The Neon Replacement...A Vibe, Malibu Maxx, Magnum Hybrid
- Thread starter Joey D
- 45 comments
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- 895
YSSMAN
I drove an '01 Neon in the spring of 2003 for a little over a week.
No, not at all, because...
... this is where I've lost you. The Neon was a great drive. I can't think of any front-drive Toyota compact that is even half as good a drive, let alone better. Certainly not an Echo! Egads man, have you lost your mind? You've either driven a mystical (to my knowledge non-existent) Echo with half-decent dynamics, or the last Neon you drove was falling apart.
The Neon I drove had the 3-speed automatic, and it was still better than anything Toyota's made (purely from a driver's standpoint).
- 21,286
- GR-MI-USA
- YSSMAN
- YSSMAN
The last Neon I drove was a SXT from 2002... Sure, it had features and ammentities that most cars should have... But the design felt so dated...
Compared to the other small cars Ive driven over the years, the Neon was something that had to go. The Acres of plastic felt and looked worse than those that could be found in the Chevrolet Cavalier, the engine was a bit too harsh espically when compared to Toyotas or Hondas, the seats were uncomfortable and covered with some sort of "fur" they attempted to pass as cloth seats...
Not to say that the Echo was miles ahead of the Neon, but it was atleast passable... Better yet are the Echo's cousins, the Scion xA and xB... The Neon has just been a car without replacement, just minor updates. The same thing happened to the Cavalier from 1981 to 2004, but when the Cobalt finially replaced it, it actually became a great car...
Maybe the same thing can happen to the Caliber?
Compared to the other small cars Ive driven over the years, the Neon was something that had to go. The Acres of plastic felt and looked worse than those that could be found in the Chevrolet Cavalier, the engine was a bit too harsh espically when compared to Toyotas or Hondas, the seats were uncomfortable and covered with some sort of "fur" they attempted to pass as cloth seats...
Not to say that the Echo was miles ahead of the Neon, but it was atleast passable... Better yet are the Echo's cousins, the Scion xA and xB... The Neon has just been a car without replacement, just minor updates. The same thing happened to the Cavalier from 1981 to 2004, but when the Cobalt finially replaced it, it actually became a great car...
Maybe the same thing can happen to the Caliber?
- 21,286
- GR-MI-USA
- YSSMAN
- YSSMAN
I dont think I would place the car in a small-SUV category...
The car does look similar in size and shape to the Vauxhaull Astra, complete with a bit higher ride height and sharp European design...
...That said, I remember hearing the Caliber was designed to be both a US and European market vehicle, and it may explain why it looks so much like the Astra.
The car does look similar in size and shape to the Vauxhaull Astra, complete with a bit higher ride height and sharp European design...
...That said, I remember hearing the Caliber was designed to be both a US and European market vehicle, and it may explain why it looks so much like the Astra.
- 895
I think they've got a shot at success if the back seats were designed to accomodate passengers, unlike the Cobalt/Pursuit twins. Those two sell in droves, but they're probably the worst small sedan you could buy.
My first seat time in the back of the Delta cars was eminently disappointing. Paraplegic midgits wouldn't have leg room. The front seats were great, but I can't believe someone greenlighted the design of the rear accommodations.
My first seat time in the back of the Delta cars was eminently disappointing. Paraplegic midgits wouldn't have leg room. The front seats were great, but I can't believe someone greenlighted the design of the rear accommodations.
- 895
YSSMAN
Okay, now you're just being silly. We all know that just isn't possible.
The Echo is a turd. Well designed from a space-efficiency standpoint, but a turd in every other respect. Nasty rattletrap interior, poor dash ergonomics, ridiculously small centre-mounted gauge cluster (who am I kidding, "gauge cluster"? There's only a speedo and a gas gauge)... The driving dynamics are not even close to being as good as those of the Neon.
I think we're a little confused as to what a "great drive" is. I interpret that to mean how well it performs from the standpoint of dynamic competence. You seem to interpret that to mean having a new-ish interior and a quiet engine.
- 21,286
- GR-MI-USA
- YSSMAN
- YSSMAN
The Neon could be had as a good car, particularly the R/T, ACR and SRT-4 models that had more of a tilt twards the sporty side than the feel of a daily driver...
Yes, there are millions of people out there who drive Neons and love them dearly. There are also a lot of people who have bought Echos, and they are perfectly satisfied...
I would never buy either one. The notion of even buying an Echo would be completely emasculating, but being stuck with an eleven year old design that is the Neon is just as bad.
Yes, there are millions of people out there who drive Neons and love them dearly. There are also a lot of people who have bought Echos, and they are perfectly satisfied...
I would never buy either one. The notion of even buying an Echo would be completely emasculating, but being stuck with an eleven year old design that is the Neon is just as bad.
