2001 Dodge Neon

The high-performance Dodge Neon R/T shows you need not spend lots of money to get a practical car that makes you look forward to sliding behind the wheel.
The R/T was the most fun of all DaimlerChrysler domestic cars I recently drove at the automaker's proving grounds in Michigan--and the lowest-priced of all performance models there.

The idea for creating the R/T came after the Neon won three national titles from 1995-97 in the Sports Car Club of America's Class C Showroom Stock events. No wonder it has racetrack handling. The R/T is a made-in-Illinois Neon sedan with a higher-horsepower engine that costs $250 and a $4,450 R/T option package, which is $3,590 after a manufacturer's discount. It contains lots of items that make the car look racier and handle better. Offered in 1998 and 1999, it wasn't available for the 2000 model.

The base front-drive Neon sedan lists at $12,715, so the R/T model ends up with a $16,555 base price. Neon's aren't among DaimlerChrysler's hottest sellers, so it should be easy to get a Neon R/T for under $16,000 after price dickering at a dealership. The R/T is so good it makes you wonder why so many young drivers are hot rodding and racing Japanese small cars such as Honda Civics, which have been all the rage in California for years. The Neon was revamped for 2000. The two-door model was dropped and it got better construction, smoother styling, a larger body and improved dashboard. The 2001 model is virtually unchanged. It lost its Plymouth nameplate in June.

The first Neon arrived as a Dodge and identical Plymouth model in January 1994. It was an unusually roomy small car that was cute, cheap and fun to drive. While popular, with more than 1.5 million sold, it was redone for 2000 because it had become too noisy, crude and unrefined for aging Generation Xers, who are among its major buying groups.

The standard Neon has a 2-liter, single-overhead-camshaft four-cylinder engine that provides 132 horsepower. Ride and handling are above average. And acceleration is lively with the standard five-speed manual transmission, although the old-style $600 three-speed automatic transmission hinders performance. There is no such problem with the R/T model because it comes only with the manual gearbox.

You can't get the R/T package without the 150-horsepower version of the Neon's engine, but that's a low price for the higher revving high-output engine's added horsepower and higher torque rating. Fuel economy is the same as the standard engine with the manual transmission: an impressive, estimated 27 mpg in the city and 33 on the highway.

The R/T package contains revised steering, a sport suspension with unique springs, shock absorbers, struts and anti-sway bars, along with 50-series tires on beefy 16-inch aluminum wheels. There also are anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes for superior stopping power and a traction control system for better grip on slippery roads. Appearance items include a unique front fascia, front and rear air dams, side body sill extensions, fog lamps and an integrated-looking rear spoiler. Dual chromed exhaust pipe outlets are a nice touch.

There's more. The R/T package also contains sport bucket seats, a tachometer, a 140-mph speedometer and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. You also get air conditioning, remote keyless entry and power front windows, door locks and trunk release--along with power fold-away heated mirrors. Curiously, rear windows are manually operated. And they don't roll down all the way.

The R/T sprints to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds and can hit 125 mph, although the performance gearing puts the engine at a rather high 3,000 rpm at 65 mph and it makes a slight droning sound even in overdrive fifth gear. Fourth gear is needed for quick 65-75 mph passing maneuvers. And a fair amount of shifting is needed to get quick acceleration, even with the additional horsepower.

The special steering is quick and light, and the shifter has short throws and works with a light clutch. The brake pedal has a reassuring feel, and stopping distances are short. Handling is sharp, and the ride is surprisingly comfortable--considering the car has a stiffer sport suspension. However, it gets slightly bouncy on rough roads.

The R/T comfortably seats four tall adults in its generally quiet interior. Front seats are especially supportive, but the middle of the rear seat is too hard for even a child to get comfortable. The stylish, white-faced gauges can be difficult to read, but the large climate controls are easy to use. That's not the case with the small radio controls.

Dual cup holders at the front of the console under the dashboard may lead to spills, but there is a conveniently located cup holder on the center of the console. Thoughtful touches include front-door storage pockets and sun visor mirrors with integrated lighting. There's also a deep, covered console bin.

Most controls are conveniently placed, but it's easy to accidentally activate the windshield wipers. The windshield is huge, but thick windshield pillars partly obstruct visibility. The trunk is large, although its opening is high and the manual lid hinges dip into the load area. Rear seatbacks fold forward to increase that area, but the pass-through opening from the trunk is only moderately large. Doors close with a solid thunk, but the trunk lid sounds tinny when shut.
The hood has an old-fashioned prop rod held in place by a small plastic clip, but fluid-filler areas are easily seen because their tops have bright yellow markers. Affordable and cheap to run, the zoomy Neon R/T is both for the young and young at heart.

DODGE NEON R/T

Price
$16,555
Likes
Affordable. Racy styling. Fast. Racetrack handling. Roomy. Economical.
Dislikes
Slight engine drone. Rear manual windows. High trunk opening.