In sept 2001 purchased a 2002 Dodge Neon SXT five speed, bright yellow. It was a ball to drive, except in snow. Consistent 32-40 MPG, depending on how many towns I had to slow down for between Omaha and Phoenix.I was rebuilding a 71 Duster at the time, and a friend in maricopa,AZ had two rust free front fenders. so, I headed down there, and went 1450 miles on 40 gallons, which at the time was 40 bucks!
Unbelievably, I was able to fit both those fenders in the back with the rear seat down.So I visited relatives, and blasted back. In the mountains in fourth it would take the tight mountain roads like a seasoned race car. I outran some pretty expensive cars on the way back to Flagstaff.
Sadly my wife needed an automatic, so I traded it in at 18k for a new PT cruiser.
big mistake! poor mileage, terrible in snow, but cute? HA not to me. The transmission went out at 35,600 or so, and the lower A frame at 50k. I sold it to another crazy lady that had to have a purple PT. I missed that SXT.
from that point on my wife has Patriots, they are very reliable, and safe. But still an SUV.
Not my type of car. A car has to be and look like a car!