For a car that's getting on for 12 years old, I reckon my Chrysler Neon is doing ok really. It's had no major repairs needed in all that time, just the normal stuff like belts, exhaust, tyres, that sort of thing. There was something to do with the suspension that my other half sorted out when I was away once, but I don't recall it being expensive. Reliability is a big thing for me so it's always impressed me in that respect, and it'll take some beating.
I try not to drive too madly most of the time but I give it some exercise sometimes if I'm bored and have a nice stretch in front of me. I thought the Chrysler Neon looked fairly sporty and it does ok, but it's not all that confident on the corners when you push it. It's also not all that good with overtaking between 30 and 50, quite an odd arrangement of the gears and engine.
Another problem is visibility. The pillars are a bit tricky to see around, and I also have some trouble seeing up to traffic lights, have to bend down a bit sometimes. Not major problems, but I might be looking for a taller car next time around.
Inside the Neon has enough room for me up front, but I reckon the back seats could be a bit cramped for adults on longer journeys. I can't really remember the last time we had anyone in the back who wasn't a child, so I can't say that for sure, but it's worth checking if you're looking at a Chrysler Neon any time soon. Meanwhile the boot could do with being a bit bigger I'd say. We got a roof rack quite early on for trips and things, so we don't feel that limitation quite so much these days, but I might be looking for more next time. The petrol consumption is also getting a bit much. I think I average low 30s mpg in mixed town and motorway driving, and from what I'm seeing in more modern cars I could do quite a bit better than that.
I owned a Chrysler Neon for a number of years and I was in two minds about it the whole time. On reflection, having owned better cars since, it wasn't really the best choice of vehicle. The main problem is the security options which were lax even at the time. But it's distinctive and runs pretty well so I wouldn't dissuade you from buying one.
As a driving experience it's far from perfect - the ride is too firm and the handling is too stubborn. The engine, however, puts out a fair amount of power and could overtake most things on the motorway quite comfortably. The car looks pretty big from the outside and the saloon boot is massive which is a plus. But inside it feels cramped and my family struggled to fit in.
At the end of the day the Chrysler Neon isn't a bad car, but it's not got a lot going for it. I had very few reliability issues, but there is really no reason to buy one apart from the huge boot, and the distinctive American stylings. Go for something a bit more conventional.
I feel quite strongly about my Chrysler Neon as I've seen some dreadful reviews of it, but frankly I think it's a great car and I don't see anything wrong with it at all. I'll talk about the negative comments I've seen/heard about it and tell you why I think they're unfair.
First off, I hear a lot about the space. There is a lot of room in my Neon! I don't know if my family is abnormally small or something but I have three adolescent sons and they can fit in the back comfortably. They don't even argue about it! Also, the boot is a great size and fits a good amount of luggage etc. Another thing I've heard is that the interiors are tacky. This is simply not true end of. Somebody also said that the handling is too stiff and I just can't see what they're getting at here.
The performance is way better than I could wish for and the Chrysler Neon rides comfortably at the national speed limit so what more can you ask for? Fuel efficiency isn't nearly as bad as most American cars and it's been perfectly reliable to me. So overall, it's a great car! It doesn't deserve any bad press!