O/T - more rice than Uncle Ben - Page 3

Landshark · #31 12-02-2002, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by $VX
I think the newer ones look alright (95-99ish), but I just despise their performance.

- Ca$h

i don't ever remember the Cavalier being sold as a PERFORMANCE car.

if you buy a Cavalier, Neon, Civic, Sentra, etc. for performance there's something wrong.

CigarJohnny · #32 12-02-2002, 04:18 PM

AMC Gremlin was the ugliest car ever made but that damned Aztek Pontiac puked up might just change my opinion of the Gremlin.

A blown or dragged out Pacer is just plain cool! No two ways about it for me

I have a real soft spot for cars being modified to fly in the face of what they were designed to do. That said, however, the softspot hardens right up for most ricer-boy cars. There are exceptions but they are few and far between.

SVXphile · #33 12-02-2002, 04:29 PM

<This is an 03 Cavalier TurboSport from sema...

http://www.j-body.org/gallery/sema2...ay/P1010038.JPG

Mike>

Now THAT looks pretty interesting....but is it just me, or do you see some strong influence of the Mustang on that design? (replace the bowtie with a horse).
I wish GM would get off their duffs and just MAKE the Solstice. How long will it take for Bob Lutz's ideas to surface as production cars at the General? Perhaps the (Holden) GTO and the SSR pickup are heading them in the right direction.....Don

SVXphile · #34 12-02-2002, 04:42 PM

<if you buy a Cavalier, Neon, Civic, Sentra, etc. for performance there's something wrong>

...unless you pick a SE-R Spec V Sentra or a SRT-4 Neon.

The new Civic Si has, for some reason, headed in a different direction.... Don

Aredubjay · #35 12-02-2002, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CigarJohnny
AMC Gremlin was the ugliest car ever made but that damned Aztek Pontiac puked up might just change my opinion of the Gremlin.

A blown or dragged out Pacer is just plain cool! No two ways about it for me I have a real soft spot for cars being modified to fly in the face of what they were designed to do. That said, however, the softspot hardens right up for most ricer-boy cars. There are exceptions but they are few and far between.

With all "due" respect (

), the Pacer was available with a V-8 beginning in 1978.

Also, you might think twice about dissin' the Gremlin. Our admin's (Chris) dad races one and does quite well with it.

#36 12-02-2002, 04:54 PM

This is bad, but I'm gonna come right out and say it..

Hi, my name is Adam and I'm thinking very seriously about buying an SRT-4 when I finish college this year....

sfsvx · #37 12-02-2002, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SVXphile
<This is an 03 Cavalier TurboSport from sema...

http://www.j-body.org/gallery/sema2...ay/P1010038.JPG

Mike>

Now THAT looks pretty interesting....but is it just me, or do you see some strong influence of the Mustang on that design? (replace the bowtie with a horse).
I wish GM would get off their duffs and just MAKE the Solstice. How long will it take for Bob Lutz's ideas to surface as production cars at the General? Perhaps the (Holden) GTO and the SSR pickup are heading them in the right direction.....Don

I don't know if a 4500-lb 2-seater (the SSR) is the right direction, but I'd say that stylistically GM has a hit on their hands.

I've never understood the reasoning behind some designs - I can't believe that good design really costs more than bad.

Aredubjay · #38 12-02-2002, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by alacrity024
This is bad, but I'm gonna come right out and say it..

Hi, my name is Adam and I'm thinking very seriously about buying an SRT-4 when I finish college this year....

Hope you enjoy it Adam. I've gotten to the point, however, that I wouldn't buy a Neon on a dare, or, if it were the last mode of transportation on this earth, or the best damned car EVER. That's how SICK I am of hearing about them.

But, all the best to you.

#39 12-02-2002, 05:02 PM

LOL

for all I care it could be a Diahatsu or a Kia.. All I can see is 215 turbocharged ponies and 245 pound-feet of twist for 20 grand.

Landshark · #40 12-02-2002, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by alacrity024
LOL

for all I care it could be a Diahatsu or a Kia.. All I can see is 215 turbocharged ponies and 245 pound-feet of twist for 20 grand.

LOL....all i see is a quality control nightmare and wheel spin unless the front tires are pointed straight. i won't even comment on the ugly factor......

SVXphile · #41 12-02-2002, 07:31 PM

<Hope you enjoy it Adam. I've gotten to the point, however, that I wouldn't buy a Neon on a dare, or, if it were the last mode of transportation on this earth, or the best damned car EVER. That's how SICK I am of hearing about them.

But, all the best to you.>

-------------------
That Randy....always the diplomat! Tell us how you REALLY feel....don't be shy!

The latest issue of Sport Compact Car had a shootout among 8 sport compacts under $20k. The ranking, from last to first, was..
8. Honda Civic Si
7. VW Golf GTI 1.8T
6. Hyundai Tiburon V6
5. Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec 5
3. (tie) Mini Cooper S
3. (tie) Ford SVT Focus
2. Mazdaspeed Protege
1. Dodge Neon SRT-4

The little turbo Protege came within a HAIR of taking first place. On the road course it took the Neon almost three miles to open "an appreciable gap on the Protege". That is 150 hp at the wheels on the Protege vs. 223 for the Neon. But to be fair, it was not just raw horsepower that tipped the scales for the Neon. Its lateral grip on the skidpad was a good .85g. but the Protege produced .89 with a much better chassis. If the Neon had adjustable camber (it doesn't) it would have done better. In the REAL WORLD I would give the edge to the Mazda for getting its power to the ground better in less-than-ideal conditions. Just my opinion. My best friend Barry has a new Protege, just a little LX version, with only 130 hp....but I have driven it, and the handling is excellent. The Mazdaspeed is basically a MP3 with a turbo, and I would say would make a very nicely balanced machine. Just to compare with my new SVT Focus....
Focus Protege Neon
0-60 7.7 / 7.6 / 5.8
skidpad .87g / .89 / .85
braking 60-0 122ft / 123ft/ 119
700ft slalom 68.4 / 70.3/ 69.0
1/4 mile 15.7@ 88.5/ 15.5@89.4 / 14.2@99.5

Numbers don't lie folks.....the SRT-4 is one hot number. I just have my doubts that either it or the Mazaspeed Protege (which isn't in the showrooms EITHER!) will be available at their suggested prices of under $20k. Which to me, makes the comparison a bit unfair. The Mazda and Neon they tested were not production models, and they were not available to the public at the time of the test. If our local Dodge dealer pads the first SRT-4's like they did the first PT Cruisers, you will have to wait a year to get one anywhere near $20k. Besides, with that kind of power, SRT-4 owners will not be messing with the rest of us...they will be out drag racing WRX's for Pete's sake!
One thing in closing. I have driven a ACR Neon, and it handled very nicely. Add power to one of those, and you have something. BUT....and this is a huge thing to consider....I have met about 4 Neon owners and none....NONE....were happy with the reliability of their cars. My next door neighbor threatened to BEAT me if I even as much as CONSIDERED one. Puff that engine to 223+ hp....will it last?
But if the PVO guys at Dodge have done to it, what the SVT guys at Ford have done with the Focus.....

Don

CigarJohnny · #42 12-02-2002, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Aredubjay

With all "due" respect (), the Pacer was available with a V-8 beginning in 1978.

Also, you might think twice about dissin' the Gremlin. Our admin's (Chris) dad races one and does quite well with it.

I've alway's known the Pacer came with a V8. It's when they are built and have trick wheels and tires that they tickle me.

As far as the Gremlin's go, yeah...you can make them fast as hell. Heck, look how fast one can make a Neon.

It still doesn't make the Gremlin any less unbalanced looking and ugly. But hey, like the Pontiac Aztek, someone must have thought it was attractive enough to sell.

subafan · #43 12-02-2002, 09:30 PM

if i was more of an outdoors person.... i can find myself thinking that the built in tent of the aztec would come in handy... dunno... i thought the aztec was rather creative... closest thing to looking like a tank out here....

Landshark · #44 12-02-2002, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SVXphile
BUT....and this is a huge thing to consider....I have met about 4 Neon owners and none....NONE....were happy with the reliability of their cars. My next door neighbor threatened to BEAT me if I even as much as CONSIDERED one. Puff that engine to 223+ hp....will it last?
Don

i've mentioned on here before that my best friend is a service manager at a Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep dealer. he says don't EVER buy one of these products - they are complete crap. $20,000 is cheap for that kind of performance, but you get what you pay for. the thought of putting a turbo in one of these quality control jokes really scares me. for $4000 more, you could have a WRX which is slightly faster, and has AWD.

Ron Mummert · #45 12-02-2002, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CigarJohnny
I've alway's known the Pacer came with a V8. It's when they are built and have trick wheels and tires that they tickle me.

As far as the Gremlin's go, yeah...you can make them fast as hell. Heck, look how fast one can make a Neon. It still doesn't make the Gremlin any less unbalanced looking and ugly. But hey, like the Pontiac Aztek, someone must have thought it was attractive enough to sell.

Oh what the hell. Since the topic includes AMC - remember the '57 Rambler Rebel Station wagon? 255 HP V-8, 0-60 in 7.5 secs. (why do I remember that?) That was FORTY-FIVE years ago, gentleman!
What's the point? I have no idea.

Ron.