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Dodge Neon

The Neon (also called SX 2.0 and SRT-4) is a compact car of the 1990s and 2000s from DaimlerChrysler's Dodge and Plymouth brands. In export markets outside North America, it carried Chrysler badges. It is a front wheel drive car and replaced the Dodge Shadow and Plymouth Sundance.

Contents

1994


The first generation Neon was manufactured for the model years 1995 to 1999. It was available as a 4-door sedan or 2-door coupe. It was powered by either a 132 hp 2.0 L SOHC or a 150 hp 2.0 L DOHC 4-cylinder engine. The car was available with a 3-speed automatic transmission or a 5-speed manual transmission.

First-generation Neons are highly competitive in Solo I and Solo II autocross racing. The no-frills SOHC- or DOHC-equipped ACR (sedans and coupes, respectively) variants are well-known as affordable amateur racing cars. Both the ACR and the more feature-laden R/T (introduced in the 1998 model year) models, each available as either a sedan or a coupe, featured four-wheel disc brakes; performance-oriented suspensions with shorter, stiffer springs, beefier swaybars, and close-ratio steering; and a heavy-duty 5-speed transmission built by NVG with a numerically higher 5th gear ratio for better acceleration at high speeds. The computer-controlled top speed limiter was removed entirely on 1995 ACR models and raised from the standard 118 MPH to 130 MPH on both the ACR and R/T models for subsequent years.

Early Neons had from a number of reliability problems, the most famous being that the engines would frequently suffer head-gasket failures. By November 1998, the head gasket had been replaced with a new MLS (Multi Layer Steel) design which proved to be much more reliable. There were also rumors that 1 of the 8 head bolt-holes had been drilled slightly too shallow on many of the blocks, so when the bolt was tightened it simply "bottomed out" instead of holding the head to the block with the correct amount of force. Many Neons suffered from poor paint jobs, where the paint becomes brittle and peels off in sheets. Either way, by the end of the first generation most of the major problems had been sorted out and the Neon proved to be a reliable car. Unfortunately, the Neon's early reputation for poor reliability persists even today.

The Australian-market Chrysler Neon came in two models, the SE and the better equipped LX. Later, the LX model was replaced by the LE with the updated model in 1999.

2000

Sales of the second-generation model started with model year 2000 and are still in production. The second-generation Neon is only available with four doors and with several variants of the 2.0L SOHC engine ranging from 132 to 150 HP.

The second-generation version was much more refined than the first-generation car. Frameless windows (which would pull away from the door in a strong crosswind) were replaced with a full-framed door. Numerous other NVH refinements led to a much quieter and enjoyable passenger car. The more refined interior did, however, come at the cost of increased weight. For this reason the 2nd generation car is not as competitive around a race track.

In an attempt to rid the car of its reputation, the name Neon was changed to SX 2.0 in Canada in 2002.

In Australia, Chrysler Neon, with its declining sales, and expensive price compared to other competitors, ceased sales in 2002.

In 2002 the front clip was changed to match the R/T and ACR front clip.

The ACR and R/T models were discontinued in 2005.

SRT-4

In 2003, a turbocharged version was created. Although it was built on the same basic chassis as the regular second-generation Neon, the turbocharged version is known as an SRT-4.

Upgrades from the normal Neon include the 2.4 L DOHC engine, a heavy-duty 5-speed transaxle, revised suspension and steering, 17 in high performance tires and wheels, larger disc brakes, high-bolstered bucket seats , and more aggressive front and rear fascias. 2004 SRT-4 model also got a standard limited slip differential.

For a small, affordable, front-wheel drive economy car, the SRT-4 is extremely powerful. Initially rated at 215 hp (160 kW) when it was introduced for the 2003 model year, the SRT-4 received a 15 hp bump to 230 hp (172 kW) via revised engine management the following year. It is quite easy to modify the car to produce over 300 hp (224 kW) using dealer-supplied or aftermarket parts.

2006

The Neon will be replaced for 2006 with a new vehicle (probably the Dodge Caliber wagon) based on the shared Chrysler/Mitsubishi Motors GS platform.

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Last updated: 10-29-2005 02:13:46