Neon or Cavalier?

jfall

Diamond Member
Oct 31, 2000
5,975
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Which would you buy, a base model 2003 neon (sx 2.0) with standard transmission or a base model 2003 cavalier coupe with standard transmission.

Honestly, I didn't post this thread to hear "I wouldn't buy either" blah blah.. if you want to post about a car you want to buy, go ahead and create your own post, thanks.

These are my only two options, I can get either one for pretty much the same price. What do you think?

2003 Cavalier
Neon


Which would you think would be better for acceleration, comfort and reliability?
 

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
47
91
Neon hands down. At least the Neon was redesigned on an updated platform for '00. The Cavalier has been riding on the same old bones since '95.
 

RU482

Lifer
Apr 9, 2000
12,689
3
81
Originally posted by: NFS4
Neon hands down. At least the Neon was redesigned on an updated platform for '00. The Cavalier has been riding on the same old bones since '95.

Yep, Cavaliers are even bigger death traps too
 

Kenazo

Lifer
Sep 15, 2000
10,429
1
81
i've got a sunfire, and it is pretty snappy, and has pretty good milage as well. I get about 630kms out of a tank of gas, so i'm not sure what that is in miles, but i'd be guessing around 40 miles/imperial gallon. (yes, i'm canadain. :p)
 

BatmanNate

Lifer
Jul 12, 2000
12,444
2
81
I've never driven the Cav, but the neon wasn't very comfortable. Too small for me and I'm not that big of a guy.
 

jfall

Diamond Member
Oct 31, 2000
5,975
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I don't remember those options in the post.

Yeah, someone always has to do it.. I tried stating specifically that I only wanted to pick between these two :(
 

resinboy

Golden Member
Feb 2, 2000
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buy a Neon, and you are guaranteed severe head gasget leaks, and replacing the gasget- only about an $800 job- a KNOWN problem with them ( probably a 2.0l engine).
 

jfall

Diamond Member
Oct 31, 2000
5,975
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spend a litle more and get the Neon SXT-4 or whatever the turbocharged one is.

LOL.. it's more then just a little more.. its over 5k more at least compared to a base model.

I should also mention that this is going to be a lease.. so i'm not really planning on keeping it longer then 3 years.. and both have bumper to bumper warrenty for the 3 years
 

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
24,514
44
91
I never thought I would say this, but the Neon is the better looking of the two. The new Cavalier looks rather like a catfish that's out of water. The re-design on the Neon was much more successful. Plus, even though I don't much care for Mopar since they seem rather unrefined, I'll be the first to say that there's almost nothing that can be done to a Mopar engine that will keep it from running.

ZV
 

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
24,514
44
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Originally posted by: resinboy
buy a Neon, and you are guaranteed severe head gasget leaks, and replacing the gasget- only about an $800 job- a KNOWN problem with them ( probably a 2.0l engine).
Not the new Neons, that was only a problem with the original Neons.

ZV
 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
0
for GOD sakes get the 2003 SX....

I have a 2001 R/T and it's ALOT better than a Cavalier.. no question.
 

BatmanNate

Lifer
Jul 12, 2000
12,444
2
81
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
I never thought I would say this, but the Neon is the better looking of the two. The new Cavalier looks rather like a catfish that's out of water. The re-design on the Neon was much more successful. Plus, even though I don't much care for Mopar since they seem rather unrefined, I'll be the first to say that there's almost nothing that can be done to a Mopar engine that will keep it from running.

ZV


LMAO @ the catfish part. That's the funniest thing I've read all day.
 

jfall

Diamond Member
Oct 31, 2000
5,975
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I find that I like the look of the cav better, more then likely because its a coupe and not a sedan.. doesn't look as much like a family car lol .. but I like the inside of the neon better.
 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
0
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: resinboy
buy a Neon, and you are guaranteed severe head gasget leaks, and replacing the gasget- only about an $800 job- a KNOWN problem with them ( probably a 2.0l engine).
Not the new Neons, that was only a problem with the original Neons.

ZV

ZV is right.. I know guys who are hard on their cars and have new HG's every 40K on 95 Neons, mine has been 70K so far and no evidence of any problem with the HG.
 

BatmanNate

Lifer
Jul 12, 2000
12,444
2
81
Originally posted by: Jellomancer
They both suck. If you didn't want to hear that you shouldn't have posted this thread.

And I think the 240sx sucks. Even the viper would suck if you didn't like driving fast. It all depends on what you're looking for. :)
 

jfall

Diamond Member
Oct 31, 2000
5,975
2
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Guys.. I know there is better cars out there.. but these two are really the only ones that I can afford to lease for three years. Anyone know if the base model civic's are anywhere around the same price?
 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
0
Originally posted by: Jellomancer
They both suck. If you didn't want to hear that you shouldn't have posted this thread.

whatever dude. say that when an SRT4 rips your car a new one. I love 240's but try to have a more open mind towards this thread at least.
aside from the Cavalier's ugly looks, they are both OK cars.