SPECIFICATIONS
Sticker . $14,490
Power . 132 horsepower
0 to 60 . 9 to 10 sec.
Test Mileage . 31.3 mpg
Seating . 5
Trunk . 11.8 cubic feet
Parking . Party Zones
Cheap Date By now you know the smiling face of NEON, but what about it's heart? True love or passing fancy? We'll after a week in this skeptic's hands, I can report that this snubnose lover is a keeper, dear. The NEON really is a fun small car just like they said. It's fast, well built, very comfy, secure and a rip to rock in. Very merry.
American small cars have been plastic claptraps for years from the Pinto to the Omni. OK scoots, but no savoir' faire. The NEON set an ambitious course to bring back disenchanted small car buyer with design, performance, innovation and sheer spunk . . . and does it!
Say what you will. the NEON is a looker'. Kind of plain and obviously no big ticket item; it still manages a presence and avoids that cheapo buzz. The shape is dope, no bout a dout it. Inside shows a surprising level of finish, including shiny NEON badges and a very sci-fi dash. The wheel is kind of odd, but at least they were trying, and it proves superb in hand. The steering is accurate and tossin' the NEON a manageable affair. Pep is pop and the 5 speed friendly enough to snap a few shifts at redline. Scooter to be sure. Curves get theirs and the NEON glides over the urban surface with few quivers. A live driver.
Comfort, trunk it, CD fine sound and all up to snuff. Plenty of room in the rear seat, too. In fact the NEON looks like $20k, nice steal at $14.5. Big ? is how will she do down the road, when the payments are done. The jury's out on that one. I wouldn't expect stone solid reliability over 10 years, but I would recommend the NEON to anyone in the budget market with an uncompromising taste. It does offer a better package than anything else under $15 large. Bye.
REXX TAYLOR
