The turbo was only on the srt-4 and they only made roughly 4000ish of them over a three year run. Pull n pay actually had a real srt-4 in their yard a few months ago. Really burns me up when rare cars get junked. There should be a "It's too rare " list that bars pull n pay and lkq from purchasing certain vehicles.
Replacing or rebuilding transmission in my 2005 Dodge Neon
- Thread starter 97prizm
- Start date
I see your point, but unless someone cares about that specific rare car, it's likely just business as usual and 99.9% of people won't care. The got car junked for a reason...
Another weird thing is that I've had certain yards tell me nope you can't purchase a vehicle in the yard as it's already considered scrap yet another pull n pay has told me if the vehicle is easy to get to they'll get a loader and let me buy it.
Probably a paperwork or liability issue?
I feel ya. I have an 04 4x4 Escape that has the CD4E transmission in it, those usually fail early but I have 165K on mine and all is good so far. I'll replace it when it goes as there is nothing wrong with the rest of the vehicle.
Those examples were possible trouble points with a newer car, 97. That srt-4 made some positive headlines when it came out, that's for sure. I hope you get it sorted. That Neon is an honest car.
What is your goal? Are you trying to save money by keep driving the 05 Neon? Sentimental value so you want to keep it running with a reasonable cost and more? Rebuilding yourself just for fun? Sunk cost (which is also sort of sentimental value)?
I personally don't think 05 Neon has a durability reputation and not worth rebuilding if it is already 20 years 150k miles. However if you insist, make sure you research enough to know that the transmission is not a known design issue like Caravan. If it is a known design issue even a low mile junk yard unit would be in high demand and price, and not worth pulling (and still have a shortish lifespan).
For the price of the pull like most people say, if you just want a cheap ride you can go for the same year Corolla this time around. It would likely still be running with no issue (or at least fewer issue) for the same price you put in.
I personally don't think 05 Neon has a durability reputation and not worth rebuilding if it is already 20 years 150k miles. However if you insist, make sure you research enough to know that the transmission is not a known design issue like Caravan. If it is a known design issue even a low mile junk yard unit would be in high demand and price, and not worth pulling (and still have a shortish lifespan).
For the price of the pull like most people say, if you just want a cheap ride you can go for the same year Corolla this time around. It would likely still be running with no issue (or at least fewer issue) for the same price you put in.
Dodge did some weird stuff. The three-speed was vacuum assisted but mid 2003 they went to the four-speed auto that was electronically controlled. But they offered two similar but different four-speeds.
I wouldn't attempt a rebuild unless you just want to try it for fun. Sure the kit is cheep but unless you have done these before the chances of it working again might be slim. My vote is to get a lower mile salvage transmission. Transmission shops aren't cheap because you are paying not just the labor, but for their knowledge and warranty if something goes wrong.
And if something goes wrong the shop fixes it for free as a come back. So charging what they do is to help offset that a small amount.
Is it possible to increase the transmission oil pump pressure? I would look into that first, since you have got nothing to lose by trying at this point. Did you at least check the transmission oil pump pressure? For all I know, that is the only problem with it and maybe you can fix or replace just the pump. Yes, people do rebuild their own transmissions.
It's because some people will pay it.
Have you called more than one rebuild shop? Can you deliver the transmission to them?
I had the 3spd in my early 95 Neon. It just worked well the whole time, and didn't mind going from D to N to D at 55mph for coasting down hills, and a couple track days even. I doubt its an easy swap in though...
For your trans, I would call all the local transmission builders and see what they say about rebuilding it? Maybe the electronics make it a PITA? Or try to find the guy who made his fortune when he was in his 20's-30's, rebuilding 100's of 2000's dodge transmissions, there must be one in almost every town?
I would think a low miles used one from the wreckers would be getting pretty cheap too, as I imagine there's some that have been sitting on the rack for years now? Car-part.com has many in the 3-400$ range, maybe get one of those and take it to the local dodge guru and get him to go through it, and you can swap it in?
Some common sense has to play into this. He asked for advice and got it. You offered nothing useful..
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This is exactly why the automotive repair industry is in the state it's in, Customers/owners want to equate the value of the vehicle to the cost of repair.
As a shop owner that does mostly engine & transmission repair & has been in the industry for 30 years.....I could make MORE money hanging brakes & struts all day.
A shop a couple miles away.....Is on track to make 1.8 million this year doing on the spot general repairs...The shop foreman makes more than I do yearly.
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