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Neon,Corolla, Civic

Started by Todd Wilson, August 26, 2017, 08:01:11 AM

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Mike DC

https://wichita.craigslist.org/cto/d/2003-dodge-neon-sxt/6287507285.html


"Power windows in front, manual in back"? 

Did the factory build that? 


moparstuart

GO SELL CRAZY SOMEWHERE ELSE WE ARE ALL STOCKED UP HERE

alfaitalia

Funny how different countries see cars in different ways. Over here the Dodge Neon (sold as a Chrysler Neon here) never sold in any numbers...I've only seen a few. It was slated for poor reliability (if my Jeep is anything to go by I can believe it!), cheap and poorly built interiors and really soft , wallowy handling which combined with near zero steering feel from over assisted steering does not make you feel at one with the car. Good news it if you want one sellers here can't give them away so they are really cheap.I guess US spec ones may be better or at least different and historically US buyers have always liked cars softer riding than us European drivers.
If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you !!

Aero426

Quote from: alfaitalia on August 31, 2017, 04:50:38 PM
Funny how different countries see cars in different ways. Over here the Dodge Neon (sold as a Chrysler Neon here) never sold in any numbers...I've only seen a few. It was slated for poor reliability (if my Jeep is anything to go by I can believe it!), cheap and poorly built interiors and really soft , wallowy handling which combined with near zero steering feel from over assisted steering does not make you feel at one with the car. Good news it if you want one sellers here can't give them away so they are really cheap.I guess US spec ones may be better or at least different and historically US buyers have always liked cars softer riding than us European drivers.

They are not "great cars" from a drivers standpoint.   They were basic transportation and not unpleasant to drive.    I had a '96 Neon purchased for $200 with a bad engine.    I was in it for $1700 with a new to me engine installed.  Ran it for many years.    I got rusty to the point where you would leave it by the side of the road when something broke.  Eventually, the 8 year old timing belt installed with the replacement engine killed it in 2014.      Odo was broke, but I am sure it was over 200k miles.   I have no regrats (sic).

The gen 2 Neons were a step up.    But as mentioned, because of age and bottom feeder users, it is not that easy to find a clean one.   

Todd Wilson

We had a 2000 Neon and it was a great car. Sadly it got totaled in a wreck.


I went to see the yellow Neon tonight. The car was in great shape. The interior was near perfect. Engine started right up and idled smooth and ran great. Steering was tight but it was out of alignment a little bit.  Nothing bad and the tires were in great shape. Transmission shifted fine. AC was COLD and the cruise worked and was smooth. What scared me and I noticed right away.(50 feet out in the street) was a vibration in the drive train.  It was a constant light vibration that was there all the time. Didn't change with speed. He insisted I drive it around and onto the interstate which was close by. It ran right up to 65mph and moved ok down the road. Brakes were good. It just had that vibration. I decided to pass on it for now and will keep looking. Its a shame because the rest of the car was in very nice shape.


Todd

Cncguy

I have an 09 corolla for my 1hr commute to work. Will probably upgrade to civic when the wheels fall off.

charger_fan_4ever

Quote from: Cncguy on September 01, 2017, 06:49:19 AM
I have an 09 corolla for my 1hr commute to work. Will probably downgrade to civic when the wheels fall off.

There fixed it for you lol

alfaitalia

Lol.....joking apart....don't think there is much doubt that a Honda is a better engineered car than a Toyota.
If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you !!

charger_fan_4ever

Quote from: alfaitalia on September 01, 2017, 01:13:07 PM
Lol.....joking apart....don't think there is much doubt that a Honda is a better engineered car than a Toyota.

Not sure about the new Hondas but those in the early 2000s like the op mentioned were all timing belts vs chains on the Toyotas, so i stand by my statement.lots of that era were oil burners too.

alfaitalia

Valid opinion i guess....but I would never choose one car over another just on whether it had chain or belt driven cams. Just change the belt at the right times and you should have no issues. It's not that hard to DIY it for most of us Even chains snap sometimes...just ask any Nissan Navara owner.....I snapped two in 70,000 miles...will never have another.
If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you !!

charger_fan_4ever

Quote from: alfaitalia on September 09, 2017, 12:07:11 PM
Valid opinion i guess....but I would never choose one car over another just on whether it had chain or belt driven cams. Just change the belt at the right times and you should have no issues. It's not that hard to DIY it for most of us Even chains snap sometimes...just ask any Nissan Navara owner.....I snapped two in 70,000 miles...will never have another.

Im scared from VW contact engines.

Had a diesel did the t belt job(rollers,idler,water pump) to the tune of $650. Supposedly good for 160k km at 100k broke and took out the head and scored a cylinder. Nomore belts for me lol.

For me a daily commuter needs to be stupid simple and reliable that basically just needs the oil and filters changed. Aslong as doesnt ride like a buckboard im good. I prefer no options other than A/C thats a must for me. So far toyota hasnt let me down. Put about 150,000 km on the 3 toyotas in 3 years. Only thing was oil changed and brakes.

gtx6970

I can buy a clean Neon with half the miles of a similar condition Toyota or Honda. Usually for same or less money to .

Plus I prefer to buy cars I can work on. And can fix pretty much anything on a Neon in my sleep . A Honda or Toyota is ...Im sure I could fix and but requires.

I bought this rust free 2004 Neon SXT about 18 months ago. 120K miles, bright yellow and sunroof car.  Trans was out on it . I gave 1200 for it( FAR to much if you cant fix it  yourself ) The car is absolutely spotless inside and out is why I paid what I did. Fixed it and gave to my daughter as her first car. She LOVES it

Ive bought and sold maybe a half dozen Neons the past 2 years. All needing various repairs from trans work to just a good cleaning Haven't paid more than $900 for anyone single one, and havent sold one for under $2400 yet.

Todd Wilson

Quote from: gtx6970 on September 11, 2017, 03:45:17 PM
I can buy a clean Neon with half the miles of a similar condition Toyota or Honda. Usually for same or less money to .

Plus I prefer to buy cars I can work on. And can fix pretty much anything on a Neon in my sleep . A Honda or Toyota is ...Im sure I could fix and but requires.

I bought this rust free 2004 Neon SXT about 18 months ago. 120K miles, bright yellow and sunroof car.  Trans was out on it . I gave 1200 for it( FAR to much if you cant fix it  yourself ) The car is absolutely spotless inside and out is why I paid what I did. Fixed it and gave to my daughter as her first car. She LOVES it

Ive bought and sold maybe a half dozen Neons the past 2 years. All needing various repairs from trans work to just a good cleaning Haven't paid more than $900 for anyone single one, and havent sold one for under $2400 yet.

What were the common problems you had to fix?  Did most of the cars share the same problems? Oklahoma on CL seems to have many Neons and Honda/Toyota cars for the same prices in Kansas here for half the miles.  Thinking of taking a day trip to okie land one of these days to look at several.  Still like the Neon overall compared to the others.


Todd

gtx6970

Quote from: Todd Wilson on September 13, 2017, 04:36:12 AM


Ive bought and sold maybe a half dozen Neons the past 2 years. All needing various repairs from trans work to just a good cleaning Haven't paid more than $900 for anyone single one, and havent sold one for under $2400 yet.

What were the common problems you had to fix?  Did most of the cars share the same problems? Oklahoma on CL seems to have many Neons and Honda/Toyota cars for the same prices in Kansas here for half the miles.  Thinking of taking a day trip to okie land one of these days to look at several.  Still like the Neon overall compared to the others.


Todd

[/quote]

Transmission issues. One was a simple solenoid pack issue,  a few others required transmission overhauls.  A couple were due to front  pump failures and 3 others  from radiator failures ( very common issue on Neons )
On average I'll put maybe $400 to $450 in a complete trans overhaul .

Bought a spotless silver  2003 with 105K miles, that had  broken timing belt + bent intake valves  for $300. Pulled the head and lapped in 4 new intake valves , installed a new water pump - timing belt set , spark plugs and wire set and she was purring like a kitten. All in I was well under $1000. sold it in 3 days for $2800.

My average profit margin is about $1000 , a few I made closer to $1500 . 
Keep in mind. I'm a former  Mopar dealership trans tech. So I actually seek out cars with trans issues . Best return on investment for me . This method may not  be for everyone.

One thing I do not buy ,,,is rust. Anything else I can fix .

gtx6970

Something else to keep in mind. Dont compare a Neon to a Camry or Accord.  The Neon will lose every time.

To me the Neons biggest fault is gas pedal position. Its not comfortable to me for long distance driving. BUT... I dont drive it everyday either.
My daughter on the other hand loves her yellow one 100%

Todd Wilson

Thanks for the info GTX!    Whats everyone think about a 1995 Ford Escort 4 banger with a 5 speed.  I found one for cheep and in good shape with 118xxx miles on it. I know a guy who commuted in 2 different escorts like this with autos and had 300k+ in one and the other was approaching 500k before he sold them. Can't believe I said the F word but this car is cheep compared to all the others and I am now not finding much in the Honda,Toyota,Neon field...........


Todd

Todd Wilson

Well just an update. I had given up on a little car as they for the most part were over priced for the miles. I was working on an Accord deal that turned into a scam after multiple txt messages and even an email with tons of extra pictures.   Last night about 7:30 I checked Craigslist and seen a 2002 Corolla here in town. Called the dude up and went over to check it out. An hour later it was in my driveway.  Its got a few battle scars but has a great interior and 124k miles with a 5 speed manual. AC and cruise work. Very nice car except for the slight  wrinkles on the drivers side.  It almost missed a deer and that's what caused the wrinkles.  It an LE and supposed to be able to get 41mpg on the highway.   I plan to run this car til it quits commuting so I am not real concerned with the wrinkles as its gonna get beat on the drive anyways.







Todd

Bob

Good choice! It's just a baby with those miles.

moparstuart

GO SELL CRAZY SOMEWHERE ELSE WE ARE ALL STOCKED UP HERE

JR

Congrats, that car is just getting broken in at 124k. Nice find.

Also, if you want to read an interesting article about the durability of these Corollas, here are two about used ones being shipped over to Afghanistan. It's common to see them driven for 300k or more miles over there. 90 percent of the vehicles registered there are Toyota Corollas.

https://www.stripes.com/news/middle-east/afghanistan-gives-antiquated-toyotas-a-new-life-1.356184#.WduEeyMpCBY

(And a less detailed write up on the same subject.)

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2011/07/best-selling-cars-around-the-globe-toyota-corollas-come-to-afghanistan-to-die/

It's an interesting read.


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