1998 Dodge Neon Review

Easy to work on, and great gas mileage

Written by: maw96usa on 06/04/2008

Vehicle

1998 Dodge Neon 2 Dr Highline Coupe

Review

I bought this car for its gas mileage abilities and I have not been let down. I've been getting around 32-34mpg in town and 38-41mpg on the hwy. I drove it from Colorado Springs, Colorado to Bakersfield, California for less than $90.00 with gas at $3.50 a gallon. As a home mechanic I also appreciate how easy the car is to work on. At 150k miles I really went through the engine and replaced the timing belt, water pump, oil pan gasket, power steering pump, valve cover gasket set, thermostat, and it was all really easy to get to with out much trouble at all. I tell friends and family that if I get another car it'll be another Neon!!!

Favorite Features

The over all looks of the 2 door is really sporty. The heater heats up quickly in these Colorado winters and the A/C is great for our hot summers. Gas mileage, gas mileage, gas mileage!!! I easly get around 40mpg driving on the interstate!!!

Suggested Improvements

Keep them easy to work on. Nothing worse than a car that has to be taken in to have something simple replaced by the dealerships.

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Loved my R/T

Written by: deadmeet on 03/17/2008

Vehicle

1998 Dodge Neon 2 Dr R/T Coupe

Review

I bought a pair of R/T's new for me and my wife hers white/blue stripes mine Brilliant blue pearlcoat with silver stripes. hers remained totally stock,mine received a cold air/K&N combo with aftermarket exhaust.we have not had cars as fun to drive or reliable in our lives. Both our cars still get about 38mpg (I bump the rev limiter on a daily basis) with each over 150k miles we are deciding on what we would want to replace them with...seems funny that todays hi-tec hybrids and flex-fuel vehicles only get low 30's mpg What was so special about our neons? (I was raised on Big block Chargers and Road Runners..a lot of fun, but a huge difference on reliability)

Favorite Features

I love how easy they are to tune up and maintain.I love how they look and am always amazed with how well they handle.

Suggested Improvements

I know this came later....Turbo would have been nice...got spanked by many a new eclipse turbo in my day and they were bone stock.

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Great Car For Price

Written by: Larry S. on 01/26/2008

Vehicle

1998 Dodge Neon 2 Dr Sport Coupe

Review

Have the Sport Coupe with manual tranny, bought new in 1998 for $13 grand. As of this post have 71,000 miles on it. Getting 32 mpg overall, 36 on interstate. Great performance and handling. It's a fun car to drive! Needs premium gas to get max performance but I "mix" 89 octane with premium to lower gas cost. In 10 years the only major problem was the water pump died. Cost was $600 to repair which was high but couldn't shop around for lower price at time. For the low price and great performance it can't be beat in its segment of the market. I also have a 2003 Neon (only made as 4 door)with manual, but it only gets 26 mpg avg. and ain't as quick or the looker of the coupe.

Favorite Features

Looks, gas mileage for performance, low sticker price ($5 grand less than Honda Civic with more horses).

Suggested Improvements

Neon no longer sold! Dodge should bring the 98 coupe style back (small performance car with high mpg) with 2008 gas prices what they are... this type car will be built soon, it was 7 years ahead of its time!

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Best car I've owned

Written by: Allen on 10/18/2007

Vehicle

1998 Dodge Neon 4 Dr Sport Sedan

Review

Bought the 5speed manual version new in fall of 1997, for my 50 mile commute. Has never quit on me. No repairs, just normal maintenance. The dealer called me in to replace the head gasket early on. Now has 233,000 miles and it just keeps going. I check my gas mileage every fillup, and it's averaged 35mpg. This car has got to rank up there as one of the best automotive values in history.

Favorite Features

Power, fuel economy, reliability.

Suggested Improvements

I suggest they resurrect the Neon. Can't understand why they dropped it. Now Chrysler offers zero models getting over 30mpg - not too smart with oil at $88 a barrel.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Great performance and handling

Written by: Tracy Morgan on 09/11/2007

Vehicle

1998 Dodge Neon 2 Dr R/T Coupe

Review

I loved this car. I had it for years. Timing belt broke at about 210,000 miles. Spent about $1300 dollars. Drove it a month and now it is smoking lilke a freight train. I want it fixed. I love the car. I drove a newer neon and the comfort, handling and performance was nowhere near as good as my Neon.

Favorite Features

This car handled great. It got decent gas mileage. It was fun to drive.

Suggested Improvements

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