Driving Impressions
reviewed by
In a car that has all the mass of a styrofoam cup, the 132 hp of the standard Neon
engine can't help but deliver impressive performance. This is a small car that has a
long stride and squeezes every inch from a gallon of fuel.
Surprisingly, the optional 150-hp powerplant in our test car was equally
economical while delivering a noticeably stronger punch. The 5-speed manual
transmission that comes standard with either engine should be considered mandatory;
the optional 3-speed automatic is a cheerless device that doesn't suit these small
engines.
The manual transmission, for its part, is well matched to the engine's power
characteristics. However, the shifting in our test car wasn't as precise as some other
manual transmissions provided in this class, a trait we've noticed in other Neons.
Handling ranges from good (Base) to excellent (Sport) to superb (Competition
Package). However, ride quality is degraded by each of the stiffer suspensions. We
found our Sport acceptable in day-to-day use, the firmer ride being offset by a
higher fun-to-drive quotient.
The competition package, intended primarily for buyers who want to take their
Neons to a race track, is a little too harsh for everyday use.
Steering is excellent at all three levels. The standard brakes are good, but the
4-wheel disc option (with ABS except in the Competition Package) is far better.
But the Neon has one drawback in any form: noise. Even with the extra sound
insulation added for 1996, both engines are below class standards for noise and
smoothness. It takes a very gentle right foot to keep the buzzes and rasps at bay, and
that means slow travel, as both powerplants thrive on high rpm.
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