Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

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  A trooper! - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By Maria - May 27 - 12:46 pm

  In my opinion the 1996 Neon is a hands-down winner. After knowing people who had this car and loved it, experiencing the great driving myself, and finding a great deal, I decided to go for it and have not been disappointed. The car definitely has some minor flaws, including crappy paint jobs, but the truth is Ive never had to get my car serviced at a mechanic...ever. The things that require service are always minor, and are simple to fix. This car makes several 500+ mile trips per year and I have never been stranded or needed roadside assistance. I had a back-up light problem early on that I thought would be an expensive fix. Turned out it just needed a switch. Thats been my biggest issue.

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  Took My Abuse - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By Cranky Teen - January 15 - 2:44 pm

  My cranky teen just went past 125,000 miles. It lasted through 11 years of spotty oil changes and benign neglect, but I may have to finally let it go. Had 2 major repairs in that time: Electronics replaced (controlling gauges, radio, etc.) and head gasket repair. Had to rig a fix when the plastic shifter connections broke. Now the transmission/clutch is slowly going, and it stalled on the highway last week. Air conditioner has to be refilled each year and does not last long. Struts gone last year. Paint, 3 speakers, wheel covers, and outside plastic door trim went long ago. She was ugly but got me where I was going now its just not worth the cost to fix.

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  My Dodge - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By 1996 dodge neon - January 11 - 11:25 pm

  I am going to be honest. When I bought this car it was okay. As the year went by everything started to break. I had to do a water pump and timing belt in the first month, then a fuel pump. I am currently in the market now because I am tired of repairing everything on the car. All I can say is that it is a good car as long as the person before you took good care of it. If they didnt then dont waste your time because even though the repairs and parts where cheap (autozone) it still stinks having to fix it every 5 minutes. Right now anti freeze is leaking and the car stalls.

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  Not Bad - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By Malisha - August 5 - 7:37 pm

  My dad purchased this car for me, as my second car. It was extremely nice at first, and I loved it. This car does lack extreme horsepower. It takes me about 20-25 seconds to reach 60! Slowest car I have ever driven. The transmission is starting to act up, and the struts are starting to go. Air conditioning was charged when my dad purchased it, and then it was warm agian the summer after. Didnt even last 1 year! But the car has never let me down. Always starts, even when its cold outside. The paint chips like no other. And the windows leak entremely bad. When I drive on the expressway, all I hear is wind, and thats with the windows up.

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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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  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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  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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  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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  Best Little Car - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By TexRodeo - September 25 - 2:00 am

  This car was bought at a Vehicle Auction sale for the bargan price of $1400. And I bought it from a friend of mine. She has been a Great little car, Comfortable, Reliable and with Cab Forward design....(GREAT LEG Room for all) NO Power but gets me where I need to go with No questions asked.