Bad Ideas: Neon Edition

"I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker" (qaaaaa) 02/23/2019 at 09:28 • Filed to: None

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For $700. Replace some mounts and mount and balance a new tire, and for $1000 I’d have a runner to flip. It’s a bad idea because mileage, rust, and interior are unknown.

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4 door and manual, so it’s the best spec that’s not an unobtainium ACR. Tell me why I shouldn’t.

Nibby > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 02/23/2019 at 09:46

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It’s a bad idea because Dodge N eon.

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 02/23/2019 at 09:47

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I have no idea why, but I like Neons. Buy that thing. I bet par ts are super cheap.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! 02/23/2019 at 09:49

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Already googled, an engine mount kit is lik e $70. There are other problems too, no doubt. 

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 02/23/2019 at 10:35

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This is a good idea. It’s an SXT 4 door manual. Here’s what it’ll need:

Engine mounts

Transmission mount

Probably a clutch

New headlights, those are literally opaque

Clean out the drain tubes (not a big deal)

May as well do four tires

‘02 SXT means it’s an A588 engine with the revised head gasket, so it doesn’t develop the pisser leak. There’s likely minimal to no rust, because the quarters go before the underbody. I mean shit. Honestly, buy this thing and keep it for a daily. Hell, if you don’t buy this thing, I might.

MyBikeHatesMe > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 02/23/2019 at 11:25

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I think this is a great idea.

Just make sure the water pump doesn’t lock up, causing the timing belt to come off and introduce the pistons to the valves like the 1st gen neon I learned to drive on.

God, I wish that one was a manual.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 02/23/2019 at 11:40

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That red one is almost the exact same spec I had. If my experience means anything, you’re going to love it.

If you’re lucky it has the nice black interior with body-color bezels. Otherwise you’re stuck with blah greige.

You gotta replace the fog lights, the lenses are know to just sort of fall out and it appears that’s what’s happened with that one.

Don’t buy a facelifted one like the yellow one you pictured. Not only are they ugly but Chrysler heavily downgraded  them t o keep them as the cheapest car on the market. They have fewer standard features.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 02/23/2019 at 11:45

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Do it! My Neon has been great fun and not a bad commuter.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks 02/23/2019 at 11:46

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Sway bar links will need to be done too as well as the fog lights. Looks like the lenses on that one fell out, which happened to mine too.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Nibby 02/23/2019 at 11:58

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Party pooper. 

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 02/23/2019 at 12:23

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On these, the l inks are usually fine, but the rubber’s probably gone. Depends if it’s been done, d epends on mileage. The earlier ones, I’d insist on a complete linkage refresh (ball joints, tie rods, links, and bushings) usually around 90-110k.

But yeah, I missed the fog light fail there. I’d find a better aftermarket for both because I’ll tell you for fact that I saw those come in under warranty regularly.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 02/23/2019 at 12:31

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Standard features and interior are irrelevant if you plan to strip and cage it. 

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 02/23/2019 at 12:52

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Go for it then. The Neon remains one of the best driving FWD cars I’ve ever driven. It won’t out-corner a  Prelude but the handling is very surefooted and confidence inspiring.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks 02/23/2019 at 12:59

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I had a sway bar link bend and another completely shear off because they're mounted where a rock can hit them.

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 02/23/2019 at 15:31

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That... doesn’t surprise me too much. Rear section  was  pretty vulnerable too.

Also, it’s required by law that the Neon must be repainted before Autocrossing. Sorry. It’s the law.

Yes, those are factory colors.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks 02/23/2019 at 16:42

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The end of the front sway bar link projects down in such a way that it’s the lowest part of the suspension. It doesn’t help that I lived down a rough dirt road for a while.

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 02/23/2019 at 17:05

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There always are. Time to make the kind of bad decision that comes from being uninformed and seeing something cheap on CL. I make them all the time, you’ll be fine.