I usually detest late model cars because everything is hard to access and it is like peeling an onion most of the time. My gf has a Neon and to my surprise that car is pretty easy to work on. There are very few hidden fasteners and it seems like the car is very simple in its execution. Probably they made it simple so it can be assembled easily, but it sure works for me. I had to change out a headlight switch and had envisioned tearing apart the whole instrument panel. Took removing 11 screws (all the same size!) and a few minutes time. It was about the same when it came time to service the shift linkage. I am amazed.
Are there any other cars that are service-friendly?

that's the experience i've had working on my 97 Cavalier- the hardest thing to work on is the oil filter, and that isn't really too bad once you know the proper angle of attack.

that's the experience i've had working on my 97 cavalier- the hardest thing to work on is the oil filter, and that isn't really too bad once you know the proper angle of attack.thats funny you say that, cause they suck to get the oil filter out and forget about it if its hot!!

thats funny you say that, cause they suck to get the oil filter out and forget about it if its hot!!
i just do it from up above- my arm just barely fits in between the intake manifold and PS pump and firewall.. i also make sure to put a plastic bag or something over the exhaust pipe so i don't have a smoke show when i drive it later- what were they thinking putting that braided flexible exhaust pipe right below the oil filter?

The mid to late 90s Ford Escorts are pretty easy to work on too. You would be supprised on how reliable those cars are also. I know its a Ford, but its true.

what were they thinking putting that braided flexible exhaust pipe right below the oil filter?

They weren't thinking.

Engineers/designers ... :rolleyes: They don't have to work on the crap they design.

I came to the conclusion long ago that they sit in their little cubicles and giggle amongst themselves about the poor saps that DO have to work on the stuff they design. :angry:

The mid to late 90s Ford Escorts are pretty easy to work on too.

Until you have to replace a heater core...

Until you have to replace a heater core...
they aren't that hard- you just either bypass the core or get another disposable car..

They weren't thinking.

Engineers/designers ... :rolleyes: They don't have to work on the crap they design.

I came to the conclusion long ago that they sit in their little cubicles and giggle amongst themselves about the poor saps that DO have to work on the stuff they design. :angry:

Stuff like this happens when they take the same engine and shove it into every vehicle they can, without considering someone will have to work on it. I would still like to choke the engineer who designed the 2.8L V6 in my Celebrity. Or at least make them change the back 3 spark plugs with only hand tools. :boxing:

Neons were good cars. When we sell one they rarely come back with any problems.

I walked into a machine shop a few years ago and the shop had a Neon part that was being worked on - it was part of the intake system and the owner wanted to have more air flow through it.

I asked the shop what they were doing and the guy said, " The owner wants the car to suck more..... " Then he paused and said, "How can you make a Neon suck more than they already do?"

I laughed all the out the door.

(Maybe park it next to a Pacifica?)

Funny guy so you are Mike.

Funniest part is that it is a true story.....

Until you have to replace a heater core...

I bet. But then again. I cant think of any car thats a pleasure to replace a heater core in. Even a classic car like our Chevelles arent a fun expierence either. There is nothing more worse then dash work IMO. Although, I did a newer 03 Escort ZX2 style heater core last week and it wasnt fun either. Although not the worst heater core job out there. Once you see how everything came apart, it wasnt all that bad. But I cant say I would want to do one ever again.

i had to change the heater core on my 78 Ford LTDII- it took about 5 minutes, all under the hood.
take hoses off nipples of heater core, take a cover off on top of the heater box, slide the old one out, slide the new one in, replace cover, replace hoses.
that's the way they all should be- it was actually almost a pleasurable experience.

My 5.9L Durango is pretty easy to work on engine wise. Dodge has some stupid designs like other manufacturers do though. They have a belly pan on the bottom of the intake that will suck oil into the intake if the gasket goes bad. To replace you have to pull the intake. At least you don't have to pull the distributer like a Chevy.

My 3.1L Sunbird is a pain because they jammed that engine in there so tight that everything you try to replace is a major job.

I bet. But then again. I cant think of any car thats a pleasure to replace a heater core in. Even a classic car like our Chevelles arent a fun expierence either. There is nothing more worse then dash work IMO. Although, I did a newer 03 Escort ZX2 style heater core last week and it wasnt fun either. Although not the worst heater core job out there. Once you see how everything came apart, it wasnt all that bad. But I cant say I would want to do one ever again.

Early 80's Mustang(no A/C) had an access panel behind the glove box. 3 screws to take the box out, 2 more to take the panel off. D/C the hoses and you're done!

Heater core in a '76 Corvette.... enough to make you want to jump off a cliff.

I think on most cars the factory started with the heater core and built the car around it. :yes: My 89 Celebrity was real easy, it is at the bottom center of the dash and was changed in 20 mins. The Dakota requires removing dash and everything else on the firewall, plus a child to reach some of the bolts. A witch doctor to remove the curse of the dumbarse engineers might help as well.