1997 Dodge Neon Consumer Reviews

Not a good car

Written by: Frankie on 12/24/2006

Vehicle

1997 Dodge Neon 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

I guess I should not have expected much when buying this car. Nothing special about it not even the mileage. The engine has horrible responsiveness and handles like a boat.

Favorite Features

Price

Suggested Improvements

Stereo, engine and transmissson.

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Purple Penelope

Written by: Lauren on 07/22/2006

Vehicle

1997 Dodge Neon 4 Dr Highline Sedan

Review

The Neon was my first car. It was a terrific first car. It was easy to drive, handled well, spacious, great on gas, and cute. It only had minor problems like loose cables (easy to fix). At over 118,000 miles, it drove like new. I can't complain.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

I added a CD player because it only had a cassette. I want power everything! No more rolly windows or requesting passengers to 'lock the door when you get out'!

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Don't buy this car!

Written by: KG on 11/13/2005

Vehicle

1997 Dodge Neon 4 Dr Highline Sedan

Review

Like others, I bought this car b/c it was cheap. But the build quality is horrendous. Huge oil leak, squealing brakes, leaky trunk, a/c that isn't cold, turn signals don't work intermitantly, black rubber seals on door panels stain my clothes, side panel fell off after glue wore out, and such a rough transmission. Just a terribly executed small car.

Favorite Features

Well, it hasn't left me stranded anywhere yet.

Suggested Improvements

Thank goodness production of the Neon is finally being halted.

1 out 4 people found this review helpful

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My best investment

Written by: Dee on 08/10/2005

Vehicle

1997 Dodge Neon 4 Dr Highline Sedan

Review

I bought my Neon new in '97. Aside from normal maintenance such as tires, brakes, etc., the single only repair I have had to make was replacing my starter at 90k miles. I love my Neon and would gladly purchase another. Key point: take care of it. My oil was changed regularly with protective additives routinely. I haven't even had so much as a belt break. I drive about 200 miles a day for work 4 days a week now, and I am thankful for this car and its dependability.

Favorite Features

Has wonderful get up and go for a 4 cylinder, with good gas mileage too. The reliability though has been tops.

Suggested Improvements

The windows being frameless don't seal as well as they could. the window rubber is junky and falls down, but goes right back up when you press it in place. Headlights become very cloudy with age.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Affordable, but still disappointing.

Written by: mbennett on 11/23/2004

Vehicle

1997 Dodge Neon 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

Head gasket went out at 50000 mi, they told me it was expected and commmon. Very disappointing. The car is very doggy in the low rpm range, probably due to the 3 speed automatic transmission as much as anything. The windows are frameless and do not seal very well, hence there is a lot of wind and road noise. Decent daily driver, good mileage but nothing to be too excited about. The price was right.

Favorite Features

Price and gas mileage.

Suggested Improvements

No water soluble paints in the future. Should not have frameless windows.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Beware not a car to purchase

Written by: nfrn on 07/29/2004

Vehicle

1997 Dodge Neon 4 Dr Highline Sedan

Review

We bought our 97 Neon new in late 1996 and it has been nothing but trouble. The headgasket has been replaced twice , brakes 3 times and we had it laid up for six months in a garage because it wouldn't start and no one could find the problem ( eventually the third mechanic to look at it found the key chuck had snapped off the end of the cam ). It still has only has 70000 miles on it. For 50000 of those miles I would say oil was leaking from somewhere. The Dodge dealers in Texas were fair to deal with but back here in Newfoundland they were nothing but trouble so we eventually purchased a Saturn.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Dodge should openly admit to the frequent problems with these models

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Greaaat Car

Written by: BigRickK on 06/27/2004

Vehicle

1997 Dodge Neon 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

This car goes fast, gets good mileage and is fun to drive. No major problems, just do the maintenance. Goes thru brake pads quickly though.

Favorite Features

Engine

Suggested Improvements

Better paint quality and color options

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The best cheap car

Written by: redmonza327 on 06/17/2004

Vehicle

1997 Dodge Neon 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

This is by far the best cheap car that money can buy. It out performs all other cars in its price range with respects to acceleration, braking, handling, and MPG. Only major complaint it paint quality, and some goofy interior parts.

Favorite Features

30MPG City & 42MPG Highway!, Excellent performance, Highly Reliable (not one failure in 7 years and 85k miles). Great factory speaker setup.

Suggested Improvements

A bit noisy (although no noisier than a Corolla or base Sentra). Goofy cupholders down on the floor.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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A good, sporty, economical car.

Written by: JP04 on 06/14/2004

Vehicle

1997 Dodge Neon 2 Dr Sport Coupe

Review

I'm the original owner of the Neon and I will admit that during the first two years, this car suffered through a lot of problems. Some examples are blown head gasket after 9 months, clouding paint after one year, and factory sunroof breaking EVERY summer ( three times during the third year ). However, after these "teething" problems, the car has turned out to be a reliable, thrifty, comfortable and fun little car.

Favorite Features

Comfortable and roomy interior. The engine is a little rough around the edges ( Honda and Toyota engineers need not run back to the drawing board ) but it's relatively quick and economical.

Suggested Improvements

Better paint quality. I have the "lapis blue" paint and it's cracking and peeling on the roof, quarter panel, and trunk lid. Chrysler will not acknowledge that there is a problem with the factory paint not adhering to the primer. Improve sunroof design.

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Split Decision on this car

Written by: BigSAC on 06/05/2004

Vehicle

1997 Dodge Neon 4 Dr Highline Sedan

Review

It's got a nice exterior look and decent accelaration for a car in it's size/class. The doors feel cheap. The big problems that I experienced were reat oil seal and then a blown head gasket, around the 65-75 thousand mile timeframe. Ask any mechanic, the head gasket will blow, and while the replacement gasket is improved, it will blow also. Each of these repairs will cost $1000+.

Favorite Features

Good handling, decent acceleration for it's size/class/price.

Suggested Improvements

Fix the head gasket problems.

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