I found an 04 Neon, clean body and 140,000 miles for cheap. Im thinking of buying it as a beater car. Are they good cars? It has an auto trans.

My wife had an 03 we bought in 05 or so with 35K on it, we kept it until it had 75K. It was a great car, never had any trouble with it. I ran it 90-100mph on the way to nashville one time with a group of cars doing the same and it still got like 30mpg.

Only odd thing was the insurance as kind of high. We sold it and got an Acura TL that is double everything of the neon, power, price, etc etc and the insurance was actually cheaper than it was on the neon.

I can't speak for the auto, but I've had my 5-speed '04 R/T since new and I still enjoy the car. I've replaced the struts, lower control arms, brake pads, timing belt, water pump, battery, and muffler. Water pump and timing belt were preventative maintenance. I also replaced the headlights when they became too hazy. While living overseas, I daily drove an employer-provided '12 Honda Civic for a few years and I can honestly say that the '04 Neon was a better car in every way except trunk space.

A co-worker of mine recently donated his 04 Neon to fire dept for extraction drills, as it was getting crusty from Il-Wi winters and 360 k for miles.

I just sold my 01 ACR great little car, a neon enthusiasts just wanted it more than I did. I bought it new and drove the crap out of it, held up grwat and never any issues and never back to the dealer from day 1

I bought a 2005 SE with ~8000 miles on it in 2005. I drove it to ~120,000 miles and used it as a "down payment" on my wife's 2015 lease car. I did nothing but tires, brakes and oil changes. Never had any major issues. I did have a lower radiator hose clamp rust away that caused a boil over. New clamp and coolant and was back in business. Wish Chrysler still made them, cheap no frills transportation.

The Neon was one of the best in house cars that Chrysler ever built. Like any other car try to stay away from one that some kid thrashed.

I bought an 05 new, 5 speed though, and put 70k on it when I traded it. I had one issue, an AC hose leaked but it was warrantied out.

I'd stay away from any SRT version as they tend to get serious messed with between "mechanics" putting ricky racer parts on it to driver's hammering it.

Had an 03 Pt had 180K plus when we sold it/Timing belt is a bit of work and if not done should be.Other than that it was prety much maintaince in over 170K miles.Lower control arm bushings go bad and need replaced.last one I did just got a new arm from Rock Auto at cheap price.Rocky

Great little car, do the timing belt..

I had an '01 R/T. I got it with 180,000 on it and got rid of it when it blew up at 210,000. I've also had a '98 and a '99 that I put a ton of miles on. Both had a catastrophic failure that made me dump them. Good cars up until their demise, though. Lol.

Good, simple cars. That's what Fiat needs now but they've lost their way.

Unless you have proof the belt was changed recently, change it. Much over 100K on it and you're on borrowed time.

Other than that they seem bulletproof.

Do the water pump when you do the belt.also double check the tensioner.That and the motor mounts also.They are cheap thru Rock Auto if you need them.Rocky

Mother in law has one, 2003 bought new and 105k on it now. The only drawback I see is rust. Suspension is flaking away. Just noticed a big hole in the subframe where the a/c condensation has been dripping on it. Otherwise great little car.

My parts runner has 132k on it, put the timing belt kit with pump and tensioner and motor mounts and fuel pump at 11 years and 113k.

Regular oil changes and trans services, 3rd batterty, 4th set of tires, 3rd set of lifetime pads on org. rotors, still org. plugs, coolant ect.

Its on its third front end sheet metal and one side of doors from deer strikes at 65 mph, never aligned and drives straight as an arrow. I made $1500 each time I hit a buck.

Ive driven to ny state and brought back two complete small blocks in pieces and still got 30mpg on the interstate.

If I could find a one owner 20-40k org car from a good state id buy it just for the simplicity of them.

Our 03, we replaced the radiator, lower control arm bushings, and rear motor mount and front wheel bearings. Had about 165,000 miles on it when we traded it in. Overall it was a good car.

I liked mine. Sorry, couldn't resist. We're snowed in down here and bored.