid 18K + last year for his 2001 Taurus feel! Plus he's got the added benefit of even greater depreciation...I almost bought a 2001 Taurus w/10K miles for $14K! I thought it was gimmic but they started showing up on all the lots. Since the 2002s were so cheap it drove the price of the used 2001 down way low...actually a bargain...though the 2001 owners certainly do not feel that way or anyone who is unfortunate enough to total their car and get squat from their insurance. Personally, I am hoping these rebates are a gap towards an overall lower priced American fleet. However I am not convinced the US automakers are sized appropriately to handle the revenue loss these lower prices yeild. Thus the question of quality again rears it's ugly head. I have seen this happen with Ford. 5 years ago they introduced the Contour / Mystique. I loved this innovative car, way many conveniences, awesome interior, great handling etc but it was expensive and came with many mechanical issues. Still I would have bought a new Contour / Mystique had Ford been able to work the bugs out. Instead they dropped it. Also, the latest generation Ford Taurus has changed only in appearance. It appears they are starting to lag behind again. I still believe the American cars have come a long way but they do not have what it takes for the long haul. (I know I am going to hear from all you highway driving guys with 200K on your cars). To me the Fords / Chrystlers are great '3' year cars. Personally I am looking for something I can keep 5 + years with out the nagging trips to the dealer. I am hoping my Camry provides that. If not I'll gladly switch back to 1 year old depreciated American cars and get rid of them every few years...I can not deny they are a steal.
I contacted Chystler for my older neighbor and with out batting an eye they agreed to to refund $400 of the $475 repair bill under a 'good wiil' program. Since the issue of whether or not his head gasket was repaired with the 'new' re-engineered one or another defective older one was in question I asked what would happen if the current gasket should go in less than 30K miles or so. They told me to call back at that time and perhaps another accomodation would be in order.
All this tells me:
1) There was a definite Headgasket problem....likely should have been a recall.
2 Chrystler seems to be in a pretty magnanimous mood with their customer service these days. I tip my hat to them!
My newest problem is the car trying to stall when the air conditioner is on. It's particularly bad in reverse. When the AC is off, the problem seems to go away. It's almost like there isn't a steady intake of oxygen or something is clogging the fuel supply. Any ideas or similar experiences?
It is well known design/(cheap)execution issue from 95-99. I might be mistaken with ending year.
Krzys
My new problem (as of lunchtime today) is that it WON'T START!!!!! I'm absolutely sure it's not the battery or the alternator (plenty of electricity to peripherals, and no tell-tale "click"). I turn the key as far as it will go and...NOTHING. Maybe an ignition problem? Or a short?
I'm going to have to have it towed to the dealership. Hopefully the problem is covered under my extended warranty, and the towing will be covered. Any ideas would be helpful... I'll post the results when I find out. $%#$%!!!!!
I apologize for the long message, but wanted to pass this info along to others. I have a friend who works for Chrysler and he did not know to call and he recently paid for the repair in full himself.
It should never have happened, but at least they helped. Good luck to all with this problem and always remember to buy the extended warranty with a Dodge. I know I will if I ever buy a Chrysler product again.
It sounds exactly like someone is holding the key on while the motor is running.
I've had it to the dealer 3 times. They've replaced the starter and checked the flywheel for damage and found nothing. All three times they duplicated the problem when we left it over night for them. Finally after the third try, the dealer said it was probably just a weird quirk for my particular Neon as they have not seen it on any others.
Anyone else have this happen to them that knows what's wrong?
PS: the only reason I'm keeping the pile is the great service we get from the dealer. We've gotten a renatl car for all 7 times it's been in the shop!
I will post flash results after a 72hr test period ending 8 Aug 02.
John
Any idea? It is obviously heat related. Thank you for your help and sorry about the long post.
My guess is vapor lock. Don't believe the 2002 Neon has a gas return line so if the gas boils in the fuel line you stumble and die. Once the fuel cools off again you can drive normal. Had this problem in a 1982 Nissan pickup years ago. Rick
No problems on either.
The 1999 handles better out of the box. The Neon S definitely needed better tires. Both cars had Goodyear GA's, but the GA's seemed grippy on the 1999 and sloppy on the 2002. Goodrich Comp T/A's were a major upgrade on the 2002. I also put a front swaybar on the 2002, but couldn't but a rear one on, since the rear shocks no longer come with the necessary mounting brackets.
The 2002 rides better. Isn't that the inevitable trade off - handling or ride?
The 2002 feels squooshed down - like the roof is smooshed towards your head. It isn't really, but the long sloping windshield and A pillar make it feel that way. The windshield is naturally harder to reach and clean on the inside.
Both cars have fast engines, but both benefited from an aftermarket exhaust. On the 2002, I put on a Dodge muffle designed for the DOHC engine and it was much quicker and also quiet. A Magnaflow and resonator on the 1999 were much cheaper, just as fast, slightly louder - in hard acceleration. Both cars hit 55 mph in second gear without a struggle now. There is a definite power bump when the rev's hit the mid range. The 2002 has a K&N air filter, the 1999 just gets the paper element changed every 10,000 miles to allow maximum breathability.
The 1999 is surprisingly solid on the freeway. 80 mph interstate crusing is no problem, and the car still has passing power, but you have to downshift - 5th gear is way to high.
On the 2002, fifth is lower and less downshifting is required. This is supposed to hurt freeway mileage, but I got 31 mpg on the interstate. Of course, on a recent trip in the 1999, I think I got 34 mpg - but previous trips were more on the order of 31 mpg, so I might have gotten a faulty fill-up.
Compared to the Focus ZX3, both Neons are reliable, and quicker too. The four doors are easier for throwing things in the back seat than the ZX3, not to mention much easier on the rare passenger.
The 1999 handles stiff crosswinds great.
I got the 2002 up to 110 mph once - accidentally! It was lonely stretch of interstate, and I had earplugs in to reduce the noise level (the car isn't terribly noisy, I just don't like 5 hours of wind drone). With no cars to pace, and no trees to count, I looked down and discovered the speedometer at 110 - that's how well the car handles. You can't judge speed by its handling, only by the increasing wind roar! (Be assured I promptly dropped down to 80).
The 1999 doesn't seem to have the same "long legs." It'll cruise all day at 80 to 85, has plently of power to pass, but doesn't seem composed enough to cruise at higher speeds for long periods. I'd say the second generation Neon can keep up with just about anything on the highway, but in the 1999 you have to either put up with being passed once in a while, or drive like a maniac (i.e., outside a comfort zone).
The 2002 is definitely slick. The 1999 is my choice for an urban stealth car, with mountain road capability. It is always underestimated, but gets you were you want to go - fast.
My understanding of some of the changes:
New gear ratio for 5th gear on manual to help with fuel economy and noise on the freeway.
New engine mount design
Recalibrated automatic tranny
New steering wheel
I wonder what the reason would be to buy a Stratus over a Neon - they are pretty close in size.
I was reluctant to mail order tires and have them installed by a "recommended installer" but it worked out ok. The practice seems well enough established that the installers don't treat you like dirt for not buying from them. They are even friendly and helpful!
I had 50 tires on a Focus ZX3. Every car is different, but the 50 tires seemed to make the ride hard - I could feel every expansion ridge. Personally I like 60 series tires - squat enough to be laterally stiff, tall enough to protect the rims.
After trying several current models, I think Bridgestone 950's are worth looking at - easy to balance, quiet, grippy in dry or rain. Look good, too.
Finally, 195/60x15 should fit nicely and you should have a lot of choices. The Tire Rack or your local installer should be able to help you. I put 205's on my 1999 Neon, but I wouldn't do it again - that was overkill.
PS. I found the noise stopped on a full tank but would return as soon as the level dropped to about three quarter full, Just FYI anyone else gets this problem.