Why 2gen?

FormerlyREDRT_98 · Post by **FormerlyREDRT_98** » Sun Feb 10, 2013 4:25 pm

So why does everyone have a 2gen?

I've always been a bigger fan of the 1gen and have had four of them. I have my 01 because it was my wife's car purchased new. I traded my Saturn in for her to get an Edge. We only need one SUV and I drive a lot farther for work, plus she carts the kids around and needs more room.
I'd love to trade it for a 1gen if I could find someone willing to trade, but this car also has sentimental value

g_force58 · Post by **g_force58** » Sun Feb 10, 2013 6:11 pm

I don't know about others here since everyone has their own story and reasons, but I can tell you why I have a 2gn. The car has heart! I have a 2000ES and love it. They drive well, stop well, very comfortable, and respond well to mods. As a dd, in my mind they excell in comfort and fuel mileage. Yeah ok, most peeps say it's just a Neon, but I feel it is much more. My first Neon was a 1999 Dodge Neon Sport and I would still have it if not for financial issues.(divorces can do that) I liked the 1st gen more but as they say, you can never go back home. If any car could have a soul, it's the Neon. I just like the styling and creature comforts of the 2gn more, and the availability of 1gn's here is not that good. If you do find a 1st gen, they are far beyond what you want to spend and the cost to bring them back is prohibitive. I am almost 62 yrs old and most folks think I am crazy for being in the sport compact scene, but am I? The peeps on this forum will most likely tell you I am not because they share my enthusiasm and passion for the Neon.

Arro · Post by **Arro** » Sun Feb 10, 2013 8:41 pm

Because the OP stated that he prefers 1GN, and asks "Why 2GN?", I see this as sort of a request for comparison.

I posted in a similar thread once before.... I believe my general views haven't changed much. 1GN and 2GN have their strengths and weaknesses, but for me, the 2GN feels less "cheap" (even though it's still cheap-ish). It's *updated*, and a bit more roomy, with a more modern, refined feel to it.

As I've said before, the fact that it could be had with premium sound, leather interiors, and a high-output engine is a big deal considering that this was their economy car of the time. And by high-output engine I mean the R/T's Magnum engine, not the SRT-4's 2.4L turbo engine.

It also takes well to modifications compared to other cars in its price range, give or take what year your 2GN is (I'm thinking of NGC, poor bastards lol).

The 2GN is just more car for what it is. Yes, that means a bit more weight, but the trade-offs are nice and you feel less like you're in a bucket compared to a 1GN. They just aren't the same experience.

Don't get me wrong... I like 1GN's. I think 2-door coupes are sexy in R/T trim. I rented a '98 R/T once for a week... electric blue with the twin racing stripes down the top of the car. It was a lot of fun to drive and looked sharp. In a cute, smallish sort of way

My 2000 ES is a bit larger, and the way I've trimmed it out it looks aggressive and not smallish. My SRT-4 looks even more aggressive. The 1GN and 2GN are just very different cars in terms of design philosophy. I tend to subscribe to the newer of the two because of those differences.

But that's just me.

INVUJerry · Post by **INVUJerry** » Sun Feb 10, 2013 9:37 pm

I originally bought my first 2gn when I needed a car that wasn't going to kill me in repairs every month. I bought a 2005 SXT with 7 miles on it brand new on March 29th, 2005. I ended up going through a bunch of 1gns, an SRT and an 01 R/T that had a bad motor and was never on the road. I prefer the 1gn for the mod ability, the lightness, and the ECU's, although that is becoming less of an issue.

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Mon Feb 11, 2013 12:13 am

I needed a new car and the 1GN had been replaced when I was in the market. If DCX hadn't updated the 1GN, I would have bought another (like my '95) instead of the 2GN '02 I got. I like both generations- each has its strengths and weaknesses.

dvon17 · Post by **dvon17** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 2:14 am

I like the style of the 2GN compared to the 1GN. My very first Neon AND car was a 98 Highline sedan. I loved it. Mostly because it was my first car and it was given to me by someone who.......didn't love it as much. I learned everything I know now about cars with and because of that car lol. However, I can't say I was completely satisfied with it. I always liked the 2GN. They're bigger, more stylish, less cheap-ish as stated above and, in my personal opinion, more fun to drive. I now have a 2000 Highline and I love it completely. Even with all of its imperfections! May not be that fast but it has a lot of heart! I get into that car everyday and it has yet to fail me. It's taken me wherever I've taken IT with no problems and, with the things I've put it through, it's definitely a trooper.

Definitely worth more than the $500 I paid for it lol.