Since my gas saving Honda was totaled in March in a head on collision (other guys fault) and I didn't get dip for it from the guys insurance co. I'm looking for alternatives. I've mainly owned Fords and Chevy's.... and never a Dodge. I like the way the 97 two door looks and my mail lady loves her 98 so I'd like to get more opinions on the 97 and 98 models if anyone out there would like to share.

 

They are cheap cars. Meaning cheaply built, but parts aren't too terribly expensive and most aren't hard to replace. Lots of them leak oil, most times it's the head gasket. I personally think there's many much better cars out there, but if you find a good deal on one and it seems mechanically sound, go for it.

 

Standard factory equipment included an oil leak from the rear of the headgasket, and the fix was to replace it with the same type of headgasket. Also, rear brakes squeal for no reason, struts have short lives, etc, etc-

 

The automatic version for those years was a 3 speed no O/D afaik, so mileage will be poor. 5 speed manual mileage is much better

 

Doesn't sound very promising. I think I'll hunt for something else. Thanks yall for your input.

 

the headgasket issue was addressed with a new HG. Bought the daughter a 95 Neon and they've had it now for about 4 or 5 years now. No problems with struts, trans or anything else to speak of on the thing. It gets better milage than the 04 that they also have.

 

How about a Ford Escort from about that same vintage?

 

Good suggestion ..... they're cheap and very reliable.

 

I'd thought about an Escort... either the wagon and even the ZX2 but I'd heard about tranny and head gasket, etc., problems there too. Oh and that's supposed to be 97 not 87 in my title line. Finger fumble.

 

My personal opion is that the Focus are way better, and they are very dependable.

 

Tranny will not be any better on the Neon unless you get a manual. The Neon engines also had a nasty habit of plugging the oil lines in the block itself, starving the bearings of oil.

 

The Focus too would be a good vehicle. I was thinking same years as the neons mentioned.