2002 CHRYSLER NEON LX When Chrysler launched the Neon in 1995, it was supposed to radically change the small car market. Unfortunately for Chrysler, the Neon suffered for several years from some serious teething problems. Though the Neon is a better balanced car today, the rebuilding of a reputation is a long and difficult process. All this aside, the 2002 Neon finally gets a four-speed automatic transmission. Available only as a four-door sedan, the Neon is available in LE, LX trims as well as a lively R/T version with a 150-horsepower engine. Interior and trunk Most people can easily get in and out of the front seats but the short of stature may be bothered by the sharply inclined “A” pillar and the pointy door frame. Some drivers may also find that the low steering wheel is a problem on the way in. The driving position is good, but no more and may not suit some drivers at all. During our test, a few members of our test team found the seat too low while others found the ceiling too low. Access to the rear seats is relatively good, but tall individuals have to be careful not to hit their head on the rather sharply inclined doorframe. The bench offers good seating at the outboard positions, but there is an uncomfortable hump in the middle. The Neon’s long wheelbase affords good legroom, and headroom is adequate for all but tall individuals. The roomy trunk has a high sill and a small opening that limits the size of things that can be placed inside. The latch ring juts up from the sill and can scrape objects as they are being loaded. The trunk lid does not have a remote release mechanism. Safety and convenience The passenger cell is quieter than before, and overall finish is much improved. However, the Neon is still noisy during moderate to heavy acceleration and on rough pavement. Wind noise, too, is often an annoyance. Like most if not nearly all Chrysler products, the Neon is plagued by dashboard reflections in the windshield that are worse on sunny days. Chrysler is adept at good interior design and once again, the Neon has plenty of practical storage spaces and cup holders. However, the radio is placed low and under the climate controls, and the CD player is way too low (almost at floor level) and hard to see. Peculiarly, only the front doors have power window controls. Safety-wise the Neon gets dual air bags, four adjustable head restraints (too low, however, to protect tall people adequately), bright headlights and optional four-wheel disc brakes with ABS. The rear-view mirror creates a big blind zone for tall drivers, and the wide “A” pillars cause the same problem for practically all drivers. Rear visibility is terrible because of the high rear window shelf. Engine and transmission Though not what you’d call smooth, the engine develops good power and interesting torque, but perhaps because of the automatic transmission, just adequate standing and passing acceleration. The engine is noisy at highway speeds and in moderate and heavy acceleration. Pickup is sluggish, especially above 70 km/h. The engine is rough and noisy in decisive acceleration— rougher even than most of the competition. The automatic transmission was a subject of controversy right from the start. A car in this price range should have a four-speed automatic, and now the Neon finally does. The transmission usually shifts smoothly though you can sometimes feel the occasional downshift. It is interesting to note that the engine runs at the same speed at 100 km/h with the four-speed automatic— 2,500 rpm—as it did with the former three-speed automatic. On the road On the firm side, the suspension provides a very smooth ride on good pavement. However, bumps and potholes make their presence felt, sometimes rather unpleasantly. The Neon has a firm, stable grip in corners and feels relatively solid, more solid, in fact, than several other Chrysler products. The well-tuned steering is direct and relatively quick, but with little road feel. The brakes are powerful and fade-resistant. An inspection at the CAA-Quebec test centre showed that though the Neon is generally well built, a number of problems persist, such as the lack of backing plate for the brake discs. Underneath, we found joints that are improperly sealed or not sealed at all, and unprotected wiring. The onboard computer is poorly located behind the bottom of the radiator, where it is exposed to damage from road salt and debris. Conclusion It is unfortunate that the first generation of the Neon acquired such a poor reputation. Since its makeover in 2000, the Neon is better built and balanced, more comfortable, quieter and roomier. However, there are other better, more refined vehicles on the market selling for the same price, and sometimes even less. FOR AGAINST Comfortable seats Dashboard reflections Smooth ride Radio too low Road holding Small trunk opening Good trunk Modest pickup Pleasant steering Noise insulation Smooth automatic transmission Rear visibility 2002 CHRYSLER NEON Engine: 16-valve, 2.0-litre, 4 cyl. Horsepower: 132 h.p. @ 5,600 rpm; 150 h.p. @ 6,600 rpm Torque: 130 lb.-ft.@ 4,600 rpm; 135 lb.-ft. Transmission: 5-speed manual; 4-speed @ 4,800 rpm automatic Suspension: fully independent Brakes: front disc/rear drum (4-wheel disc with R/T) Length: 439.6 cm Width: 171.2 cm Height: 142.2 cm Wheelbase: 266.7 cm Weight: 1,193 - 1,229 kg Tires: P185/65R14; P185/60R15; 195/50R16 Towing capacity: 680 kg (manual); Air bags: standard front, optional side 454 kg (automatic) Fuel consumption with automatic transmission: Transport Canada rating: city: 9.7 L/100 km (29 mpg); highway: 6.9 L/100 km (41 mpg) Test result: 9 L/100 (31 mpg) Fuel tank capacity: 47 litres Acceleration: 0-100 km/h: 10.1 seconds; 60-100 km/h: 8.5 seconds Competition: Chevrolet Cavalier, Daewoo Nubira, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Spectra, Mazda Protegé, Nissan Sentra, Pontiac Sunfire and Vibe, Saturn SL, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla and Matrix, Volkswagen Golf and Jetta Maintenance (amount may vary from dealer to dealer): Frequency: 3 months/5,000 km; total cost to 100,000 km: $1,230 Warranty: Full basic coverage: 3 years/60,000 km Powertrain: 5 years/100,000 km Surface corrosion: 3 years/60,000 km Perforation damage: 5 years/160,000 km Emissions control system: 3 years/60,000 km (full coverage); 8 years/130,000 km (catalytic converter and electronic control module) Factory replacement parts: Rear bumper: $456 Front brake disk: $43 Brake pads: $170 Muffler: $220 Front fender: $160 Average insurance premium (Quebec City, replacement cost endorsement, claim-free insurance record, female driver or male driver 30 to 40 years old): $691 to $1,004 Price according to trim line: LE: $18,505 LX: $20,530 R/T: $23,140 Main options: Auto. transmission: $1,030; ABS: $1,130 or $1,020, depending on version; Leather: $795 (LX and R/T); sunroof: $575 (LX and R/T) Price as tested: $23,380 Freight and preparation: $730 Dealers: Quebec: 157 Canada: 595 CAA-Quebec, April 2002 .