Comparison Tests
Now that the extraordinary levels of refinement found in the latest crop of luxury cars are trickling down into smaller and smaller vehicles, there’s never been a better time for the resurgence of the pocket rocket. Remember them? The GTIs and Colt Turbos that cost so little, went remarkably well in a straight line as well as around corners, and had real cheeky personalities?
Well, after an interval during which slammed Civics held sway over the category, things have started to hot up again. Stemming from its involvement in SCCA Showroom Stock racing, Dodge introduced the Neon ACR competition package in 1998 aimed at SCCA racers, and Honda brought back the rev-happy Civic Si for 2000. Now Dodge is offering a similarly sporty R/T version of its new-generation Neon, available right now as a 2001 model for a base price of about $15,500.
The R/T model differs from its lesser siblings by having a 150-hp version of the same SOHC 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine used throughout the range. The 18 extra horses come from an electronically controlled dual-plenum intake, revised valve timing and lift, and a reduction in exhaust back pressure owing to a stainless-steel header and a larger 2.25-inch-diameter exhaust pipe (up a quarter of an inch) that runs all the way back to two tailpipes.
Nissan is fielding an SE version of its generically styled but dynamically wellendowed new Sentra. (In GXE trim, the Sentra placed second among 13 contenders in “Little Cars 6.1,” C/D, June 2000.) Powered by a revised version of the 2.0-liter DOHC engine we liked so much in the Sentra SE-R of the recent past, the latest SE model has a front strut-tower brace and stiffer suspension calibrations to handle its sportier role.
There are 195/55HR-16 tires on alloy wheels as part of an SE performance option package ($899) that includes a rear spoiler, a viscous limited-slip differential, a high-power audio system, side-sill extensions, and an anti-theft immobilizer. So equipped, the Sentra SE stickers for $16,397 (we added a $79 set of floor mats, too).
You might think Nissan’s Sentra SE is a little large and mature to be compared with the grinning Neon, but the two cars are surprisingly alike in price, specification, and performance. Similar engines power both cars. Both weigh in at exactly the same poundage, and they share the white instrument faces, tuned suspensions, and upgraded wheel and tire packages that manufacturers typically lavish on their sporty models. The next sounds you’ll hear are the cards falling where they may.
