my daily driver - it was just a steal!

Jenni · Post by **Jenni** » Sat Dec 01, 2012 4:33 am

I need to commute at least one more year and don't wanna do that with the SRT anymore. Plus i need to finally take the engine out to solve a big oil leak / oil pressure problem.
After that the SRT will be just for fun and not for daily / long trips anymore!
So i was looking for a cheap but good Neon 2.0 since summer.
Not that easy because i had a very very small budget.

This week i finally found in the internet a '2000 SE with 130.000 km and inspection sticker till 07/2013 for small 800 Euro (normal here 1500 and up).

Turned out to be a LE (SE is the cheapest here and has no key fob, LE has adjustable driver seat, sun visors with lights, key fob...)
Previous owner was borne 1939 and spent many love to the car.
Headlights and seats are top and the engine sounds very good.
Cellphone holder - nice...

So got licence plates and picked her up.
Drove nice - but 133 HP feels very slow after owning an SRT...
(Could also be the long time at the dealer w/o moving...)

Some pics:

Battery already changed (SRT is sleepy sleepy and does not need hers)...

INVUJerry · Post by **INVUJerry** » Sat Dec 01, 2012 7:53 am

Wtf is that kind of seat adjustment?

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Sat Dec 01, 2012 8:37 am

Euro Neons had a manual height control. Pull that knob at the end and you now have lever that will raise or lower the seat.

Ready for a real mind fuck? They were available with power adjustable seats over there too.

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Sat Dec 01, 2012 8:39 am

INVUJerry wrote:Wt* is that kind of seat adjustment?

BUX driver's seat height adjustment. Another goodie that we domestic Neon owners didn't get.

Looks like the previous owner debadged it?

Can't wait to see pics of the engine compartment after you clean it.

Themaggots · Post by **Themaggots** » Sat Dec 01, 2012 8:47 am

I want the headlights adjustments modules : (

Post by **occasional demons** » Sat Dec 01, 2012 10:40 am

I'm amazed it even started with all the battery corrosion.

Plus if that was the original battery...

There is a lot of exterior/under hood cleaning in your future.

NEON PARABOLA · Post by **NEON PARABOLA** » Sat Dec 01, 2012 3:16 pm

I sandblast / powdercoat battery trays

JeffM · Post by **JeffM** » Sat Dec 01, 2012 4:09 pm

NEON PARABOLA wrote:I sandblast / powdercoat battery trays

Would cost quite a pretty penny to ship his battery tray to you.

Car looks good.

Jenni · Post by **Jenni** » Sat Dec 01, 2012 4:09 pm

no need to clean the engine or the battery tray.

there are 3 different seats in Europe:
- fabric seat in the SE
- fabric seat manual height adjustment in the LE
- leather seat electronic height adjustment in the LX

height adjustment only for the driver.
If you need them also for the passenger - get some seats from UK or Australia...

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Sat Dec 01, 2012 4:46 pm

Jenni wrote:no need to clean the engine or the battery tray.

Not even for a DD? C'mon, show the car some love.

Post by **occasional demons** » Sun Dec 02, 2012 12:53 am

The way I look at it, is I have to work on it, if I don't need an extra half hour to clean myself off afterwards, I'm happy.

Or if I happen to break down for something simple, and have decent clothes on, I'm not covered in grunge.

Being a daily, it will get you one way or another.

Jenni · Post by **Jenni** » Sun Dec 02, 2012 2:42 am

yeah, you're right. i will clean her. i am too much in love with cars (esp. Neons) to disobey her. but it's freezing outside. need to wait for a nice day...

pics will come!

Post by **occasional demons** » Sun Dec 02, 2012 10:24 am

Yeah, something about wet burning hands tends to deter motivation.

Jenni · Post by **Jenni** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 8:40 am

First modification - my comfy leather seats with heaters!
SRT will not need them while parked through the winter

r/tguy02 · Post by **r/tguy02** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 10:21 am

looks like a great score, after a lil bath it should look decent.

Jenni · Post by **Jenni** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 10:33 am

Jupp, i totally love to drive her.
Even though it is slower than the Neon and something makes noises in the front (wheel bearings, LCA, whatever) - but it is a Neon and so it feels pretty well!

Oh and the gas miles looks very good. will know more when i see the gas light and refill...

MyNeonSaysHi · Post by **MyNeonSaysHi** » Wed Dec 12, 2012 12:15 am

Very nice pick up, looks pretty clean!
I want your rear fascia and tails/

Jenni · Post by **Jenni** » Wed Dec 12, 2012 3:18 am

Haha. No chance. Else you come here and pic them up...
Tails are on ebay.de every now and then.
But the bumper is imfuckingpossible to pay the shipment!

(Still do not understand why you cannot buy them in the states. stupid dealership! I can order every SRT part here even though the SRT was never officially imported!)