Dodge Neon speculation

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DoomsDayDevice4

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What do you think about dodge neons? Even though the whole car is made somewhat cheaply it still has decent horse-power for the price. Another plus is that the car is very light. Downsides include ****ty interior and the car comes with covers not rims.
 
Well, I like them. I've got two; admittedly they are first-gen cars.

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Even in stock form, the 2.0 offers torque that a 1.6 or 1.8 Honda engine can only dream about, which makes the Neon fun to drive with a 5-speed. Also, handling is a priority for the Neon development team, a lot of whom are SCCA Club racers. Even the garden-variety Neons handle very well for a FWD car.

If you are looking for a 2-gen Neon, look for an ACR model. ACR is the factory Club Racing package, and comes stock with stiff springs, fantastic double-adjustable Dynamic struts, beefier swaybars, the 150hp engine with the cool two-stage intake, a shorter 5-speed, and 15" alloys.

Of course, the SRT is the way to go if you have $20,000 to drop, but it sounds like you're more interested in the lower-end Neons.

All in all they are a great car - for the money. Obviously there are nicer cars but for a simple, inexpensive car they are cheap and a ball to drive.
 
Yes, the can be good cars. And I do recomend looking at the SRT4 if you have the money (and if you do, get the 04 model). Its still supposed to be at $19,995, but that is from factory. Some dealerships up the price. The highest I have seen is 27K for one, while the lowest was the original $19,995...
 
Neons, meh (sorry Duke!).

I actually dislike the SE model because it's quite overpriced for what it offers. The Corolla starts at $13600 and includes air-conditioning, power mirrors, a CD player, remote fuel door and trunk releases, and an temperature gauge. Optional are power door locks ($295), front side airbags ($250), and anti-lock brakes ($300), bringing the price to $14400. Also optional is a cassette player ($100), alloy wheels ($500) and an automatic transmission ($800).

Base Neons begin at $13000. Standard is an AM/FM radio, a cassette player, and an alarm. It isn't easy to bring the Neon up to Corolla spec levels - one must add anti-lock brakes ($695), air-conditioning ($1000), front side airbags ($395) and a CD player ($125) to even consider themselves somewhat near the Corolla - it's still missing the remote releases, the temperature gauge, power mirrors, and power locks. Without those things, the Neon is still $15100 - $700 more expensive than a Corolla including those features. The Neon has only two extra horsepower, as well, making it the loser here. Same applies to the SXT trim level, which begins at $15300 and still lags behind the Corolla in spec.

The R/T Neon's a slightly different story - its 150bhp 2.0L 4-cylinder makes it certainly in contention, as do its other standard features, including air-conditioning, power mirrors, windows, and locks, keyless entry, an in-dash 6-CD player, power trunk release, fog lights and anti-lock brakes. All this starts at $17200. Options include leather upholstery ($715), side airbags ($390), and a power sunroof ($735). I'd say it could take on just about any class rival including a well-equipped Corolla, Ion, Cavalier, or Civic. It gets tough competiton from the 165-bhp 2.5L Sentra 2.5S, however, which begins at just $17100 with similar spec.

SRT-4 is quite a value, though more horsepower (their '04 update) isn't what it needs - all-wheel drive would be nice instead (or maybe enough power for us to be able to overlook the lack of all-wheel drive - think 280bhp, minimum). And, even with its wonderful value, I'd still rather have an '02 WRX.
 
Yes, I would love a 4wd option. It would be awesome if Dodge entered it into the WRC.

[EDIT] just to add, the SRT4 recieved more than just more power for 04, it also recieved a Quaife LSD to help get the power to the ground (among other improvements)...
 
One of the places that they shook out the SRT pre-production cars is in SCCA Club Rally. I've got some pictures I think.
 
Yeah, I saw some Speed channel coverage with them running in there (one was flame red if I remember correct). Some pics would still be nice though :)...
 
the brand new srt4 is really really cool but way out of my price range. the srt4 is a good thing for dodge but i haven't seen one on the road yet only in show rooms. i dont think people really think srt4's are capable of what they really are because it still kind of resembles the neon and people label it as a cheapish car even though it is a beast.
 
Id label it a cheapish car because it is, the interior is all plastic and the thing is fugly. Some things are more important than quarter mile times, for me anyway.
 
Which is why they tuned the suspension to give it better turning and track handling. Just because its an American car, doesnt mean that its made only for 1/4 mile times.

They purposely made the interior with cheapish materials, because its made for tuners. Why bother buying a $1000 leather covered seats if your only going to replace them with a set of Sparco's or Momo's? And it isnt all cheap, I havent had any problems with mine yet...
 
Originally posted by lsk8er
Id label it a cheapish car because it is, the interior is all plastic and the thing is fugly. Some things are more important than quarter mile times, for me anyway.
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Yeah, like dominating Showroom Stock road racing for 4 years until Honda and Mazda whine so much the SCCA changes the rules so they can win once in a while.
:irked:
Neons = been there, done that from1995-99 and they'd still be doing it except for rules changes brought on by screams and moans and gnashing of teeth by the other manufacturers. Everybody else gets to run non-factory parts, but Neons don't. Wonder why?
💡
Next I'd suggest you actually think for yourself instead of just repeating the party line.
 
Mine's got 89,000 hard miles on it, including track days at Road Atlanta and autocross events. It's still running on the original clutch and rear brake pads. It's had no major repairs to it except a head gasket.

I drive it hard, every day. I see no reason it won't take me another 5 years without major work. It'll probably need a clutch by then, around 150,000 miles.

I don't consider that to be unreliable crap. Like I said, try thinking for yourself instead of listening to the Import Boyz "conventional wisdom".
 
my friend has a neon R/T. hes put maybe a grand into it and he runs 15.6, imo could run much quicker but his tires are ****ty and hes too stubborn to drop the pressures. its probbly got 170hp, and a bunch of torque.

handles good on stock R/T springs. actually, a hell of a car for what he got it for. i think 4k or so.

i drove the formula dodge cars at barber, along with an acr neon, so i love the exhaust note. the 2.0 liter motor pushing 150hp right behind your head, without a muffler. mmmm.
 
Not dissing your friend, but he should be running 15.6 stock. First or second-gen car?
 

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