2003-2004 Dodge Neon R/T

Pros :
- Attractive cab-forward profile.
- Fairly roomy interior for a compact car.
- Lively acceleration.
- Very good handling.
- Value for money.

Cons :
- Butt-in-the-air stance looks odd.
- Below-average build quality.
- Very rough engine.
- Notchy shifter.
- Overall, not as refined as comparable Japanese models.

Interior :

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Press Coverage :
R/T is designed to be fun to drive. It comes with a 150-horsepower High-Output Magnum version of the 2.0-liter engine, plus a sport suspension, P195/50R16 Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires on 16-inch aluminum wheels, firm-feel power steering, four-wheel-disc brakes with ABS and traction control, performance-tuned exhaust with bright dual tips, unique front and rear fascia, fog lights, rear spoiler, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. The six-disc in-dash CD is standard, interior lighting is upgraded and there's a trunk light. A leather interior ($715) is optional and comes with compass and outside temperature readouts on the rearview mirror. The power sunroof is also available.
Neon's long wheelbase and wide track contribute to its roomy interior, smooth ride quality and high-speed stability. Full-frame doors reduce wind noise and create a tight seal. The current Neon has a more rigid body structure than first-generation models, which results in a smoother, quieter, more controlled ride.
Seats are quite comfortable, cushy and supportive. The side bolsters on the seat seemed a bit soft, but felt fine while driving. The new cloth trim feels good and looks like it will hold up well. Vinyl trim on the front edges of the seats gives them a nicely finished look and feel. Dash and door trim are made of a premium material that is soft to the touch, providing an attractive appearance and feel and lacking the plastic look of many compacts. The stereo sounded mediocre. Back-seat passengers benefit from the large interior. It's not a bad place to spend short-to-medium-length trips. Rear-seat roominess is about average for the class.
The trunk is reasonably large, about average for the class. Gooseneck hinges intrude into the cargo space, but afford a relatively large trunk opening. Liftover height is on the high side. The rear seat splits 60/40 and folds down for carrying additional cargo.
Dodge Neon rides well, handles well, and the engine delivers good acceleration performance. It doesn't lead the class in refinement, however. It doesn't ride as smoothly nor is it as quiet as, say, a Toyota Corolla.
Neon's single-overhead-cam 2.0-liter engine delivers decent power. It's quicker than many more-expensive compacts. New motor mounts for 2003 are designed to reduce noise. Still, the 2.0-liter engine is relatively unrefined and its boomy and raucous behavior is transmitted into the cabin.
The manual gearbox works well, but shifting is clunky. Manual transmissions have a revised fifth-gear ratio for 2003 designed to improve fuel efficiency on the highway.
The suspension does a good job of balancing ride quality and handling agility. The Neon is fun to drive on winding roads, offering good response in transient (left, right, left) maneuvers. The suspension does a good job of preventing the car from bottoming on dips, reducing the need to slow way down. Its fully independent strut-type suspension is designed for high ground clearance and long jounce travel. This improves ride quality while decreasing the chance of bottoming under heavy loads. Premium shocks contribute to Neon's ride quality.
The disc brakes that come on the R/T model work well and the pedal feels good. The brakes work well. They stop the car quickly and are stable under hard braking. Neon stops more quickly than many of the other cars in its class. Whether the roads are slippery or dry, the antilock brake system helps drivers maintain steering control in panic braking situations.
Nctd.com

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History:
2001-2002 Dodge Neon R/T
1,995 cc / 150 hp / 135 lb-ft / 2726 lbs / 0-60 mph 7.8 sec.