Neon Finally Home

neonsox · Post by **neonsox** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 4:08 pm

Today, a good friend returned home from a brief hospital stay after surgery. She's doing great, AND... My Neon comes home after 2 days getting the rear bumper repainted (was rear-ended a couple weeks ago). I got stuck with an '09 Ford Focus for a rental and let me tell you - the Neon will be thankfully welcomed back.

The Focus has a lot of non-helpful "features" and the (Mazda) 140 hp 2.0 liter motor lacked punch. It is quieter, in the usual Japanese manner, but has a weak sound. The body rides high, isn't styled well in my opinion, and the transmission downshifts too soon resulting in the engine bogging down. The interior was cheap feeling although the seats where admittedly better and had more adjustment options. The dash lights up in this odd blue color and the font isn't clear at all. In fact, some of the warning lights were actually partially concealed by the trim in an obvious oversight by Ford's engineers. The ride was decent but no better than the Neon and the taller stance made it feel a bit top-heavy. Rear visibility was impaired by a middle headrest in the back seat. Braking was more spongy than I'm used to but was adequate. It would make a good car for somebody who hasn't driven anything better (first time driver).

That's my review. Good riddance. Chalk one up to experience though.

SOKADAO954 · Post by **SOKADAO954** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 4:12 pm

i had driven one for a rental also the car is very very cheap made only good thing i saw was the bluetooth hands free while driving very helpfull but everything elz very poor car.

Swordfish2Cowboy · Post by **Swordfish2Cowboy** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 5:52 pm

Downshifts?

GreeNeons03 · Post by **GreeNeons03** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 6:45 pm

It was probably an ATX.

Swordfish2Cowboy · Post by **Swordfish2Cowboy** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 7:35 pm

GreeNeons03 wrote:It was probably an ATX.

Well if it's doing it by itself, then yes, of course. However, wouldn't an up-shift cause that problem? Downshift would make the RPMs go up, and put you more in the powerband of the Focus.

jetas · Post by **jetas** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 1:01 am

Swordfish2Cowboy wrote:
GreeNeons03 wrote:It was probably an ATX.
Well if it's doing it by itself, then yes, of course. However, wouldn't an up-shift cause that problem? Downshift would make the RPMs go up, and put you more in the powerband of the Focus.

it will make the RPms go up but sometimes it berely speeds up. Like on my ATX if i floor it between ~25-35 you can feel it kick. also around 55-65. any other speeds it dnt do shit. U just gotta get the hang of it

Post by **racer12306** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 8:43 am

It's only going to downshift if it can do so safely. It won't self mutilate.

But, yes I believe he meant upshifts.

neonsox · Post by **neonsox** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 9:04 am

I did mean upshift. Oops.