Trouble in Neon-land

Carl Fisher · **Posted:** Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:48 pm

A couple folks have asked me lately how the Neon was doing, so here's the latest update: not good.

To make a long story short, the current problems are:

low compression (120/140/150/140)
plug #4 becomes wet with oil
slight rod knock

So at this point I'd say I need 1 of the following things:

to rebuild at least the bottom end
a new/used short block (or complete engine)
a new/used car

The Neon's right around 297k right now so, even as cheap as I am, I feel like I've gotten my money's worth out of it. I would've liked to make it to 300k just so I could say I did, but it's not a factor in deciding what to do. Things that are factors:

I'm cheap.
I don't like working on cars, especially not this car- it's a PITA.

Obviously option 1 suits Cheap Carl best, option 3 suits Lazy Carl best, and option 2 is somewhere in the middle. Also if I choose option 3 it'd need to be something suitable for rallycross.

Opinions? Comments?

Keith Vail · **Posted:** Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:58 pm

If you want to keep the car I would choose option #2 as that way you can be sure it will last a lot longer. If you want option #3, I will be the first to say that you need to come to the darkside and buy a Subie. A 2000-2001 2.5RS seems like it would be a good fit.

If you want a true new car I am not sure what to suggest.

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:58 pm

It's "just a Neon", to steal a phrase from somewhere.

Rod has a 2.5RS that he setup for rallyX that you might get a good deal on if he still has it...

--Donnie

ChuckNelson · **Posted:** Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:07 pm

Keith Vail wrote:

If you want to keep the car I would choose option #2 as that way you can be sure it will last a lot longer. If you want option #3, I will be the first to say that you need to come to the darkside and buy a Subie. A 2000-2001 2.5RS seems like it would be a good fit.

If you want a true new car I am not sure what to suggest.

Remember: Cheap Carl

1986 GTi maybe $500 plus $200 in prep.

BretLuter · **Posted:** Tue Jul 31, 2007 11:00 pm

email me if you want me to keep an eye out for DOHC Neons (parts car) at the salvage sale.

Prices have been kinda high lately, even for crap cars- but it might be worth a look. I've got access to a sale in Charlotte, Graham and one in Clayton.

Bret.

KendtEklund · **Joined:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 7:29 pm **Posts:** 1204

Poor little Neon - I hardly knew ya :cry:

Carl Fisher · **Posted:** Tue Jul 31, 2007 11:14 pm

ChuckNelson wrote:

Remember: Cheap Carl

Thanks Chuck! :-)

This will be my daily driver as well as rallyXer, and I've gotten used to getting 34 mpg on regular gas, so I'm not too-seriously considering AWD cars.

Quote:

1986 GTi maybe $500 plus $200 in prep.

I'm not averse to spending a couple grand for something decent that'll be semi-quick and reliable for another 6-8 years. GTIs like you suggest are cheap enough, but I don't want to end up tinkering with it constantly. Remember: Lazy Carl ;-)

ChuckNelson · **Posted:** Tue Jul 31, 2007 11:32 pm

if all I did was drive my car I would hardly ever mess with it. Most of my time is spent swapping from one suspension to the other and if you daily drive it a rallyX ssupension would be fine. However for the daily driver I can see wanting something a bit fresher with a better chance of working AC(I do have an AC bracket somewhere if needed)

I think a small overbore would do the trick as long as the rest of the Neon is in pretty good shape. Check all the wear bits and throw on a fresh oil pump/waterpump and it will last another decade.

Arthur McDonald · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 1:54 am **Posts:** 2052

Carl Fisher wrote:

[*]a new/.... car

Hey Carl, driving home today I heard a radio advertisement for Mustang GTs.. $1500 rebate, plus $750 in owner loyalty money. (Don't you have a dead Ford pickup on the property?) The GM at U Ford in Chapel Hill (John Cottner) is a good to work with, is a UNC fan, does business with our friend Chip Stabler, and has sold 2 Mustangs to Dick Rasmussen and 1 to me. So go buy an '07 Mustang GT and come make ESP a living hell for me

<Paul Harvey-esque seque> Speaking of Mustang GTs, I should mention that THSCC Sponsors Chip Stabler and (THSCC ex-pres) Holland Hale have 2 fine examples on the lot at Atllantic Auto Exchange: - a 2006 Redfire on charcoal leather automatic ragtop and a 2005 Windveil blue on parchment leather 5-speed coupe. They also have a super-clean A-stock '93 LT1 Corvette, in regulation Dishman/Beam white, a well preserved A-stock red '86 Corvette with silver leather, and a Super-stock burgundy 2003 50th anniv. C5 Corvette. They also have a bunch of those BMVW cars, or whatever they call them. (Sorry, no Neons, ever.). </segue>

ChuckNelson · **Posted:** Wed Aug 01, 2007 12:15 am

Get a black GT Mustang and then put these on the front quarters:

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Wed Aug 01, 2007 7:11 am

Honestly, Im probably nearly as cheap as you Carl and I would take option 3.

I bet you can find another Neon, for about what you would have in a new motor. This new Neon would probably have a 1/3 less miles on the body as well.

Good luck!

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Wed Aug 01, 2007 12:10 pm

Hey Art,

Much as I like Mustangs, I don't see them as fitting Carl's criteria. Especially the Rallycross and 34 mpg items. :lol:

Plus if he drove a Mustang GT as close to the limits as he does everything else he personally wouldn't live long, let alone what it would do to the car. :cry:

I wonder how tough a Focus is?

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Wed Aug 01, 2007 12:12 pm

How about option 4 - pay someone else to rebuild the bottom end?

George Bright · **Posted:** Wed Aug 01, 2007 6:22 pm

DickRasmussen wrote:

I wonder how tough a Focus is?

My 7 year old Focus has not given me any problems.

Carl Fisher · **Posted:** Wed Aug 01, 2007 11:20 pm

George Bright wrote:

My 7 year old Focus has not given me any problems.

Let me drive it for a week and we'll see. :twisted:

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