Neon Problems?

[Dart 65]

A friend at work asked me to find out any info on his car. Specifically, he is wondering what, if any, problems to expect with his 2000 Neon. It is a four door sedan and has the 2.0 automatic. I don't know if it is a DOHC or a SOHC. What tranny would that car use? I gather that it's not the 413 auto that was used with the 2.2/2.5 engines. Any input would be appreciated.

[rovii77]

supposedly the head gasket leak was fixed for the gen 2. the sohc in both neons I have seem darn near bulletproof. 97 and an 02. if he has a dohc run it 1/2 a quart low on oil. if he gets his revs to high he might have probs with oil frothing (mopar now mag last winter had a big article on the problem) as long as he keeps up on the routine maintenance and all that he should be fine.

[RU Neon]

If its a 2000, than its a SOHC. DOHC was only in first Gen Neon. I have heard very little problems with 2nd Gen neons, it looks like MoPar worked out most of the bugs, ( the horrible head-gasket problem fixed on 99-up)

[69_GTX]

My wife and I bought our 2000 Neon brand new in Oct. '99 It runs great and we've never really had any mechanical problems other than the brakes. The brakes squeal constantly! I put on different pads in the front and they stopped but the back are so loud first thing in the morning that she actually woke up the neighbors backing out of the driveway.

The crappy plastic wheel covers make noise too but it's easy to fix them. I should have bought the alloy wheels.

It's the perfect car for my 5'-0" 105lb wife but I'm 6'-2" 200lbs, I couldn't drive it full time. It's too low to the ground. I fit much better in my Dakota.

I will say this though, the Neon hauls butt for a 4 banger.