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Driving Impressions
The Dodge Neon offers sporty handling and good acceleration performance, though it isn't the most refined car in its class.Neon's standard single-overhead-cam 2.0-liter engine delivers decent power. A Neon SXT can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 8.5 seconds, which makes it quicker than many more-expensive compacts. The engine doesn't have a lot of torque down low in the rev range, however. (Torque is that force that propels you from intersections and up hills.) Step on the gas while cruising at 3000 rpm and the Neon slowly gathers speed. There's a small rush of power that starts somewhere around 4000 rpm, but there isn't great gobs of it. New motor mounts introduced for 2003 reduced noise somewhat; still, the 2.0-liter engine is relatively unrefined, and its boomy and raucous behavior is transmitted into the cabin. The manual gearbox works well enough, but has a clunky feel. The suspension nicely balances ride quality and handling agility, making the Neon fun to drive on winding roads but pleasant when cruising around. The Neon responds well in emergency lane-change maneuvers. Its fully independent, strut-type suspension offers high ground clearance and long jounce travel, which reduces the chance of bottoming under heavy loads. Soft springs and premium shocks are tuned to enhance the Neon's ride quality. Indeed, we found that the Neon does not bottom out the way many cars do. When we hit a sharp dip, the Neon's suspension was soft enough to absorb the harshness of the dip, yet it was firm enough and had enough travel to avoid bottoming. As a result, the front of the Neon did not scrape on an abrupt dip on our test route where many others have scraped before. This makes for a more comfortable ride, with less need to slow to a walking pace for dips. The front disc/rear drum brakes that come standard on the Neon stop the car quickly and are stable under hard use. The Neon stops more quickly than many of the other cars in its class. Still, we recommend the optional four-wheel disc brakes with ABS. Whether the roads are slippery or dry, the antilock brake system helps drivers maintain steering control in panic braking situations. And disc brakes are less likely to fade on mountain roads than are the standard rear drum brakes. The SRT-4 delivers serious sport compact performance. Its turbocharged engine develops 230 horsepower at 5300 rpm and 250 pound-feet of torque from 2200 to 4400 rpm. According to Dodge, it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 5.8 seconds. The SRT-4 was developed with input from Dodge engineers who spend their weekends racing at Sports Car Club of America events. Last year, Dodge recalibrated the SRT-4's engine control module and specified larger, higher-flow fuel injectors, not only for more horsepower and torque but also for a broader torque band. That means less shifting under normal driving conditions. Neon SRT-4 can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 5.8 seconds. A Quaife torque-sensing, limited-slip differential, provides more traction when accelerating out of the corners. Standard tires on the 2005 SRT-4 are B.F. Goodrich KDW II three-season radials, specifically developed to match the SRT-4's suspension and handling characteristics, with a tread pattern and rubber compound that maximize grip for cornering, accelerating and braking. Disc brakes with ABS and electronic brake distribution (EBD) are standard on SRT-4. They work well, and the pedal feels good.
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