Driving Impressions

We drove the Neon R/T through Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains and over the rough urban roads around Newark airport. We whipped it around a tight autocross course. Then we turned laps around Pocono International Speedway in Pennsylvania and Brainerd International Raceway in northern Minnesota. Finally, we raced a Neon ACR at the Minnesota Grand Prix in downtown Minneapolis. For most folks, the standard 132-horsepower single-cam engine provides plenty of performance, even when equipped with the optional 3-speed automatic. More fun comes from the 150-horsepower twin-cam engine, particularly when combined with the 5-speed manual-the combination used on the R/T we drove. Most of the twin-cam's extra power comes on at higher revs. Torque--that force that launches the car away from a standing start and propels it up hills-is only slightly superior with the twin-cam engine; its maximum 133 pounds-feet of torque comes at 5500 rpm, compared with the single-cam's 129 pounds-feet at 5000 rpm. So it pays to keep it singing along if performance is your aim. Still, we recommend the twin-cam. It achieves the same EPA fuel economy rating-an impressive 27/40 mpg, city/highway-as the single-cam engine. It allows Neon drivers to embarrass the owners of other, more expensive, sporty cars. And it only adds about $150 to the cost. Therefore, we vote for the 150-horsepower dohc engine. R/T models come with firmer suspension settings than the other models. Drivers attracted to the R/T are usually willing to sacrifice a little suspension damping for improved handling, but we found the ride quality to be quite acceptable. The firmer suspension controls the tires more precisely. Most people, however, will prefer the softer standard suspension, which comes on the Highline and Sport models. It filters out more of the vibration and harshness found on rough city streets and rippled highways. Yet it still offers agile cornering capability. The Neon R/T is stable in high-speed turns. Abruptly lifting off the throttle in the middle of a hard, fast corner-normally a no-no-will not upset its balance. At the same time, a skilled driver can rotate the car in a corner just like a sports car, making it quicker and more fun to drive.

Final Word

Chrysler has done a good job of continuously improving the Neon. It's a much better car now than it was when it was introduced. Still, the Neon does not match some of the other cars in this class when it comes to ride quality and refinement. But few of those other cars are as much fun to drive as a Neon. The Neon offers great acceleration performance, sporty handling and good brakes. When ordered with the R/T package, it's a real sports car. Buy one of these, add a roll cage and you'll be ready to go racing. And as much fun as the R/T is, it still offers plenty of creature comforts to make it an enjoyable car to drive to and from work everyday. For these reasons, the Dodge Neon R/T is one of our top choices in this class.