"You fellers gonna draw them guns, or you gonna whistle 'Dixie'?"
"You fellers gonna draw them guns, or you gonna whistle 'Dixie'?"
Member since:16.07.2000
Reviews:41
Members who trust:55
Neon 2.0 LX 1997 Manual 5-speed gearbox.
I've been driving this car for over a year now, and that's a long time for me, so it must be good. Bought second hand from a dealer, I paid just £1300 for this car, plus a Rover 800 that you couldn't give away (I have the sneaking suspicion that I would have paid less if I hadn't traded in the Rover). As a connoisseur of the second hand car market (twenty cars in twenty-seven years) I know that it's all a game, no matter what you think you've checked, there will be something you'll have to pay out for. So when I buy a car I kick the tyres, take it for a test drive and factor in £500 for the repairs I'll need.
Looks With no particular make or model in mind, it was the look of the Neon that attracted me, a little bit sporty without pretending to be something it's not, and a friendly,
smiley look at the front end. And although I'd seen one or two about, they're not that common and I knew very little about it. Closer inspection showed the bodywork to be almost immaculate, a few stone-chips but not a single rust spot, not even on the wheel arches, pretty good for a seven year old car. I've since had a look at a couple of other Neons and it's the same story, so I don't think this is a one-off.
Interior My first impression on opening the door was of space, and certainly in the front there is plenty of it. However, it's not a huge car so something has to give, and room at the back is no more than adequate. Boot space is fine for the weekly shop for a family of five, and the rear seats fold down to get most of the Christmas tree in, but it's not built for loading. Certainly there has been no money spent on the looks of the interior, great swathes of grey plastic give it a basic, impersonal feel but I'm in to minimalist so it works for me.
Equipment This is where it starts to get good. Chrysler produce most of their cars for the American market, and drivers over there are more demanding than us Brits. What are usually classed as extras over here are fitted as standard to the Neon. So you have the usual, such as ABS, power steering, electric windows (front only) and central locking, but you also get electric mirrors (l/h one folds in for garage/car-wash), built in alarm and immobilizer, air-bags for driver and passenger, and air-conditioning. If you want to be greedy, it could do with a sunroof, heated front windscreen and CD changer.
Instruments Nothing ground-breaking here, I can see what I want to see and the controls are mostly well placed. The indicator has a tendency to return too early and not go back on, but I don't know if that's generic or just a dodgy spring on mine.
Lights First bad point. The headlights are bad enough to be embarrassing. If you're driving at night on a road with no street lights, hope that there's someone behind you to light the road ahead. These lights are totally inadequate.
Performance Now we're down to the nitty-gritty, how does it drive? Firstly, starting up has a safety feature incorporated which will stop you hitting the wall when the dick at the garage leaves it in gear. You have to floor the clutch before the engine will start, I think this was unique to the Neon but I believe Proton now has the same system.
My car has started at the first turn of the key every time so far. Engine noise is loud, a bit tinny, and unimpressive. If you want to turn heads you'll have to invest in a decent back-box.
Pulling away in first is a trial, you're changing up before the car has moved and don't even bother racing a milk-float away from the lights; you lose. Second is not much better, this is a car that hates low revs. and if you are used to driving nice and sensibly to protect your engine, you won't get the best from it. It's hammer down and into third as quick as possible, then it takes off. Third will take you from 15 mph to 60 at a decent rate, but of course you'll pay for it in fuel economy. I doubt that I get more than 30/35 mpg but it's my choice, I could get more. Fourth and fifth are perfectly adequate and it is happy to cruise at 80 with plenty left to overtake (continental driving of course).
Handling Ah, this is why I love this car. It sticks to the road like glue, better than any car I've driven. It gives a middle aged man the chance to act like an idiot boy-racer. Cornering, roundabouts, lane-dodging, through town I'm a god. I've read other drivers reviews that say it's a bit skittish in the wet, but I don't find it so, maybe just good tyres.
Reliability This car has over 110 k on the clock so it hasn't been pampered. Never failed to start, never broken down. Went through its MOT needing two tyres and a new back-box. The only thing that has gone wrong is a leaking radiator. That cost me £200 for a refurbished one (couldn't get a new one without ordering from a main dealer).
Costs Fuel economy is poor, perhaps because of the way I drive, but it doesn't burn oil. 1 litre in twelve months. Parts and servicing are higher than average, but not that bad. Insurance group 8.
Bad Points. Small, niggly stuff really. Apart from what I've already mentioned, the ride is harsh and loud both from road noise and from wind at speed. This is caused by the build of the windows, having no arches all the way around. The aerial does not retract and has to be removed physically if you want to use the car wash. Not a big deal but you could do without it.
Overall A fantastic car for the price. So many extras, good handling, looks sharp. This is only the second car I've owned where I could say that I'd definitely buy another.
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MPV - Front (FWD) - Automatic, 4 Speed Automatic Gearbox - 3301 cc - Max Speed: 111 mph - 156, 172, 174 bhp - Petrol - Available Trims: LE, Limited XS, LX, Limited, SE
brilliant review, i own a 2.0 lx 2002 model and it sounds like the same car.... this is my second chryler , lost my frist one in an accident where the wet road played the main factor.... all is true the car is great, thanks for the read was great...... p.s dont let the back tyres where of back end tends to be a slut on the road..... cheers.
speedbird 03.06.2005 22:01
Let me know if you want to try a Skoda next - I can do you a very good deal.
Oh - about your review - very good.
tennisnut 02.06.2005 17:35
Loved your review - very good, entertaining as well as informative! We have a Chrysler - not this one, a Grand Voyager, so you'd think the lights would be good on something like that - wouldn't you? Not a bit of it, they're abysmal so it's a Chrysler as a whole thing, not just the model then. I'd get more light walking down the road with a candle in my hand! Gill ;-)
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