Second Generation Dodge/Chrysler Neons..

  • Thread starter Thread starter Hyperglide
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Hyperglide

Hyperglide

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Canada
Ontario, Canada
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Hyperglide
Well i'm going to buy a car soon, and this is the car i'm going to get. Would like to get some second opinions on these cars. I already narrowed my own selections down months ago, and the Neon came out on top. I also went to Epinions.com and out of the cars I wanted to get the Neon was the winner by far in terms of positive reviews to negatives. It also seems very modiable which is important for me. I'm gonna soupe this little beast up a bit, which is always good. Second Gen Neons look sexay souped up.
 
I dunno I dont think your looking for the SRT-4 not the slowmo Neon. Not very safe in a head on car crash either the air bags dont come out all the way and you can slam your wrist on the dash which hurts aaaaalot. Also they crumple like a stack of cards heh so dont hit anything.
 
Hyperglide:

Aftermarket support for the 2-gen Neon is pretty decent, actually. Visit www.neons.org to see the state of the art before you buy.

I don't know if you're buying new or used, but definitely get a manual transmission. It's well worth learning if you don't already know how to drive one.

Also, look into the ACR competition package or the R/T if you're not looking at the SRT-4. Both come with the 150hp Magnum engine, with a cool 2-stage intake manifold that really helps them make a lot of grunt. The ACR also has great handling and adjustable Dynamic Suspensions struts. I don't know about the 2004 m/y, but the ACR was available in 2002 and 2003 for sure.
 
Meh. They're alright.

I drove a 2001 Chrysler Neon for around a week last year. Good handler, solidly built, but this one in particular was a 3-speed automatic. Avoid that tranny like the plague....
 
Ya i'm getting the Manual Transmission. I'm aalso looking at 2000-2001 LE's and LX's. NOt the SRT-4 I can't afford 'em lol. Also I'm going used btw.

Fenrir51 compared to the other cars I was looking at: Cavaliers, Civics, Cirrus' and Focus' the Neon beat those cars in safety tests. I'm just not a big Dodge/Chrysler fan because i've heard some bad storys about the quality of their products. Specifically the first Generation Neons (poor Headgaskets etc).

I'm also going to be modding my Neon.

Thanks for the great tips guys and Neon_Duke I've been to Neons.org lots of times. I had the site bookmarked months ago hehehe.. thanks for the great advice though man.
 
Originally posted by neon_duke

Also, look into the ACR competition package or the R/T if you're not looking at the SRT-4.
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I really can't stress this enough - particularly the R/T. It's a great small-car value. Otherwise, looking at base-spec pre-owned is pointless; the 1995-2000 Ford Contour V6 has always been a much better car.
 
Originally posted by Hyperglide
Ya i'm getting the Manual Transmission. I'm aalso looking at 2000-2001 LE's and LX's. NOt the SRT-4 I can't afford 'em lol. Also I'm going used btw.

Fenrir51 compared to the other cars I was looking at: Cavaliers, Civics, Cirrus' and Focus' the Neon beat those cars in safety tests. I'm just not a big Dodge/Chrysler fan because i've heard some bad storys about the quality of their products. Specifically the first Generation Neons (poor Headgaskets etc).

I'm also going to be modding my Neon.

Thanks for the great tips guys and Neon_Duke I've been to Neons.org lots of times. I had the site bookmarked months ago hehehe.. thanks for the great advice though man.
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The Neons have a bad rep for reliability, particularly the head gasket as you mentioned. It's not entirely deserved.

Both of my '95 Neons popped their headgaskets, true. BUT so have many many many other small cars with an iron block/aluminum head design. The Toyota my Neon replaced blew its headgasket multiple times, cracking the head at least once in the process. Ford/Mazda as well have big headgasket issues.

The other thing is that Chrysler solved the headgasket issue in the 1999 m/y Neon, and it has not been a factor for the 2-gen cars at all.

The manual trans is a tough little bugger and the SOHC valvetrain is nearly bulletproof.

Definitely look for an ACR or R/T in the 2001-2002 range. "Competition Package" ACRs are rare but R/Ts should not be too hard to find. For both power and handling reasons they are well above the lower models, with stiffer struts, springs, and a rear swaybar stock.
 
What doe's an R/T look like? I don't think i'd be able to afford one of them but if you could fill me in it would be greatly appreciated.

Do they sell them in Canada?
 
They look basically the same as other Neons. The have 16" 10- or 12-spoke tuning-fork wheels, and "R/T" badges on the doors. Also look for the "Magnum 2.0" emblem on the decklid and the factory dual exhaust outlets.
 
Ya the SX2.0 is from 2003 on though isn't it? I think I got a vague idea of what an R/T is now though. Thanks for the assistance guys.
 
Yes. The SX is nothing special and just replaces the standard Neon EX. All Neons have 2.0 engines ( unless they've had , umm "enhancement surgery" like my wife's ). In the first gen they were either SOHC (132 hp) or DOHC (150 hp). In the newer generation they're either SOHC (132 hp) or Magnum SOHC (150 hp).
 
...that also have good handling and excellent acceleration within their class, and strong aftermarket support allowing a good upgrade path in both power and handling.
 

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