Comments on: Why the Dodge Caliber and not another Neon? http://www.allpar.com/weblogs/2006/02/26/why-the-dodge-caliber-and-not-another-neon/ Chrysler, car, and other discussions by Allpar contributors Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:58:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: Anonymous http://www.allpar.com/weblogs/2006/02/26/why-the-dodge-caliber-and-not-another-neon/#comment-1609 Anonymous Wed, 13 Sep 2006 02:05:58 +0000 http://www.allpar.com/weblogs/?p=95#comment-1609 NEON the best,period.BETTER THAN EVEN CRAPBOX Chevies that I have owned since 1977 , including 1977 Corvette. NEON the best,period.BETTER THAN EVEN CRAPBOX Chevies that I have owned since 1977 , including 1977 Corvette.

]]> By: Dave http://www.allpar.com/weblogs/2006/02/26/why-the-dodge-caliber-and-not-another-neon/#comment-151 Dave Tue, 28 Feb 2006 16:16:42 +0000 http://www.allpar.com/weblogs/?p=95#comment-151 When the Neon first came out, it was HOT and most people have forgotten that. It was MUCH HOTTER than the Caliber. Do you remember ...? * Biggest interior in its class * Fastest acceleration in its class * 132 hp / 129 lb-ft of torque (next best: Civic EX with 125/100) * Every model with the same engine (until pointless DOHC) * Beating everything near its class in SCCA * ACR version! * Best feel you could get * Lots of cool features in every aspect... * With good gas mileage, and... * First American small car to make a profit in Heaven knows how long!! What killed the Neon: * Poorly tuned automatic. To really experience Neon you needed the five-speed. * Frameless window design coupled with untrained dealer mechanics (training came out nearly a year after the Neon did!) * Cost-cutting in the head gasket and exhaust donut designs * Chrysler taking SO DAMNED LONG to own up to problems and fix them, and not blasting their qualtiy improvements out to the public * Second generation that took the "totally safe" road and thereby robbed the Neon of most of its good points! * Chrysler failing to publicize ANY good points of the Neon after the first six months of production - how many people know the Neon was a big SCCA winner? How amny people really think it was some sort of slow-poke econobox? * Rentals. Rental Neons failed to impress. Again, the automatic... When the Neon first came out, it was HOT and most people have forgotten that. It was MUCH HOTTER than the Caliber. Do you remember …?

* Biggest interior in its class
* Fastest acceleration in its class
* 132 hp / 129 lb-ft of torque (next best: Civic EX with 125/100)
* Every model with the same engine (until pointless DOHC)
* Beating everything near its class in SCCA
* ACR version!
* Best feel you could get
* Lots of cool features in every aspect…
* With good gas mileage, and…
* First American small car to make a profit in Heaven knows how long!!

What killed the Neon:
* Poorly tuned automatic. To really experience Neon you needed the five-speed.
* Frameless window design coupled with untrained dealer mechanics (training came out nearly a year after the Neon did!)
* Cost-cutting in the head gasket and exhaust donut designs
* Chrysler taking SO DAMNED LONG to own up to problems and fix them, and not blasting their qualtiy improvements out to the public
* Second generation that took the “totally safe” road and thereby robbed the Neon of most of its good points!
* Chrysler failing to publicize ANY good points of the Neon after the first six months of production - how many people know the Neon was a big SCCA winner? How amny people really think it was some sort of slow-poke econobox?
* Rentals. Rental Neons failed to impress. Again, the automatic…

]]> By: Curtis Redgap http://www.allpar.com/weblogs/2006/02/26/why-the-dodge-caliber-and-not-another-neon/#comment-148 Curtis Redgap Tue, 28 Feb 2006 04:50:09 +0000 http://www.allpar.com/weblogs/?p=95#comment-148 I think the Neon had reached its point of absolutely no return. It had certainly paid DCX handsomely with profits. However, the design and reputation had sort of eroded it overall. Plus it's connection to Plymouth may have caused some gastrinitous for those that despise that name. With the Caliber you have a whole new vehicle shoving Neon out of the way. Just like the good old days. Nothing wrong with that. Overall the Caliber looks like a surer bet than the Neon did when it came out. The Caliber has probably generated more interest, and fits into the niche left by Neon with a better model. It is difficult to be precise, however, the Neon was a well.... smallish car with a funny face when it came out. The Caliber is into a relatively hot spot with the right price, options, and style. I think the Neon had reached its point of absolutely no return. It had certainly paid DCX handsomely with profits. However, the design and reputation had sort of eroded it overall. Plus it’s connection to Plymouth may have caused some gastrinitous for those that despise that name. With the Caliber you have a whole new vehicle shoving Neon out of the way. Just like the good old days. Nothing wrong with that. Overall the Caliber looks like a surer bet than the Neon did when it came out. The Caliber has probably generated more interest, and fits into the niche left by Neon with a better model. It is difficult to be precise, however, the Neon was a well…. smallish car with a funny face when it came out. The Caliber is into a relatively hot spot with the right price, options, and style.

]]> By: Rich http://www.allpar.com/weblogs/2006/02/26/why-the-dodge-caliber-and-not-another-neon/#comment-138 Rich Mon, 27 Feb 2006 12:37:56 +0000 http://www.allpar.com/weblogs/?p=95#comment-138 Agreed! I'll always defend the Neon and have 163000 miles worth of backup :) Agreed! I’ll always defend the Neon and have 163000 miles worth of backup :)

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