I'm involved in a potential trade with a guy who has a 1995 Dodge Neon 4 door with a 3 speed automatic transmission. The top end of the motor was just redone, and the car was just repainted (due to the wonderful paint that the cars originally came with). I'd be trading my entire video game collection for the car.

How reliable are these cars? What are the common problems to look out for? I'm a Ford and Chevy guy, so I don't have much experience with the newer Mopar cars.

I would really consider keeping those video games. :D

Murphy's law with 1995 Neon's... what can happen... WILL happen. :mad:

I've seen transmissions go out on those cars. Like kitch said, keep your video games :)

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Originally Posted by modular01

I'm involved in a potential trade with a guy who has a 1995 Dodge Neon 4 door with a 3 speed automatic transmission. The top end of the motor was just redone, and the car was just repainted (due to the wonderful paint that the cars originally came with). I'd be trading my entire video game collection for the car.

How reliable are these cars? What are the common problems to look out for? I'm a Ford and Chevy guy, so I don't have much experience with the newer Mopar cars.

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Piece of

Thanks guys; I decided to keep my video game collection. Did some research and the transmissions (automatics at least) are less than reliable.

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Originally Posted by modular01

Thanks guys; I decided to keep my video game collection. Did some research and the transmissions (automatics at least) are less than reliable.

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Good for you! Wait it out for a reliable car. I have a Kia Spectra. It was very affordable and ranked one of the highest for being a reliable and dependable car :)

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Originally Posted by nauticalstar420

Good for you! Wait it out for a reliable car. I have a Kia Spectra. It was very affordable and ranked one of the highest for being a reliable and dependable car :)

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I originally had 3 cars, a 2001 Mustang GT, a 1980 Datsun 200sx, and a 1985 Delta 88 Coupe.

To make a long story short, I ran into some hard times financially, in which I decided to sell the Mustang and Datsun. I'm left with the 1985 Delta 88, which was given to me when my grandfather passed away in November. Needless to say, I'm very attached to the car for sentimental reasons.

I've actually been looking at getting a cheaper economical car the past few weeks, and I've came across some that piquéd my interest. I'm looking at the Chevy Cobalt 5 speed manual coupes (not the SS model), a Ford Escort ZX2 (manual also), and possibly a Mercury Cougar (2001-2002) with the V6 and manual. Even the Hyundai Tiburon seems like a decent car as well.

I've heard really good things about the Cobalt. :) I hear the gas in those things can last forever!

My brother was given a '85 Delta also. He loved that car and like you wouldn't part with it. We found out one day after it quit running that GM used plastic timing gears in that 3.8L engine. So a word to the wise after 100k miles...

Other than that, good decision on keeping those vid games. You seem like you're into cars and not wanting to be seen in grandpa's car all that much, so I'm sure you'll find what fits your needs.

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Originally Posted by kitch428

My brother was given a '85 Delta also. He loved that car and like you wouldn't part with it. We found out one day after it quit running that GM used plastic timing gears in that 3.8L engine. So a word to the wise after 100k miles....

Other than that, good decision on keeping those vid games. You seem like you're into cars and not wanting to be seen in grandpa's car all that much, so I'm sure you'll find what fits your needs.

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Luckily, the car I have has the 307 Olds V8. It's still a boat anchor motor (where power is concerned), but it works great. It has some body damage from my grandpa going through a garage (literally), but nothing that new fenders can't fix. If it got better gas mileage I'd be all over it like a cheap suit, but it only gets 15mpg. =(

But it only has 94000 miles, not bad for an older car. =)

Ahhh. The ole 307. Yep... boat anchor all right. You want one even better? The Pontiac 301. Best damn boat anchor ever produced out of detroit.
I really pity GM through those periods. Big boats, little engines to power them. Meanwhile, I started at Toyota around those times, and what they were putting out compared to the big three in Detroit, NO COMPARISON!!

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Originally Posted by kitch428

Ahhh. the ole 307. Yep...boat anchor alright. You want one even better? The Pontiac 301. Best damn boat anchor ever produced out of detroit.
I really pity GM through those periods. Big boats, little engines to power them. Meanwhile, I started at Toyota around those times, and what they were putting out compared to the big three in Detroit, NO COMPARISON!!!!

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What about the Vega Cosworth motor? That had good power, until the aluminum pistons ate through the unlined cylider walls.

The 350 diesel from the 80's was bad too. GM used stock gas engine cylinder heads, pistons, and the block, not thinking that the massive internal pressure caused by converting it to a diesel would cause it to fail.

Yeah, the 301 was an automotive wreck. Especially when they put an anemic turbo on them.

Thankfully GM has come a long way from those dark days.

PS: Let's not even start on the Cadillac Cimmaron. It was essentially a Chevy Cavalier for double the price.:D

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Originally Posted by modular01

I'm involved in a potential trade with a guy who has a 1995 Dodge Neon 4 door with a 3 speed automatic transmission. The top end of the motor was just redone, and the car was just repainted (due to the wonderful paint that the cars originally came with). I'd be trading my entire video game collection for the car.

How reliable are these cars? What are the common problems to look out for? I'm a Ford and Chevy guy, so I don't have much experience with the newer Mopar cars.

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My brother in law has a Dodge Neon he loves it! He says it's great with gas mileage and drives very smooth! But a thing is a lot of people I heard had problems with the head gasket! Hope that helps a liitle!

Very reliable,I would say 270,000 miles with original motor,trans is reliable.As for the head gasket some early ones had that problem but it was fixed,Remember Toyota/Honda have this problem existing today...

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Originally Posted by shift kit

Very reliable,I would say 270,000 miles with original motor,trans is reliable.As for the head gasket some early ones had that problem but it was fixed,Remember Toyota/Honda have this problem existing today....

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Just an update for everyone, I know it's been over a year since I originally posted this question, and I do thank everyone for their insight and help. I eventually picked up a 92 Acura Integra coupe that now has 167,200 miles on it, and still runs like new. I know that some things to keep in mind are the timing belt replacement, as well as the automatic models (which I have) having transmission problems, but do you know of anything else to watch out for with these cars?