O.t.: Wrx - 1 / Srt4 - 0
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Originally posted by BAN SUVS
An SRT Neon is a Neon underneath just like an SVT Mustang is still a Mustang. The rest of your claims are true, although I cannot vouch for the torque steer bit since I haven't driven one. The reason we like to crow about our LSDs is actually because they increase handling thresholds, especially in 2WD cars whether they're front or rear driven. This is because your two front tires are taking different length paths to go around a corner. This means they want to spin at different rates, but cannot because they are locked together. This is why you can squeal your tire with the slightest bit of throttle in a turn on an ordinary street corner at ordinary speeds. A LSD allows the proper amount of torque to reach each wheel, and allows each wheel to spin at proper speed for the radius it is following, thus maximizing ultimate grip, and increasing the speed you can carry through the corner. Of course, none of that matters in drag racing, which is the ultimate purpose of the car.
Thanks for visiting and posting honest and sincere comments. If you want to meet more open-minded car enthusiasts, keep visiting here. More of us than not are willing to have real discussions about any car you wish.
An SRT Neon is a Neon underneath just like an SVT Mustang is still a Mustang. The rest of your claims are true, although I cannot vouch for the torque steer bit since I haven't driven one. The reason we like to crow about our LSDs is actually because they increase handling thresholds, especially in 2WD cars whether they're front or rear driven. This is because your two front tires are taking different length paths to go around a corner. This means they want to spin at different rates, but cannot because they are locked together. This is why you can squeal your tire with the slightest bit of throttle in a turn on an ordinary street corner at ordinary speeds. A LSD allows the proper amount of torque to reach each wheel, and allows each wheel to spin at proper speed for the radius it is following, thus maximizing ultimate grip, and increasing the speed you can carry through the corner. Of course, none of that matters in drag racing, which is the ultimate purpose of the car.
Thanks for visiting and posting honest and sincere comments. If you want to meet more open-minded car enthusiasts, keep visiting here. More of us than not are willing to have real discussions about any car you wish.
Now the Yugo is a badass car and will beat any Subie Or neon PERIOD! 
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Oh in case anyone is wondering, I own 3 Neons.
1997 ACR Coupe 78k miles
1998 Expresso sedan 98k miles
1999 R/T sedan 57k miles
The 98 I've had the longest and the only "repair" I've made to the car is replacing the catalytic convertor at 98k.
The headgasket is original (I bought the car at 21k miles)
The clutch is original. Anyone who stated that the neons are completely unreliable, I will respectfully disagree. I think any car you can buy for 8k with 21k miles, last countless beatings and still shine is a good return (regardless of brand)
I will admit though. 3 years ago I (as do many others) thought neons were real throw away cars. In fact that's exactly what I told my wife. She's the one who wanted one and I was like HELL NO!!!
I wanted a Ford. That's what I grew up around, that's what we were getting. Now I married a very determined woman so we butted heads for about 4 months before I conceded to the following terms.
1. We were NOT just going to go and buy any car.
2. We would spend 1 month looking at EVERY compact car brand and make a decision based on our findings.
3. We would test drive each vehicle and grade the cars (openly) on several key points. Price, Acceleration, Handling, Cost, Insurance, Safety, Comfort, Space.
Our requirements were as follows:
4 door
5 speed
Pretty simple? Actually yes.
First place we went was the Ford dealership. I initially wanted an Escort. Drove it, thought it was what to expect from a compact 4 cylinder. The interior was very cheap and plasticky. I pulled open the inside door release handle and it broke in my hand. So far I'm not getting any points from my preferred brand. Acceleration was lack lustre. Space was cramped, doors were thin. Tinky at best. So next I tried the Focus. Much better build quality, much better feel, I was again feeling better for my brand. Acceleration was improved, the doors were better, however not by much. (I'm coming from a truck) My biggest complaint on the Focus though was the price, and acceleration.
So now I go to Chevy, tested the Cavalier. Much more plasticky than the Escort, noisy, gutless, handled like a broken dog sled, sloppy steering, sloppy shifting, next brand.
Saturn, EVEN MORE PLASTIC! Things were getting worse not better. Acceleration was better than the Cavalier, but the shifter was sloppy as well and something about not having sheet metal on the doors, fenders etc bothered me.
Now on to the foreign market:
Honda Civic : Not as plastic interior, better acceleration at high engine rev's. Better feeling shifter. Better cornering so far. Price too much money for a used car.
Daewoo. Gear lever wouldn't stay in a gear, kept popping out. The slightest gas, would cause the tires to spin on dry pavement, plasticky, noisy, rickety, CHEAP.
Kia, almost the same experience, minus the shifter, and the phrase "Killed In Accident" kept ringing in my ear. Next.
Finally we get to the Dodge dealer.
I asked the sales guy. "I want to drive a 4dr 5spd neon." He tells me that he only has one used one that's a 2dr automatic (funny, I thought I just asked for something different) So just to get it over with, I drive it. I was actually surprised. Even though the interior was plastic, it had a surprising look to it, and the areas that I came into contact with (armrests etc) were soft. The only really plastic was the dashboard, but that makes for easier cleaning, and no cracking with age. More legroom than any of the others, more trunk space too, LOTS more. Left the parking lot, wasn't impressed with acceleration at all (DOHC), but the steering was VERY responsive. No slop at all. After about 3-4 miles of stop-n-go it was time to go on the freeway. I floored it and 22.4 seconds later, the engine wakes up and I'm taking the on ramp as fast as I can muster and it stuck to the road surprisingly well. Cornering gets an "A". Acceleration gets a "D". I take it back to the dealership. I ask the salesman again (who was about as intelligent as my shoe) if he was sure there wasn't a manual 4dr. "Nope, that's the one we have" So I send him away, and I start looking around the lot. Sure enough I find, a 4dr 5speed and I yell at the guy in my best brooklynese (I'm from Miami) "Hey you, C'mere! What's THis? Hmm?" Salesman: "Uhh........ Oh I guess this must have just got here" Me: "With dust all over it? Go get the key" I'm actually excited at this point, sure enough, I get in and it's a completely different animal. The DOHC hates the automatic, the shifter is quick and sure. Same route, same ramp at 75 instead of 50, and WOW! Back to the dealership I ask how much and they promptly say "12,995" I start laughing and say, "Uhh No" 4 hours of beating up this moron, I get it for 8200.
1997 ACR Coupe 78k miles
1998 Expresso sedan 98k miles
1999 R/T sedan 57k miles
The 98 I've had the longest and the only "repair" I've made to the car is replacing the catalytic convertor at 98k.
The headgasket is original (I bought the car at 21k miles)
The clutch is original. Anyone who stated that the neons are completely unreliable, I will respectfully disagree. I think any car you can buy for 8k with 21k miles, last countless beatings and still shine is a good return (regardless of brand)
I will admit though. 3 years ago I (as do many others) thought neons were real throw away cars. In fact that's exactly what I told my wife. She's the one who wanted one and I was like HELL NO!!!
I wanted a Ford. That's what I grew up around, that's what we were getting. Now I married a very determined woman so we butted heads for about 4 months before I conceded to the following terms.
1. We were NOT just going to go and buy any car.
2. We would spend 1 month looking at EVERY compact car brand and make a decision based on our findings.
3. We would test drive each vehicle and grade the cars (openly) on several key points. Price, Acceleration, Handling, Cost, Insurance, Safety, Comfort, Space.
Our requirements were as follows:
4 door
5 speed
Pretty simple? Actually yes.
First place we went was the Ford dealership. I initially wanted an Escort. Drove it, thought it was what to expect from a compact 4 cylinder. The interior was very cheap and plasticky. I pulled open the inside door release handle and it broke in my hand. So far I'm not getting any points from my preferred brand. Acceleration was lack lustre. Space was cramped, doors were thin. Tinky at best. So next I tried the Focus. Much better build quality, much better feel, I was again feeling better for my brand. Acceleration was improved, the doors were better, however not by much. (I'm coming from a truck) My biggest complaint on the Focus though was the price, and acceleration.
So now I go to Chevy, tested the Cavalier. Much more plasticky than the Escort, noisy, gutless, handled like a broken dog sled, sloppy steering, sloppy shifting, next brand.
Saturn, EVEN MORE PLASTIC! Things were getting worse not better. Acceleration was better than the Cavalier, but the shifter was sloppy as well and something about not having sheet metal on the doors, fenders etc bothered me.
Now on to the foreign market:
Honda Civic : Not as plastic interior, better acceleration at high engine rev's. Better feeling shifter. Better cornering so far. Price too much money for a used car.
Daewoo. Gear lever wouldn't stay in a gear, kept popping out. The slightest gas, would cause the tires to spin on dry pavement, plasticky, noisy, rickety, CHEAP.
Kia, almost the same experience, minus the shifter, and the phrase "Killed In Accident" kept ringing in my ear. Next.
Finally we get to the Dodge dealer.
I asked the sales guy. "I want to drive a 4dr 5spd neon." He tells me that he only has one used one that's a 2dr automatic (funny, I thought I just asked for something different) So just to get it over with, I drive it. I was actually surprised. Even though the interior was plastic, it had a surprising look to it, and the areas that I came into contact with (armrests etc) were soft. The only really plastic was the dashboard, but that makes for easier cleaning, and no cracking with age. More legroom than any of the others, more trunk space too, LOTS more. Left the parking lot, wasn't impressed with acceleration at all (DOHC), but the steering was VERY responsive. No slop at all. After about 3-4 miles of stop-n-go it was time to go on the freeway. I floored it and 22.4 seconds later, the engine wakes up and I'm taking the on ramp as fast as I can muster and it stuck to the road surprisingly well. Cornering gets an "A". Acceleration gets a "D". I take it back to the dealership. I ask the salesman again (who was about as intelligent as my shoe) if he was sure there wasn't a manual 4dr. "Nope, that's the one we have" So I send him away, and I start looking around the lot. Sure enough I find, a 4dr 5speed and I yell at the guy in my best brooklynese (I'm from Miami) "Hey you, C'mere! What's THis? Hmm?" Salesman: "Uhh........ Oh I guess this must have just got here" Me: "With dust all over it? Go get the key" I'm actually excited at this point, sure enough, I get in and it's a completely different animal. The DOHC hates the automatic, the shifter is quick and sure. Same route, same ramp at 75 instead of 50, and WOW! Back to the dealership I ask how much and they promptly say "12,995" I start laughing and say, "Uhh No" 4 hours of beating up this moron, I get it for 8200.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Say what you will of neons, many of them can be real piles, I guess it depends on how it's cared for (just like any other brand) I've done nothing but upgrade the intake, exhaust, ECM, Short throw shifter, and suspension. Love the car, I never did get to drive a Subaru before I got the neon, but I think I couldn't find a dealer, and I figured they would have been to pricey anyhow. 
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 555
From: Bethlum, PA
Car Info: silver 2.5 tr 2006MT wrx
even with 30 grand in upgrades to a neon, itis still a neon/Pt cruiser. my friend works at a mazda dodge volkswagon dealership, and the big joke with us is that the srt is the new coffin on wheels. that car can not possible be all that great, with all that hp in front wheel drive, torque steer torque steer torque steer. the car these little fckers should be getting is the new mazda speed, even though it has a much horsepower as my RS it is still better then a neon. how many kids or chicks do you see walkin up and tellin some dude "yo man that's bad *** neon". sorry none. at least the mazda protege is cool lookin, and noe with a turbo it has the power it needed
the worse part about the whole neon thing is that it is a car with a more powerful engine, that is it. the frame and handleing characteristics of that car are the same, becasue you know they did not redesign that cars suspension. the wrx rs were designed to be driven a certain way, the frame suspension are all tuned for speed and abuse. i am not saying that you can just jump the car off a loading dock type of abuse though.
the worse part about the whole neon thing is that it is a car with a more powerful engine, that is it. the frame and handleing characteristics of that car are the same, becasue you know they did not redesign that cars suspension. the wrx rs were designed to be driven a certain way, the frame suspension are all tuned for speed and abuse. i am not saying that you can just jump the car off a loading dock type of abuse though.
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,504
From: Leg Humper
Car Info: '03 WRX wagon, faster than walkin'
Please quit ragging on each other and let this thread die. Arguing back and forth does nothing. Lets wait and see how the SRT does in sales and at the track. I try to go to the race track (not 1320) a couple of times every year, and lets see if anyone in an SRT shows up...if they do, how do they drive?
Lets also wait at the 1320 track, do they do well? How about just around on the street? Are they kicking butt? It's too new to know, I test drove one and I don't think it's handling is nearly as sharp as my WRX, but I'm biased. Lets see what happens as these things make it in the market or on Misquito Ridge
Lets also wait at the 1320 track, do they do well? How about just around on the street? Are they kicking butt? It's too new to know, I test drove one and I don't think it's handling is nearly as sharp as my WRX, but I'm biased. Lets see what happens as these things make it in the market or on Misquito Ridge
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 67
From: CA
Car Info: 2004 WRB WRX
0-60 and 1/4 mile times
Car & Driver have posted 5.6 sec. 0-60 and 14.2 sec. 1/4 mile times for the neon. Car & Driver posted 5.4 sec. 0-60 and 14.1 sec. 1/4 mile time for the WRX. Lets just leave it at that.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 64
From: ChicagoLand
Car Info: 2.5rs with Eighteens!!!lol
Wow nine pages of hostility...that is what I call "chock full"
First of all, the neon is a marketing effort...the U.S. auto manufacterers want to capitalize on the, as they see it, small displacement-turbo-charged market.
We have seen the Neon, and soon there will be a Ford focus RS HERE too (maybe turbo?).
Remember when there was a mustang GT that was a 4-cylinder turbo?
Remember the Dodge daytona turbo?
Remember the Buick Grand National?
The U.S. manufacturers can make some truly formidable turbocharged automobiles...
The inevitably upcoming generation of U.S. turbo cars will be fast, and we shouldn't underestimate them from a performance standpoint...we should only expect that they won't last past 50,000 miles...peace out y'all
Love the Domestice VS. Import anger...as futile and juvenile as it is
First of all, the neon is a marketing effort...the U.S. auto manufacterers want to capitalize on the, as they see it, small displacement-turbo-charged market.
We have seen the Neon, and soon there will be a Ford focus RS HERE too (maybe turbo?).
Remember when there was a mustang GT that was a 4-cylinder turbo?
Remember the Dodge daytona turbo?
Remember the Buick Grand National?
The U.S. manufacturers can make some truly formidable turbocharged automobiles...
The inevitably upcoming generation of U.S. turbo cars will be fast, and we shouldn't underestimate them from a performance standpoint...we should only expect that they won't last past 50,000 miles...peace out y'all
Love the Domestice VS. Import anger...as futile and juvenile as it is
Registered User
iTrader: (12)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 18,369
From: Reno, NV
Car Info: 1993/2000/2001 GF4 mostly red
The Cosworth Focus ain't coming. I forgot why, but Ford made it pretty clear they couldn't do it even if they wanted to. Which sucks.
Anyways, I will always favor domestics- what with being an American and all. But until they get their acts together and spend as much on engineering and QC as they do on marketing, other companies will be making better cars.
Anyways, I will always favor domestics- what with being an American and all. But until they get their acts together and spend as much on engineering and QC as they do on marketing, other companies will be making better cars.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 64
From: ChicagoLand
Car Info: 2.5rs with Eighteens!!!lol
Please don't mistake me for the trailer park scrounging hill-billy that I am about to sound like (I am way under qualified)...
...but to those of you who choose to constantly, and unconditionally, to dangle the U.S. STi over everyone's heads, I just have to say that if it's drag racing you want, then I wlll see your STI and raise you a supercharged Mustang SVT Cobra (comparably priced) which WILL HANDILY trounce the STI in a straight line.
I hope that the rationale fuelling your following objections will point out to you all the very reason why it has generally been unfair to compare domestic and import performance autos, if not for more than the fact that they are built with drastically varying philosophies in mind...
...but to those of you who choose to constantly, and unconditionally, to dangle the U.S. STi over everyone's heads, I just have to say that if it's drag racing you want, then I wlll see your STI and raise you a supercharged Mustang SVT Cobra (comparably priced) which WILL HANDILY trounce the STI in a straight line.
I hope that the rationale fuelling your following objections will point out to you all the very reason why it has generally been unfair to compare domestic and import performance autos, if not for more than the fact that they are built with drastically varying philosophies in mind...
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 555
From: Bethlum, PA
Car Info: silver 2.5 tr 2006MT wrx
win lose or draw it is still a ford, no matter what it is still a ford
i had to fords, the worse cars that i could have ever ownwed.
i will still smoke any one on the raod with my 403 hp turbo charged dodge omni, i have no real intake, or exhaust no catalytic convertor, and no 4th gear. i do have a plastic bag covering the rear windsheild though, it is like limo tint but blows around when i have the windows down doin 80 on the highway.
i had to fords, the worse cars that i could have ever ownwed.
i will still smoke any one on the raod with my 403 hp turbo charged dodge omni, i have no real intake, or exhaust no catalytic convertor, and no 4th gear. i do have a plastic bag covering the rear windsheild though, it is like limo tint but blows around when i have the windows down doin 80 on the highway.
