Considering an 01 ACR. Thoughts?

BowtieGuy · Post by **BowtieGuy** » Wed Oct 31, 2012 9:12 pm

Hello all,

Been going through the FAQs and various stickies on this forum. By far the most informative Neon forum! I stumbled upon this 01 ACR the other day and keep coming back to it. With the 2nd Gen ACRs, are there any common issues with these cars to look for when I see the car in person? Easy to work on? I know some FWD cars are a pita to work on. Anything maintenance wise that is likely due for service soon?

Any other general advice to consider abut ACR ownership(I already know about the premium fuel requirements, adjustable shocks, gearing, etc. mechanical)? I'm looking for things owners have noticed during their ownership.

Heres the highlights from the ad. Feel free to leave opinions on this car!
-2001 Neon ACR 5 speed, 105k miles
-lady owner, still has window sticker, 2nd owner
-AEM intake, MSD wires, Unorthdox underdrive pulley
-SRT-4 shifter, Booger bushings, Thermal exhaust (?), claims to have only used Mobil 1

Owner is asking $3100, but I was thinking of trying to get them down under $3k, maybe around $2700. What is a considered a good deal for a car like this? Not too sure about what these cars are worth.

Ad pics:

Post by **occasional demons** » Wed Oct 31, 2012 10:05 pm

Ah, the magical 105,000 miles.

If she has not had the timing belt replaced, doesn't have papers to prove it, use this as an opportunity to get the price down. Call around to some local shops/dealers for a quote to have it done. Get a written estimate if need be.

105,000 is when most folks dump these, hoping the buyer doesn't know that the timing belt service is due at 105,000.

As far as difficulty, changing the belt/water pump/tensioner, and possibly the front cam seal seems daunting when reading the how to, but it really isn't as bad as it sounds. I have done a few in a parking lot.

There isn't really anything in particular on the ACR and the R/T that will fail any sooner than the regular neons. If anything, the timing belt may be more critical, due to the lower gearing, as the engine has made a few more RPM's than a regular neon at 105,000 miles.

Oh yeah, premium is not really required, just recommended. 87 octane will not hurt a thing. The knock sensor and the PCM just pull the tune back to compensate. I basically have nearly an R/T with 3.55 gearing. Thus the load on the engine is greater, and have no issues with 87 octane, and actually get the best fuel mileage with it.

freelancer1988 · Post by **freelancer1988** » Wed Oct 31, 2012 10:11 pm

sidepipe87 · Post by **sidepipe87** » Wed Oct 31, 2012 10:40 pm

occasional demons wrote:Ah, the magical 105,000 miles.

If she has not had the timing belt replaced, doesn't have papers to prove it, use this as an opportunity to get the price down. Call around to some local shops/dealers for a quote to have it done. Get a written estimate if need be.

105,000 is when most folks dump these, hoping the buyer doesn't know that the timing belt service is due at 105,000.

ding ding ding!!!!! Not a hard job as long as you have a few jacks and a lot of patience

neonpla · Post by **neonpla** » Wed Oct 31, 2012 10:47 pm

my ACR was the most dependable car I've ever owned.

I still miss it

BigMac · Post by **BigMac** » Thu Nov 01, 2012 11:46 pm

sidepipe87 wrote:
occasional demons wrote:Ah, the magical 105,000 miles.

If she has not had the timing belt replaced, doesn't have papers to prove it, use this as an opportunity to get the price down. Call around to some local shops/dealers for a quote to have it done. Get a written estimate if need be.

105,000 is when most folks dump these, hoping the buyer doesn't know that the timing belt service is due at 105,000.
ding ding ding!!!!! Not a hard job as long as you have a few jacks and a lot of patience

And the correct puller for the crank pulley!

BowtieGuy · Post by **BowtieGuy** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 10:45 am

What about price? Since this car is likely going to need a new timing belt, tensioner, and water pump first thing when I get it, what kind of price should I be aiming for? $2200? $2400?

ducktapetg · Post by **ducktapetg** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 12:23 pm

Price is difficult to quote when you can't actually see the car. If the belt and water pump was replaced, it will be harder to get a lower price because they just dumped all that money into it and they want some back.

Things I look for to determine the price I am going to offer:

Rust?
(Lots of it is a def. no)

Odd ball noises?
(Of course you exaggerate these saying they are worse than what they probably are

Tire condition
(tires run a couple hundred bucks)

Driving feel
(no weird vibrations)

Everything works and there are no codes
(Key dance)

Previous accidents
(frame damage)

Wiring harness in good condition
(Don't want electrical issues)

Depending on the above conditions, I would say 2.5-3k is a fair price. Have you checked KBB?

Neons really not too bad to work on just some spaces are tight. Good luck!

NEON PARABOLA · Post by **NEON PARABOLA** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 12:52 pm

don't be deterred by the timing belt/water pump. I actually enjoyed doing mine