Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

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  Very Reliable car - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By Joe - February 12 - 1:36 pm

  I bought this car brand new back in 96. I have to say that as many others have mentioned, I had to change the head gasket, and I had the normal problems with other parts of the car. The latest thing I had to face was a malfunction of the speed sensor, however, it was replaced (not a very expensive replacement part) and everything was back to normal. The painting peeled off the roof, and the rest of the car was darkening (it is white, so you can tell it darkens), but I took it to a furnace full body painting in 2003 and it is brand new now! This car has never left me stranded, and even though the gas mileage is not very good in the city, it is certainly fun to drive!

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  Fast, Comfortable, Very Dependable. - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By donaldrocks - November 29 - 9:07 pm

  This is my daily driver, and has been for awhile. This car has never left me stranded, or broken down. Its taken 7 trips from michigan to flordia, and never hesitated to do anything, including stopping, dpeeding up quickly, taking curves at high speeds, and always has gotton good gas mileage. I had bought this car after its acident in 2004, and the lot fixed it, and I drove it off the lot, and have had alot of fun with this car in the summer, and it handles great in the winter. By the way, teh heat in these little Neons rocks! A+

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  Good little reliable car - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By Elisa - May 18 - 5:52 am

  I bought my Neon in 12/2000 and it has always been a great little car for the money. It does have its problems but what car doesnt? Some notable ones were: the head gasket blew at 43,000 miles. The air conditioner worked great until 60,000. The transmission needed replacement at 115,000. Cosmetically, the paint seems to be a big problem with Neons, as it starts to peel and chip around 80,000 miles. It has always been very reliable for me- always starts when you need it to. The ride is a little noisy as the windows sometimes dont seal properly. The seats are relatively comfortable. The only complaint I have is cruise control is not standard. I would recommend the Neon for a 1st car or single person/couple.

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  Neons are cute, but beware! - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By Carolyn - March 29 - 4:31 pm

  Bought my Neon in 2000 with only 24,000 mi on it. The dealership had already replaced a head gasket. Since then, I have had to replace the radiator, an O2 sensor, and the dash circuit board (my speedometer stopped working!) The brakes squeak constantly, it slips in the rain even with good tires (I wont even mention in the snow), and the doors/handles freeze solid in the cold. Rear speakers are blown, tape deck quit working. So many problems, and it only JUST passed 56,000 mi. AC isnt very cold, and sucks the life out the acceleration. When I first got the car, I loved how cute it was, but now I look at it and I cant wait to buy my Honda CR-V. No more Dodge products for me!

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  Good cheap fun - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By redskinmu99 - November 26 - 7:35 pm

  my brother and I have driven this since new, and it has been very reliable and fun over the past 8 years. Performance is above that of other cars in its price range, but the car is a little rough around the edges. The paint is notoriously bad, Ive been lucky to only have stone chips out of mine but Ive seen plenty of neons with most f the paint peeled off of the hood and front quarter panels. The engine is in good shape after 81,000 miles and the mechanic that most recently looked at it said it will most likely last to over 200,000 miles without a problem. Biggest complaint is the 3 speed transmission. I would have much preferred a 5 speed, its been a fun car though for the money.

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  Not good! - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By kabarker - August 19 - 2:00 am

  The transmission went out on me within two years of purchase. There are numerous places where the paint is chipping off. All the other older neons Ive seen have paint chipping also. Put more money into it repairing it than its worth.

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  NEON - EXCELLENT, NEVER NEEDS REPAIRS! - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By BNeon - July 18 - 2:00 am

  Car was bought new in 96. Car has never failed me yet. Only returned to the dealer once for the infamous headgasket leak at 47k miles. Even though the car was out of warranty Chrysler fixed it for free! Car starts on the coldest mornings, A/C blows extremely cold on the hottest days. Car is very quick with the manual transmission, and gas mileage is excellent, can get 40mpg+ over the highway. Cant be happier with a car, cost $9000 new and still going strong! What more can you ask for?

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  Never buy a Neon! - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By ever - July 14 - 2:00 am

  Paint peeled, speedometer went, guages worked intermittently, had gauge transplant, oil warning still failed, CONSTANT problems w/ breakdowns -- oil leaks, gaskets, have poured money into fixing it -- dont want to add it up. Noisy, hard to get out of, cup holders impossible, no clock, no oil gauge, overhead light went on while driving & couldnt be fixed, same with radio hence no interior light (had to take out bulb) -- a PAIN!!!!!!

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  Neon Sport - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By Beth D. - July 8 - 2:00 am

  Perhaps Ive had a bad experience because of the dealership I went through to get my car, but so far Ive paid for much more than this cars value. It worked perfectly the first 6 mnths. I had it, but now there is continually a different problem each week and it has become more of a headache than a joy. Im beginning to learn that purchasing this car was a bad investment. Ive had to replace the head gasket (which Neons are supposedly known for having problems with), and Im having continual battery problems (which may be related to the alternator). This was originally a great car, maybe I just got stuck with a lemon.

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  ehh. - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By diggit616 - June 26 - 2:00 am

  This has not been my favorite car but it has done exactly what I needed it to do. No more, no less. It has had its share of problems though. Drivers window has never worked right, HEAD GASKET, A/C, radio, left blinker turns on when you brake, wears front tires uneven, door panel broke,... At this point I am just glad it still starts and that is one thing it has always done, start. It may not be the best car I have ever had but it gets me to where I need to go. Great car for new drivers and collage kids. Just dont fool yourself into thinking you wont have any problems with it. Neon quality is an extinct dinosaur.