Neon Coupe nonACR Worth it?

Hi all - I'm forced to sell my late model Mustang due to job changes, so I'm looking for something cheap that I can commute in and beat to death in autox. I found a 98 Neon DOHC coupe 5spd for 1400. the lot claims it's an ACR, but it has fog lights, body moldings, and a wing, so I don't think so.

My question - is a non-ACR 5spd DOHC coupe with 140k a good deal at 1400? I imagine it would walk for a grand cash. What are the potential problems with them?

Pics look like it's in good shape, but I haven't seen it up close yet.

Thanx! Dave

My last car was a Sport coupe. I liked it. Hopefully the 100k mile work was done, i.e. water pump, timing belt, ect.

Also look out for the transmision, I have had 3 neon trannies go out between 120k-130K. Also it should have the Perf. Spec B unit.

Get the vin and run it thrue the vin decoder at neons.org.

Hey, Thanks! I ran the vin, it's a sport coupe. What kind of symptoms would an iffy trans have? Who knows on the 100k belt....I'd probably do it soon after the buy, just to be safe.

I'm thinking for a grand, it might be worth it. that leaves me money for add ons like sticky tires and cool seats....

Head gaskets on some years.

Is it an R/T? I think those had the ACR goodies, plus the full spectrum of options.

Nope, just a Sport

My sport coupe had rear drums, no rear sway bar, "touring" suspension, perf spec b tranny. My current R/T has rear disks, rear sway bar, "sport" suspension, and Perf Spec A tranny.

ACR and R/T have the spec A, all other DOCH have spec B units. Single cams hace the standard piece. The differences are in the final drive and 5th gear.

Std. f/d 3.55, 5th 0.72.

Spec A f/d 3.94, 5th 0.81.

Spec B f/d 3.94, 5th 0.72

edit* As for the problems I have had in mine, worn syncros and poping out of gear. I currently have a SOHC spec tranny in the R/T and my original unit i plan on rebuilding soon

On second look, the difference between the sport and competition suspension package is only the konis

A '98 sport is going to have just the regular highline suspension. It's close enough to an ACR to be fun once you upgrade the swaybars.

I had my first neon for 6 years and about 80,000 miles, the only thing that ever failed was the throttle position sensor.

The headgasket is a concern, but given that the car is 10 years old now, i'd imagine it's already had that done at some point.

1998 was a good model year, the US built cars with build dates after 2-98 are probably the best / most reliable of the 1st generation cars.

My rallycross 98 has 428,883 miles on it. The original transmission is starting to make some noise now and leaks, the clutch went to 350k and the engine has not been apart except for headgasket under warranty.

My DD, trackday, former autocross 98 has 248,000 miles on it. Tranny, clutch have never been apart. A failed timing belt pully caused new valves at about 200k.