USED & NEW CARS AUTO PARTS INFORMATION 2007 2008 ONLINE - FIND CHEAP AUTO PARTS

The 2006 Dodge Neon is actually a 2005, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

The Neon is practical, inexpensive and roomy, and plenty fun to drive. It's quicker than most cars in its class and it feels sporty on winding roads, with a good balance of ride quality and handling agility. Relatively long suspension travel helps Neon avoid bottoming out on bad roads, and it gets good fuel mileage. Best of all, the models on the lots now promise better deals than ever.

That's because the Neons sold in 2006 will be straight carryover from 2005. Dodge will stop building the current Neon at its Belvedere, Illinois, factory to retool for an all-new small car for 2007. Yet before that new car hits showrooms, there will be plenty of the current Neon models left to sell. In any circumstances, the Neon is a solid car at a good price, typically with some heavy dealer incentives. In 2006, smart shoppers should be able to buy Neon at clearance prices.

The frugal Neon SE ($13,800) comes with the essentials and not much more. The SXT ($16,110) comes loaded with popular features, before the sales incentives, and it can be decked out with plenty of appearance items.

Driving enthusiasts love the Neon SRT4 ($20,700), which boasts a 230-horsepower turbocharged engine, sports suspension, heavy-duty gearbox, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes and 17-inch performance tires. While it's much more expensive than the other Neons, the SRT4 delivers a lot of bang for the buck. It's the most powerful compact you can buy, and it's fast. Of course, those who don't appreciate the SRT4's improved handling may think its ride is too stiff, but this Neon has typically sold for full sticker. The 2006 sell-down may or may not change that.

The Dodge Neon is a compact, five-passenger, front-wheel-drive sedan available in three models: the basic SE, the well-equipped SXT and the high-performance SRT4. The SE and SXT are powered by a 2.0-liter, 132-horsepower four-cylinder engine.

The Neon SE ($13,800) is spartan, to be sure, with wind-up windows, manual door locks, and 14-inch steel wheels. Its mirrors and moldings are black, though it does come with tilt steering, a 60/40 split folding back seat, AM/FM/cassette stereo with four speakers and vanity mirrors. A five-speed manual transmission is standard. Options for the SE include air conditioning ($1,000), a four-speed automatic transmission ($825), AM/FM/CD stereo with six speakers ($175), and cruise control ($250).

The sanely equipped Neon SXT ($16,110) adds the air conditioning and CD, power front windows, power door locks (with speed-sensitive automatic locking), keyless remote, power mirrors, power trunk lid release, tachometer, map lights, 15-inch aluminum wheels and body-color door handles and molding. SXT buyers can choose the manual or automatic transmission. Options inlude a power sunroof ($695), six-disc in-dash CD changer ($350) and a Kicker audio upgrade ($495).

There are also several appearance tweaks available for the SXT, starting with a trunk-lid spoiler ($100). The economical Sport Appearance group ($150) includes the spoiler, fog lamps, body-color or satin-silver bezels on the dash and unique 15-inch aluminum wheels. The SRT Design Package ($895) gives the SXT the look of the high-performance SRT4 by adding a power bulge on the hood, unique front fascia, and dual exhaust tips. Colors are limited to Blast Orange, Bright Silver, Flame Red, and Black. Finally, a Special Edition package ($945) includes chrome wheels, the Kicker audio with CD changer, and an alarm.

Neon's appearance hasn't changed much, but it's still distinguished from other small cars by its cab-forward profile, arched roofline and ovoid headlamps. The cab-forward design pays practical dividends. Neon's long wheelbase and wide track contribute to its roomy interior, smooth ride quality and high-speed stability. Full-frame doors reduce wind noise and create a tight seal.

For years Dodge made some effort to distance the high-performance SRT4 from other Neons, even calling it the Dodge SRT4 in promotional literature, dropping the Neon label entirely. The concept seemed to make even less sense when Dodge decided to offer an SRT Design package for the standard Neon SXT. This borrows a number of the appearance tweaks previously reserved for the high-performance model.

The Neon is roomy inside. In fact, an accommodating cabin is one of its strengths compared with some of the other compacts. The driver sits high for good visibility, and the front seating area has lots of hip room and legroom.

Back-seat passengers benefit from the Neon's big interior, as well. The rear seat is not a bad place for short- to medium-length trips, even for average-size adults.

The trunk is about average for the class at 13.1 cubic feet. Gooseneck hinges intrude into the cargo space, but afford a relatively large trunk opening. Lift-over height is on the high side. The rear seat splits 60/40 and folds down for carrying additional cargo.

The standard Neon SXT seats are quite comfortable, cushy and supportive. The side bolster appears a bit soft, but felt fine while driving. The cloth upholstery feels good and looks durable. Vinyl trim on the front edges of the seats gives them a nicely finished look.

Dash and door trim are made of a premium material that's soft to the touch, providing an attractive appearance and feel and avoiding the plastic look that afflicts so many compacts. The Sport Appearance and SRT Design packages include body-colored bezels around the gauges that add a racy accent to the SXT. Map lights are mounted on the rear-view mirror, not the best location as your co-driver may accidentally adjust your mirror when using the light switch. Most switchgear is easy to use and works well, though the turn signal stalk on our test car wasn't smooth. The standard stereo sounds mediocre, and having to press a button to get the key out of the ignition slot is annoying and archaic.