Goodbye Neon

[Omnis]

It looks like a fetal-caravan, though. What I meant was that I don't know why they made the front look like a truck, as if they were going for an all-truck appeal in their line-up.

 

[JCE]

We own three, 1999 Neon, 2000 Neon, and 2005 Dodge SRT-4. Each have had no problems except the 99 had a blown head gasket, but a well known problem back in the 90s for them but since then was fixed. They are reliable cars for the money you pay for them.

"Oh yea we own three--and never had ANY problems with any of them." "... ... Oh yea, there was the blown head gasket on one of them...whoops."

I guess the old song is right, "2 out of 3 ain't bad". I'd say if a 1999 managed to blow a head gasket that's saying alot about the car's build quality to handle more than lesiurely driving. I drove the hell out of 3 Nissans (all with over 100k miles and I NEVER had engine problems...EVER. I drove the hell out of 1 Ford and 1 GM product and NEVER had engine problems. Those with also more than 100k miles. I also drove the hell out of a 3000GT VR4 and NEVER had engine problems. Owned a Dodge and ALWAYS had engine problems...and a little old lady had it before me who had her grandson mechanic do the usual maintenance.

if you want something good you should just buy a Civic, it's that simple.

I disown you. The only good Civic is a wrecked Civic.

and on the Focus I actually like the interior.

You're redeemed. I am actually impressed at the interior quality of the Focus...it's fantastic. But seriously, don't forget Corolla, Sentra, and an Impreza for basic transporation from A to B. The Corolla and Sentra are outstanding cars with outstanding reliability and quality build. 👍

 

[Joey D]

The Civic is a really good car, I don't know if I didn't detest Honda I would buy one....again.

But ya Ford impressed me with interior, I don't care for the a lot of their exteriors, but they can sure design a new interior. Perfect example the new Explorer's interior is very impressive.

But ya the Corolla is more then likely a better buy then the Civic.

 

[skip0110]

I'm sorry but a 2.0L 132hp engine is weak when compared to the competition. You have a Focus with 150hp and the Cobalt with 145hp, that doesn't even get into the Japanese competition or Volkswagen.

Its not false to say the Neon motor is bad when compared to the competition

Not to mention the interior of a Neon looks extremely cheap. The only thing cheapish on the Cobalt in the vents, and on the Focus I actually like the interior.

Okay, this is like me comparing a 06 Malibu to a 95 Accord...noting that the Malibu is slightly better, and therefore is the superior car.

If you are going to do the GM/DC comparison, use the Cavalier. Yes, the Neon and Cobalt sold during the same one year, but that was the very end of the Neon's run and the very beginning of the Cobalt's. If you think the Neon interior looks cheap, perhaps you have to set foot in a Cavalier again. The seats in those things are made of cardboard and padded with crap foam, the dash seams are big enough to swallow coins, and the car somehow manages to have torque steer at 1/4 throttle.

 

[Joey D]

Fine go Focus to Neon...the Focus motor is better.

If you compare the Caviler to the Neon you would have the crappiest comparison ever because both cars suck more then life itself.

 

[skip0110]

I'm with you on that...Focus vs. Neon, Focus wins.

 

[JCE]

Fine go Focus to Neon...the Focus motor is better.

If you compare the Caviler to the Neon you would have the crappiest comparison ever because both cars suck more then life itself.

My little brother had a Cavalier Z24, the previous gen from the last model--and the interior was the crummies EVER in a GM next to a 3rd Gen F-body. I loved my 90 Camaro but the interior was so bad I actually ripped it all out except the dash and console. Then the only thing that rattled was the damn hatch latch that was made out of plastic and metal...so you know what I did? I welded my hatch shut and it never made noise again.

 

[skip0110]

I loved my 90 Camaro but the interior was so bad I actually ripped it all out except the dash and console. Then the only thing that rattled was the damn hatch latch that was made out of plastic and metal...so you know what I did? I welded my hatch shut and it never made noise again.

You are my hero 👍


(just to be clear, no sarcasm here)

 

[Joey D]

Ya I never liked the Cavalier, it was just so crappy that I couldn't bring myself to like it. A girl I used to date had one and the thing wouldn't even do 75 down the freeway.

 

[Blackbird.]

Blazin if you have nothing good to say about the Neon I suggest you just leave and let it be, you and your other croney. This is a thread to remember the Neon not to talk about the Cavalier or the Civic or the Focus or anything else.

 

[Joey D]

I was explaining how the Neon needed to die because it was crappy, and you guys wanted to know why I thought it was. But why is there a rememberance thread to the Neon? It would be like making a rest in peace thread when the Cavalier died.

It was a car that was past its prime, get over it.

 

[JCE]

Blazin if you have nothing good to say about the Neon I suggest you just leave and let it be, you and your other croney. This is a thread to remember the Neon not to talk about the Cavalier or the Civic or the Focus or anything else.

This is a public forum with public discussion. You can't dictate all of the subject matter. If you had only posts 100% related to the first post/topic starter that would make for a very boring forum formula. Think about it. And for your information the only Neon worth a **** is the SRT4 and only because it has a Mitsu engine and turbocharger and nothing else. In 20 years the only economy cars that would probably be considered classics are the Type-R Civics, (yuck and I hate them), Focus RS', and the SE-R Sentras. Plus in 20 years no Neon would of survived. Oh and we didn't insult you personally so don't call anyone "cronies". 👍

 

[Blackbird.]

Well if you don't seem to care so much about the car, then you wouldn't mind leaving then? I really don't want to have to lock this thread but your antics are making me think otherwise.

Crony is another word for friend. I'm sorry I mispelled it I didn't mean personal attacks.

 

[Joey D]

There is nothing wrong with the discussion, it fits the forum rules so just let it go. Every thread ends up going off topic and you know it.

 

[Blackbird.]

Well it doesn't mean it's allowed to go off-topic forever and ever since you're first post it was off-topic but whatever. If it get's too carried away again i'll have to ask a moderator to lock it. But "people like you" always eff things up.

 

[JCE]

Ok, back to the topic. Goodbye Dodge Neon and good riddance!

 

[skip0110]

And for your information the only Neon worth a **** is the SRT4 and only because it has a Mitsu engine and turbocharger and nothing else.

It ain't a Mitsu engine. Actually 2 members of the design team were people who worked on the old 2.2 Turbos that were in 80s Daytonas.

 

[JCE]

It ain't a Mitsu engine. Actually 2 members of the design team were people who worked on the old 2.2 Turbos that were in 80s Daytonas.

I know it is a Mitsu turbo and I still claim it's at least derived from a Mitsu 4cyl. engine unless I get 100% proof otherwise. Either way, it's still a Mitsu turbo that makes this car fast and not a Chrysler/Dodge powerplant. 👍

 

[skip0110]

The 2.4 is derived from the 2.0. (source: http://allpar.com/mopar/24.html )

From http://allpar.com/mopar/2.html :

Designed and built by Chrysler, the 2.0 liter engine originally produced 132 horsepower, with 129 lb-ft of torque - at a time when most of its rivals failed to beat 100 horsepower. Even the Civic EX, with 125 horsepower, couldn't come close to the torque, despite variable valve timing. Gas mileage is good given the power and weight of the vehicles it is used in. (The exception, the current generation Neon, has an unfavorable gear ratio).

 

[Wolfe]

I'm actually disappointed by this; the Neon started out as a complete and utter pile of **** that handled pretty good, and then the second gen was just better in every way...I was looking forward to what Dodge would do with it, and now they've gone and replaced it with a cross between an Opel 5-door, a Magnum, and child with cerebral palsy...

This move rivals GM's usual decisions on the "What the **** were they thinking?" scale...

 

[JCE]

The 2.4 is derived from the 2.0. (source: http://allpar.com/mopar/24.html )

From http://allpar.com/mopar/2.html :

Thanks for the info. But the car still isn't anything special without the Mitsu turbo.

 

[niky]

Yes it was. In ACR form, with an unboosted 2.0, it was a pretty nifty handler and a decently quick-ish car.

It was still a crappily built car, but a lot more thrilling than any Cavalier or Sunfire.

 

[super cirrus]

So does this mean no more SRT-4's too?

When the Neon is replaced by the Caliber hatchback next year, the Chrysler Group will be filling the void of deliciously cheap performance with the 2007 Dodge Caliber SRT-4.

How can Dodge top what was already one of the most fun compact vehicles to begin with?

When Chrysler Group executives admitted during a Caliber briefing in Detroit last month that the "Neon has not been as good as it could have been," we assumed that they probably weren't talking about the SRT-4 version of that reliable economy car.

Regardless of the Neon SRT-4's somewhat outdated looks and unsatisfactory interior, the car delivered behind the wheel. As good as the Neon SRT-4 was, the Caliber SRT is bound to be even better.

The hood scoop visible in these photos distinguishes this 2007 Caliber SRT mule from its standard kin, and this hot hatchback will be powered by a SRT-tuned version of the 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine developed with Hyundai and Mitsubishi. The tweaked version of this new global engine will probably place the Caliber SRT's output in the neighborhood of 235 horsepower.

In addition to the Caliber SRT's expected performance capabilities, the vehicle may also incorporate electronic all-wheel drive. As the first such unit to be used on a Chrysler Group car, the Caliber's AWD will feature an electronically controlled front-rear split, in which the system will primarily make use of the front wheels for the sake of fuel economy, sending extra torque to the rear if slippage is sensed.

Expect the 2007 Caliber SRT to appear some six months after the standard version of the car, most likely toward the end of 2006. As Dodge plans on starting the Caliber in the $15,000 range, expect the SRT version of the hatchback to run along the same lines as the Neon SRT-4 in the low $20,000s.

The Caliber, in all its forms, is bound to be much more of a globally oriented car than the Neon ever was, thanks in part to a platform developed with Mitsubishi. Dodge's intentions to place special marketing emphasis on Europe were clear from the Caliber concept's introduction at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show.

Despite the Caliber's cross-cultural leanings, the SRT version of the vehicle proves that Dodge has not forgotten its home market in the creation of this upcoming budget hatchback.

Given the current state of oil prices and the fact that many American consumers are already running scared from SUVs, the 2007 Caliber SRT — with better performance, space, handling, and possibly even fuel economy than the Neon — is already starting to sound like it could be a real winner for the Chrysler Group — perhaps even more so than the upcoming SRT-tuned versions of the Jeep Commander and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

 

[super cirrus]

I know it is a Mitsu turbo and I still claim it's at least derived from a Mitsu 4cyl. engine unless I get 100% proof otherwise. Either way, it's still a Mitsu turbo that makes this car fast and not a Chrysler/Dodge powerplant. 👍

And It's Chyrsler that kepts Mitsubishi in business...

 

[JCE]

And It's Chyrsler that kepts Mitsubishi in business...

Haha, where did you hear that? Mitsubishi does not need anyone to keep them in business. Chrysler needed Mercedes Benz to keep them in business so how can they help keep a larger manufacturer like Mitsubishi in business if they couldn't save themselves? Think about it.

 

[niky]

Merc did a good job injecting some pizzazz into the Chrysler line-up. Mitsu was and IS in trouble, and Merc let them go because they couldn't make much headway with Mitsu (after stealing Mitsu tech and engines to expand/revive the Smart brand).

 

[a6m5]

Yeah, I don't think it was Chrysler that kept MMC(Mitsubishi) in business. It was Daimler-Chrysler and let's just say, first name in that merger is slightly more important than the second name. Actually, I think some Chrysler people called that merger a "takeover".

Daimler-Chrysler pulled out of MMC, right? I can't remember who runs MMC now..... was it the Mitsubishi Group?

 

[Blackbird.]

<snip>.

Already been covered...

And Chrysler's line up is still horrible and always have been. Dodge at least has some tasteful cars.

 

[niky]

Actually, Chrysler's line-up, while not that good, is still light years ahead of where they'd been previously. The 300C has a good chance of becoming their wedge into the overseas "luxury" market. Only time will tell if it catches on, though.

Dodge already has a foot in because of the demand for SUVs and trucks, but they really should think about a compact "world car" like Ford's Focus or Chevrolet's (barf!) Optra to create volume. Maybe sell Neons overseas as something else? That's what Ford did with the Protege (sorta worked) and Chevy did with the Forenza/Optra (not working very well). It would be nice to have them as "taxi" specials out here.

 

[Diego440]

Dodge already has a foot in because of the demand for SUVs and trucks, but they really should think about a compact "world car" like Ford's Focus or Chevrolet's (barf!) Optra to create volume. Maybe sell Neons overseas as something else? That's what Ford did with the Protege (sorta worked) and Chevy did with the Forenza/Optra (not working very well). It would be nice to have them as "taxi" specials out here.

Ford did that as well with the Mazda 121/Ford Festiva. They also achieved somewhat the concept of the world car with the Ford Contour/Mondeo.

Wasn't it in the mid-80s to early-90s when Dodge and Mitsubishi teamed up to produce similar cars, like the Dodge Stealth/Mitsu 3000GT, the Mitsu Eclipse also had a similar Dodge model, though I can't remember the name. And if I'm not mistaken, wasn't the Mitsu Colt also the Dodge Colt? I think that's the famous team-up people are talking about between Chrysler and Mitsubishi.