The first generation Neon earned a "Poor" rating in an offset frontal Crash test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This was the same rating as the Chevrolet Cavalier, Mitsubishi Mirage, and the larger Ford Contour, but lower than some cars introduced after 1995. The second generation Neon earned a higher "Marginal" rating. The second generation were rated as "Poor" in the side impact crash test[5] (IIHS Safety ratings go from "Poor", to "Marginal", "Acceptable" and "Good"). Only the Chevrolet Cavalier performed worse in the small car category in 2005, the Neon's final year.[6] Other cars made from 2000 to 2005 which were rated "Poor" when tested without optional side airbags included the Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Prius, Mitsubishi Lancer, and Chevrolet Cobalt. No small car made in this period, tested without side airbags, achieved better than a "Poor."[7]
In 2005, the Institute carried out side impact tests on 14 small car models, simulating an impact with an SUV. Among these, the Neon performed the worst. IIHS stated that the Neon had “...major problems beginning with its structure. This car is a disaster...The structure is poor...If this had been a real driver in a real crash, it’s likely it wouldn’t have been survivable...if safety is a priority, the Neon is a small car to be avoided.”[8]
Second generation headrests were rated as "Poor".[9]
Driver deaths fatality risks statistics — published by the IIHS — rated the Neon and 15 other vehicles among the "Highest rates of driver deaths.", The Neon had 161 driver deaths per million registered vehicle deaths, while the average for the Neon class (4-door small) was 103. Other small cars on the list included the Acura RSX (202), Kia Spectra hatchback (191), Pontiac Sunfire (179), Mitsubishi Eclipse (169), and the Chevrolet Cavalier 4dr (150).[10]
Dodge and Plymouth Neons are everywhere on used car lots, and usually offered for a low price. However, despite the "bargain" that they seem to be, potential buyers beware! The 1996 Neon is nothing short of a
nightmare on wheels.
What is that certain indefinable something that makes a car desirable? Is it a cool, stylish body design? An interior that looks respectable and professional? Maybe a powerful, beastly engine? Whatever that something is, one thing is for sure, the Plymouth Neon doesn't have it. A "Plymouth" Neon, you may ask? Of course, during the run of the traditional neon, it was manufactured by Dodge, Plymouth and Chrysler, all roughly producing the same car, the only difference being in what manufacturer took credit in producing the thing.
Of course, despite the warnings that may have come from concerned friends and family, the Neon certainly does look like a formidable choice on the used car lot. The usually appear shiny, compact, a little sporty, an interior with a little flair, and a very good price tag. However, no matter how attractive or how good of a deal the Neon may seem, it is a horrible choice, and much better cars can be found with only a little more money. What exactly makes the Neon so horrible? The list is a long one.
Perhaps the best place to start though, is the outside. The Plymouth Neon seems to be one of the only cars ever made that paint refuses to stay on. A quick look at almost any Neon on the road will reveal numerous places where the paint has simply flaked off, leaving an ugly, untreated metal rust behind. Couple that with the fact that car's body design is something like a poorly grown banana, and that the tiny, tiny headlights will fog over in a matter of days, even after replacing the entire assembly, and you have a car that is simply unforgiving and unattractive when it comes to exterior care.
http://www.samaroc.com/youtube/chrys...mnm8OJwuU.html
Let me summarize all this for you. Neon was one of the poorest cars tested year in and year out. Even called "worst car in the world" by topgear.
Originally Posted by Sinfix_15
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