Besides being a cheap car what should we look for? Has 70K on it. 5-spd. Jr. is looking at one.

We've had 6 Neons. One was a 98 ACR and two 5spd econo-boxs, an 01 and an 03. If they're cared for and maintained, they're easily a 250K mile car. We've had several over the 200K mark and were going strong when sold or totaled. The autos get 30-33 mpg and the 5spds are in the 39-40 range. I got 42 with the ACR one year going to the NATS. One thing to check for is the timming belt. It should be swapped out around 100k. It's a much cheeper fix than if you don't. My buddy learned the hard way. Best to ya.

I have an 02 with auto trans, the trans was replaced under warranty at 74000 and I rebuilt the top end at 140000 which included a cam due to a lobe being down, The rebuild was for the timing belt which was way overdue and the engine had a valve lash adjuster that was noisy at start up. The belt was still intact but worn and the cam lobe being worn was causing the noisy lash adjuster. The car now has 150200 and is running like when we bought it new in 02.

So all in all it he engine starts easy and runs quiet and the tranny works good all you be worried about is the timing belt change.

I've had 3 Neons: '96, '98 and '05. Still have the '98 with 140k on the clock. The 05 was wrecked when a lady crossed the line and hit my daughter. No injuries but no more '05 either.

Good little cars. The '98 just made the 800 mile trip home from school with daughter #2 in under 13 hours loaded to the roof.

As posted keep up with the timing belt. The gen 1's needed struts and mounts around 50k. The gen 2's went a bit more. With 70k, if not replaced already they may be about due. Beyond that, basic maintenance should give it a long life.

If/when the transmission oil is due for a change, use "Syrcomesh" fluid. Its made for modern manual transmissions. My local Autozone usually stocks some (Penzoil). The owners manual may call for ATF4... that stuff is bad news for manual transmissions. My wife got her '08 Caliber changed at the quick lube place with ATF4 and it would barely shift. Quick change to Syromesh and it was better than new.

I have a 95 highline I bought new, has 425,000 on it,yah you read that right,425,000. Mobil One, change every 10,000,with a Mobil One filter, the one for a six cylinder( bigger) timing belt by the book,water pump with the belt. Buy gates or Mopar don't try to save money on that.I use Red Line oil in the transmission,change every 100,000.Change power steering and brake fluid every 100,00,I still have all the original stuff on mine. I still have the original rear wheel bearings on the back along with brake shoes on one side.Want to know more just ask. The new Dart will never hold a light to a good Neon, they are the slant six of the 90's.

Thanks guys. Going to look at it tomorrow night. 73K R/T 5-sp Carbon hood with cold air intake. Sunroof. Cool wheels.
My daughter has had a 97 for years. Been an good little car for her. Had to change the bad head gasket and rear main seal but other than that has been good for the price.

o1 has the crank censor on the back of the motor so it is common 95 to 01. R/T will have HP cam, head, intake, on a sohc. Its got the 394 Heavy Duty transmission.

I have owned 7 two door 96-98 Neons that have had various mods from a 2.4 turbo swap to a 2.4 all motor swap to just a Cam swap with headers in the 2 litre sohc and 2 litre dohc. They are cheap and fun to beat on and once you get parts you just keep swapping parts from one neon to the next neon.

I now have a 2004 SRT4 Neon all stock with 32000 miles. I also have a 98 4 door neon that is now getting all the used parts that are laying about from other motors. I like the first generation,96-98, they are cheap to buy and fun to modify.

Belt and tensioner replacement, and regular oil changes with a good brand of oil and filter is the best way to go.200,000 on a sohc or dohc motor is no problem.

Grizzly could be dead on with the cold air intake. An ICEMAN cold air intake goes from the motor to infront of the battery and low on the front of the motor. It is superior to most for air flow but can pick up water and hydralic the motor if water enters the filter because this cold air intake is low to the ground. I have never had this problem but I have seen it with others. There are other cold air intakes that go from the motor and loop over the motor to between the motor and the fire wall. These intakes are more protected so water and dirt are blocked by the motor. Hey it is just a Neon, drive it and use it up and buy another.

That "cold air" garbage on there means an engine job in the near future.

I'll check it out.
I've had a K&N on my 92 CTD for aroung 180K. Pulling 10000lb the whole time. Still uses only a qt. of oil every 3000 loaded miles.