what is wrong with me (update: found more about this car for those curious)

"UserNotFound" (jalopnik2) 10/19/2020 at 17:47 • Filed to: None

3

32

why do i want this so bad

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Richard Bouchard ‘98 Dodge Neon

Super Street Online / Modified Magazine

Sep 9, 2009

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Richard Says

I’m from Quebec, Canada and want to show you my ‘98 Dodge Neon. First, I’ve got to say that the car burned last summer and was totaled, but I do think it deserves a place in your Readers’ Rides special issue. I have been in the Neon scene since 2001, and I bought the car back in November of 2006. The plan was to build the baddest and cleanest neon here in the province of Quebec. After I found a really clean shell without any rust, I started the work. I’m a DIY’er so everything was done by me except for the short-block that was done by a shop in Ontario. This car was a lot of fun to drive and pulled very hard! After the car was totaled, I took some time to think about my next car. I eventually bought an ‘02 WRX in World Rally blue.

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We Say

This could be one of the cleanest and most well-built first-gen Neons we’ve ever seen! It’s a real shame that it burned to the ground. It looks like the WRX has been a welcome replacement-it screams rally to us. We bet it’s a blast driving it through the icy backroads in Quebec.

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Engine

2.0-liter D4RE, Wiseco forged pistons 8.8:1 CR .20 over with ceramic coat, Eagle forged rods, Moroso oil pan, Felpro head gasket, ARP head studs, ‘95-99 DSM valve cover, MSD coil pack, AMM short runner intake, MPX 60mm TB, SRT-4 Stage 1 injectors, SRT-4 turbo/manifold, Mopar wastegate Stage 2, Mopar BOV, 2.5" custom intercooler piping, Yanaka type 10 intercooler, C&R aluminium radiator, 3" downpipe w/ high-flow cat, 3" exhaust w/ Raven muffler

Drivetrain

SRT-4 clutch, Phantom Grip LSD, 3.55 transmission (SOHC), Energy Suspension motor mount insert

Wheels, Brakes, Suspension

BC type BR coilovers, Energy Suspension bushing, Mopar 22mm rear sway bar, OMP front strut bar and Ractive rear strut bar, Team dynamics pro race 1.2 15x7 +35 mm offset wheels, Falken Azenis RT 615 205/50R15 tires, Rays extended lug nuts, rear disc swap

Exterior

Civic EG front lip, Amber front turn signals, wingless trunk and painted door handles

Interior

AEM tru-boost and wideband, Auto Meter Phantom Gauges (fuel pressure, oil pressure, water temp), Sparco 345 steering wheel, NRG quick release, Sparco shift knob, Red Sparco REV seats, Autopower race rollcage, battery in the trunk

Delicious.

ibRAD > UserNotFound 10/19/2020 at 16:11

3

Because it looks fun would be my guess.

flatisflat > UserNotFound 10/19/2020 at 16:14

6

Because the Neons have proven to be good lil’ autocross cars?  Or, as stated by ibRAD, because fun?

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > UserNotFound 10/19/2020 at 16:14

0

Neons are bad ass.

A tip: the first gen four doors weigh less and have a stiffer chassis. Go buy one.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > UserNotFound 10/19/2020 at 16:14

5

Nice Subaru Impreza coupe. . .

. . . oh wait. . . 

flatisflat > flatisflat 10/19/2020 at 16:15

1

(also potentially because HDR ph otography) :P

UserNotFound > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 10/19/2020 at 16:16

0

They really have changed over the years.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > UserNotFound 10/19/2020 at 16:18

1

The first gen is starting to look pretty nice but the second gen is still too 2000s blob when 2000s blob has not yet become cool again. Just wait, one day. . . 

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > UserNotFound 10/19/2020 at 16:19

4

If it has an SRT-4 swap, then I’m all about it. Those things weigh ed next to nothing, and some power would go a long way!

sony1492 > UserNotFound 10/19/2020 at 16:21

3

TBH i don’t understand the hate Neons get beyond being econobox and chrysler. That thing looks fun

Chariotoflove > UserNotFound 10/19/2020 at 16:23

2

“what is wrong with me?”

You haven’t bought one of these yet?

dogisbadob > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 10/19/2020 at 16:24

1

they look the same by the head gaskets :p

wafflesnfalafel > UserNotFound 10/19/2020 at 16:24

1

those original Neons were solid looking little cars, not exactly a great car but good looking

BaconSandwich is tasty. > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 10/19/2020 at 16:24

1

Just make sure to do something to secure it better.  The frameless windows were pretty easy to pull back, making the car fairly easy to steal.  So I’ve heard.

Speed > UserNotFound 10/19/2020 at 16:25

1

These things are a rare enough in any iteration, that when I see one, I point at it and yell, “Neon!”. Out of curiosity I went on BAT earlier to see if anyone ever sold a 2nd gen SRT4 on there. Those are still cool cars that you also see very little of.

Tripper > UserNotFound 10/19/2020 at 16:26

1

Man I have definitely talked some SHIT on a dodge neon. However, this somehow good

GoodIdeaAtTheTime > UserNotFound 10/19/2020 at 16:26

2

Get one. They are a blast. Handle great, take jumps like a champ, and pretty quick acceleration. They are l ight, stiff, cheap to maintain, rust very easily, and suffer the occasional head gasket issues. Nothing you can’t fix in a weekend.

UserNotFound > Chariotoflove 10/19/2020 at 16:27

2

Every time I try to get away from MOPAR they just pull me right back in :’(

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > BaconSandwich is tasty. 10/19/2020 at 16:28

2

It’s a Neon, nobody’s gonna steal it.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > UserNotFound 10/19/2020 at 16:29

2

For me the draw toward the first gen Neon Coupe is 50%Need for Speed Undergroud 1 and 30% just the fact that I love simple 90s shitboxes. And 20% that these ones apparently handle really well. I really considered buying a lime green one that was the Racing trim with no options but the twin cam motor.

Chariotoflove > UserNotFound 10/19/2020 at 16:44

2

And you thought you could quit any time you wanted, Bwahahaha!

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > UserNotFound 10/19/2020 at 16:51

1

I always thought the first -gen Neon was under-rated! A friend of the family had one for years and they had very few problems with it other than paint fade in a few places.

Nom De Plume > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 10/19/2020 at 17:21

0

Nah,  1997 Dodge Neon Expresso are the real deal and rare as these get.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 10/19/2020 at 17:24

1

I knew someone who had one stolen. This was maybe 10 years ago. Maybe car thieves are more discerning now?

Cash Rewards > WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI 10/19/2020 at 17:25

1

Srt-4 were fast as hell, especially the acr ones

Cash Rewards > Tripper 10/19/2020 at 17:26

0

The way I always put it regarding the srt-4 was that it was a piece of shit. A really, really fast piece of shit. 

Cash Rewards > UserNotFound 10/19/2020 at 17:27

5

If that has any srt or acr bits it will be pretty fast, for a piece of crap

UserNotFound > Cash Rewards 10/19/2020 at 17:38

2

The little intercooler pee king out the lower grille is promising.

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI 10/19/2020 at 17:55

1

EDIT for the edit: It is an SRT-4 swap!!

Thisismydisplayname > UserNotFound 10/19/2020 at 18:01

1

I loved my ‘97 ACR, it was a blast to drive and a very capable AutoX machine.  I would have another in a heartbeat.  As a toy only.  Wouldn’t want to DD it. 

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Cash Rewards 10/19/2020 at 18:02

0

Totally stock, a Neon is still faster than a Miata! That was the pleasant surprise I came across while owning that turd for a short while a couple years back. I bought it as a “long term rental car” and I had high hopes of autocrossing it but spent the whole 3 months of ownership fighting gremlins instead. Still better than a soul sucking rental car though!

Cash Rewards > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 10/19/2020 at 18:18

0

I am don’t mean to alarm you, but many cars are faster than the Miata. I’d like to say the list and long and distinguished (like my johnson (thank you, Top Gun)), but really it’s it’s just long. Wouldn’t trade it for much though!

I like the idea of a cheap car over a rental. That's part of the reason we got our heater truck, to be honest.

Urambo Tauro > UserNotFound 10/19/2020 at 18:33

1

Not a bad mod list! Seems like it’d still be plenty streetable as a daily driver after all that.