First Impressions of the Dodge Neon for 1997
Posted: June 14, 2009 in 1997, Dodge, Neon | Tags: 4-Door, Canada market, Dodge Neon, Sedan, Sport
The restyled Neon Sport is equipped with a Chrysler 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that utilizes a total of 16 valves. The engine is paired with a Chrysler 5-speed transaxle. This configuration has proven to be a successful design for Dodge.
The Neon uses power-assisted brakes, with Non-ABS support. The front brakes are disc while the rear brakes are disc. Steering is handled through a power-steering rack-style configuration. The car uses coil and coil springs front and rear respectively.
Neon Sport Statistics
The Neon is 171.80 inches long, 67.50 inches wide, and 54.90 inches high. It has a wheelbase of 104.00 inches. It is able to seat 5 comfortably.
The standard warranty period for the Neon is 60* months, or 50,000* miles, whichever comes first. This is standard in the sedan market.
The original manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) was $10,800 when new, with a dealer invoice cost of $10,131. This price was in line with the industry average price for a 4-door Sedan.
Fuel Efficiency
The fuel system for the 1997 Neon is a SFI design, running on gasoline fuel. The fuel flow is regulated by a electronic system and is a fuel-injected MFI design. The storage capacity of the fuel tank is 12.50 gallons.
The Neon Sport received a miles-per-gallon rating of 25 - 29 in-city driving and 34 - 39 when it came to long-distance. Being a gas-powered non-green car, this was subpar.
In Summary
The 1997 model year was unsuccessful for the Dodge Neon. The introduction of several trim levels (along with the Sport version) meant that buyers had several options to choose from..