"2000" sounds so futuristic, and yet we have discovered not all is state of the art with DaimlerChrysler's new 2000 Neon. The Neon is now available only as a four-door sedan (the coupe has been dropped) and is again sold at both Dodge and Plymouth dealers, the only difference being the badges on the hood and steering wheel.
The "Next Neon," as the ads read, has been completely redesigned for 2000, and the body has been improved aesthetically as well as functionally. The nose resembles the previous car's, with that same "smiley-face" look. But the profile has a more serious demeanor; a chiseled body with a curved roof that seems inspired by Dodge's Intrepid, in our humble opinion one of the sharpest sedans around. The body structure has also been beefed up and the increased rigidity is evident immediately; the simple act of hopping in and shutting the door imparts no tinny feeling as with the old Neon, just a crisp thunk and the sensation of a solid and well-built little car.
Inside the car we noticed several improvements right away. Gone is the cheap-looking hard plastic on the door panels and in its place are higher-grade and softer materials. The dash has white-faced gauges, and the controls are easy to use. We didn't like the steering wheel, however, as its varying rim diameter is too thin except in the quarter-to-three (Remember driver's ed?) position. Features editor Ingrid Palmer recently remarked after a road test that the wheel's design made it look as if it were installed upside down. And my recent back ailment made for an acid test of the Neon's seats. They passed with flying colors as there was enough lumbar support and firmness to ensure comfort on a long drive. The tested Neon had optional power windows--but only in the front! It is not unusual to see this odd feature on older European cars such as Peugeots and BMWs, the logic being that most of the time the rear seat is empty, so why have the expense and complexity of power windows back there? Makes sense, except some may wonder why all four windows are not power operated on an economy car with a sticker over 16-grand. And Ingrid also noted that this cost-cutting feature made it impossible to lower the rear windows from the driver's seat for those days that you want fresh air, but would also like to keep your hairstyle intact.
Unfortunately, the engineers took a step backwards with the new Neon. Last year a buyer could choose between two four-cylinder engines (both displacing 2.0-liters) to power a Neon sedan: the standard 132-horsepower mill or a sprightly 150-horse version. And if Joe Buyer wanted an automatic transmission in last year's Neon, he had to settle for a primitive three-speed (as opposed to the now typical four-speed) auto-gearbox. For 2000 DaimlerChrysler saw fit to offer only the 132-horse engine in the Neon. And worse, once again the optional automatic transmission is a three-speed unit. C'mon guys, if you want to compete with Honda and Toyota (as well as Ford, Mazda and Saturn) install a modern automatic in this car. Toyota has had a four-speed automatic available in the Corolla for about two decades now. And while the engine's output is near the head of the econo-car class, the auto tranny effectively castrates those horses, as the car feels lazy off the mark. Passing ability is fair at best; the forward thrust of the car is not in proportion to the noise and fuss generated when the gas is booted. The gearshifts are smooth but somewhat slurred; it felt as if there was slippage between the gear changes. We imagine this car's personality would have a lot more spunk with the five-speed manual shifter, but that sunny speculation will have to wait for another road test.
On the upside is the handling, which is dynamite! The steering is precise and the cornering behavior mimics that of a sports coupe. When we leaned the Neon into one of our favorite on-ramps it hung in there like a cat on a drape. The ride is improved over last year's car by virtue of softer spring settings and increased suspension travel.
The brakes (antilock is optional) were put to the test when we were cut off by some highly unskilled driver who didn't know what a "yield" sign meant. An accident was avoided thanks to quick reflexes and strong brakes.
All told, the new Neon is a much-improved car in many ways and even fun-to-drive. But that antiquated automatic gearbox prevents it from getting our full approval.
The "Next Neon," as the ads read, has been completely redesigned for 2000, and the body has been improved aesthetically as well as functionally. The nose resembles the previous car's, with that same "smiley-face" look. But the profile has a more serious demeanor; a chiseled body with a curved roof that seems inspired by Dodge's Intrepid, in our humble opinion one of the sharpest sedans around. The body structure has also been beefed up and the increased rigidity is evident immediately; the simple act of hopping in and shutting the door imparts no tinny feeling as with the old Neon, just a crisp thunk and the sensation of a solid and well-built little car.
Inside the car we noticed several improvements right away. Gone is the cheap-looking hard plastic on the door panels and in its place are higher-grade and softer materials. The dash has white-faced gauges, and the controls are easy to use. We didn't like the steering wheel, however, as its varying rim diameter is too thin except in the quarter-to-three (Remember driver's ed?) position. Features editor Ingrid Palmer recently remarked after a road test that the wheel's design made it look as if it were installed upside down. And my recent back ailment made for an acid test of the Neon's seats. They passed with flying colors as there was enough lumbar support and firmness to ensure comfort on a long drive. The tested Neon had optional power windows--but only in the front! It is not unusual to see this odd feature on older European cars such as Peugeots and BMWs, the logic being that most of the time the rear seat is empty, so why have the expense and complexity of power windows back there? Makes sense, except some may wonder why all four windows are not power operated on an economy car with a sticker over 16-grand. And Ingrid also noted that this cost-cutting feature made it impossible to lower the rear windows from the driver's seat for those days that you want fresh air, but would also like to keep your hairstyle intact.
Unfortunately, the engineers took a step backwards with the new Neon. Last year a buyer could choose between two four-cylinder engines (both displacing 2.0-liters) to power a Neon sedan: the standard 132-horsepower mill or a sprightly 150-horse version. And if Joe Buyer wanted an automatic transmission in last year's Neon, he had to settle for a primitive three-speed (as opposed to the now typical four-speed) auto-gearbox. For 2000 DaimlerChrysler saw fit to offer only the 132-horse engine in the Neon. And worse, once again the optional automatic transmission is a three-speed unit. C'mon guys, if you want to compete with Honda and Toyota (as well as Ford, Mazda and Saturn) install a modern automatic in this car. Toyota has had a four-speed automatic available in the Corolla for about two decades now. And while the engine's output is near the head of the econo-car class, the auto tranny effectively castrates those horses, as the car feels lazy off the mark. Passing ability is fair at best; the forward thrust of the car is not in proportion to the noise and fuss generated when the gas is booted. The gearshifts are smooth but somewhat slurred; it felt as if there was slippage between the gear changes. We imagine this car's personality would have a lot more spunk with the five-speed manual shifter, but that sunny speculation will have to wait for another road test.
On the upside is the handling, which is dynamite! The steering is precise and the cornering behavior mimics that of a sports coupe. When we leaned the Neon into one of our favorite on-ramps it hung in there like a cat on a drape. The ride is improved over last year's car by virtue of softer spring settings and increased suspension travel.
The brakes (antilock is optional) were put to the test when we were cut off by some highly unskilled driver who didn't know what a "yield" sign meant. An accident was avoided thanks to quick reflexes and strong brakes.
All told, the new Neon is a much-improved car in many ways and even fun-to-drive. But that antiquated automatic gearbox prevents it from getting our full approval.
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