This is all in the future anyway, probably late next spring/early summer when I have the funds to pay off what I owe on the car, and sell it outright to a 3rd part or something. Looking to get a cheap, used car. I've basically narrowed it down to primarily looking at those 3. The Neon is right now my favorite, with a roomy interior, and feels relatively solid and sporty. Focus of course because it's not too different than the one I already had before, just different styling and interior. And finally, Cavalier. Because of course I owned one, I know I like how it drives and rides. All of these would be 03-05 models more than likely if I were to buy. And all are around $3-5k from the few I've looked at. Any reason I would go with one over the other, or not? I know the Neon has a timing belt that would have to be changed, but that's about all I know about them.
Neon Vs Focus vs Cavalier
- Thread starter Nick R
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Neon is the epitome of 90s/early00s Chrysler junk.
You know what to look for in cavaliers (you owned one).
Focuses: Generally okay, AVOID the SPI engine, transmissions not the greatest(shift solenoids act up / complete failure), they rust just as much as your average Ford.
I'll admit, I know nothing of the cavalier but the Neon would be at the bottom of my list.
You know what to look for in cavaliers (you owned one).
Focuses: Generally okay, AVOID the SPI engine, transmissions not the greatest(shift solenoids act up / complete failure), they rust just as much as your average Ford.
I'll admit, I know nothing of the cavalier but the Neon would be at the bottom of my list.
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OVERKILL
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Only reason I'd steer clear of the Neon is the fact you haven't owned one.
You've owned the other two and know what you are getting into there.
You've owned the other two and know what you are getting into there.
They're all fairly close.
I like the Neon myself. I had a 2nd gen (in the era you are looking at) and the thing was tough as nails. The powertrains in those cars are near bomb proof minus the timing belt change.
4 wheel independent suspension with excellent handling. If you get an R/T you also get 4 wheel disc with ABS and traction control. (and a bit more power) That is what I had. But, it is a 5 speed manual only. (The R/T)
Cavi has the Ecotec engine in that era and is also very stout as you know. I actually think the Neon has the nicest interior of the 3, I've been in plenty of both. That largely comes down to preference of course though.
I like the Neon myself. I had a 2nd gen (in the era you are looking at) and the thing was tough as nails. The powertrains in those cars are near bomb proof minus the timing belt change.
4 wheel independent suspension with excellent handling. If you get an R/T you also get 4 wheel disc with ABS and traction control. (and a bit more power) That is what I had. But, it is a 5 speed manual only. (The R/T)
Cavi has the Ecotec engine in that era and is also very stout as you know. I actually think the Neon has the nicest interior of the 3, I've been in plenty of both. That largely comes down to preference of course though.
I have heard that the focuses have their fair share of issues....Cavaliers are pretty solid and reliable and the Didge Neons as well...I would go chevy or Dodge between those with the focus being my last choice....tires wear out fast and it has a cheap plasticky ride to it.
Focus, mainly because my dad's is up around 175k with no major issues and still runs great. He has had no major issues with rust either.
i'd get a MT focus 2007 or so.
aside from a wierd rear spring issue (warranty) I had 0 problems with mine in 40000 miles.
oh and the rubber around the trunk lock popped off in my hand... that was warranty too.
The only bad focus was the SPI engine ones for the most part.
the 2007 had the duratech.. the best of the focus engines.
the zetec was in the middle.
I'm really surprised you buying all these new cars then going cheap and used.. just wait till you miss work due to it breaking down (2003 neon)
aside from a wierd rear spring issue (warranty) I had 0 problems with mine in 40000 miles.
oh and the rubber around the trunk lock popped off in my hand... that was warranty too.
The only bad focus was the SPI engine ones for the most part.
the 2007 had the duratech.. the best of the focus engines.
the zetec was in the middle.
I'm really surprised you buying all these new cars then going cheap and used.. just wait till you miss work due to it breaking down (2003 neon)
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My ex girlfriend had a 2000 Neon and that thing was indestructable. comfortable interior, solid drivetrain and overall nice vehicle. Compared to the other two I would go Neon based on comfort, ride and drivetrain.
Originally Posted By: Rand
i'd get a MT focus 2007 or so.
aside from a wierd rear spring issue (warranty) I had 0 problems with mine in 40000 miles.
oh and the rubber around the trunk lock popped off in my hand... that was warranty too.
The only bad focus was the SPI engine ones for the most part.
the 2007 had the duratech.. the best of the focus engines.
the zetec was in the middle.
I'm really surprised you buying all these new cars then going cheap and used.. just wait till you miss work due to it breaking down (2003 neon)
I almost think the Neon would be the most reliable of those 3, that engine was 10 years old in '04 and still very competitive in terms of HP and TQ and MPG. With the head gasket issue solved in the 90's, there isn't much to go wrong with them.
Heck even my car has the original starter and alternator, front struts, I had to replace the original muffler this spring, but the rest of the exhaust is factory.
I'm not going to say the 2nd gen Neons are vastly better than the others in reliability, but its certainly not worse.
If Nick gets a 5spd and some sort of scangauge to monitor the electrical system, its going to be a very odd problem that doesn't give some warning before actually stopping the car. In the 9 years I've had my Neon, I've only pulled off the highway for a water pump failure which had given me days of warning to get fixed...
Like any car that old, paying attention to the condition of the particular car that you are buying is more important than the cars general reputation. Neon R/T's especially seem to have a good percentage of owners that really took care of them.
i'd get a MT focus 2007 or so.
aside from a wierd rear spring issue (warranty) I had 0 problems with mine in 40000 miles.
oh and the rubber around the trunk lock popped off in my hand... that was warranty too.
The only bad focus was the SPI engine ones for the most part.
the 2007 had the duratech.. the best of the focus engines.
the zetec was in the middle.
I'm really surprised you buying all these new cars then going cheap and used.. just wait till you miss work due to it breaking down (2003 neon)
I almost think the Neon would be the most reliable of those 3, that engine was 10 years old in '04 and still very competitive in terms of HP and TQ and MPG. With the head gasket issue solved in the 90's, there isn't much to go wrong with them.
Heck even my car has the original starter and alternator, front struts, I had to replace the original muffler this spring, but the rest of the exhaust is factory.
I'm not going to say the 2nd gen Neons are vastly better than the others in reliability, but its certainly not worse.
If Nick gets a 5spd and some sort of scangauge to monitor the electrical system, its going to be a very odd problem that doesn't give some warning before actually stopping the car. In the 9 years I've had my Neon, I've only pulled off the highway for a water pump failure which had given me days of warning to get fixed...
Like any car that old, paying attention to the condition of the particular car that you are buying is more important than the cars general reputation. Neon R/T's especially seem to have a good percentage of owners that really took care of them.
Focus all the way, easy to work on cheap to operate. The trans problems are few and far between. Very reliable small no frills car.
I thought the point of getting rid of the Mazda was that the payments were too high?
It doesn't make much sense to me to bust your butt for 9 months,get it paid off and then turn around and sell it.
It doesn't make much sense to me to bust your butt for 9 months,get it paid off and then turn around and sell it.
Originally Posted By: Stewart Fan
I thought the point of getting rid of the Mazda was that the payments were too high?
It doesn't make much sense to me to bust your butt for 9 months,get it paid off and then turn around and sell it.
I think his plan is to pay down the loan over the next 6-9 months to the level where the loan amount = selling price. If he were to sell it right now, he'd be way under which means he'd have to fork up the difference between loan amount and selling price. I'm guessing he doesn't have that money right now.
I thought the point of getting rid of the Mazda was that the payments were too high?
It doesn't make much sense to me to bust your butt for 9 months,get it paid off and then turn around and sell it.
I think his plan is to pay down the loan over the next 6-9 months to the level where the loan amount = selling price. If he were to sell it right now, he'd be way under which means he'd have to fork up the difference between loan amount and selling price. I'm guessing he doesn't have that money right now.
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: Stewart Fan
I thought the point of getting rid of the Mazda was that the payments were too high?
It doesn't make much sense to me to bust your butt for 9 months,get it paid off and then turn around and sell it.
I think his plan is to pay down the loan over the next 6-9 months to the level where the loan amount = selling price. If he were to sell it right now, he'd be way under which means he'd have to fork up the difference between loan amount and selling price. I'm guessing he doesn't have that money right now.
Correct. Myy tax return this spring is wholly going towards this endevour. I certainly learned my lesson with this whole thing, no more new cars for me unless I win the lottery, or am making ridiculous amounts of money. I'll be perfectly happy with a used sedan. I do really like the Neon. The one I test drove rode really nice, handled well and had plenty of pep too. Interior is definitely nicer than the cavalier and focus too, and as a whole it feels more solid.
Originally Posted By: Stewart Fan
I thought the point of getting rid of the Mazda was that the payments were too high?
It doesn't make much sense to me to bust your butt for 9 months,get it paid off and then turn around and sell it.
I think his plan is to pay down the loan over the next 6-9 months to the level where the loan amount = selling price. If he were to sell it right now, he'd be way under which means he'd have to fork up the difference between loan amount and selling price. I'm guessing he doesn't have that money right now.
Correct. Myy tax return this spring is wholly going towards this endevour. I certainly learned my lesson with this whole thing, no more new cars for me unless I win the lottery, or am making ridiculous amounts of money. I'll be perfectly happy with a used sedan. I do really like the Neon. The one I test drove rode really nice, handled well and had plenty of pep too. Interior is definitely nicer than the cavalier and focus too, and as a whole it feels more solid.
Originally Posted By: Nick R
Correct. Myy tax return this spring is wholly going towards this endevour. I certainly learned my lesson with this whole thing, no more new cars for me unless I win the lottery, or am making ridiculous amounts of money. I'll be perfectly happy with a used sedan.
And all the people that advised you against getting brand new cars at your age are just dying to say "I told you so.".
How many new cars was it? Two? Three? More? I lost count after a while.
Correct. Myy tax return this spring is wholly going towards this endevour. I certainly learned my lesson with this whole thing, no more new cars for me unless I win the lottery, or am making ridiculous amounts of money. I'll be perfectly happy with a used sedan.
And all the people that advised you against getting brand new cars at your age are just dying to say "I told you so.".
How many new cars was it? Two? Three? More? I lost count after a while.
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Originally Posted By: Nick R
Correct. Myy tax return this spring is wholly going towards this endevour. I certainly learned my lesson with this whole thing, no more new cars for me unless I win the lottery, or am making ridiculous amounts of money. I'll be perfectly happy with a used sedan.
And all the people that advised you against getting brand new cars at your age are just dying to say "I told you so.".
How many new cars was it? Two? Three? More? I lost count after a while.
No kidding eh!
Back on topic, out of those 3 I would get the Focus, ZX5 looks really nice IMO.
Originally Posted By: Nick R
Correct. Myy tax return this spring is wholly going towards this endevour. I certainly learned my lesson with this whole thing, no more new cars for me unless I win the lottery, or am making ridiculous amounts of money. I'll be perfectly happy with a used sedan.
And all the people that advised you against getting brand new cars at your age are just dying to say "I told you so.".
How many new cars was it? Two? Three? More? I lost count after a while.
No kidding eh!
Back on topic, out of those 3 I would get the Focus, ZX5 looks really nice IMO.
Originally Posted By: VNTS
Shop condition,
That would be my recommendation here as well. The three vehicles he's looking at are fairly comparable, so just get one that appears to be in the best shape and hopefully from a first owner that you can talk to and get a sense that he was maintaining it well.
Shop condition,
That would be my recommendation here as well. The three vehicles he's looking at are fairly comparable, so just get one that appears to be in the best shape and hopefully from a first owner that you can talk to and get a sense that he was maintaining it well.
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
And all the people that advised you against getting brand new cars at your age are just dying to say "I told you so.".
How many new cars was it? Two? Three? More? I lost count after a while.
I think he already received enough grief over this from most of us here. Time to move on.
And all the people that advised you against getting brand new cars at your age are just dying to say "I told you so.".
How many new cars was it? Two? Three? More? I lost count after a while.
I think he already received enough grief over this from most of us here. Time to move on.
Originally Posted By: Nick R
when I have the funds to pay off what I owe on the car
I apologize. I understood this to mean you'd have the loan paid in full,and then would be selling it.
when I have the funds to pay off what I owe on the car
I apologize. I understood this to mean you'd have the loan paid in full,and then would be selling it.
I'd like to do the same. Sell the car I have a loan on and then get something I own.
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