Dodge Neon - 1998 Review

My husband and I did all our research before we bought our Neon. Consumer Reports, online reviews, you name it. The '98 Neon was getting great reviews in our price range.

When we got to the lot to pick one out, I fell in love with the R/T (Road & Track) model with its sexy racing stripes. Talk about looking like a million bucks for such a reasonable price tag! Well, my husband told me LATER that all our research was for the standard Neon, not the R/T, but oh well! I was in love with my super sporty little Neon. FUN to drive.

The moonroof stopped working about 6 months after purchase. The car was under warranty, so we took it in. They kept it for over a week without giving us a loaner car or anything. The moonroof worked for about a week and then broke again. We decided we didn't want a moonroof that badly anyway. Next, the cruise control went out before the car's second year was up. Then the powerlocks, and the windows, one at a time. At least the stereo and A/C never died.

The engine started leaking oil in about 2003 and never stopped despite repeated, expensive repairs. Just this spring, the computer chip died and the whole car is nothing more than a paperweight now.

I'm sure the standard Neons were a good buy that year.

When you shop for cars, be careful of those Special Editions. They're not the same as the standard dealership models that you researched.