Neighbors Neon ACR: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Dec. 20, 2008 4:39 p.m. PHeller Reader

My neighbor, a mechanic, who's also a car nut (two Audi, VR6 81 Golf, Rabbit, a Scirocco, 944 Turbo S, auto-x ready Nissan sport truck, and numerous other projects) has a Neon ACR for sale.

He picked up two years ago to use for a commute back and forth to work about 100 miles away.

I don't doubt the he didn't beat the piss out of it, but the body work and interior are pretty mint. I think it's a 1998 model.

The car needs a new clutch, and it's got 123,000 on the odometer.

He'd like between $1000 and $1500.

Worth it?
Dec. 20, 2008 4:59 p.m. Travis_K Reader

Yea, buy it. Replace the clutch (with a pt cruiser one if you dont care about keeping it stock class legal for autocross), and replace the timing belt and water pump if they havnt been done yet.
Dec. 20, 2008 6:12 p.m. pete240z HalfDork

BUY IT. Some of those babies came with adjustable Koni struts - from the factory!!

My buddy has a 2-door model that he has kept mint.
Dec. 20, 2008 6:19 p.m. Travis_K Reader

It should have the koni struts. They arent really worth anything though, I have a set complete with springs I couldnt even sell for $200 shipped.
Dec. 20, 2008 9:11 p.m. OzCop New Reader

Heck yeah, well worth a grand if the body is decent. Let me know if you pass on it, perhaps you could post pics...
Dec. 20, 2008 11:39 p.m. neon4891 SuperDork

what color?
Dec. 20, 2008 11:44 p.m. joey48442 Dork

Travis_K wrote:

It should have the koni struts. They arent really worth anything though, I have a set complete with springs I couldnt even sell for $200 shipped.

Really, I have a friend who was looking for replacements for his car. Do you still have these?

Joey
Dec. 21, 2008 8:31 a.m. PHeller Reader

Can you source the Koni's from the dealer or do you have to go aftermarket?

Rebuild?

I was curious how much they would cost to replace.
Dec. 21, 2008 10:31 a.m. OzCop New Reader

In reply to PHeller:

Heck, you can get Koni's from just about anywhere, even used. If you want them to look original to the ACR, just paint the yellows' black...
Dec. 21, 2008 12:26 p.m. Duke Dork

PHeller wrote:

Can you source the Koni's from the dealer or do you have to go aftermarket?

If you do, they are about $400 apiece instead of $400 for a set. And the only difference is they are black instead of yellow, as mentioned below. The yellow Konis are also slotted for camber adjustment, but the black ones have the slots filled in.
Dec. 21, 2008 12:44 p.m. Travis_K Reader

Yellow ones arent stock class legal either if you care. I do still have the struts, they are black ones from a wrecked 98 ACR I found in the junkyard. I dont know how many miles are on them, but the car looked like it had been well taken care of, at least up until the last few seconds of it being driven. I will have to ask my dad if he wants to sell them (they are actually his) but im 99% sure he does.
Dec. 21, 2008 5:18 p.m. PHeller Reader

What about getting them rebuilt?

That would suck that most redeeming quality of the ACR is almost the most expensive to replace.
Dec. 21, 2008 5:47 p.m. Travis_K Reader

I thjink its between $400 and $600 to have them rebuilt depending on the shocks. From what I understand its normally slightly more than buying a new set. They only allow a few places to buy the parts, so they can charge whatever they want.
Dec. 21, 2008 5:58 p.m. PHeller Reader

Where to buy the cheapest Koni replacements?

Best clutch for the money?

Worth going for a lightened flywheel?

Anything else I should do while replacing a clutch?
Dec. 22, 2008 6:02 a.m. njansenv New Reader

Best clutch for the money is the PT setup (or a modified SRT clutch: requires machining to fit), and the clutch is modular (flywheel is integrated) so replacement is comprehensive and cheap.
In my (personal) experience, the PT clutch held 12-15psi out of the SRT turbo 2.4 just fine, though I didn't drag race the car.
Dec. 22, 2008 1:45 p.m. Travis_K Reader

The struts are probably still fine. If it has the modular clutch (it should), just get the PT cruiser one. Make sure the timing belt and water pump are fresh, and new motor mounts, shifter bushings and a new clutch cable wouldnt be a bad idea either. Everything else should be fine.
Dec. 22, 2008 1:51 p.m. joey48442 Dork

Travis_K wrote:

Yellow ones arent stock class legal either if you care. I do still have the struts, they are black ones from a wrecked 98 ACR I found in the junkyard. I dont know how many miles are on them, but the car looked like it had been well taken care of, at least up until the last few seconds of it being driven. I will have to ask my dad if he wants to sell them (they are actually his) but im 99% sure he does.

Have you had a chance to talk to your dad? My friend is interested.

Joey
Dec. 22, 2008 3:05 p.m. Travis_K Reader

I just asked my dad, and he does still want to sell them. The shipping costs can vary alot by where they are being sent, so just tell your friend $150 plus shipping on the struts, and if he wants the springs he can have the too for just the shipping cost, of if not I can keep them. The last person that asked shipping was around $50, so it should still be about $200.
Dec. 23, 2008 5:19 p.m. PHeller Reader

I need more info.

PT Cruiser Clutch Setup - Where, and how much? Can I just order an OEM one? My neighbor works at a shop, so he can get it through his parts supplier.
Dec. 23, 2008 6:38 p.m. Nitroracer Dork

From what I've read its a good buy. Can't stand the interior to buy one for myself though.

..but more importantly, "auto-x ready Nissan sport truck". Any details on that one?!
Dec. 23, 2008 9:51 p.m. PHeller Reader

Lowered on some wider rims.

Apparently the previous owner flung it around on auto-x course or two. I don't know much else besides that...it's a neat lookin truck.