Forget my MP3...I am getting that new ST-4 Neon!

[NorCal_MP3]

For UNDER $20,000? Damn I should have totally waited...Now, If I can get my credit card debt down...the MP3 will go to my wife and I can run in that new Turbo Neon...It looks trick...and it is German designed...no Dodge quality issues here!

 

[MP3-Owner]

No doubt and it should be pretty stout(internals) from the factory to handle the turbo. Plus Mopar Parts will have all kinds of Go Fast goodies for it . I will stay with my MP3 for now though.

[ 01-31-2002: Message edited by: MP3-Owner ]

 

[MPThree117]

does that have anything to do witht he srt neon they introduced a while back? could someone rate me please? haha

 

[mazdamp3_18]

the new srt is better than the regular neon but its still a NEON.. dodge pos quality and it looks like their copying the WRX. i personally wouldnt buy one..

 

[APEXistud]

Originally posted by mazdamp3_18:
<STRONG>the new srt is better than the regular neon but its still a NEON.. dodge pos quality and it looks like their copying the WRX. i personally wouldnt buy one..</STRONG>

Hehe, couldn't have said it better myself. If they're looking to compete with the WRX, then they should also be looking to have their asses handed right back to them. Only competition for the WRX in my book is an Audi, well as far as the AWD goes. Honestly though, it will be dope is they actually release the ST-4

 

[MP3_4ME]

Its a frigging neon for christs sake!!!
No matter how many parts you add to a mediocre design, at best, it will still be a bucket dodge pos. Go talk to dodge service guys and ask them what they think of the neon..........any neon. At least the Protege is a good car to start with1

Sorry for all the dodge fans!
See ya.

 

[enry]

No doubt. I think the neon would require so many changes to make it competitive in quality, reliability and handling that it would not be profitable to have such a neon WITH supercharger for under 20K. I mean, they can try, but I'm sure 20K will be bare bone ultra minimum config. Forget the luxuries we're accustomed to (handling, full body kit, rims, exhaust, sound system, etc...)

I miss my mp3 . Is it possible to have a car shipper overseas?

 

[Stou]

I think that even if they make this turbo Neon for under 20k, it will need a lot of suspension parts, body kit and others things to make it look good and ride like our MP3. And it will always be a Dodge.

I prefer to install a turbo on my MP3. It's not so expensive and this car is so much fun to ride!!!

 

[cfbjr]

Spoken like a lot of people who have never driven or raced a neon. While I will say there have been some reliability issues with that car it is interesting to note how many national champion amature autocrossers and road racers have driven Noeons. You'll also find some of the stiffest competition in autocross for our cars are Neons, specifically the ACR models. I will agree that they aren't the most attractive vehicle out there. It was hilarious to be at Skip Barber Racing School and hear Porsche owners marvel at the performance of the stock Neons we were using in some of the drills. BTW if you want a really wild ride take a Dodge Dakota with bald rear tires out on really wet pavement and trail brake your way into a corner. Instant Dukes Of Hazard sideways action!!

[ 02-05-2002: Message edited by: Carson Black ]

[ 02-05-2002: Message edited by: Carson Black ]

 

[311Mazda]

Personally, I like the looks of the neon, and you nay-sayers have to admit, that is a hell of a bang for a buck. That car will be for speed freaks like the MP3 is for autocrossers, a cheap bad ass ride.

 

[tritonheat1]

Yeah just have fun calling triple A when your on the inerstate on the side of the road with a brand spankin new neon with no reliability. (no offense though). Good luck giving up your MP3 for a Neon.

 

[deepcover6]

Or better yet, have your paint chip off from all over your car after 3yrs of normal use. Mann this car is garbage....I am amazed at what Carson Black said about the neon on the auto cross track...cuz the last time I took on a neon that had some mods, on the highway at night.....He tried to keep up on the straight.I left him spinning out on a ramp. He was lucky he didn't slam into the rail. So this new one got a supercharger...whooo hooo big deal ...wait till the MP3 gets a turbocharger....we'll see what happens then...actually I don't have to wait...know what is going to happen already...

 

[twa]

Actually Carson is correct. The Neon actually more than holds its own on an autox course. They are very competitive and a good platform to learn racing techniques. Skip Barber has had a great amount of success in teaching on this platform.

Thom

 

[buster]

OK, you guys obviously know nothing about neons!
2nd gen reliability and quality are rated higher than the protege and are not far from the class leading civic.Fact!
As someone has already posted that the neon platform has already handed many drivers their backsides in AutoX and Solo. Even the biased car mags have stated that dodge should put 40hp more in to the car to take advantage of the excellent chassis.
Yes it is a neon and your car is just a protege, so what?! If you don;t believe that a company can improve a car then how do you expect your MP3 to be better than the first protege.
They are not copying the WRX as the neon was first with the headlight design and they were only making the comparison to the car which has just recently caught everyone's attention. Is it AWD or 35 000 Canadian, no, but the WRX is.
Now I am probably comming off as an a**hole but I am just correcting the wrongs. I do like the MP3 too and had they been out when I bought my R/T I would have considered it.

 

[cougfan99]

Dudes- not to be a hater, but there are two things wrong with the Neon despite anything based on performance. 1) It's ugly as sin. and more importantly, 2) It's a Dodge. I wouldn't be caught dead in one.

 

[MP3_4ME]

Its a Dodge POS. Put 30,000 miles on it and see how reliable it is. Not to mention the "normal" engine vibrations and general quality control problems. As for the ACR, yes it is a better handling neon, but for christs sake it had no competition until now. Car and driver rated the neon RT last in a test with the mp3 coming in first, jetta 1.8t coming in second, Subaru 2.5rs third, Sentra ser spec V fourth, followed by the last place dodge. Car and driver didn't say it was slow,but it did suck. If you are interested I can give the month of Car and Drivers issue, unless everybody has already seen it. Thanks
Bye

 

[buster]

Well those were good responses

The car is as smooth or smoother than a P5, which I have driven and if you think it is ugly that's cool, it is your opinion.
You have no examples of what a POS you think it is and have no idea if it is reliable or not. I happen to have 15 000km's of autox, racing and hard driving, as well as being a daily driver without a wimper, or squeak or rattle.
The car & driver test which I just happen to be reading right now states that the rating is independent judgement of the tester's including personal preference. Just for fun when this article first came out I rated the performance of the cars on a point system, 5 points for tops in each category and 1 for the last. The Neon got second with only two points between it and the SE-R. It also did so on the narrowest, crappiest tires of the bunch. Dodge (Canada-Chrysler) will have to shake the stigma of poor quality with this car and for anyone who has actually driven one they will know that it is a great car.
Just some more facts to chew on!

 

[buster]

Link
http://www.pinnaclecda.com/daimlerchrysler/USA/2003/dodge/srt-4.htm

 

[Frankee]

Originally posted by MP3 _4ME:
<STRONG> at best, it will still be a bucket dodge pos. Go talk to dodge service guys and ask them what they think of the neon..........any neon.</STRONG>

Actually, I HAVE talked to dodge service guys. They hate all chrysler vehicles. I've talked to Honda certified technicians as well. They hate Hondas. Do you have any idea why? BECAUSE ALL THEY DEAL WITH ARE BROKEN honda/chrysler/whatevermake VEHICLES. Of course every 'service guy' is gonna say that whatever broke-ass car they work on every day is not worth anything. I imagine if you talk to a mazda service technician, if you can find a mazda dealership, they'll probably say that Mazdas are a POS as well. Find some facts before you start talking out your ass instead of 'go talk to so and so and they'll tell you this and that'. MP3? I think, by putting out a supercharged, <#3000, suped-up neon, they are not trying to compete with an all wheel drive, non-selling WRX. They are more likely trying to appeal to the new breed of car buyers. 18-25 year-olds on a budget looking for speed, handling, and value. Perhaps a little late, but just in time for that busted-ass new civic/new SI.

and by the way, it is SRT-4, not ST-4.

[ 02-09-2002: Message edited by: Frankee ]

 

[LinuxRacr]

The new Civic SI is ugly! What was Honda thinking? the last model looks a lot better.