Yerlanthien

Ok so for those who know I would like some advice for my Neon...

I want to begin getting my car in a lot better condition, my mom has owned the car since 1998 (1998 make >.>) and well she's only changed the Oil once for one... and basically the only other thing she changed in it was the washer fluid and gas.

For one: I don't know much about cars however I seriously want to learn.

2: I want to "sport" it out eventually

And well, I want to know what I should get checked because I know this car has had a BAD owner for the past 5 years. And quite frankly I'm surprised it runs.

There's also a HUGE scratch on the passenger side of the car, I put that there due to a stupid dear and gaurd railings. It goes all the way from the front right panel to the back right panel on the car. including huge scratches on the doors. I was wondering how much you guys think that might cost to get fixed (I know I know there's like 500 places out there I can find within 10 minutes with free estimates but...)

So... thanks in advance if you reply

KatWoman

How many miles does it have on it? Scary that the oil has been changed only once

Some stuff you might wanna work on:

- change oil and oil filter
- get a coolant flush...go to an actual repair shop for this, not Jiffy Lube
- if the car has an automatic tranny, get the tranny serviced, bands adjusted.
- change spark plugs and wires
- change the air filter
- get a fuel injection service
- get a new fuel filter
- check the brake system, bleed the brakes get new brake fluid in there
- check/bleed power steering
- clean the throttle body...I am surprsed it is not stuck shut

Does the check engine light come on? If so, check this link out and follow instructions for getting codes:

http://www.neons.org/neontsb/diagnost.htm

I keep a printed copy of that in my glove box.

Give the car a good cleaning and detailing, that should make it a bit happier.


As for "sporting" it out there are several places you can check out for show stuff and speed stuff:

www.modernperformance.com
www.howellautomotive.com
www.blackdogmotorsports.com

and if you go to Neons.org you can probably find more info.

As for body repairs, cost will depend on if your body panels are repairable or if they have to be replaced altogether. If it's just scratched up with no dents, perhaps a few hundred dollars, but if you have decent denting I would count on alot more.

Yerlanthien

The Neon has close to 92k miles on it, and yeah you're as surprised as I am with most the things that still work on that car.

KatWoman

Since you are getting close to 100K miles and the car hasnt been maintained I am willing to guess the timing belt hasnt been changed? I would add that to the list as well. And make sure to replace your water pump when you do so, since the belt runs off of it. I changed my belt at 60K miles but no one said a word about the water pump and it ended up seizing on me at 96K miles, and cost me a new motor. I have learned ALOT about car care/cars in general since that fateful night

Yerlanthien

lol yeah, my mom is so retarded, and I'm being given this car soon...

I put in Fuel Injector cleaner earlier... and well it shaved off 0-60 times about about 2secs or so...

So well jesus if it can improve that much with just that, there's no telling what else in the car is about shot.