1999 DODGE Neon

Neon igreat car for teens or those on a low budget

Comfort Rating: 2 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 2 Reliability Rating: 4 Technology Rating: 2 Value Rating: 4

Neons are typical of low frills standard economy cars. While not sexy or in any way a head-turner, they are still kind of cute and a great used vehicle for a teen's first car and a good daily driver. They are pleasant to drive and fairly comfortable for the occasional long distance trip (as long as you're sitting in the front.) The rear seats are less comfortable, but not as bad as many similar economy vehicles. One of the best thing about Neons are that they are pretty darn dependable as long as you keep up the regular maintenance. The one very common, quirky problem are chronic electrical connector problems with the dash cluster. This is a well known defect in this vehicle in that the electrical solder joints in the clusters are prone to being weak and the clusters invariably end up with cracked solder joints. causing intermittent or continual bad connections. (The speedometer/odometer not working or erratic, other gauges not working, trouble-lights coming on, etc...) Replacing the cluster usually ends up with the replacement cluster eventually experiencing the same problem. But there usually isn't actually a need to replace the cluster. Instead, remove it and have someone with basic soldering skills, re-solder all the joints. Re-install the cluster, and most of the time it will work fine.