S2000 vs. Neon, a Natural comparison (long)
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: San Jose
While my car is in the shop to get the shifter pretensioning spring adjusted, Menlo Honda has been kind enough to rent a suitable replacement for me, a new Dodge Neon with 7200 miles. I've only driven the car 12 miles, but it's clear to me that the car review magazines should forget the MRoadsters and the Boxsters of the world and instead compare the S2000 the the Neon -- which is exactly what I intend to do, after all, they're nearly the same car. Witness the following:
- They both have 4 wheels.
- They both are powered by 4-cylinder engines.
- The direction of each car is controlled by a wheel.
- They both are capable of traveling at unlawful speeds.
Here's a system by system comparison of the two cars:
Engine/Acceleration:
S2000- It's loud, and hurles you forward at rates that can't possibly be good for your health.
Neon- Not as loud, but loud enough to make you think its powerful. So while you think you're moving at a rapid pace, you actually traveling at a safe and reasonable speed.
Transmission:
S2000- You have to shift it yourself. Granted, its a short throw but it requires the driver to pay attention.
Neon- It does all the shifting for you. Perfect for those drives where you would rather be drinking latte and talking on the phone rather than worrying about silly things like shifting.
Steering:
S2000- Just a twitch of the steering wheel and you're nearly turned around. And it feels as if your actually dragging your palms on the road, how disconcerting.
Neon- If you're bored while driving and don't feel like making a call, you can play with this wheel, moving it back and forth without worring about changing the direction of the car.
Handling:
S2000- It's alriight, if you like a car that will hold on to the road enough to make you strain your neck trying to keep upright.
Neon- In what other land-based vehicle can you pretend you're in a sailboat, heeling over in a 20kt wind? And I didnt have a chance to test lateral acceleration, but I suspect that the tires on the neon, which have a contact patch just a tad larger than the width of a human hair, will act like the blades on an ice skate, cutting into the road's surface providing upwards of 0.7g's of lateral acceleration. Plus, the tires should last long enough to drive to the moon and back.
Braking:
S2000- They'll make you spill your latte, need I say more?
Neon- Who cares, the only time you need brakes is to slow the person in the S2000 behind you on the mountain roads. After all, driving around those twisty corners fast might make them sick.
Interior:
S2000- The speedometer is easy to read, but the tachometer is annoying and dares to flash at me if I forget to shift. The seats are too tight, I cant move around. If the top is up, its all clausterphobic and if its down, i get sunburnt or rained on and the wind messes up my hair.
Neon- As far as tachometers go, there isnt one, so nothing to worry about there. and theres a backseat!
Exterior:
S2000- I like it, except for the lack of antenna. I did see an antenna on a Celica that I liked, maybe it will fit. Oh, and the windshield frame doesnt match the paint of the car.
Neon- Its cute. and the plastic wheel covers are classy. Unfortunately, theres not a single Neon light on the outside (or inside) of the car named "Neon". What gives Dodge, what gives?
Price:
S2000- $32000 or roughly the cost of two neons, which would give you seating for 8-10 for the same price.
Neon- starts at $15000 or roughly the cost of two Daewoos.
Overall: On my quantitative, unbiased scale of one to ten, Ive got to give the nod to the S2000 eeks this one out with a score of 9.6 to 9.5 due to the fact that I can blind oncoming traffic with the retina-burning headlights. Keep in mind, however that tested was the 4-door "Hi!" version of the Neon, I suspect the results would have been different had I had the chance to test the "Yo!" edition.
In case you had any doubts whatsoever, I hate the freaking neon. It's a pig. But if you want to appreciate your S2000, drive the neon, or any number of other cars (I suggest non-viper dodge products or non-corvette Chevy products), then drive your S2000. Who needs $24000 worth of Mugen/King products?
- They both have 4 wheels.
- They both are powered by 4-cylinder engines.
- The direction of each car is controlled by a wheel.
- They both are capable of traveling at unlawful speeds.
Here's a system by system comparison of the two cars:
Engine/Acceleration:
S2000- It's loud, and hurles you forward at rates that can't possibly be good for your health.
Neon- Not as loud, but loud enough to make you think its powerful. So while you think you're moving at a rapid pace, you actually traveling at a safe and reasonable speed.
Transmission:
S2000- You have to shift it yourself. Granted, its a short throw but it requires the driver to pay attention.
Neon- It does all the shifting for you. Perfect for those drives where you would rather be drinking latte and talking on the phone rather than worrying about silly things like shifting.
Steering:
S2000- Just a twitch of the steering wheel and you're nearly turned around. And it feels as if your actually dragging your palms on the road, how disconcerting.
Neon- If you're bored while driving and don't feel like making a call, you can play with this wheel, moving it back and forth without worring about changing the direction of the car.
Handling:
S2000- It's alriight, if you like a car that will hold on to the road enough to make you strain your neck trying to keep upright.
Neon- In what other land-based vehicle can you pretend you're in a sailboat, heeling over in a 20kt wind? And I didnt have a chance to test lateral acceleration, but I suspect that the tires on the neon, which have a contact patch just a tad larger than the width of a human hair, will act like the blades on an ice skate, cutting into the road's surface providing upwards of 0.7g's of lateral acceleration. Plus, the tires should last long enough to drive to the moon and back.
Braking:
S2000- They'll make you spill your latte, need I say more?
Neon- Who cares, the only time you need brakes is to slow the person in the S2000 behind you on the mountain roads. After all, driving around those twisty corners fast might make them sick.
Interior:
S2000- The speedometer is easy to read, but the tachometer is annoying and dares to flash at me if I forget to shift. The seats are too tight, I cant move around. If the top is up, its all clausterphobic and if its down, i get sunburnt or rained on and the wind messes up my hair.
Neon- As far as tachometers go, there isnt one, so nothing to worry about there. and theres a backseat!
Exterior:
S2000- I like it, except for the lack of antenna. I did see an antenna on a Celica that I liked, maybe it will fit. Oh, and the windshield frame doesnt match the paint of the car.
Neon- Its cute. and the plastic wheel covers are classy. Unfortunately, theres not a single Neon light on the outside (or inside) of the car named "Neon". What gives Dodge, what gives?
Price:
S2000- $32000 or roughly the cost of two neons, which would give you seating for 8-10 for the same price.
Neon- starts at $15000 or roughly the cost of two Daewoos.
Overall: On my quantitative, unbiased scale of one to ten, Ive got to give the nod to the S2000 eeks this one out with a score of 9.6 to 9.5 due to the fact that I can blind oncoming traffic with the retina-burning headlights. Keep in mind, however that tested was the 4-door "Hi!" version of the Neon, I suspect the results would have been different had I had the chance to test the "Yo!" edition.
In case you had any doubts whatsoever, I hate the freaking neon. It's a pig. But if you want to appreciate your S2000, drive the neon, or any number of other cars (I suggest non-viper dodge products or non-corvette Chevy products), then drive your S2000. Who needs $24000 worth of Mugen/King products?
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Darnestown
Nice post.
I rented a Neon down in Ameila island for a couple of days (not by choice), and all I remember was that with the AC on, I would floor it and the engine would make a lot of noise but would not propel me any faster. It was a strange sensation!
I rented a Neon down in Ameila island for a couple of days (not by choice), and all I remember was that with the AC on, I would floor it and the engine would make a lot of noise but would not propel me any faster. It was a strange sensation!
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Torrance
Hey, my girlfriend has a Neon.
I'd have to agree with you on the engine. The Neon engine does sound very aggressive and powerful, but it sure isn't. Guess Dodge must tune the exhaust to make it sound better than it really is.
I'd have to agree with you on the engine. The Neon engine does sound very aggressive and powerful, but it sure isn't. Guess Dodge must tune the exhaust to make it sound better than it really is.