TexP5

This whole thread cracks me up.

I believe the proper grammatical expression is "vomitorium" not regurgitorium, LOL

But whatever the term...a neon and an escort? I'm right behind you on the way to the barfarama!

An escort AND a neon. He's never owned a real car and that is sad.

arl240

remember the escort is a relative of the protege, which I think is what rt99 is insinuating. In my opinion, a protege isn't a real car either. I saw a real car at lunch today, it had an M3 badge on the side. I can't wait until I see some punk in a suped up protege gets hammered by a turboed neon. Bang on the looks and make all you want, you will still be getting slapped around a domestic.

My worst fear for these cars is that since they will be so available and affordable (way more competition locally in domestics), all sorts of check-to-check ******** will lease these and live through them. At least hondas are more expensive, which keeps the white trash segment out of them more.

Well, I have tried to defend RT99 as best as possible. I appreciate x-over members from other forums, you get to learn to love the auto even more. I just feel bad for the guys that are frightened of a little healthy competition.

Witchdoktor

OVERRATED OVERRATED


did i forget to mention overrated!!!

Farsyde

is a $13,000 civic expensive? only cheaper car than that is a Kia. The Pro5 is, what, 17000?? Thats Accord price range. Expensive is 20000-25000+.

TexP5

For me it has nothing to do with competition. I'm long past my stoplight drag racing days and I too enjoy the crossover readers. Sorry RT99 but man, the Escort and the Neon are two pretty bad cars.

There are three words that separate Protege's from Ford products despite the same corporate ownership...

"Made in Japan"

A recent short piece in Automobile magazine on the next generation Focus said there would be a lot more cross pollenation in the next generation shared platform vehicle Focus/Protege/Volvo S40.

If only Ford has the sense to "Volvo-ize" the Protege rather than "Focusing" it. As soon as I read the story I started salivating over the possibility of dropping a turbocharged Volvo engine into my Protege5...that would be a SWEEEEEEEET car! Leave the car exactly as it is, but swap in the Volvo engine...I hope Ford is looking at all these vehicles like WRX's etc because a Protege5 with the 190 HP engine from my wife's 99 Volvo S70GLT would kick serious ***.

bmassche

P5 = Chick car. More women own these cars than men, and most don't supe them up. More men own sedans than station wagons gaurenteed

TexP5

Whereas a 2000 Protege sedan with painted calipers reeks of testosterone!!!

fossil boy

TexP5 - thanks for the assist! (i got a punk *** on another thread to deal with - tee hee)

Chick car!! Right on - the best way to impress the ladies is with something they like. Duh!! i don't believe calipers (natural or tinted) are on most women's priority list.

ACRBILL

I'm impressed with the level of maturity on this board. First off, the srt-4 is going to be the one helluva value when it his the showroom I dont think anyone can argue that point. What also assures the srt-4 will be a hit is the faactory support it is getting. Much like the ford did with the focus. There are already a few srt-4's in the hands of tuners, so when it hits the street there will already be an aftermarket for it. As far as reliability is concerned dodge has gone through great lenghts to try and cut down the problems associated with a 1st year car. As far as the the interior goes.. If you wanna see the seats the srt-4 will have just go to your local dodge dealer and look at a 2003 viper. Now imagine the seats are cloth and the huge *** bolsters are leather. Also the srt-4 will not have the 5 point harnass holes.

When the srt-4 hits the street Dodge should have thier performance option packages availible. 25 hp, 50hp, 75 hp. All of which can be added at the dealer and the cost can be lumped into your car payment. hmmm a 2700 lb. 290+hp car. hmmmm could be intersting.

As for Neons having crappy build quility i suggest you test drive a 2ng gen 2000-2002 Im sure you will find they have improved it greatly. Here is another tid bit. len ayala went mid 9s last year in his 1st gen acr. Oh ya.. that was with the stock block and crank.

If any of you guys are In the chicago area and want to see how crappy my 01' acr handles feel free to e-mail me and we can meet up somewhere.

In conclusion. I really like the looks of the prtege 5. I'll take 1. in yellow

Farsyde

The new neons are nice cars, i think its just all the bad hype surronding the old plymouth and the first two years of dodge where it was the worst ranked car, but that all ancient history now-let the aftermarket begin!

trickedoutP5

oh I agree that the newer gen neons aren't as bad as the plymoth years, but I still wouldn't buy one, I really hated them until a friend who worked at chrysler made me test drive one, I didn't mind the car but it just wasn't for me, I didn't like the feel of the car but that is just my opinion I'm sure it is a good car none the less. I would not buy one myself though, Sorry if I was an *** before I just get really defensive when people dis my car and I am sure anybody who loves their car is like this so to all of the neon owners I am truly sorry for my lack of kindness towards you,

Thanks