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

[MP3_4ME]

It is interesting how someone can take a Car and driver test, reconfigure the test and put the last place car in first!? It is a good point that the techs hate the cars they work on, but still, dodge is known for bad cars. Car and driver also tested 11 compact cars "11 dwarfs" in which the protege es won convincingly, calling it a baby BMW. Now that may be a little overboard. Frankee may find a way to redo that test too. I bet the neon would be at the top if you give it more points for being crap. A neon smoother than a p5? I drove everything before I bought my car, even the neon! If you beleive that the neon is a better, smoother, or higher quality car than any protege then I have some square wheels I would like to sell you!

Go neons..........riiiiight

 

[Frankee]

Originally posted by MP3 _4ME:
<STRONG>It is interesting how someone can take a Car and driver test, reconfigure the test and put the last place car in first!? It is a good point that the techs hate the cars they work on, but still, dodge is known for bad cars. Car and driver also tested 11 compact cars "11 dwarfs" in which the protege es won convincingly, calling it a baby BMW. Now that may be a little overboard. Frankee may find a way to redo that test too. I bet the neon would be at the top if you give it more points for being crap. A neon smoother than a p5? I drove everything before I bought my car, even the neon!
</STRONG>

Was the SRT-4 in that Car and Driver test? In your driving of every car out there before purchasing your protege, did you test drive the SRT-4? I believe you didn't, and that's what this whole thread is about. The SRT-4, not the normal Neon that you think so poorly of. And that's all it seems to be, is your opinion. Thats fine, opinions are like a**holes. Everyone has one, and they all stink.

 

[buster]

What are you talking about??? How did I "reconfigure" the test. I took the performance info and stated the "FACT" that the neon R/T finished second in performance, then I quoted a disclamer under the rating s in the article about the testers opinions. Where are you making this stuff up?? Yeah I changed the info in the test ok buddy .

I also drove almost every car in the same category, VW GTI, P5, Sentra SE-R, Focus ZX-3 and the old 2.5 RS, new Subaru TL wagon and a 99 GS-R. The p5 would be the high end protege and shares most things but the motor is slightly detuned compared to the MP3. The cars I drove where not the base models and the same goes for the R/T I bought. Every company can improve on previous models and if you didn't believe that you wouldn't have bought a MP3. It is nice to see that I have said I like the MP3's and have avoided insulting others but I seem to be getting a bit of attitude here, your not driving a freaking ferrari here, alright.

 

[NorCal_MP3]

Why are non-MP3/non-mazda owners even here?
Aren't there Neon forums to post on?

 

[buster]

As I said I like the MP3 and that is why I am checking out the forums, when I saw a post about the Neon I took a look. I guess these are public forums, do you know that?!
Thanks for your concern

 

[kep0ne]

dude thats not cool...like buster said...this IS a public forum...no need to start being an asshole.

 

[buster]

Hey thanks man, sweet car! I know what tou mean about the fogs, my dealer quoted me 180can for one after I cracked the lense(damn gravel trucks) and now I am looking for some PIAA's instead.

 

[MP3_4ME]

I think Buster forgets what he types. If you want an unbiased opinion go post on a board where half of the people didn't pay sticker or more for their cars! It may help me sleep better at night ripping on neons, but I'd still take my mp3 over any neon, even though all the girls in high school seem to like them(neons)! lol

BTW we are just talking about cars here, so take this thread with a grain of salt................it is still entertaining

 

[buster]

Alright man, its all good, but what do you mean about me forgetting what I type? Did a lot of you guys pay sticker cause the MP3 was pretty limited production?! I wouls assume so butwhat was the sticker on that car? Canadian if you know?

 

[MP3_4ME]

My sticker was $18,685........ I paid $19,041

Not a great deal but the cheapest an mp3 sold for in St.Louis. As far as canadian, not sure. Sticker wasn't a bad price considering a loaded es was about 16,500.

Later

P.S. My girlfriend thinks neons are cute. Haha........... j/k

 

[Seth and SpaR/Ticus]

As some one who owns both a Neon (98 R/T) and a Mazda of this family (2002 P5), this is my look on both. My R/T is faster, hands down. The suspension is about equivilant in both cars, but the R/T feels more nimbile, just cuz it's smaller. The mp3 might be a little better that the P5 for that reason. But, with some suspension work, I can easily outhandle the P5. But with the same work, we're prolly on the same level. But, the difference with the two cars is this. My sister paid $high 18's or low 19's for her car in November (don't remember the exact price). In 98, my R/T went for about $13.5. I think this is a major difference. 5 to 6 thousand dollars worth of work in a Neon, and we're talknig about a better car, in every aspect of performance. As for looks, it's everyone's different taste, but I'd rather have a car that can perform well and look OK that a "good looking" car that drives like crap.

And finally, as for the comment about techs hating the cars they work on, it's absolutely true. I work in a Ford dealership in the service department, and you won't find one tech who really "likes" Fords. But, on our Chrysler/Dodge side, I'd say at least 50-75% of the techs still like those cars.

 

[cougfan99]

Woo-Hoo! Yea! Go MOPAR!! Neons rock, that's why they're in every rental fleet's leftover sale lot. Despite what neon owners may think, the merge with Diamler Benze did not make Dodge a worthy competitor. It's still number 3 of the big 3 american motor corps. Where you end up with a modified car depends entirely on where you start- and a Dodge is still a Dodge. Sorry dudes.

 

[buster]

Do you know how many protege's are in rental fleets....ton's. By the way comparing the base rental cars to he R/T is like comparing the base protege to the MP3....different car I think,you? Thanks for your two cents sanfran

 

[MP3_4ME]

Protege (any) and neons (any) are on totally different quality levels... period. This should really be the end of this.

San Fran is correct, a dodge is a dodge.

later guys

 

[Seth and SpaR/Ticus]

Originally posted by MP3 _4ME:
<STRONG>Protege (any) and neons (any) are on totally different quality levels... period. This should really be the end of this.


</STRONG>

I really don't beleive so. The protege and Neon are on the same level. The interiors are fairly the same, and most comparisons are about the same too. The only major differnce I see in the cars is the price. There are some things I like about the P5 interior, some I like in the Neon. Comparing an ACR or R/T (or maybe even a sport) to an MP3 or P5 is completely valid, IMHO.

 

[cougfan99]

The protege and the neon are not on the same level. That is like saying the WRX is on the same level as the M3. I mean, if you think about it, they accelerate about the same, both have uniquely tuened engines, and hey, some may like the dash better in one than the other. Just because cars are similar in size, does not mean they are the same build quality. When I used to work at Enterprise rent-a-car, people would constantly bring back the Neons (and Escorts) because they hated them. This never happened with a Protege. And yes, there are Proteges in rental fleets, but they actually get sold from the lots, rather than sitting there in droves like the Neons.

 

[Seth and SpaR/Ticus]

If you say so. All I know if I've owned two Neons. 114,000 miles on one, 81,000 currently on this one (thats 195,000 miles slow on the math with both), and besides the infamous HG, I've had absolutely no problems with either of my Neons. Regular maintenence goes long. As for the P5 we own, I can't tell you, since there's only 3100 miles on it, but build quality is a weak argument. I can find you 100 people who've had no problems for every 100 people with problems, most likely with both cars.

 

[cougfan99]

You're about to buy your 3rd Neon????? Dude- I'm sorry.

 

[MPThree117]

I just saw the thing at the Chicago auto show.....I must say that the wing makes it look like an eclipse. I dont really like it. The inside has much to be desired as well. If you wanna go for something else, go for one of those new Cobras.....Yee haw!

 

[buster]

Come on MP34me, I thought we were getting along, then you ruined it by stating a wrong again San fran, you are corrected by the other R/T owner again You obviously have never been in or driven an R/T, or a 2nd gen R/T. Maybe you could be wrong, it takes a bigger man to admit that he may be wrong than to sit and argue when I have given you facts about these cars. Just admit that I might be right and Dodge may actually be making good cars, well, cause it is true. Go test drive one, I challenge you to test drive the 02 NeonR/T.